ART + LIFE
The Earth Bound Book
The Second Unicorn Adventure:
The Earth-Bound Book
A Mini-Novel Series, Composed by:
Reigh Anderson
*For my friends and family, living and dead*
Thanks Dad, for unveiling the courage to see the beacon of hope
Prologue
Unicorns According to Reigh
Unicorns are an extraordinary blend of creatures. According to Western European legend, the unicorn had the body of a horse, cloven hooves of a goat, the flickering tail of a lion, and about one to two feet of crystal spiraling from its forehead. In Easter European, or Asian legend the creature was close to a one horned goat or a rhinoceros. Nevertheless, the Unicorn is one of the signs of justice, purity, and peace, which is what they brought with them into the Human World. They served as Guardian and Guide for the Human World, as they always have since the first Unicorn, which was Azadar or Gregadour Forest, who made his monthly visits to the human village of Zerranata.
Folklore portrays some, if not most, Unicorns as tame beasts, which can be easily hunted and slain with the right bait: a young virgin woman. Tame as they may seem, but with Wizards that come to counsel humans, Unicorns have grown wild. However, they were wild to begin with, moreover, in a sense of gentleness for those who are pure of heart, or the most unlikely people. Young maidens were usually the first to seek counsel from such a beautiful, gentle creature. However, squires, young lords, princes, and especially lovesick paupers sought advice about how to court their ladies. The sick and the emotionally torn were given solace with the presence of a Unicorn.
However, times in the Human World became tragic for the Unicorns, for now the knowledge about their worth had spread among the humans. It was by the greedy king of Humanera, who tried Unicorn flesh, and drank of their blood to have a longer reign over his kingdom. He died from eating too much. Nevertheless, unless eaten and drank lightly, Unicorn flesh and blood prolonged the life of anyone and anything to eighty years. The fur of a Unicorn could keep it warm in the harshest of winters and became coarse and wiry over the summer to cool off, a rare trait of fur to do in human tradition. Therefore, Unicorns were hunted, not only to be tame, but to be slaughtered and devoured. The main prize of the carcass was the horn of the creature. For the horn could purify water, cure ailments, and promote life with fertility and prolonging life.
The Unicorns, after seeing many slaughters of their kin, decided that they must migrate from the lands. Their haven, the Ecylich Woodlands, was only temporary until they could gather everyone to leave for Tillathried, or Tillar’s Valley. Tillathried was their halfway point to Gregadour, the place where all of the immortal creatures spawned. They had to reach Gregadour in order to be safe from harm’s way, and their leader was the first king, Master Kamyl. An Attirhan he was, and though he wasn’t accepted by the Aibiels, he did not let that end his reign. The Great Migration, he called it, as the Unicorns and their entirety galloped magnificently across plains, over mountains and hills of soft green, through forests and swimming across lakes and rivers. As a magnificent array of color and valor, they fled for their lives. They were leaving what they were to protect. The time of the mythical creatures was beginning to end, starting with the Unicorn. Through that perilous flight, they were hunted down. Small patches of the large herd were seen by men and shot on sight. Some of them were fathers. Some were mothers. Some were fawns…
Nevertheless, the majority made the journey to Tillathried with heavy hearts of sorrow after losing kin. In the human world, forests were no longer protected by their magic, and the mortal creatures found that they could not hide from their fates of being hunted and murdered. The trees were beginning to lose their beauty, and became gnarled, rough, and brittle, easily bent by human hands, and easily put into painful, harnessed use. The waters had become murky and home to other mystical creatures who sought vengeance upon the humans.
In Gregadour, moreover, the Unicorns were becoming restless and began to blame others for leaving who they were to protect and teach.
There were two supreme colors of the unicorns' unity: the Aibiels, which were ivory white or as white as fresh snow that came upon the risen lands. The Aibiels believed that they were the only heirs to the supremacy of God, and battled against rivals, more particularly, their brethren, the Attirhans.
