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Never fear, I'll be with you. And if the ride ends up to be... less to your liking, we'll make a short return.

[His eyes move from the mare's long face to Karen.]

[ She looks over at him, eyes widening somewhat, ]

...on the same horse?

[His face stays impassive, eyes brown and trying to pull off innocent. At least he has the good sense to not smile too wide.]

Yes. Until you feel more comfortable.

[ She feels a smile curve her mouth faintly, ]

Are you...

[ she takes a step closer to him, ]

certain that's the reason?

[His head tilts and he allows a wider smile.]

Your safety is foremost in my mind. ...what other reason would there be?

[They are getting a little too close for polite, dismounted, company. So he takes a step back.]

[ She follows him, taking a step forward again, ]

That's why I'm asking.

[Ah, the determination he has come to directly admire makes it very difficult to try and concoct another answer besides the obvious.]

I wish to show you my skill as a rider. And... it would be wrong to not admit that your closeness is something I desire very much.

My "closeness"? That's a bold thing to say, sir.

[ And yet... something about it causes a warmth in her belly, her heart to race. ]

The truth should be a bold.

[His gaze holds her's and he notes that there is a spark of something. Though there is no telling what it is exactly in her eyes. It only makes them more brilliant and fascinating.]

I mean no insult and shall not ever act without permission. That is another truth.

I don't believe you have ever insulted me.

[ If anything, she had been more prone to take insult out of things than have it levied at her. ]

To where would we ride?

[No insult has ever been intended. A lioness must be prideful and look out for self. And slights are found where there may not be any from time t time. It is a gamble, yes. And any success would be well worth it. The more scorn she gives, the more he's driven to gain her good graces.]

There is a walled garden not far from here. The trees are shaded and the blossoms are like gems. It would be fitting for you to be among them.

[ Her smile is a little easier and wide, ducking her head slightly as she steps away again, going to the front of the horse. She holds the head, petting the nose gently with one hand. ]

I believe a bargain has been struck.

[Starsea nickers and leans into the lady's touch.]

Say the word, my lady and we'll leave.

[Frank's smile isn't wide but more noticeable than usual.]

If we're lucky, there may even be some ripened fruit.

[ She looks back towards the home she shares with her parents and then back to him before nodding, ]

We can go now.

[ While she should have a chaperone, she's feeling... defiant today. ]

[Frank is more wont to have such lighter expressions in the lady's presence. Many have whispered about it. Women are not a strange sight in his presence. It's very rare for him to appear to be so visibly engaged enough to relax.

He mounts Starsea smoothly and offers his hand to help Karen up.]

Should we call for your handmaiden?

[As a courtesy. He really would prefer it to be just the two of them.]

[ She takes his hand with a grin, ]

I don't see why we should.

[ Continuing after she gets in the saddle in front of him, folds of her dress already riding up to her knees. ]

As long as you agree to be courteous and respectful of a lady such as myself.

[ Not that she was acting much like a lady at the moment... ]

[Up she goes, and into the seat close to him. An acceptable position for horseback riding. If they were in any other place or position this would be indecent.]

I agree to be most respectful and courteous to her ladyship.

[Two hands reach around her middle, the first to take the reins and then to lightly hold at her waist. A click of his tongue and Starsea starts to shuffle forward.]

[ She feels her cheeks warm at the arms around her but she does not comment on it. She merely reaches out to pet Starsea's mane again. She waits until they are outside the walls of the palace to say anything else. ]

When did you learn how to ride? How old? I've heard that Dothraki children learn to ride before they can walk.

[If he doesn't hold her, she could fall. And that is absolutely unacceptable for her to befall any harm whatsoever under his guard.]

Perhaps my second year. My father being the khal made sure of it. I had much to prove to the khalasar. I could at least sit in the saddle. Children as young as I was road in the carts with the elderly and mothers too pregnant to ride.

Second year? But that's so young!

[ She's as shocked as she sounds, unable to process such a thing. ]

Could you even speak at that age?

[Frank chuckles and gives her middle a little squeeze as they step through the second gate of the keep.]

I was quite vocal, actually. I was very fond of saying no.

[The sun is warm on his skin and Starsea kicks up her pace. Frank adapts easily.]

[ Karen laughs at that, not able to restrain herself (or wanting to). ]

Somehow... I'm not shocked by that. I've been told I was busy talking in another language at that age. But "no" was one of the first words that truly stuck.

For you? Imagine.

[He chuckles warmly. Already the lioness is opinionated in her own right. In infancy it must have been unstoppable.]

I learned to mind in my own way. My refusal for things didn't always hold dominance.

[ She laughs again, giving a light smack to his arm. She can't be too offended when she's more than proven that point. ]

Oh, I'm sure. It's not that much different in a court of lions. You have to stand firmly to have any worth. If you allow people to walk over you, what's to stop them from eating you alive?

[ Lessons her own kinsmen taught her more than once. She saw it happen to other relatives. She had just never thought her father would be one of them. ]

[No offense or any kind of darker emotion roused from her playful smack. In fact he is wholly intrigued.]

Woe to any that would ever.

[They're approaching a grove of trees that will provide a bit of shade for a time.]

I'm sure you were a lovely, spirited little lioness.

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