Chapter 10
My Idea, Brayan's Answer
I thought about approaching the Unicorns again. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I thought about going back to the Dragons, but decided that wouldn't work either. I thought about my family, but all memory of me had been erased from their minds. I thought about my woods. That seemed the only place of comfort.
I flew to my secret place and smiled at the lush green plants and trees around me. I turned to human so I could enjoy it more. Finally, I knew what I really wanted. Changing to Unicorn, I flew back to the unicorn cave. I found it easily this time. I walked to the door, and the guard ignored me. I asked to see Brayan, and he said ‘no'. I said it was urgent, that the whole Unicorn race depended on this meeting. He was doubtful, but he relented and ordered a guard to get ‘Master Brayan'. The guard soon returned with Brayan. The guard at the door went inside the cave, and Brayan shut the door. He stood outside, staring at me. I changed to human, and he did the same.
"I have a plan. Please just listen."
Brayan nodded, but he was frowning.
"I don't deserve to be given anymore chances. I don't want to be given anymore chances. I've proven myself untruthful and undependable. I don't want to do this. I don't want to lead in any plans or help with anything. But I don't want the Unicorns to lose. Please go to the cave of the Dragons and ask the creatures to help. You could use the Lock Ness or Abom on your side. I was just thinking that you might want them to help you defeat the Dragons. That was all I came to say. Oh, and I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
I saw the tears in his eyes, but he saw none in mine. I could see how much he wanted another human to share his joy and sadness with, but it seemed too late for me. I changed to Dragon and spread my wings. He called to me, but by the time he'd found his voice, I was no longer within hearing range. At least, not to hear the two things he said. But, I did catch the first sentence.
"I forgive you!"
He had forgiven me, and now I would live on my own. I flew to my secret spot in the woods. My spot and only mine. I changed to human and curled up in the long, tall grass. I tried to sleep but found myself drifting back to memories of how I'd treated Brayan and the others.
"No!" I told myself. "I will not go back. I have come and gone too many times. I am not truthful or trustworthy. I must stay away, I must." I broke into sobs and rose to my knees. "I have to contain myself. I must fight. Somehow...someway. I must...fight," I gasped, trying to regain my composure and bring myself to stand.
But more sobs and tears came. This time I just lay on my back and let the tears roll down my cheeks. I let the quiet wind blow my hair to one side, and the trees swayed back and forth. I caught a glimpse of Unicorns flying overhead. They were looking down at the trees. It appeared they were searching for someone. I shook my head and got up.
"I've got to get control of myself. I could cry for years and die crying. I could cry for all eternity! No, I won't submit to the torture of memories. I must get up and fight."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and straightened my shoulders. Slowly cautiously, I changed to Unicorn. As soon as I was a unicorn, I screamed in pain. Dropping to the ground, I rolled and moaned. Suddenly, a thought came to my head. I said the thought aloud.
"How will you ever withstand torture or war, if you can't stand a small wound in your side?" I knew my thoughts were correct and tried to forget them. The thoughts stayed, so I came to a conclusion. "I will fight! I will be a warrior! I will withstand torture, and I will withstand pain!" I yelled it into the air and quickly stood up. I was weak and woozy. Shaking my head to clear my swirling vision, I took two steps forward. "I remember the story of the Little Engine That Could. I'll just repeat the wonderful phrase over and over again." And that's just what I did. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
Walking through the forest, repeating the little kid's phrase, smiling like a three year old, walked a unicorn named Sariah. Me. I was feeling stronger by the minute. I was the Unicorn saying the phrase. I was the one who would soon be a warrior but was saying,"I think I can, I think I can."
Soon, ‘I think I can', changed to, ‘I know I can'. Now I was trotting through the woods. A slow trot so I would not hurt my side or rub against branches. I soon stopped saying the phrase and put on a face of determination. I ran to Lake Fisher and began my new routine. Galloping around a large tree five times, pointing my horn toward the sun, and pledging my loyalty to the unicorns. Feeling slightly better, I began exercising self-control. I ran to the water and jumped in. The water didn't help my side at all, but I gritted my teeth and swam to the opposite shore. It took me a half hour to swim to the other side. This wasn't an amazingly big lake, but it wasn't a small one either. It was more of a large pond but for some reason was called a lake. I swam back to the shore I'd originally started on and began a new test.
