It took a lot of time and explaining from John before Crow managed to get his horse ready to ride. He struggled quite a bit with the bridle, disliking how close he had to put his hand to Baine’s teeth to get the bit into place. Even though the stallion had been tame so far, he didn’t trust him enough not to bite. The saddle wasn’t any easier to prepare either. John noticed quickly that Baine had a habit of puffing up his chest to prevent the two men from tightening the strap down all the way. It took some coaxing with food to trick him into relaxing enough for the viceroy to fit him properly. However, he found the horse’s quirk more amusing than frustrating. It only confirmed his hunch that he’d picked a smart one, and he thought it was funny that the animal was food-motivated like he was.

John wasn’t nearly as entertained by the situation. By the time Crow finally got the saddle on the stubborn stallion, he overheard him muttering under his breath about a “waste of time.” Of course, the knight didn’t openly voice his irritation—he was always patient with his student—but the former thief could tell he’d been hoping that part of the lesson would have gone more smoothly.

Once they were finished dealing with Baine, John had Crow help him get a second horse ready, a dappled gray mare who was far more compliant than the stallion he had chosen. According to the knight, he had a steed of his own, but since they were already in the king’s stables, he found it easier to borrow another one of Albin’s horses rather than walk all the way to the place where the castle guards kept theirs. They were just going to practice the basics of riding, so he was sure the king wouldn’t mind.

“So, how do I get on?” Crow asked when both of the horses were ready to go. He looked over the tall beast curiously. It had been over two years since the last time he had even touched a horse, so he couldn’t remember what Penelope had taught him about riding before. If he recalled correctly, she had helped him up on the stallion they had ridden together most of the time too. He wasn’t sure how to mount the animal as gracefully as the knights did on his own.

“You won’t be doing that in here,” John said, stroking the mare’s nose as he slid the reins down from her neck. “First, we’re going to the field.” Clicking his tongue, the knight gave his horse’s reins a tug to guide her out of the stables.

“Great, so everyone will get to watch me look like a fool,” the viceroy muttered to himself, turning to Baine with a warning look. “You’d better not make this harder than it needs to be.”

Naturally, the horse said nothing.

With a sigh, Crow copied John, clicking his tongue and tugging on the stallion’s reins to follow the knight out to the field. Fortunately, it seemed like Baine was compliant when he wasn’t being forced into a saddle, because he came along without complaint.

After a while of walking, they came to a wide open, grassy area surrounded by a fence. Crow peered past John and made a face when he saw that they weren’t alone. Two other knights were already there with young boys whom he guessed were their squires. All four strangers looked up from what they were doing as he and Penelope’s father entered the space, and he averted his gaze. It had been uncomfortable enough knowing that he was at the same level of education as a child, but to actually be taught alongside two boys who couldn’t have been older than twelve years old was humiliating.

“They’re staring,” he muttered, turning to John with a pleading look. “Do we have to work here? I’m sure we could find a clearing in the forest that’s much more private.”

“Ignore them,” John instructed firmly, shutting the gate behind them. “You don’t have enough experience to practice riding outside the fence yet. You don’t want to lose your horse during your first lesson, do you?”

“I pocketed a carrot earlier,” the viceroy said flippantly. “He’s not going anywhere.”

“We’re staying here,” John dictated, ending the debate with an unwavering edge to his voice. Stepping away from the barrier, he stood by Baine’s side next to his student. “To mount, you’re going to put one foot in the stirrup to hoist yourself up. If you’re starting from your horse’s left side, you’ll use your left foot. If you’re starting from his right, you’ll use your right. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” Crow fought the urge to roll his eyes at the simplified directions. It looked like the knight wanted to get straight to business, so there was no point in pestering him any further about relocating somewhere else. He just hoped he wouldn’t make too big a fool of himself in front of kids who could probably outride him if he tried to compete with them today.

Following John’s instructions, he turned toward the stallion and put his left foot in the stirrup. He took a steeling breath and threw his weight up and over the animal’s back, gripping the saddle to steady himself, so he wouldn’t overshoot and fall off. Once he was on Baine’s back, he blinked, looking over the field with new interest. It had been so long since the last time he’d ridden a horse that he’d forgotten how powerful it made him feel. Maybe this lesson wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“That wasn’t too hard,” he smirked, looking down at the knight haughtily. “What’s next?”

“Don’t get cocky,” John advised, seeming indifferent to his quick success. “You’re taller than most beginners, so I didn’t expect you to have any trouble with it.”

[i]That’s because I’m not a twelve-year-old,[/i] he thought dryly, glancing at the other boys who were practicing trotting around the other side of the field. “Okay,” he said aloud, returning his attention to the knight. “Either way, I’m ready to move on.”

Penelope’s father nodded wordlessly and mounted his mare with ease.

“So, what now, horse sage?” the viceroy asked, leaning forward in his saddle.

“We’ll begin with proper posture.”

Crow groaned.