I woke up within a straw bed, my face moist from previous tears. The old man was sitting in a shaky wooden chair beside the bed, waiting for my wake. He was playing the sandy guitar I heard before within the echo's of my mind.

He played well, but stopped when I awoke. I asked him not to, but he said beauty doesn't last. I could not understand it, but he then opens the exit from the tent we resided.

Light bled through again, and the man was taken by the light. I hear a horse from outside, and I was excited. I heard of them within those holy books, but never have I seen them.

I step out of the bed, and notice a bandage over my knee, stained with blood. My knee was still weak, but the pain was mostly gone.

I walk out to find him feeding his steed. I was amazed. It was black, with a main that was refined. Armor plated it's body, and a saddle overtook it's back. The old man then says I can pet it. I do, slowly and cautiously. It was even friendly, too!

He says it's a wonderful creature. I agree, and then a puts a metal hand on my shoulder, thanking me for accepting his request to trek the mountain. He said it was a beautiful thing to watch, despite the agony I went through. Then, he promised me one day you will succeed to climb the mountain of grace.

I was confused, but was happy that he was happy with me. I was weirdly overjoyed by it. But it might just be the joy of human interaction... I lost it for a year.

He kneels, putting his other hand on my other shoulder. We were eye to eye now. He asked if I believed in God. I said I did, and he smiled a hopeful but painful smile, seemingly.