[ the reality is that a lot of what he's learned, a lot of what he's had to do has all been for the purposes of having to achieve some unconventional task for someone else, getting his hands dirty because he's one of the few people willing to. it's why taking up this deal in the first place hadn't taken much thought; there's very little he wouldn't do, even if these days, he's trying to avoid doing it for someone else. not that it's working well.

but she draws him out of that brief detour into his own thoughts, raising a brow considering she'd been the one skeptical about the riding in the first place. ]

If I let you ride alone, I'll probably be seeing you in six hours, without a horse and with a few layers of mud on your skin to peel off. Wouldn't do that to you.

[ he shrugs a single shoulder, face displaying the shift of the conversation's mood as he shows a smugness in the smirk of his lips, patting her horse once more before turning to go climb upon his own. ]