Shaking my wings thoroughly, I jumped into the air. It took extra flapping because my wings weren't yet dry, but I would have to do this in a battle. I knew I could not wait a half hour for my wings to dry if I was being chased by fifty Dragons. I flew to the opposite shore and back. By the time I was back, it was getting dark. I yawned and decided to stay up through the whole night. I watched with my eyes, even though they weren't the best for night seeing. Unicorn eyes are great in the dark, but Dragon eyes are even better.
I watched the water ripple, the sun slowly fade away, and the sky turn dark. The stars were beautiful, and the moon was full. The full moon made my night watch even easier. The stars kept me company, while the rippling water kept memories from coming up. I kept my senses sharp and my eyes glancing around every now and then. A shape! Across the water. Opposite shore. I said the instructions, hoping the other creature didn't hear my warning in its head. "Unknown creature. Unicorn sized. Opposite shore, Lake Fisher. Quickly, come."
I laughed quietly to myself and kept an eye on the creature. It was fun to pretend I was really fighting the enemy. I watched as the creature walked into the lake and disappeared under the water. It took me two seconds to decide to dive in the water. Through the water I went. Diving straight in and toward the creature. It wasn't far ahead. The creature's head came up. A Dragon! I gasped but was underwater. I choked on the water. I would have to swim five feet up for air. I tried to swim but was slowly losing concentration. I kicked and screamed. The screaming didn't do much good, because I lost more air that way. Slowly, down and down. Toward the bottom of the twenty foot lake. Blackness everywhere. I no longer felt the water.
Spitting up all over the ground, was not my idea of a good way to wake up. I raised my head from the lake water I'd spit on the stone floor and looked at Clant.
"No!" I screamed and jumped up.
I dug my horn into his arm and jerked it out quickly. The guards tried to catch me, but I was running too fast. I had a good head start and would use every bit of it to my advantage. Though my side hurt, I ignored it and kept running. I glanced back to see twenty Dragons following me, and Clant lying on the floor, his arm bleeding. I ran straight from the Main Room to the doors. Apparently Clant had saved me and brought me to the Main Room.
Quickly changing to Centaur, I grabbed the doors and swung them open. Heavy as they were, adrenaline can do a lot. I ran through the doors and to the opening of the cave. I changed to unicorn once outside the cave. Jumping into the air, I quickly realized I did not have much strength left. Flapping with all the strength left in me, I flew past the treetops. Toward Lake Fisher I went. The twenty Dragons followed me. I flew above Lake Fisher and dove toward the water. Into the water I went, the twenty Dragons after me. I swam to the surface and flapped my wings in panic. I needed to at least shake them. No time! I felt a Dragon under me and stepped on his back. Jumping out of the water, I beat my wings quickly. Faster and faster my wings went. The water sprayed from my wings, and I was soon rising into the air. Beating my wings full force, I flew for the Sparkle. It was my last hope. The Dragons stood on the shore shaking their fists at me. I had no time or energy to smile. I was too tired, and it suddenly came to me that the Sparkle wasn't around at night. I gave up and flew towards my spot in the woods, hoping the Dragon that had found me there, the first time I'd seen a Dragon, wouldn't come searching. I landed in my favorite spot in the woods and closed my eyes. If I was found, I would rest in the enemy's cave. If I wasn't found, so much the better. I would still rest. Either way, I would regain my strength.
The Dragons never did find me. I guess they gave up on the search. I had slept peacefully that night, and the nights afterward, until a month had passed. I felt ready to return to the Unicorns but didn't want to be commanding or pushy. And that's what I practiced on for that month by myself.
Scarred, cut, and bleeding, I flew to the cave that Brayan lived in. The guard at the door was hesitant, but he eventually let me in. I did not command him, push my way in, or yell. I simply asked to see Brayan. The guard led me toward the room with the marble table.
