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Of his uncle’s horses, Ezio’s first choice of mount was currently mysteriously lame. His second choice was dealing with an abscess. And his third was still recovering from their previous long trek together. Which left him with the final option of... Bambino. A tall, seal bay of a peculiar personality. He supposed his uncle held onto him for his looks. He was a handsome thing with long legs, an arching neck and wavy mane. Yet only half a brain, by Ezio’s estimations. Perhaps Uncle Mario only kept him around to laugh at the misfortune of whoever had to ride him.
A large branch had fallen with a loud crack and commotion not far off the game trail they were picking their way along. Terrifying, in the horse’s opinion. He had yet to settle from his scare, instead choosing to speedwalk with ears on a swivel for the last, oh, thirty or so minutes. And no amount nor combination of sweettalk, stern words, petting, pulling the reins or other distraction has convinced him to slow his march for more than a few moments. And Ezio’s legs were beginning to ache from being rocked in the saddle.
The worst part was the contagiousness of the beast’s anxiety as Ezio caught himself glancing backwards, becoming at once annoyed by his own behavior. He had twice already confirmed they weren’t being followed. He huffed and let his feet fall from the stirrups, leaning back and stretching his legs out. Letting his gaze wander. Surely the horse would tire himself out soon.
It was midafternoon and the forest was alive with birdsong. Sunlight filtered through the trees and a breeze rustled the leaves. It would be a lovely place for a ride on a more agreeable mount.
Bored, Ezio was scanning the trees around them when Bambino flinched and stopped abruptly, head shooting up. Ezio’s attention immediately snapped to where the horse was focused. There were three does stood frozen crossing the trail in front of them, staring. He relaxed marginally, it was only deer after all. He nudged the horse’s sides with his calves and reached a hand to pet at his mane. Voice pitched low and indulgent despite his exasperation, he began-
“Bambino, it’s- ack!”
And several things happened then.
Ezio felt Bambino’s weight shift backwards underneath him in the same moment he leaned forward to soothe him with a hand. And the deer took this as their cue to absolutely scatter in every direction at high speed. Bambino wretched his head side to side and reeled back in fear, nailing Ezio square in the face with a headbutt. The animal’s backwards, sideways scrambling didn’t stop and it was only blind instinct that had Ezio stumbling to his feet before he even registered hitting the dirt. Needing to put distance between him and the giant flailing animal suddenly on the ground next to him. Turning, he was able to watch Bambino haul himself up from where he’d tripped sideways over his own legs. Ezio threw up his arms to halt him, but the horse wasted no time in spinning from him with a snort. Trotting swiftly back up the trail, tail curled over his rump and throwing backward glances over both shoulders.
“Wait, wait! No, no, no, Bambino, there is no need for that. Come back, no, wait-!” But he was not stopping.
Shit.
Cursing his uncle, those deer and especially that horse, Ezio took off at a swift jog. Certain if he lost sight of that damned animal that they’d only be reunited at the front of Monteriggioni’s gates. And Ezio wasn’t walking that far.
“Bambino!” Ezio called sweetly. Said horse kept an eye behind him and didn’t slow, brushing past foliage and low branches. So Ezio continued. “Come here, good boy. You are a good boy? Brave, also, very brave.” Most definitely… “Brave horse, magnificent horse. You’d like to stop now, yes? Handsome boy, good boy?” Please slow down...
His face was smarting and his ankle too. It must have been twisted or crushed in the fall. And the longer he matched pace with the horse the more he was developing a limp. And- he paused to blow flyaway hair out of his face- his shoulder hurt. And his legs had already been aching before he started chasing this damn horse.
“If you stop now I will bring you sugar from the kitchens, Bambino. Sugar? Like Claudia does for you. You like Claudia? You would stop for her? Yes?” An ear flicked back, but Bambino continued to single mindedly trot along the path. Ezio huffed as his adrenaline was rapidly fading. And his hair was in his face again. He pulled the loose ribbon free with a jerk and bit it between his teeth so he could rake fingers through his hair.
A skinny stray branch slapped him across the face and his irritation spiked. He hastily retied the ribbon, glaring at the horse’s back with a pinched smile.
“You know what, Bambino? I think I may be getting hungry and I believe I’m craving horse meat! When I catch you, I think I will have a feast tonight. And I will turn your hide into a lovely rug! I can picture it now, in front of my desk. Maybe I’ll have your head mounted.” He mused pleasantly and only slightly panting.
Ahead of him, Bambino had broken down to a swift walk and Ezio eagerly slowed his own pace, ankle starting to burn hot.
“Yes! Good horse, handsome boy! Good! You may yet live another night.” He smiled. The fast walk was leagues better on his aching body, but he couldn’t stop himself limping.
And finally, for seemingly no reason in particular, Bambino stopped abruptly. Turning slightly and twisting his neck around to peer curiously at Ezio with ears forward. Seeming confused at the human following him. Probably having already forgotten what scared him in the first place. Stupid horse. Ezio approached cautiously with hands raised, watching his expression.
“Good boy…” Bambino leaned away slightly as Ezio rested a hand on his rump and pet him. The beast’s muscles bunched under his touch like he would spring forward, but Ezio already had a hand out and lunged for a hanging rein before he could move. “Hah!” Bambino startled and tried to dart forward, but he was caught. Finally, finally.
Now Ezio pulled the horse toward him with his iron grip on the reins and raised a finger to point at his clueless face. Voice far from sweet any longer. “You are a bad horse.” He intoned. “If I have my way you are getting sold the second we are home.” Bambino stared, uncomprehending with his big dark eyes. Then he attempted to put Ezio’s finger in his mouth. Ezio swatted his hand and Bambino tossed his head up. Ezio brought his finger back around to shake it one last time. “Bad horse.”
Bambino swiveled his ears uncertainly, head still in the air. Ezio sighed, long suffering, and reached up to scratch the animals neck. And Bambino seemed to forgive him, if the way he immediately dropped his head into Ezio’s hands for more scratches was any indication. Keeping a hand on a rein he took stock. Some minor scrapes on the horse's legs, that he would no doubt be hearing about from his uncle, and the saddle had slid. A quick fix.
Limping, Ezio led the horse to a fallen log and stepped up. It only took him two attempts to haul himself over the saddle. And he only had to kick him once to convince Bambino to continue in the direction of home. Back down the trail they went, no sign of any terrifying deer.
Yet. Ezio felt his eyebrow twitch. The horse was beginning to speedwalk again as they passed by where the deer had crossed. He closed his eyes tiredly for a moment. Spending the remainder of the journey mentally drafting an argument in favor of trading Bambino for literally any other horse was as good a pastime as any, he supposed.