The Attirhans were cloaked in the darkest night, and according to legend, they utilized their horns correctly. When the Aibiels dueled with their crystal alicorn, the Attirhans saved many lives by counseling the distressed, healing the sick, giving vision to the blind, and steps for a lame man. As long as Attirhans were around, the realm of man was safe, sound, and allied to the immortal creatures. Displeased by their glory, the Aibiels began to use them as the reprehensible ones. They sent their king into exile, after he rounded many a herds of mystical creatures to their aid, like the Aqua Unicorns. However, the new king, King Ceranyan, sent the Aqua Unicorn herd to vanquish the Attirhans. Almost all of them died...What was left of the Attirhan herd was slaughtered or managed to escape deep in the underbrush...And of all the thousands of Attirhans, only mare and two stallions remain. The youngest, which was the mare, had not known about what she was. She believed that she was a horse, one of the stallions was taken away as an orphan to Pyron, and the third, the other stallion resided in Mount Grenga as his exile.
This story takes place after mare gained the knowledge of what she was, the first stallion had been free of Pyron, and the second stallion was awaiting their entrance to Mount Grenga. However, not all of them will be quite the same as they had been in the beginning.
As far as the Aibiels, and the other Unicorns, they had created a portal and labored to create a world fit for them and any mythical creature. However, as the second generation of the Unicorns has commenced, they offspring begin to wonder about their old world. Some of them had not been taught about their old world, or their history about the Attirhans’ disappearance, for no one ever spoke of what happened.
A New Family
It was another magnificent day in Cerano. Shimmering rivers, creeks, and lakes so pure that the smooth rocks and unmoving sand could be seen at the bottom dotted Cerano in every direction. Hundreds of bountiful fruit trees were scattered endlessly across the land. Plains of soft green grass roamed endlessly between the majestic mountains in the north and the lush forests in the east. Lush virgin fields of grain and oats and cool, dark caverns could be found in such vast amounts that it was, in other words, any mortal creature's paradise. Unicorns of various colors and sizes galloped gleefully across the plains, passing a numerous families relaxing luxuriously on the warm grass. From a distance, Skigh and Rowan McCrighd were enjoying their time with their son and daughter, Kniphlight and Triennia. Kniphlight and Triennia were napping in the afternoon sun, while their parents gazed at their surroundings. It seemed only a few days since they had narrowly survived their ferocious battle with Iracphinighn. Reflecting on the events that had taken place, they were happily relishing the beauty and the peace that surrounded them.
Triennia was two years older than Kniphlight, and therefore, was able to wander around more than him with less supervision. Her glossy, white coat was a sharp contrast to Kniphlight's dull, brown coat. However, his blue hooves, blue mane, a blue muzzle, and blue shadow was what caused others to stare. Kniphlight didn't pay much attention to his coat, blue hooves, or shadow, for the only thing that those ice blue eyes sought out was adventure and excitement. He believed that every day contained a wild adventure, and whether or not it was the same as the previous day, it never bored him. Triennia, however, was bored easily which is why Kniphlight couldn't resist following her wherever she went.
"Mama," Triennia yawned. "Is it alright if I go to the Pea Pond to see my friends?"
"Just be back before the sun sets," replied Skigh.
"Okay," Triennia rose, stretching her long, white legs and twitching her snowy tail. Triennia began to trot away silently and just when she thought that she was out of earshot, her hoof crushed a twig with a loud snap. She froze, craning her head toward her sleeping brother; he didn't stir. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turned and continued. Kniphlight's ear twitched, and a blue eye opened. Before Triennia could get far, Kniphlight's head rose and he noticed her fleeing form in the entrance. Triennia knew what the question was going to be, and before he could say anything, she held in her exasperation, nodded, and waited for him to catch up with her.
Breathless with excitement, Kniphlight demanded, "Where are we going?"
"To the Pea Pond Valley," answered Triennia shortly. Triennia wanted to meet new friends, for a new herd was coming to the valley for a short time. Triennia was half-expecting him to come, for this new herd might have some fawns his age to befriend.
The Pea Pond Valley was the place where endless numbers of herds came every month to drink from its clear waters. Because he was too young, Kniphlight had never before been to the Pea Pond Valley; the herds seemed to grow larger with each passing month.
"I thought that I wasn't old enough," Kniphlight insisted nervously.
"Well, you were too little, and I was afraid that I was going to lose you. The herds are usually huge, but don't worry. I'm sure that they haven't arrived yet because it's not the time of the month for new herds."
