The Builder (Solo)

[Tebridiar]

Day 26, Fall

The twilight was always a better time.

Its easier to pretend then, because its harder to see. You can imagine anything you wish just that little bit easier. She saw everything, and understood everything around her. What a beautiful, busy place. There was a beating heart to this city, a city of a nomadic people. Trinkets, rugs, and beautiful and exotic crafted items littered busy little stalls and tables, and a sea of tents brightened the darkening shadows, as they had little hearts of torchlight within them.

Tebridiar imagined the tight rope around her kneck was cast away, and she had no load on her back. Before her the city suddenly melted away, like the winter snow, and she was on a grassy plain. She could flex her muscles, and galloped on to meet a group of horses in the distance. She galloped faster and faster, her russet mane glossy and glorious in the moonlight. However, suddenly the horses began to fade, and the tent and stalls returned. And she was in the city again. Isolated, yet right in the middle of things. And it broke her heart.

Her master tugged the rope around her kneck, glaring at her. She followed him. Many people stared at her, which she was used to. She was beautiful in her true form, she felt. Icy blue eyes, glossy red coat, wild mane. But she must look strange to people, because she was more alert, more curious and more aware than other horses. Yet no one would tell outright what she truly was. And for that she was glad. Better to be loved as a caged animal, beautiful and obedient, than a frightened little slave girl.

And inside she wept, because she doubted she would ever be free, free to run and learn and love. She hated being forced to love this man. Because she didnt. She was broken, and she needed to be fixed. But she was running out of time. Soon she would have no will left, she feared.

And as she followed her master into the tent, to the surprise of many. But she could always pretend. She could always build a world inside her mind. The builder.