The Horseman's Tale
Eventually, after many years had passed, the horseman came back through the fields, as had been foreseen. He had left armed with the hopes and prayers of the farmers, smiths, their families and the soldiers: he said nothing except to his horse which was as keen to leave that place as any human was. But even as the echo of hooves upon stone sped off on the infinite journey the battle was finished and the fighting over.
Good news travelled faster than bad and even before the messenger had reached the fortress capital he knew he had nothing to say. Everything had changed and gone back to the bad old days - the kingdom was secure, debts had been paid and honour satisfied. Finding himself as redundant as his message, the rider turned his horse past the castle walls and out across an open plain dotted with shacks and domesticated animals.
Without thinking he took a path that took him into the high hills from which can be seen the four corners of the world. Coming to a halt in a clearing he looked around and saw the forest of innocence spreading towards the horizon. Hunting birds soared high above the tree tops, and, though freed of the constrictions that bind Man firmly to the earth, they never strayed beyond the realms of the wooden wall.
That night as he lay camped under the stars he dreamt of things which have no name (though they seem common enough now), of war and of barren landscapes. In his dream he reached up to the moon and held it in his hands. Putting his hand in his pocket, he pulled out a small silver box and through it towards Mars but he missed and the box sailed on into space shrinking until it looked just like any other star.
For several days the messenger sat absorbing the sounds and colours of the forest: squirrels and deer ignored him, though they did leave some food, and magpies, thrushes and sparrows sang the songs of their forefathers to him knowing he didn't understand.
After the fifth day the mind had exhausted itself and on the seventh the horseman climbed back into the saddle and set off along the path which leads to the four corners of the world. Meanwhile his disappearance had given birth to rumours, predictions and a cult of remembrance. All of which happened to be true.
Eventually, after many years had passed, the horseman came back through the fields, as had been foreseen.