Thornwick stood at the forest's edge, his white coat bright against the dark trees. Cherry blossoms dotted his antlers and back, swaying as he moved. He gazed at the empty clearing before him. This patch of land would become something new. A place where forest folk and travelers could meet, trade, and build lives together. His dream was simple: create a market town right here. He walked across the clearing, hooves pressing into soft earth. First, he needed a central gathering place. A spot where merchants could meet and traders could rest. Thornwick spotted a small lake beyond the grass, its water clear and still. The sun warmed the ground near its shore. He paced out a square next to the water. Wood and bright cloth would fill this space soon. The trading post would anchor everything else. Next came the market itself. Thornwick pictured rows of stalls bursting with goods from near and far. Fresh vegetables, woven baskets, tools, and spices. Travelers would stop here on their way through the forest. They'd trade, eat, and share stories. He marked out a wide area with his hooves, scratching lines in the dirt. The open space would fill with voices and color. Finally, Thornwick walked the border of his settlement. He stopped at each corner, noting where the town would end and wilderness would begin. Tomorrow he would bring fence posts to mark these edges. White painted wood would show where his market town started. The fence would stand as proof that something real was growing here. Thornwick lifted his head, blossoms falling from his antlers. The work had begun.