"He said he will meet with you. I do not know who you are, and he doesn't either. If you treat Master Brayan with respect, you might get whatever you're looking for. Hurry."
I followed the guard in silence. We came to the door, and the Unicorn changed to Centaur. He opened the door and revealed a more mature looking Brayan. When Brayan saw me, his face lit with a smile.
"Hello. Come, sit down. Tell me what you want or need."
He seemed kind enough. I walked to a nearby rug and sat on it. We were to the right of the table, sitting on rugs on a stone floor.
"I have come back."
"Back? What do you mean by ‘back'? I've never seen you before," Brayan said.
I stared at him hard. A confused, ‘should I know you?' look was spread across his face. The reality finally sank in, that he didn't know who I was. He didn't even recognize me.
"Well, I mean, I'd like to stay here. If that's ok with you."
He looked at me funny and said,"Any Unicorn's a friend of mine."
He rose and turned to human. Oh, so much more handsome now. Only a month had gone by, and look at what had happened since then. He had bigger muscles, was losing his baby face, and was a lot nicer. We walked to the door. I stayed as a Unicorn. He would surely recognize me if I were human, and I didn't want to give myself away just yet. We walked out of the meeting room and to the Big Room. Taking a right, I found myself at two big doors. The doors opened, as soon as Brayan stood at them, and revealed a huge room. Rows and rows of tables. Lots and lots of food! Everyone was Unicorn, and they were all enjoying their grass, fruits, and vegetables. Brayan changed to Unicorn and walked to a nearby table. He motioned for me to sit beside him, so I did. While he talked, I looked around the room.
A long aisle in the middle of the room led to a stage three feet higher than the ground. Some Unicorns were dancing on it, others were laughing and clapping their hands. Only the Centaurs could clap their hands. I smiled. What a wonderful place it was since I'd left. A frown came to my face. Since I'd left, everyone was more happy. They were happier without me. What did I think I was doing here anyway? I started to doubt my better judgement of coming here but quickly pushed it aside. Food was set in front of me. I ate grass, leaves, berries, oranges, and apples. A carrot was my dessert, just before we walked to the dance stage. Brayan turned centaur and told me to do the same.
Panic rose, and I stuttered as I said,"Ummm...n-no....t-thanks.."
He said,"Come on! We'll have fun! Don't be scared. Just change to centaur and stamp your hooves. Everyone else is doing it. Come on!"
I shook my head, and he turned more serious.
"Look, we're gonna have fun. You're coming with us. Now turn Centaur so we can dance."
A smile came to his face again, and he motioned toward me. I shuddered at what he might do when he saw who it was. Finally, I slowly, reluctantly changed. I changed ever so slowly, and ever so slowly, Brayan's smile faded. When I was fully Centaur he was scowling.
"I did as you said," I mumbled.
Brayan started shaking his head and suddenly screamed. The whole dance stopped and the musicians looked towards me. I jumped back and turned. I ran for the door.
"Don't let her get away! Get her! Get her!"
The Unicorn guards dove over Centaurs and Unicorns. I ran my fastest. Once I was past the Unicorns and into the Big Room, I took to the air. I couldn't remember which door led outside! They were coming after me. I looked at the room and measured its flying distance. I wouldn't be able to fly there for long without being caught. I changed to Unicorn and spread my wings, flying to the ceiling and glancing below me. The crowd had gathered with a yelling Brayan in the middle of it. I felt a thud on my back, and I fell to the ground. I hit the stone floor back first.
Groaning and moaning in pain, I said,"Brayan. I wasn't trying to do anything to upset you. I'm..." I quickly faded out.
"No! No! No! Don't feed her, don't give her a bed, don't even give her a rug! She gets nothing from this place." A pause, and then it continued,"No! She doesn't get food." A small mumbling voice, and then Brayan again,"Let her starve!"
Footsteps. I opened my eyes and saw the door close.