Kniphlight nodded, only half-understanding. They walked in silence along the trail through the Phernedor Forest. The beautiful woods were filled with the soft sounds of the chorus of birds. The trees seemed to hold their breath in respect for the two unicorns would honor them with their presences. The centaurs were out hunting with lethal expertise, the sleeping manticores were taking refuge under some trees so as to be refreshed for their night's prowl. The elves and pixies were busily planting flowers and plucking thorns and weeds.
"What's that sound?" Kniphlight froze suddenly as he felt a rush of air ruffled his mane.
Triennia looked about and glimpsed a shadow gliding across the ground in the distance. Triennia squinted, struggling to make out what it was, "It looks like.....a....cat!"
Kniphlight galloped after it.
"Kniphlight, Kniphlight! Get back here! What do you think that you are doing, you idiot!" Triennia sprinted after him and blocked his path.
"I want to know what it is," Kniphlight yelled impatiently.
"'Don't worry about it. We'd better leave it alone. It has done the same for us," Triennia stared into his eyes sternly.
Kniphlight looked in the distance after the creature that rapidly faded from view, then back at her, sighing. "Alright. If it were bad, it would chase us."
"Now let's go, we're wasting time," Triennia answered softly.
As Kniphlight hesitantly followed his sister, he gazed at the forest where the mysterious creature had once been. They turned, resumed their journey, and finally reached to the Pea Pond Valley some time later. The tiny valley's pea green grass and turquoise waters glistened in beauty. Kniphlight was amazed at the sight of thousands of unicorns in various shapes and sizes. Kniphlight galloped in the open space toward the crystal turquoise waters of the Pea Pond. Kniphlight plunged into the shallow water, splashing many unicorns that were drinking quietly. Though his parents and his sister thought it was somewhat weird of a unicorn to prefer water to the warm grass and possible new friends.
"Kniphlight, get back here," Triennia chuckled as she chased him.
Kniphlight turned and emerged from the water, looking back for her when he collided into a red unicorn stallion. The stallion didn't appear to be much older than Kniphlight. The unicorn turned and frowned, "Who did that?" He looked down at Kniphlight, who could only stare in astonishment. Kniphlight didn't move from his place on the ground.
"Watch where you're going!" the unicorn yelled, his anger and disdain steadily increasing.
Kniphlight rose to his feet, "Uhh, sorry. I didn't mean to--"
"Watch where you're going. Who are you?" The unicorn demanded.
Triennia strode up to the stranger furiously, "That's enough, Rhoigh!"
Snorting, Rhoigh abruptly departed, his tail twitching angrily.
"You alright?" asked Triennia.
"I'm okay," Kniphlight answered, a little embarrassed. "But you still didn't get me!" Kniphlight laughed, sprinting away before she could react. Triennia sighed and took off after him.
Kniphlight saw other fawns playing in water and decided to join them. His tiny hooves submerged into the cool waters and began to swim toward them. As he approached them, he introduced himself.
"The name's Derrick," said a red unicorn stallion with a black mane and hooves.
"We are playing seven seas, you wanna play?" asked a young mare with a coat of emerald green.
"That's my sis, Emerald," Derrick explained, rolling his eyes in her direction. "And these are her friends, Kara, Diane, and Elana.--And my loyal crew, Joseph, Robert, and Joshua."
"He can be the ship we catch!" Robert cried out merrily.
"No, he can be the pirates!" Josh suggested. "I am tired of being picked on."
"I got a better idea," Derrick announced. "He can be the monster that has our girls!"
"Yeah!" everyone except Kniphlight agreed.
"Alright, I guess," Kniphlight answered hesitantly.
The small group decided to take their adventures to the soft green grass, for it was hard to fight in water. Kniphlight planted himself in front of the mares, pretending to guard them from the stallions. Derrick stepped forward, rearing and whinnying ferociously. They pretended to fight, nipping each other's manes and kicking. Derrick finally kicked Kniphlight square in the chest, and Kniphlight collapsed in mock defeat. They burst out laughing and charged in and out of the water.
Kniphlight was delighted in his new friendships in Cerano, his new home. When evening came, Derrick and the other fawns were called to go to bed.
"It was great seeing a native of these parts," Derrick spoke for the group.
