Realm of Shadows
A silver unicorn cantered up, sliding to a stop as her wary gaze traced the frame of a wanderer; your own. She nodded, taking a few steps closer, the stars of the night sky above adding their own intensity to the moment. You stare, perhaps, in awe, or the weary gratification floods you as you realize you have finally found one of your own, another like yourself. She lifts the regal brow, seemingly content with her judgment, the scrutiny gone from her gaze.
*Welcome, traveler. Is it in my realm you wish to belong?*
At your weary nod, she continued, light vocals floating to you through the sluggish, dream like quality of the moment.
*My mate is now dead. Before his disappearance, I bore two foals, now a mare and a stallion. One, the stallion, the color of the new snow. The other, the delicate mare, the rustic bloody chestnut of her sire.*
A sigh racked the dainty frame, poll bobbed, the mare's ivory horn glimmering in the light of the full moon.
*The filly ran away. I know not what happened, but when she returned, she had found serenity so deep that nothing could destroy her resolve. All she wanted was peace among the herds. Impressed, the colt followed. Upon his arrival, chaos erupted. Scarred and battered, he had found the deepest hatred of all, and harbored it willingly. The dark forces resided in the soul that was once pure. Unable to cope with his hatred, the mare took her followers to a neighboring valley to live there, in peace. They have since died. She is the only survivor. Proud of having driven them off, but unwilling to live with the neutrals, he moved his band of evil hearted followers into another field close by. Those who were neutral moved to the valley of the light, to escape his raids.*
Another nod was given, her story ended there.
*Here am I, their dam, unable to control either. I fear a war is coming. Choose which side you belong to; Light, or Dark.*
With a toss of her head, the mare was gone. The morning sun appeared over the eastern horizon. An interesting story, indeed. You touch your horn to the ground, a belated farewell, then turn, to make the decision.
