those who do not learn from history

are doomed to repeat it

I watched the colt. We were alike in color, maybe one untrained could think us part of the big, gold family. I was surprised when he approached me and buried his head against my chest. My ears pricked to catch his gentle words. I sighed and dropped my muzzle to nibble his head a bit.

I can’t tell you.

The words were so full of weight, I was half expecting him to collapse under them. I was expecting them to splash down behind me in the warm water and cause waves to pound the broken shore. But nothing like that happened.

These are moments when choice words are needed. Moments when they are almost reaching out. I sighed, wondering the right thing. I could press in. I could try and pry the secret from his little heart. Or I could let him escape. He almost seemed to be crying for help and yet…

“Conquistada,” I began. The waves gently splashed our legs. “Na, Ah dun mean ta intrad. An’ if’n ya dun wanna tell meh, Ah undastand. Jus’ rememba, dad Ah’m ‘ere if’n ya find yer secred’s ta much ta bare alone. ‘Kay?” I rubbed my nose along his neck and back of his head.

“Secreds an’ trud ‘ave cos’s. If’n yer will’n ta pay da’ cos’, na-un can ‘old da’ agains’ya. Undastand? Bu’ na-un can ferce ya ta carry deir secrets eda. Na-un can ferce ya ta ‘ell da trud. In yer own mind, ya always ‘ave da po’er.”

If there is one thing I know its that in your own mind, people only have the power you give them. The Brute, Rurisk (still can’t get used to his name), could beat me every other way. But he could not own my mind. No one can.

“Alsa,” I added in a whisper. “If’n ya need advice, er jus’ an open min’, come an’ find me. Don’ madda if’n i’s nah, er in six years. Ah’ll alwaehs beh will’n ta lis’n.” I was no liar. Was I a good horse? I don’t think anyone is ‘good’ truly. I sure broke a lot of rules. But there was one thing I never was and never would be: A liar.