"It was great meeting someone my age, but why do you travel so much?" Kniphlight couldn't help but ask.
"It's in our blood! We journey across the lands, saving damsels in distress, fighting wars, and vanquishing monstrous beasts" Derrick declared so loudly that others stared at them for several seconds.
"What he's trying to say is that we are travelers, our parents have done it all their lives and we think we should keep up the tradition by traveling as well," Emerald explained.
"We just hope we meet more natives like you," Elana responded shyly.
"Yeah, one of the natives that we met weren't very nice," Josh added, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
"You made up for that, of course," Kara chimed in.
"Well we gotta go, we leave tomorrow morning at sunrise," Robert began to walk away.
"We hope to see you again," Diane spoke up as she turned away.
The group left Kniphlight alone in the growing darkness. He sighed sadly, looking up to see Triennia's silhouette in the distance, "Come on, we must go."
"Alright," Kniphlight mournfully followed his sister.
They walked home later that night on the same trail that they had previously traveled earlier that day. It was so dark that it felt foreign and menacing. The bright stars overhead twinkled as though to comfort them with their presence; the moon cast a luminous path for them that allowed them to easily trot home without stumbling. As Kniphlight glanced around into the trees and thick underbrush, he discovered that many of the manticores were awakening for their nightly prowl, while the elves and pixies were eagerly searching for places to sleep.
"Too bad they can't stay," Kniphlight sighed.
"Well, they're gypsies, they go all around Cerano and other worlds," Triennia explained.
"Wow!" Kniphlight looked at the ground, amazed at what she said.
"That's why they almost never come to the same place twice and they are never bored."
"I would like to be a traveler and go to different places," Kniphlight announced.
"That's fine, as long as you don't go to our old world."
"Old world? What's that?"
"You didn't know? Our parents actually came from Earth."
"No. What is Earth?"
"Yes. You see, a long time ago our parents and our grandparents used to live in a world called, Earth. We and some other creatures seemed to be the only immortal creatures there. We taught magic to many. Humans used that power to make money off of it. Soon they started killing our kind and other immortal creatures for their bones, blood and especially flesh."
"Why?"
"They wanted to be immortal like us."
"Sounds good to me. You get to live a long time."
"Forever, but you get the picture. They thought that by eating us that they would get some of our magic."
Kniphlight stumbled on a high root but didn't fall. He sped up and caught up with her, his eyes widening in shock and amazement, "Why?"
"They wanted to be superior beings! They wanted power, glory, and the knowledge of the world. Sometimes knowing everything isn't so good."
"Yeah."
"It drove the humans insane. They now know what is good and bad. Some have twisted what's good or given too much to where it is pure evil. They have become the monstrous creatures that they think we are. I mean, you don't see too many unicorns going around killing each other for no apparent reason, do you?"
They continued the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the sandy shores of the Promise Lake, their eyes lit up at the sight of their parents grazing serenely on grass that grew near the forest. Kniphlight and Triennia galloped up to them and ate their fill of the sweet tender grass that grew twenty feet from the sandy shores. They enjoyed the rest of the night with their parents, stretching out on the warm sandy beach to rest for the night.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, within one of the forests of Young Earth, the atmosphere Ecylich Woodlands was filled with joy at the news of a special occasion, the coming of a new creature. Though it was spring in Cerano, it was a cool winter evening; the animals lay in silent apprehension.
When all the unicorns fled Earth, they thought that everyone escaped. They were wrong. Since the power struggle between the Attirhans (black unicorns) and the Aibiels (white unicorns), many Attirhans died. Only three Attirhans survived two stallions and a mare. One of the stallions resided in Mount Grenga, the mountain that rose in the center within the mountain ring of Roden. The other two Attirhans intended to go to Mount Grenga as well, but a change of plans caused them to stop in Tamewood.
The young stallion was black with white dappled all over him. He had a black horn spiraling from his forehead, a long silver mane, silver tail, and mighty gray wings. The stallion was named Relogniphin; he wasn't much taller than the mare. The mare's name was Sabyne Starlight. With her raven coat of velvet, deep lavender eyes, and white star underneath her horn, she was a striking beauty.
