Rider of the Laika

Rider of the Laika; Chapter 5

I was soaked to the skin and shivering violently. Neither Asteria nor Jaden seemed much better. We needed shelter, and quickly, but there didn’t seem to be anything but pine trees for ages.

“Look!” I said, pointing. There was a break in the trees up ahead as it fell down into a valley amidst the grove of trees.

“What is it?” Asteria said, holding her hand above her eyes to shield them.

“A break in the trees.”

“I can’t see it!”

“It’s there, I promise,” I said. They doubtfully followed me through the dripping branches to the break in the trees.

It was just a clearing with a weeping willow in the center. Then inspiration struck.

“We can shelter under the willow tree!” I shouted, raising my voice to be heard over the rain. Asteria nodded, and we pushed our way through the mud and into the grass beneath. It was not much drier, but it provided some shelter and we collapsed, exhausted. We were all soon asleep.

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A woman bent over them as they slept. She was very old, and her grey hair was bound into a braid that was wrapped around her head. Her eyes clearly showed the wisdom inside, and she seemed to peer into the souls of those she beheld.

“This is a bad omen to arrive by thunderstorm,” she murmured. “There is danger to come, and these three will be bound together by ties stronger than anything. They are a living representation of hope for the future. Without them, all is lost. The girl in particular. She will hold power over the people, and will offer them a gift beyond anything seen before... But I cannot tell where her path leads, and there is heartbreak in her future. You walk a hard path, little one.”

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When I woke the sun was streaming through the branches of the willow tree. Jaden was already awake, kneeling in the grass. His grin was knifelike when he realized I was watching him. “Morning, princess.”

“Princess?” I asked, confused. He couldn’t possibly be flirting with me.

He just grinned again and said nothing, slipping out between the branches. After a short hesitation I followed him.

In the daylight the grove was beautiful. The sunlight sparkled off of the water droplets lingering on the leaves, and everything seemed fresh and green. I blew out a breath in astonishment. Jaden glanced back. “You think it’s pretty, don’t you, princess?”

“Stop calling me that,” was all I said in reply.

Jaden laughed softly and moved closer to me. Tension ran though me like electricity, and every nerve in my body seemed to be awake. I didn’t need a mirror to tell that I was blushing. He’s playing with me, right? I wondered.

“Sasha!” Asteria called. I turned around, and accidentally brushed against Jaden’s arm, making me jump slightly at the contact. What was wrong with me?

Asteria’s eyes were wide. “Have you - did you-” she seemed unable to form a complete sentence.

“What is it?” I asked, nervous now.

“Turn around.”

I turned, and gasped. A beautiful horse with golden hair, a long, spiraling silver horn on her forehead and pure white wings was picking her way towards us. Behind her followed a smaller, slighter mare. The latter was clearly much younger, and was probably her filly or something. The second unicorn was pure white with white wings, body and horn. The first mare was heavy with a foal.

“I know where we are now,” Asteria said.

“Where?”

“You are in the Valley of the Laika, otherwise known as the winged unicorns,” said a voice that was withered with age.

We all turned again, Jaden grinning. “Willow Woman,” he said.

“Who?” I asked. I was now thoroughly bewildered by the proceedings. What had I led us into?

“He speaks correctly,” said the old woman. “I am the Willow Woman, who lives beneath a willow tree in the Valley of the Laika, protected by the magic of the Laika, which allow none but the ones-”

“-who are pure of heart, strong in hope, and filled with good ideals in,” Asteria finished. When she realized I was staring at her, she added defensively, “It’s a legend. Something parents tell to their children. No one in living memory had found this place, so we assumed it was a myth...”

“It is not,” said the Willow Woman. “But now is not the time to debate what is real and what is not, because the mare behind you will soon be foaling and requires my assistance.”

She went and knelt by the mare, who had slumped to the grass and was panting hard.

I followed at a distance, pausing when the filly gave me a hard stare and nudged me back a step. This is not your place, she was saying. Had she actually spoken? I didn’t think so, but the meaning was clear. I took a few steps back and she followed me.

The foaling took a long time, progressing throughout the day. I remained where I was beside the younger Laika. At one point I reached out and touched her mane, and we stayed there, watching the beginning of a new life.