She clicked and leaned back to say hold on as they moved into a trot. The big warhorse was trained to carry men like Bucky and any extra weight they had. He loped easily with the two of them onboard. It was always a pretty ride home and soon, with a cut through the forest, the forge came into sight.

Once they were in front of the stables, she dismounted in a fluid, practised motion and offered Bucky a firm hand down. When he was on the ground, she worked on untacking Thunder and giving him a good rubdown.

"How was that for a first horse ride?" Getting home had been all the easier with the help of her equine friend.