The stallion stood by his mate at a distance, keeping watch as she gave birth. Grunting and straining, Sabyne whinnied in agony. Resting, she breathed hard and gave one final push. The new fawn came, opening her eyes to the new world around her. Relogniphin knelt beside Sabyne, comforting her with his presence. The fawn looked up at her mother and her mother looked over, gazing at the wet fawn. Sabyne's heart filled with love at the sight of the creature that lies before her and she began to clean her.
"She's so beautiful," Relogniphin breathed in awe.
"Yes," was all Sabyne could whisper.
"What should we name her?" Relogniphin said softly, unable to tear his gaze from his daughter.
"Eboni," Sabyne answered as tears of joy welled in her eyes.
"Congratulations" a voice said pleasantly.
Relogniphin rose, "Jherethe?" He looked to see a cat-Human squatting on a tree branch.
"None other, my friend," replied the cat-Human as he leapt from the branch and land on his feet a few feet from them. "It's a good thing that I decided to check one of my traps for my ignorant nephew Chole."
"We won't be here much longer," said Sabyne, finally looking up at Jherethe. "I won't live in a place where walking in my own home is dangerous."
"We are going to Mount Grenga," replied Relogniphin.
"Ah, to see the infamous Master Kamyl, no doubt," Jherethe casually leaned against a tree. "You should stick together."
"Yes. Without Relogniphin, I would’ve never found out about Master Kamyl," Sabyne stared up at him lovingly.
The little mare struggled to rise to her feet and stood before her mother and father for a few moments and fell back down after trying to walk.
"Easy there," Relogniphin caught Eboni as Sabyne rested from her tiring labor.
Eboni looked up at her father lovingly with her lavender eyes, blinking.
"Reminds me of Chole," Jherethe chuckled softly. "Only...he wasn't as smart as he was now."
Sabyne and Relogniphin laughed as well. Eboni could only neigh like the young filly she pretended to be. She began to walk, and soon that walk turned into a hyperactive running in circles around her parents and Jherethe until she stumbled upon a high root and fell.
Sabyne rose to her feet and made her way to Eboni. She helped her daughter up and guided her back to where she had been.
"Eboni is her name, right?" Jherethe repeated to himself, quietly before addressing Relogniphin and Sabyne. "She is the last unicorn to be born here, amidst the death that looms in this forest."
"Yes, unicorns have no power here anymore," Sabyne admitted. "There is too much fault that these trees must bear."
"And it's not just unicorns, Sabyne," Relogniphin sighed, tucking his legs underneath himself beside Sabyne and Eboni. "Jherethe and I have found many a mystical creature leaving these parts."
"True," Jherethe nodded, pacing slowly. "Most of the elves have been taken to the seas. Sea pioneers, they call themselves. Or they have all gone to that other land. But here, Tillathried is the only haven for the rest."
"What about Roden-" Sabyne looked at Relogniphin.
Jherethe interrupted Sabyne. "It's grown worse over the years.-"
"It's just only one Clauk, Jherethe," Relogniphin rose to his feet.
"Five. There are five Clauks and a portal. All of which lead to Schorer, the fire valley," Jherethe's gaze darkened.
"If it's as dangerous as you say it is-" Sabyne pointed out.
"Then why would Kamyl reside there?" Relogniphin's gaze darkened as well.
"This whole world is dangerous! There is nowhere that you can go to be safe anymore," Jherethe tried to control his anger. "Not all of those dangers are obvious. Our time has passed for years, and I think that HE wants us back."
"Jherethe!" Sabyne gasped. "We can't--HE wants us back...The one who made us, and admires us?"
"The stories are fading as we speak," Jherethe looked away, trying to brush away the small tears that came to his green eyes. "I have seen it in the eyes of whom we are to protect. To counsel, and to cherish. They are forgetting, slowly. Soon all of them would forget."
"The stories?--" Sabyne faltered. "They are as old as we are...As old as the sun, as old as the stars."
"Take this alone," Relogniphin trotted away, glaring at Jherethe to follow.
Jherethe followed, only to find himself at a close battle with Relogniphin.
"Must you tell us, now?" Relogniphin demanded.
"You knew about Roden," Jherethe’s voice rose in anger. "Surely you didn't want to kill her as your sign of love?"
"We were not going to reside there," Relogniphin muttered.
