Tári grew up as an ordinary girl, until, on her adoptive family's deathbed, the existence of a letter urging her to return to her homeland was revealed to her. To do so, however, she must prove her loyalty by completing a series of trials.
On her jo...
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Gently, she mounted Abyss, feeling as though she were sinking into the softness of the unicorn's back. The apprentice had assured her she would not need a saddle, but Tári had not expected the creature's body to feel so soft. Lost in these thoughts, they began their journey toward Aguamarina. Tári was mesmerized by the elegance of Ábside, the apprentice's stallion, whose powerful strides exuded raw energy. Abyss, in contrast, moved with an otherworldly grace, as if levitating just above the ground, its hooves barely brushing the dewy grass.
"What must I do to find the Land of the Elves?" she asked, urging her mount closer to his.
"You must follow the clues they give you. Many will come as riddles for you to solve, while others will be trials of courage, strength, or skill."
Silence fell between them again, broken only by the soft whisper of their mounts' steps and the distant cries of nocturnal creatures.
"May I ask you something?" the girl said after a few moments.
"You may, but I might not answer."
"Why do you ride a nightmare?"
"Too many questions."
With that, the apprentice muttered something to Ábside, and the stallion surged forward, galloping ahead and leaving Tári behind. Stunned by his abrupt departure, she could not resist retaliating. Stroking her unicorn's neck, she spoke softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes:
"Shall we show them what we're capable of?"
Abyss neighed loudly, its silver mane rippling with energy as it nodded eagerly, the desire for speed clear in its every movement.
"Go, then!" she cried into the night, laughter bubbling from her throat as her heart raced.
Abyss launched into a breathtaking sprint, its speed dizzying. The apprentice, astonished by the unicorn's swiftness, spurred Ábside on, and soon the two riders found themselves in an exhilarating race toward Aguamarina. Despite the weight of the sorrow she had carried in recent days, the rush of the wind against her face and the thrill of that starry night allowed Tári to grasp the fleeting, vibrant beauty of life in all its intensity.
That night, they did not rest. They paused only briefly to eat and let their mounts drink from a fresh stream after the long race. Though little was said between them, Tári found herself less uneasy in the stranger's presence. Still, she knew that her journey was just beginning.
With the sunset of the following day, they brought their journey to a halt, pausing to eat and rest for a few hours. They used the waters of the River Velat to quench their thirst. Given the long, sweltering day, it would not have surprised them if their mounts had drained the river dry. While eating some thick loaves of bread for dinner, Ludovh's apprentice addressed Tári:
"These lands are not to be trusted, so get some sleep. I'll stand guard for the first few hours. Then, if you agree, I'll wake you to watch the surroundings until dawn."
