Post by halen on Aug 10, 2005 16:01:50 GMT -5
The Wood
Chapter 1
Swirling and dancing above the earth a fine layer of mist swayed around the stumps of the trees. Like transparent silver snakes it curled and slithered about the undergrowth. It was near dawn, when the sky was the dulled gray and all was trapped in silence. Like time had simply been frozen, the only moving thing was the quiet mist that now hung and drifted along lazily.
The gentle fog flowed in steams, small currents through the wood. The trees stood tall, stretching for the sky, tall giants that loomed above. Growing close together, in some areas making what looked like a wall that even a rabbit may have trouble getting by. This forest is known to the people that live there as the Daien Wood, in their langue it means Vale of Secrets. For many things do hide in the depths, some are not creatures we see today.
The trees abruptly began to thin, and the dense woodland suddenly transforms into a large valley. The haze smeared the forms of out stretched branches that leaned in toward the open landscape. A soft glow could suddenly be seen to the East, tinting the steely sky a warm pink. Finally the sun was beginning to wake. The soft light appeared behind rigid forms, silhouetting the mountains. That rose high above any of the trees. Piercing the sky with white-capped tips. The Takarh Crags, this series of peaks surrounded this valley. In a way encaging any life that may thrive inside of this ring. And there are beasts that thrive hear; a species that some were not even aware lived. They were the unicorns. Representing a horse but with one 'flaw', spouting from the middle of their forehead is a tall spiraling horn that ends in a deadly point. Made of ebony, iron, ivory and in rare times even pure beaten gold. They are magnificent creatures, so wild and free they are. No human have yet been able to tame the mighty spirit of one. So many captured, yet most returned to the untamed, while others where simply shot.
It was not to long ago that another misfortune turned up for them. Man discovered the magic that lies within the horn. And soon, like a plague humans swept through, killing the unicorns, just for their horn. Millions slaughtered, just like rabbits. Before they roamed thick across the land and now only certain areas, such as this valley. But there was one haven, located past the mountains through the villages of man. However none had yet made it to this shelter. So now these gentle creatures live in a constant fear of humans.
The sun abruptly burst out from behind the mountains. The first rays fresh and new settled upon the valley floor. The patches of grass illuminated buy the warming light shimmered in the morning dew. Droplets of water flecked the blades. Rising just a little higher suddenly before the edge of the trees lay an emerald ocean of bright green grass. Rolling hills like waves rising and falling for miles. Few trees grew, and the ones that did raised and drooped over a small stream that winded, tributaries streaking off. They were mainly willows, long branches that trailed into the crystal clear water. The beams also lit upon another figure. Her delicate legs were folded underneath her slim yet muscular frame. Two gentle, soft blue eyes shined like the spring sky had melted in the lapis spheres. A slender neck arched and a fine head was placed upon it. Rounded cheeks and a curling muzzle with slightly flared nostrils. But standing out from these aristocratic features, sprouting from her forehead was a horn. It spiraled up towards the clouds and ended in a lethal tip giving the beast a fearsome look. What she was, was unmistakable, a unicorn. The mare arose with a wondrous grace, but she did not leave the spot. She lowered her head to a small form that lay curled beside her hooves. Its head rested almost upon its little haunches, a similar horn to the mare's pressed gentle against the little one's lions. The unicorn came closer to the body and ever so tenderly brushed her velvety pink muzzle against it. Suddenly the figure stirred and raised its head, ears strained forward. A small whinnie came out of the darkness of her shadow. Slowly the mother stepped away from her child, allowing the rays of warming light fall upon him. She gasped at the sight. His coat gleamed a metallic silver, shining like a polished stone. Small dapples of darker hued gray glimmered faintly. A short damp creamy mane and tail spiked out. The mare blinked as she came closer once more. Touching her son, as her nose once more stroked his flawless pelt something quivered in her. There was a strange feeling that came from him, like a sense of power.
As the sun rose higher she tore her gaze away from the foal as another approached. The last of the mist gave way to the beast that strolled closer. Once more it was another unicorn, yet his visible strength and proud steps showed his higher rank and authority over the mare. The stallion's mane flowed like wave of silk over his rippling shoulders, a tail of white streamed behind him like a banner. He came closer and almost glared at the unicorn, she nodded and backed away from the colt, but there was a hesitation in her step. He looked down at the foal and something smarted in his eyes. The stallion half reared and lashed out with long legs wildly. He dug his hooves back into the earth, tendons straining and muscles bulged with a bizarre anger. The mare back away, then stepped in front of her child boldly snorting.
