True to his words, the village soon came into view as they passed over a hill, and Naji gave an audible sigh of relief. His stomach was famished and the entirety of his lower body ached from the short trip.He was looking forward to a hopefully hot meal and warm bed.
Which was why he was more than a little put out when Malik spoke briefly to a man who directed them to a small stable on the edge of the village.
"We're staying here?" he asked, trying not to sound irritated or incredulous.
"It will do," Malik answered as he dismounted the horse and tethered it to the stall, "There is a loft above where you may sleep, if you are uncomfortable being so close to the horses."
"What of you?"
"Do not concern yourself." Malik then gazed at him expectantly.
"What?" Naji said, faintly apprehensive.
"Are you going to come down?" Malik clarified.
"Oh." He glanced briefly to either side, hesitant and debating the best option, before lifting his leg to try and swing himself over.
His attempt proved vastly unsuccessful as his muscles immediately cramped, causing him to jerk in surprise pain, catching his foot in the stirrup and falling ungracefully off the horse. Fortunately, he was spared from potentially injuring himself on the hard ground as Malik deftly caught hold of him and carefully eased him the rest of the way down.
"Ow," he stated bluntly, as soon as his feet were properly planted.
Malik smirked at him as he helped him straighten himself. "That could have ended rather poorly for you. Are you alright?"
"Aside from the fact that I really don't want to be standing? Wonderful."
"You'll manage. We'll work on your riding skills tomorrow."
A Long Time in Coming- Favorable Chance Encounters 11/?
Which was why he was more than a little put out when Malik spoke briefly to a man who directed them to a small stable on the edge of the village.
"We're staying here?" he asked, trying not to sound irritated or incredulous.
"It will do," Malik answered as he dismounted the horse and tethered it to the stall, "There is a loft above where you may sleep, if you are uncomfortable being so close to the horses."
"What of you?"
"Do not concern yourself." Malik then gazed at him expectantly.
"What?" Naji said, faintly apprehensive.
"Are you going to come down?" Malik clarified.
"Oh." He glanced briefly to either side, hesitant and debating the best option, before lifting his leg to try and swing himself over.
His attempt proved vastly unsuccessful as his muscles immediately cramped, causing him to jerk in surprise pain, catching his foot in the stirrup and falling ungracefully off the horse. Fortunately, he was spared from potentially injuring himself on the hard ground as Malik deftly caught hold of him and carefully eased him the rest of the way down.
"Ow," he stated bluntly, as soon as his feet were properly planted.
Malik smirked at him as he helped him straighten himself. "That could have ended rather poorly for you. Are you alright?"
"Aside from the fact that I really don't want to be standing? Wonderful."
"You'll manage. We'll work on your riding skills tomorrow."