Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Lords and Unicorns in Snippets and Shorter Stories 2.0


2.12 I actually have quite a few pictures for this one but I will post two of them. The first picture is the original that sparked the idea and the second picture is one I found later that worked well with the story. Artist: silverlve and silverwitch.


The Crystal Bracelet


This was it. The last chance for the Farin Kingdom to have an heir for another hundred years. All eyes were focused on the medium sized pearl, glowing softly in the moonlight in the middle of a clearing at the center of Farin Forest. All around the pearl creatures of all kind stood in awe, watching the last of Queen Maren’s eggs.The pearl cracked and wobbled. The others gasped and barely dared to hope.
King Kornicus trotted over and nudged the sphere. Nothing. He tapped it with his milky white horn. It was still for a moment then another crack split the still air and another and another. King Kornicus hurriedly backed away from the shaking egg. There was a bright flash of light followed by sudden darkness as everyone’s eyes adjusted. Shaking their heads and blinking rapidly, Queen Maren and King Kornicus were the first to recover their sight. In the middle of the clearing the first unicorn to be born in over a thousand years wobbled on unsteady legs. Her baby horn shone golden like her hooves as she made her way to her mother and father, falling several times in the process. The new parents nuzzled her head and body and encouraged her to continue moving. A cheer arose, startling the infant. 
A sudden shadow passed over the moon. Fairies, gnomes, sprites, and other smaller creatures vanished suddenly into the night. Those large enough to defend the royal family drew closer and formed a circle around them. A gust blew fallen leaves into a small tornado as the great Gryphon Lord, landed in the clearing. Lord Griffith was all black and nearly invisible but for the shadow he cast and the two pale discs from his eyes reflecting the bright light of the full moon.  He opened his mouth and a shrill cry pierced the eerie silence. Shuffling to the sides, the guards parted, allowing King Kornicus to pass through and greet their ally. 
Lord Griffith tossed his head. “There is no danger here. Why do you not disperse, common creatures? I have business with His Majesty and do not appreciate being treated as an enemy.” He beat his wings and cried again.
“Do not take offense, they would not disperse even if I ordered them too. They do not guard just one treasure and would not risk losing the second for anything.” He chuckled slightly as Lord Griffith cocked his head, puzzled. “I have wonderful news for you, my friend.” The crowd parted ever so slightly and Lord Griffith’s black wings folded as he stared at the pristine, luminescent unicorn king then down at the tiny unicorn, still wobbling around. “My daughter was born not thirty minutes ago. The kingdom has an heir once more. Come, join us in our feast and celebration!” 
King Kornicus whinnied and rose on his two back legs, his horn glowing with sudden intensity. The forest around him responded to his joyous cry. Lord Griffith added his cry and the wind swept through the forest pulling the leaves up to dance in the sky and spreading the joyous news to the rest of the forest.
When everything had settled down, Lord Griffith again spoke. “Alas, my king, that is wonderful news and it pains me that I might ruin this joyous occasion. But I must. The Phoenixes have awoken and they rise to the skies, slaughtering my people and consuming the land and surrounding area.”
A shiver ran through the guard circle and the light from King Kornicus’s horn died and he spoke. “That spell should have lasted till the end of time. How can they be awake? Surely the elves...no they are not so greedy that they would attempt to enter the lairs of the Phoenix Lords in search of treasure. There must be another explanation.”
“Whatever it is, my king, we cannot stand idle while they gather their strength. We must act now!”
King Kornicus was silent. He hated violence. But Lord Griffith was right. Too many had died because of those fiery birds. And if there was one thing King Kornicus hated more than violence, it was death. He charged his horn and stamped his foot so that all in the Farin Kingdom would hear his voice. “The Phoenix’s have awoken. Find the Crystal Bracelet at all costs and return it to me!”


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