A long time ago, a desperate mare sought the aid of a disgraced enchanter. He believed her a useful, naive child—bitter and malleable with a gift that could raise him to heights he had never dared dream of.

By the time he realised his mistake, it was far too late.

The original version of this was written for the March 9th 2019 Writeoff, under the prompt "Through A Glass Brightly". It won 3rd place.

It tastes like a thunderous church organ piece with chromatic counterpoint in cunning cadences, author. Or like a deep, sparklingly bitter, lightly intoxicating juice with the scent of grapefruit and blood. Were I the appropriate one of the main characters, and had I the abilities she has in certain canons, I would devour you to take your ability to write like this. Amazing.

- Light_Striker, reviewing the Writeoff version.