"What a way to wake up. Brayan yelling. Ugh, my stomach."
I rolled on my side and tried to breathe deeply. It didn't help, and I was soon changing to human. That didn't help either.
"What is going on?"
I rolled on the floor, holding my stomach and moaning. I started coughing and couldn't stop. I heard a voice beside me. Something was in another cage to my left.
"What are you doing here?" it asked when my coughing had subsided.
I rolled on my side to see a human in the next cage. I groaned and mumbled,"The leader doesn't like me. I'm just a Unicorn, but I've not been...his...most loyal...Unicorn."
It took all I had to get those two sentences out. I gasped for breath, and I suddenly felt like I was suffocating.
I crawled to the bars of my cage and yelled in between gasps,"Don't let me...die! Please......help...me."
The human to my left stared at me. My feet started to hurt, and they felt as if they were on fire!
"Aaaaaahh, help me!!"
I suddenly had a very bad head ache. I was on my hands and knees, when I felt a sharp pain in my side.
"What have they done to me?!"
The caged human beside me spoke,"Nothing. You must have gotten food poisoning or something."
"Food poisoning?! Food poisoning can do this?!"
"Well, yeah, I guess."
I groaned again and collapsed on the floor. I lay on the stone floor, wheezing and coughing. "So, why are you here?" I asked him.
He leaned against the bars of his cage and said,"I'm a dragon, plain and simple. Poor me, but I feel not much pity for myself. I'm a Dragon, nothing more, nothing less. Just a Dragon."
I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. I had this great urge to throw myself into the bars of my cage. But I couldn't stand. If I had been able to stand, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself. My stomach started to hurt again, and it hurt when I breathed.
"I know how to cure this. You have to turn to Dragon to cure it."
I rolled on my side and stared at him. My vision was spinning, but I slowly turned to Dragon. The pain was worse.
"What...do..I........needtodo."
I said the last words together as if they were one word.
"Just rip the middle scale from your back. You have to swallow it next, and then you must breathe deeply. Sure, it will hurt to rip out a scale, but you could die from poisoning the other way."
I sighed, which caused my sides to hurt. I rolled over and reached for the middle scale. I finally found it, and I pulled with all my might. The scale came out, and I was in excruciating pain. I gritted my teeth and pulled my hand away from my back. I brought the scale around to my mouth and tossed it in. I swallowed quickly and breathed deeply. After a few minutes, it didn't hurt to breathe and my stomach felt better.
"See?"
I looked over at the human and smiled. "Thanks."
He laughed and said he was only trying to help. I looked over at him, curious about his human form.
"So, how'd you come to be human?"
The Dragon sat back and closed his eyes. "First of all, that scale will grow back with time. It cures almost any sickness. Now, for your question. When you're in a cage as long as I've been, you learn things about Unicorns. Brayan has come in here a few times to question me, and he sometimes turns human. I now know what humans look like, so I can change into one."
I nodded my head. I changed to Unicorn and let my side heal a little more. It was still tender but was healing with time. Then I decided I was tired and slept for a while.
"Why did you torture me? Why are you doing this to me?" Brayan's voice was filled with anger.
I opened my eyes, to see Brayan scowling down at me. I yawned and got to my hooves. I changed to Centaur and said,"Because. I am ready for any tests. I want to return to the Unicorns. I am not worthy, no, I certainly am not. But I want another chance."
Brayan threw his arms up in despair. "I've given you so many chances! You've failed me so many times!"
I tilted my head and commented,"You're handsome."
He stumbled back in surprise and blushed.
"No, really, you are. Look, anyway, I want to help my friends. You're one of my friends. The Unicorns are my friends. Please, let me come back."
The scowl returned to Brayan's face, and he crossed his arms. He walked to the wall and leaned against it. He looked like a pouting three year old. "Fine then. Get out here, and we'll test you. We'll see how strong you really are."
He pushed himself away from the wall and stomped off. I smiled and glanced over at the human in the cage next to me. He was in Dragon form and was smiling also. I stretched my legs and neck. It was going to be a long week.
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