[ jayce got a new job.

after his forced work leave (stemmed from a horrid accident with a loose hammer, a skittish clydesdale and his leg), a dark time and months where he'd considered ending everything from the chronic pain, financial failure and miscarried expectations in having the simple family business thrive— jayce found strength to get up and try again. one more time.

maybe it was his mother, who wouldn't be able to carry the name to fruition by herself. not only would jayce leave behind a disaster for her emotionally, she'd de wracked in debt. he was an only child, his father retired and sick. maybe it was also the inkling of hope in this grey, dreary world that urged him to relearn how to walk, pick up his hammer and forge the shoes champion jumpers won competitions with.

it's nothing flashy nor prized, but his parents always said their humble work was dignified. that was true enough. no shoe, no horse, but no one really thought that when a treasured stud was worth more than a house. jayce had bigger plans, sustaining himself with dreams that could almost seem impossible to achieve. sketches of special shoes that would heal injured hooves, even legs, and save the beautiful life behind the money and prestige. but . . . what else did he have? what else would give his life worth and greater meaning? sometimes he feels like anger alone is keeping him alive— he refuses to be a worthless grain in the sand. he needs to accomplish something.

the manor that wishes to hire him is the biggest one he's seen. he'll have his own quarters, food and drink, somewhere to sleep. in turn they want exclusivity and all his focus on the horses. they must be fed, groomed, turned out, with stalls mucked. they'll all be shoed down to the individual gate with the talis eye, and on top of that, paid handsomely.

it's enough to start paying all that debt and getting out of it in a few years, if he can keep their interest. he plans on it. jayce has already put the thought to truth: it's not going to be the trainers' work getting the horses to win. it's going to be his work. he'll been seen for it. he has to.

jayce's arrives with little on his back: two changes of clothes at most, a book to write in, his apron and tools. he's given the house's uniform, toured around the stables and where he'd be staying. work started on the same day. this family believed in him for something, so he's going to work until he's gotten every single thing down and finished.

he's being talked about, already, and sad to say other house employees don't have many good things to say to begin with. a scruffy, too quiet disabled man. would he even be able to pick up a horse leg? he cares more about the horse's names than the hour they should be groomed and ready for the riders. they don't give him a week before he's sent away. ]