Time stretched on, minutes blending into an hour. In the soft morning light, the marsh grew quiet, as if even the distant cries of waterfowl hushed in reverence. Then, with a decisive snap of the cutters, one chain fell away. Ovidiu repeated the process on the other leg, and soon the remaining chains dropped to the earth. The stallion was free.

For a moment, the horse remained still, its eyes blinking as if unsure of the newfound lightness around its ankles. It nudged a fallen chain with its muzzle, testing this unfamiliar freedom. Then, with a surge of strength, it rose—hesitant at first, then with growing assurance.