by Sandra Elsa
Pink stared at him in awe. If anything more beautiful ever graced the earth, she had never seen it. Every muscle sharply defined, the skin stretched tightly over tendons and ligaments. He stood over eighteen hands tall, he would have dwarfed even Bess. The brief glimpse she had of him in astral form had not prepared her for the stunning beauty standing in front of her.
The sun glinted off his white coat, and the eighteen inches of golden horn, gleamed blindingly. She jumped to her feet and did her best curtsey, which was woefully lacking in grace. Never before had she felt more like she was in the presence of royalty.
In the back of her mind, deep laughter floated, rich and mellifluous. "We do not use human customs, though I recognize and appreciate the courtesy. I am called Lorn. I apologize for earlier. My son panicked, I did not know exactly what was wrong.” He turned a censuring eye on Angel. He will get used to you disappearing but you must be mindful of his emotions. He will become more comfortable with other people as he matures. Then he will not be so afraid for you.”
He cocked his head quizzically to one side. Then snorted softly, sounding surprised. “I have been here in this grove for more than three years to make sure my son would be well taken care of until he grew large enough to assert himself. It pleased me to see you arrive. You are the reason he is here."
Moving across the glade to stand in front of her, he brought the scent of lilacs with him. He looked at her as though she were a curious new being. She stood firm under the scrutiny that pierced her, when he smelled her, and snorted again. In quiet tones she wasn’t sure he meant to project to her, she heard, “I did not expect this.” But he did not clarify that thought.
"I must admit to having had my doubts as to the necessity of creating a half-breed.” His eyes rolled skyward. "Eina told me my son's human would assist my dam, and…others who are important to the herd. I did what she asked.
Too stunned for words, Pink’s jaw hung open. How could she possibly help the dam of such a great creature?
“When you arrived in the valley I knew you were the one we waited on. I am anxious to go home, I have other responsibilities. He will care for you always, but you in turn must care for him."
"I will," she said breathlessly. "Will he ever be able to speak with me as you are?"
"With half-breeds you never know which attributes of which parent will carry through strongest. Some have been able to mindspeak. As a rule we crossbreed only when it is deemed essential by a higher being.” He glanced at Angel. “Occasionally mistakes are made and the resulting foal is little more than a big horse.” He paused and once again gave her that piercing stare, accompanied by a gentle inhalation. Pride touched his tone when he said, “This time was no mistake.”
She felt there was a double meaning to his words but she had no idea what he was attempting to say. His tone turned lighter and he glanced at his son. “Occasionally all that's missing is the horn. Angel is exceptional—by the way, he and I both like the name—if you notice, he even has silver flecks in his hooves. His color comes from his granddam but I do have a handsome son.” Behind him, Angel shifted uncomfortably as though embarrassed. Lorn continued, “Bess is a smart enough mare as horses go. But I'm glad he takes more after me."
"Will he grow as large as you?" she asked.
"Probably not quite as big,” he told her, “but certainly large enough to carry you. In an emergency he could carry you now. Unlike a horse, he can use magic to strengthen his joints while they are still growing, but it is best to wait at least another year.” The golden horn swung towards Angel. “He will not reach a full, mature height for at least another five years. He will consent to wear a saddle and bridle but they are not necessary and nobody but you will ever be likely to get them on him."
She looked at him shaking her head. “Even if he’ll allow it, I haven’t the slightest idea how.”
"You will learn.”
His tone was so certain she did not argue.
"I noticed you trying to do as the old wizard instructed," Pink could hear a smile in his mental voice. "What he wants you to do is not easy. I can help you to understand the way to do this if you wish."
"I would greatly appreciate it," she said.
No sooner did she say this than he dipped his horn down and touched her gently between the eyes. As gentle as he was, she felt the tip slice through her skin. A drop of blood rolled down her face. In the back of her mind she knew this for a deadly weapon. She was not afraid.
Warmth enveloped her mind and when he removed his horn she knew that she would be able to perform the exercise Johann had given her, better than if she had spent months practicing.
"You must now learn Healing from the man who lives in this valley, then you must be on your way. Great things are moving in the world. You and my son will be needed."
He withdrew the horn from her forehead. She felt a slight burning and reached up to touch the place he had sliced. She found only a tiny scar. If not for the bright red droplet on the surface of the horn, which rapidly disappeared, and the one still moist on her cheek, she would not have believed he cut her at all. "I am honored to have met you. Care well for each other, Daughter of the Wind." With that statement, he turned and at the center of the grove disappeared, leaving behind little more than a wisp of sunlight. She remained sitting in stunned silence.
He was honored to meet me? I think he's got it backward. The moment he disappeared, questions flooded her mind. Who was Eina that she could command a unicorn? Where was Lorn's dam? Who were the ‘others‘ he mentioned? How could Pink possibly assist anybody? An escaped slave had her own concerns. If a unicorn as grand as Lorn couldn't help his dam, what was a sixteen year old runaway supposed to do? Why her? Why did he call her Daughter of the Wind?
She turned to Angel, amazed to see a single large tear rolling down his face. She wouldn’t have believed he could cry. That tear told her his sire had disappeared from the valley, changing his life forever.
"Don't worry," she gently told him. "We will care for each other now." Angel lay down beside her, resting his head in her lap. As she sat there, she put her new knowledge to use. With joy she sent her spirit wandering through the glade, while her body with just a miniscule shred of intelligence sat gently stroking Angel's neck. Even with this split, Angel’s eye tracked her through the glade, daring her to try to disappear.
