Sorely snorts beneath him and Caspian watches in amazed admiration as Marian pulls away, her laughter singing like a bell. He leans over to whisper into the horse's ear.

"Will you stand for that?"

A shake of Sorely's head, and Caspian crouches in the saddle, the breeze that kicks up about them tossing his hair and tugging at his tunic until he has to laugh out loud for the joy of it. Sorely's powerful strides shatter distance as they chase the fleeting white tail ahead.

Sorely is faster but Marian knows these woods better, and though Caspian nearly catches her, she and the mare always manage to flick ahead, as though they were fairies.