"Kamyl doesn't want to leave his home, and if anything, he would want to enthrone you there. He tried me once. That mountain is for something that must die, or wants to die."
"There's nothing there."
"Of course there is...Or do you not want to remember?"
"The only one there is Kamyl."
"And Phinen...Phinen watches over that place for your return, Arod."
"Phinen is done with me," Relogniphin bristled.
"You and Sabyne are the only Attirhans left that put up a fight--"
Relogniphin backed Jherethe up to a tree; the tip of his horn was only a few inches away from Jherethe’s neck. "We are healed of that, because of you."
"Arod," Jherethe addressed Relogniphin in a sardonic smile. "Only to just walk in the sunlight and moonlight. The moon can't see you sleep." Jherethe released his wings, flying up the tree's trunk.
Relogniphin reared, and released an angry whinny. Snorting, Relogniphin walked back to Sabyne, who was nursing Eboni.
"Is it true, then?" Sabyne was abnormally calm.
Relogniphin nestled up to her side. "From what I was discussing with Jherethe, we'll have to take a temporary course into Tillathried. I had forgotten how stubborn Kamyl is, as far as getting him out of that mountain." Unfolding his left gray wing, he draped his family in warm feathers from the cool morning of winter. "But for now, we'll rest."
Eboni was already asleep, cuddled up near Sabyne's soothing heartbeat. Sabyne gazed at Relogniphin's comforting brown eyes and he into Sabyne's deep lavender eyes. Relogniphin softly blew into her face (as a sort of kiss in human's terms). Sabyne's forelock fell halfway to her eyes, as she softly blew into his face. After about a moment more of admiring their new family, they fell asleep as well.
Morning came and Jherethe was checking out his traps as Relogniphin and Sabyne were grazing in one of the spots where the sun shone into the forest freely. As Sabyne ate, Eboni was nursed.
Relogniphin ran his horn on a withered branch to sharpen it after he had his fill. When he saw Jherethe, he trotted over to him, lowering his head in apology. "I thank you for opening my blinded eyes last night."
Suddenly, Jherethe’s right ear swerved back in warning. "Take your daughter and run. We are not alone."
"What is it?" Sabyne heard Jherethe, and demanded, alarmed.
Jherethe sniffed the air. "Humans."
Sabyne gently lifted Eboni and placed her on Relogniphin's back. As soon as they were certain that she wouldn't fall off, they both fled for their lives. Drawing his sword, Jherethe followed them. Suddenly, Jherethe was snatched up into a tree, bound by rusty chains. His sword fell from his grasp and landed in dense shrubbery.
"Cer`ebredor`e!" Jherethe spoke in Attirhan.
Relogniphin stopped, "Sabyne, get on my back!"
Without hesitation, Sabyne climbed on. Releasing his silvery wings, he soared into the air and disappeared from sight.
Meanwhile Jherethe was struggling to retrieve his sword when knights came galloping to the spot, dragging another, smaller cat-Human. Jherethe glared at them as one of them dismounted, picking up his sword.
"Well, well, well, what have we got here?" the knight jeered at the disgusted cat-Human. The knight lowered the chained rope, Jherethe’s legs still dangling a few feet in the air. "Another? --Her Highness will be very pleased. You see, we caught a kitten in our trap and thanks to her, I know you can understand me and that you can speak our language."
Jherethe spat at him and struggled to reach his throat, "Ah, Sir Phrederick...We meet again, and with the same gratitude that you showed once before with allies of the Old War."
Reaching into his satchel, the knight pulled out a brown jug, tugged the cork off, lifted it to his lips, and drank from it, "You want to know what this is? It's rum."
"Filthy dog!" Jherethe’s gaze darkened, making some nervous. The other knights snickered. The man silenced them with a glare.
The knight answered Jherethe. "Sounds like you need to learn some manners." He grabbed a spear and jabbed it into Jherethe’s side, drawing blood. Jherethe winced, biting his tongue to prevent himself from giving them the satisfaction of hearing him cry out in pain.
"You think that you can best me do you?" Jherethe glared. "Somehow I doubt that. Otherwise, you would face me and fight instead of keeping me in these bonds."
Smiling, Sir Phrederick commented. "I brought someone that I think you might recognize." He snapped his fingers and