Book 1: Brutality

Unicorn

10

"I thought unicorns were more...Fluffy." - Terry Pratchett

~Trigger Warning~

I awake to silence.

Around me, the night is still. I can't hear anything, not even a single insect chirp. But still, something is there.

I stir, lifting my head and crawling forward. Pain flashes and I give a soundless cry. But something draws me out. Something tugs at me and brings me crawling out in agony from under the bush.

The night is still, so very still. The moonlight is brighter than ever in my life and I can clearly see what has caused the night to hold its breath.

It's a unicorn. Standing on the dew-spangled grass before me is a unicorn. She stands before me — do not ask me how I know it's a she, I just do — looking at me with huge black eyes, her horn is a whorled star-gleam. Her hooves are cloven, her tail lashes, a tuft of white at the end. Her mane is melted pearl, her coat is whiter than any whiteness of the earth. A unicorn.

She steps closer and I can smell her now, she smells of snow and flowers. Her head arcs down and her horn descends, sharper than a sword and despite everything, I flinch back. She doesn't cut me but she taps me gently on the head.

Warmth suffuses me, golden streams flow through my blood and I can feel my injuries healing, the bruises easing away, torn flesh knitting itself seamlessly and without trauma. Strength rushes through me and all at once, I can stand.

Shakily, I get to my feet and I open my mouth. I'm not sure what I intend to say but in any case, nothing comes out. I try to speak but can make no sound, not even a rasp or a moan.

Tears sting my eyes. I guess not even a unicorn can break a Cormyth curse. The unicorn extends her head, touching my hand with her great, soft nose. She nods her head, horn slicing within inches of my face, gesturing. Hesitantly, I hold up my hands, palms upward. The horn descends again.

This time, the power crackles, wreathing around my hands and fingers, sinking into my flesh and bones. Wonderingly, I turn my hands over looking for changes but can see nothing. They're the same as ever but nothing seems the same.

The unicorn nods, gaining back my attention. With a great, graceful movement, she lies down, legs folding and her broad white back gleams before me.

She nods at me, tossing her head back, invitingly. Come on then.

I do not hesitate.

Drawing up my ruined skirt, I slide a leg over the unicorn's back. I cling on, bracing my hands against her neck as she stands, with me mounted. She pauses only for an instant before starting forward.

There's no saddle, no reins, but I'm in no danger of falling off. For the first time in years, I'm in no danger at all.

Behind us, I can hear the sounds of the ball once again, breaking the enchanted silence. I don't look back, there's nothing for me there now.

The walk becomes a trot, then a canter. We slip away, silent and unseen, out of the royal gardens and into the woods. The trees make way for the unicorn, branches lifting out of our path, roots seeming to slide away.

The unicorn moves like a wind, like a current. Without a sound, we ghost through the woods as the shadows cling to us, hiding our passage. The unicorn hastens and the wind flows through my hair. Swift as flight, silent as stars, we gallop through the trees and then emerge onto the sea cliffs where the ocean hurls itself in lacy waves against the rocks so far below.

Still, the unicorn does not slow down. We keep going, to the very edge of the cliff and then the unicorn leaps off.

I've ridden ragwort steeds that gallop through the air, transporting me across worlds but the unicorn doesn't run through the sky. Instead, light as thistledown, we drift downwards to the restless surface of the sea.

The wind blows salt into my face as the unicorn runs forward, each hoof-beat a splash on the ocean's surface. Above us, the moon burns. Behind us, King Elbauthin's Island disappears and still, the unicorn gallops on, along the silver road of the sea.

Eventually, a dark mass hulks before us, blocking the stars, it's the mainland. The unicorn runs steadily forward and over-leaps the combers that roil on the wide beach. Her hooves land on soft sand but she leaves no prints as she gallops onward, up the beach and into the forests of Faerie.

Not once do I look back.

The unicorn runs all night, tireless and smooth but eventually, the sun begins to rise, lighting the forest by degrees around us. She then slows, coming to a halt by a fallen tree.

Here, she indicates that I dismount and I do, swinging my leg off and clambering onto the log. For the first time since sighting the unicorn, fear tightens its ugly claws around my heart. Is she going to leave me here? But, she points with her horn to a space beneath the log. Hide there, you will be safe. She looks into my eyes. I will return tonight.

I swallow a little and nod. Briefly, we touch our foreheads together, sealing the covenant. Then I watch as she fades away, turning to a shadow, then a wisp, then nothing in the bright sunlight.

I clamber off the log and slide into the space beneath. It's surprisingly roomy and there are only a few harmless insects. Briefly, I wonder about breakfast but I'm not hungry. I feel like I'll never be hungry again. I close my eyes and in seconds, I'm asleep.

I wake to the baying of hounds.

~Fun Fact~

Australia is wider than the moon.

If you liked the chapter, please like & comment ^-^