“Stop that Kei!” She cried. Her voice, even angry sounded like the light voices of birds. Kei glared at her.
“Nara, are you blind?! Look at him, look at his pelt.” His voice was deeper, and had an almost crude tone to it. The mare pawed at the ground.
“I know-“
“He is not one of us.”
Something flashed in Nara's eyes. “Just because he is a different color doesn't mean he is one of them!” She cried fiercely. As she spoke the simple word them it sent a pang of fear done her spine. As she spoke of Them, she referred to the herd of unicorns that lived far from here, just at the edges of the forests of Daien. Instead of being the white of a dove's wings they come in a rainbow of color. Chestnuts, bays, roams, palominos, pintos, grays, and many more hues could be seen. It was many years ago that they striked. Like a wave of horns they plowed through. So many lost their lives, both ones from Kei's herd and the ones from the wood. Soon they all feared any unicorn that was not the same ivory tone as their own coats. Yes the stallion had a reason to be wary, however this little foal was her child, not born from one of their enemies.
Kei pawed the earth harshly, his nostrils flared. “You forget your place mare!” He snorted stretching his neck forward raising his head as high as he could. Nara was humbled by his size but still stood bravely in front of the angry beast. The stallion slowly calmed, though his eyes still boring down upon the two. “Fine. He will stay till he is old enough to care for himself. Then he must go!” His words came out in a harsh snap, rigid and coarse. With that he tuned, stamping off into dawn. Nara sighed sadly. Then turned her kind gaze to the little form beside her. A little ear flicked, with a little sniff he opened his eyes for the first time. His short tail wagged as he raised his tiny head. He gazed up at his mother; her face now calmed and a warming smile brightened it.
“Do not fear my son;” She whispered. “Do not fear, Beron.”
From a hill in the distance Kei watched. He eyed the colt with a wry look. Though its color did unease him that was not the only reason he would not tolerate the foal. No, for he also felt a strange sense of power in the newborn. And for that he feared him.
Just a little something I'm starting! ^_^
Chapter 1
Swirling and dancing above the earth a fine layer of mist swayed around the stumps of the trees. Like transparent silver snakes it curled and slithered about the undergrowth. It was near dawn, when the sky was the dulled gray and all was trapped in silence. Like time had simply been frozen, the only moving thing was the quiet mist that now hung and drifted along lazily.
The gentle fog flowed in steams, small currents through the wood. The trees stood tall, stretching for the sky, tall giants that loomed above. Growing close together, in some areas making what looked like a wall that even a rabbit may have trouble getting by. This forest is known to the people that live there as the Daien Wood, in their langue it means Vale of Secrets. For many things do hide in the depths, some are not creatures we see today.
The trees abruptly began to thin, and the dense woodland suddenly transforms into a large valley. The haze smeared the forms of out stretched branches that leaned in toward the open landscape. A soft glow could suddenly be seen to the East, tinting the steely sky a warm pink. Finally the sun was beginning to wake. The soft light appeared behind rigid forms, silhouetting the mountains. That rose high above any of the trees. Piercing the sky with white-capped tips. The Takarh Crags, this series of peaks surrounded this valley. In a way encaging any life that may thrive inside of this ring. And there are beasts that thrive hear; a species that some were not even aware lived. They were the unicorns. Representing a horse but with one 'flaw', spouting from the middle of their forehead is a tall spiraling horn that ends in a deadly point. Made of ebony, iron, ivory and in rare times even pure beaten gold. They are magnificent creatures, so wild and free they are. No human have yet been able to tame the mighty spirit of one. So many captured, yet most returned to the untamed, while others where simply shot.
It was not to long ago that another misfortune turned up for them. Man discovered the magic that lies within the horn. And soon, like a plague humans swept through, killing the unicorns, just for their horn. Millions slaughtered, just like rabbits. Before they roamed thick across the land and now only certain areas, such as this valley. But there was one haven, located past the mountains through the villages of man. However none had yet made it to this shelter. So now these gentle creatures live in a constant fear of humans.
