The sight Viniria could see would be considered majestic by most. A herd of unicorns galloped close to each other on a slow cloud. The puffy vapor reached the ground, and disappeared as soon as their shiny hooves touched the grass.
Viniria stood there, with her hands close to her body. She tried to act causal, but her mind was always on the little boy in the bushes.
"Well, well, well. Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that our good forest guardian?" one of the most beautiful unicorns spoke. She was Luna, the leader of the herd.
"In the flesh," the creature shrugged.
The herd let out a soft laugh, with their voices oozing tranquility. There were about 20 of them, all white with a subtle glow surrounding them.
"Took you long enough to visit us. We have been awakened for a while," another white unicorn said. She was Luna's favorite sister.
"Information I had no clue about. You could have sent me a message. Or visit yourself," said Viniria nonchalantly.
"That is true," the most beautiful unicorn said. "But you do know how careful we need to be around humans," she said with a shiver. "Nasty creatures. And, for what is worse, they seemed to have multiplied."
Viniria lowered her head, anxious.
"A lot has happened since the last time we saw each other. But let us not dwell on the past. We are on the Leaping Hills. Let us enjoy ourselves," a male unicorn said. The others reared with glee.
Viniria pressed her lips. "You go ahead. I have been leaping since early morning. My body is tired."
"Oh, but we haven't seen each other in so long. Won't you stay a little longer?" Luna asked.
"Sadly, I wave a previous obligation. But I promise next ti-" she barely managed to utter when rustling was heard.
The always cautious unicorns jumped to check. Not a second later, soft laughing filled the air.
"Dear friend, is this your previous obligation?" Luna's sister asked, gently dragging the little cub. The furry Luka looked around, amazed by the sparkling horsies with glowing sticks on their foreheads. He stretched his little claws, wanting to touch them all.
"My, what a delightful creature! You could have told us you brought a guest," the leader smiled.
Viniria clenched her teeth. It took everything she had to make herself seem unbothered. "That is correct. Forgive me, dear Luna. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to take this little bear home." The guardian outstretched her hands, to which Luka came running.
"Look how fond it is of you. Did you like your stay, sweetness?" a younger unicorn said, smiling excited.
"It must have, and now it's time to go home," Vinira declared, holding up the cub ready to leave.
"Of course. You must be missing your mother by now. Don't you?" another unicorn spoke.
The cub turned towards her. "Mama," he uttered, with his shape immediately changing back. Viniria muttered through her teeth.
All the eyes of once calm creatures turned red from rage. And all of them were fixated on her.
"You brought a human to our lands? To our secret place!" Luna yelled out, with her silky voice turning cross and crude. The unicorns snarled their long teeth, lowering their heads and encircling her.
Viniria's breath became strained. There was no way she could talk herself out of this one.
Meanwhile, Zora was walking down the path of a distant forest. She was reviewing a long scroll when growling was heard from behind.
"My, my, my. What is a lovely maiden like yourself doing all alone?" the werewolf walked up to her from behind.
Zora smiled. "I am hardly a maiden. Been married for four long years."
"Bah!" the transformed Aidan uttered. "And where is your husband? What kind of man leaves his beautiful wife to walk alone?"
Zora hummed, amused. "Oh, you know men. Probably smelling flowers. Or disturbing the local wildlife."
The werewolf scoffed again. "If I were your husband, I would never leave your side. In the day, I would follow you everywhere to keep all other men at bay. And by night, I would sleep in your bed, to keep the nightmares away," he declared with great zest.
Zora could not help but giggle at his theatrics. "So furry and dog-like, the only place I'd let you sleep would be the bottom of the bed."
"No problem," the werewolf replied abruptly. "I would enjoy warming your feet and occasionally getting a good sniff."
This was too much for the young queen. She let out a gasp and started striking the enormous wolf. He let out a rough snicker, pretending to defend himself. "Will you stop with your tomfoolery! We have a job to do. The list is only getting longer, and we still have not secured a home for the turtles."
The werewolf grumbled, turning back into his human form. "And what a list it is. I have never met such entitled... beings. I swear, this new reputation we have is only making things more difficult."
Zora sighed. "I know, my love."
"I should be at home by now. Enjoying a well deserved rest. Watching Luka play."
"Well, at least we know he is safe," Zora said and looked at the map again. "As far as I heard, the next person we are about to visit is a great collector of things. He certainly must have at least one of the items we are looking for."
"Good, because in all honesty, I am tired of walking. Next time, I will bring a horse. No! There is not going to be a next time, because if I hear one more unreasonable request, I will just bite that person's head off," the young king said angry.
"Now, now, dear. We talked about this. Do not let your animals instinct take over."
"What animal instinct? The only difference I would make as myself would be to use my sword, instead of my teeth."
"Aidan," she said slowly.
The young king grumbled.
At the same time, nanny Eli woke up, very well rested. She opened her eyes a few times, but seeing it was still dark and that Luka was sleeping soundly, she continued sleeping. But she could not sleep any longer. Moving the fabric, she noticed strange vines covering the opening. Once out, she was shocked to see the sun high in the sky.
"Prince Luka, are you awake?" she went in, shaking him gently. To her surprise, it was only a lump of leaves and branches. "Oh no. Where is he?" she gasped, panicking.