The Last Unicorn: The Bull's Vengeance

Chapter 4

    Another day passed by, and the group eventually came across the Greenwood Forest. Since Lir had previously pardoned the criminals that once inhabited that forest, there were none present. Only the creatures that lived among the land remained, with the deer staring upon the unicorn, part in awe and part in jealousy of her beauty. But one thing took the trio by surprise. The forest was eerily quiet, none of the animals making a noise, none of the birds even dared to chirp. It seemed like there was a dark presence overtaking the picturesque land, one that made the unicorn unsettled. It almost felt like the Bull, though he was not physically there. "Maybe he has mastered disguising himself?" the unicorn thought, fearing that he shape-shifted into another animal, in an effort to stalk her more effectively.

After her panicked thoughts, a small boy emerged from a nearby thicket and approached the unicorn. He was young and innocent, extending his hand to the unicorn's muzzle like it was his own pony. The boy knew what she was, but that did not matter to him. All he wanted was to feel the touch of a unicorn. Seeing that he was a young, pure at heart boy, the unicorn allowed the young boy to stroke her, the boy's eyes softening upon touching the unicorn.

"What is your name, young man?" questioned Molly, though she was unsure he would even know. The boy appeared to be no more than five, and he very well may have been abandoned before he could know his name. Much to Molly's surprise though, the boy shakily said "Oxa, m'lady. M-my name is Oxa." He said this in such a way that it sounded like the child made that up on the spot, but Molly and Schmendrick still used that name for the boy. "Okay Oxa," Schmendrick said, "what are you doing all alone in these forests? This could be dangerous land for a young lad like you." Oxa paused to think, then replied "I was left here by my Ma a while ago. She said she never wanted me, and was happy that she could get rid of me finally. So she brought me here on her horse, then disappeared." The boy's eyes welled up with tears thinking about his mother, who he loved so dearly. He couldn't wrap his young, growing mind around why she would leave her young son alone. However, he would never know the reason why.

Molly felt heartbroken for the young, estranged boy. She couldn't just let him fend for himself here, she knew what dangers could lurk amongst the Greenwood, as this was once her home. After consulting with Schmendrick, demanding he let the boy join the group, he turned to Oxa. "Would you like to join us? We are going to King Lir's kingdom, in hopes of finding safety for the unicorn, who is known by the name of The Lady Amalthea." Then, Oxa nodded, accepting Molly's invitation, hoping the trio would keep him safe. The boy remained close to the unicorn, gripping his hand on her leg for comfort as they went through the dark thicket of the Greenwood Forest.

As the group reached the end of the Greenwood Forest, they stopped just a few miles short of its exit to make camp for the night. Though she allowed him to travel with her, the unicorn still began to grow skeptical of Oxa as she studied him. He had wild orange hair which was the color of fire. Moreover, his eyes shone a burnt auburn color, and appeared to be empty when the unicorn gazed into them. Despite her studying, she could still not figure out what it was about him that gave her such uncomfort. He had an aroma that was strange to the unicorn, it was a thick must, like dense fog that comes from a rainstorm. As Molly and Schmendrick slept for the night, the unicorn stayed awake, high on alert. She continued to study the boy, and also kept watch for the Red Bull. She could feel him somewhere off in the distance, but had no way of knowing just where the beast was.