The sun abruptly burst out from behind the mountains. The first rays fresh and new settled upon the valley floor. The patches of grass illuminated buy the warming light shimmered in the morning dew. Droplets of water flecked the blades. Rising just a little higher suddenly before the edge of the trees lay an emerald ocean of bright green grass. Rolling hills like waves rising and falling for miles. Few trees grew, and the ones that did raised and drooped over a small stream that winded, tributaries streaking off. They were mainly willows, long branches that trailed into the crystal clear water. The beams also lit upon another figure. Her delicate legs were folded underneath her slim yet muscular frame. Two gentle, soft blue eyes shined like the spring sky had melted in the lapis spheres. A slender neck arched and a fine head was placed upon it. Rounded cheeks and a curling muzzle with slightly flared nostrils. But standing out from these aristocratic features, sprouting from her forehead was a horn. It spiraled up towards the clouds and ended in a lethal tip giving the beast a fearsome look. What she was, was unmistakable, a unicorn. The mare arose with a wondrous grace, but she did not leave the spot. She lowered her head to a small form that lay curled beside her hooves. Its head rested almost upon its little haunches, a similar horn to the mare's pressed gentle against the little one's lions. The unicorn came closer to the body and ever so tenderly brushed her velvety pink muzzle against it. Suddenly the figure stirred and raised its head, ears strained forward. A small whinnie came out of the darkness of her shadow. Slowly the mother stepped away from her child, allowing the rays of warming light fall upon him. She gasped at the sight. His coat gleamed a metallic silver, shining like a polished stone. Small dapples of darker hued gray glimmered faintly. A short damp creamy mane and tail spiked out. The mare blinked as she came closer once more. Touching her son, as her nose once more stroked his flawless pelt something quivered in her. There was a strange feeling that came from him, like a sense of power.
As the sun rose higher she tore her gaze away from the foal as another approached. The last of the mist gave way to the beast that strolled closer. Once more it was another unicorn, yet his visible strength and proud steps showed his higher rank and authority over the mare. The stallion's mane flowed like wave of silk over his rippling shoulders, a tail of white streamed behind him like a banner. He came closer and almost glared at the unicorn, she nodded and backed away from the colt, but there was a hesitation in her step. He looked down at the foal and something smarted in his eyes. The stallion half reared and lashed out with long legs wildly. He dug his hooves back into the earth, tendons straining and muscles bulged with a bizarre anger. The mare back away, then stepped in front of her child boldly snorting.
“Stop that Kei!” She cried. Her voice, even angry sounded like the light voices of birds. Kei glared at her.
“Nara, are you blind?! Look at him, look at his pelt.” His voice was deeper, and had an almost crude tone to it. The mare pawed at the ground.
“I know-“
“He is not one of us.”
Something flashed in Nara's eyes. “Just because he is a different color doesn't mean he is one of them!” She cried fiercely. As she spoke the simple word them it sent a pang of fear done her spine. As she spoke of Them, she referred to the herd of unicorns that lived far from here, just at the edges of the forests of Daien. Instead of being the white of a dove's wings they come in a rainbow of color. Chestnuts, bays, roams, palominos, pintos, grays, and many more hues could be seen. It was many years ago that they striked. Like a wave of horns they plowed through. So many lost their lives, both ones from Kei's herd and the ones from the wood. Soon they all feared any unicorn that was not the same ivory tone as their own coats. Yes the stallion had a reason to be wary, however this little foal was her child, not born from one of their enemies.
Kei pawed the earth harshly, his nostrils flared. “You forget your place mare!” He snorted stretching his neck forward raising his head as high as he could. Nara was humbled by his size but still stood bravely in front of the angry beast. The stallion slowly calmed, though his eyes still boring down upon the two. “Fine. He will stay till he is old enough to care for himself. Then he must go!” His words came out in a harsh snap, rigid and coarse. With that he tuned, stamping off into dawn. Nara sighed sadly. Then turned her kind gaze to the little form beside her. A little ear flicked, with a little sniff he opened his eyes for the first time. His short tail wagged as he raised his tiny head. He gazed up at his mother; her face now calmed and a warming smile brightened it.
“Do not fear my son;” She whispered. “Do not fear, Beron.”
From a hill in the distance Kei watched. He eyed the colt with a wry look. Though its color did unease him that was not the only reason he would not tolerate the foal. No, for he also felt a strange sense of power in the newborn. And for that he feared him.
Just a little something I'm starting! ^_^