Feynard Read Free

deliberately and abruptly washing his paws of the Unicorn and his Human charge.
    Zephyr stared after until it became apparent that Snatcher truly intended to depart without so much as a fare-thee-well. “Wait!” he called. The huge figure turned, already half-wreathed in the grey vapours of Mistral Bog. “Why did you call me a pariah when first we met, good Lurk?”
    “Why were you made responsible for your parents’ debt, noble Zephyr?”
    He shifted his forehooves awkwardly, not understanding why the Lurk would ask such a question–nor indeed, how he had knowledge of it in the first instance. He said stiffly, “It is the way of the Unicorns.”
    Although softly spoken, Snatcher’s reply carried clearly over the still bog to Zephyr’s hearing. “In the past there was friendship between Lurk and Unicorn,” he said. “But then the Dark Wizard Ozark seduced many creatures–even those thought incorruptible–to his maleficent mastery. Your mother, one of the senior Mares of the Council, was ambitious for the leadership of the Unicorns, which at the time was disputed between her and Mylliandawn, following the assassination of your great leader Siyallana, called Lightstar by the tribe in honour of her wise and able guidance.”
    Zephyr tossed his flowing mane. “I’ve no need of a history lesson–”
    But the Lurk continued undeterred, “Bereaved by Siyallana’s untimely parting, the Unicorn tribes were unable to decide between the two mares. But when more and more voices began to speak in favour of your dam, Mylliandawn became desperate. Suddenly, tragedy struck. Out in the Wilderlands, above the Rhiallandran River, evil creatures fell upon the Unicorns and slaughtered some ten or twenty in number. Rumours began to circulate about certain disenchanted Unicorns who had betrayed their own. Soon, Mylliandawn accused your dam of plotting with the Lurks to overthrow the Unicorn Council and create a new order under her rule–and yes, we Lurks were partly responsible. We were beguiled and deceived by Mylliandawn. She made it seem that Lurks had killed those Unicorns; that your dam was responsible. Riding the ensuing wave of hysteria, Mylliandawn pressed for your parents to be dehorned.”
    “No!” the Unicorn cried. “You lie!”
    The Lurk’s great shoulders bunched into a sad, apologetic shrug. “And so , as Mylliandawn’s star rose to prominence, your parents lost their lives, sacrificed upon the altar of her greed. As you grew older and began to ask too many questions, the debt was laid upon your shoulders to keep you quiet. In your shame, you never questioned why. And so you serve Mylliandawn and the Unicorn Council, shackled to their cause. You take on the jobs other Unicorns consider too dirty or demeaning. You continue to pay the price. Thus, you are made a pariah amongst your kin.”
    Zephyr trembled from nose to hoof. “These are a pack of the vilest insinuations, you fiend!” he whinnied shrilly. “Mylliandawn has never been ought but good to me! I’m no one’s lackey–”
    “Then consider my words with care,” interrupted the Lurk, just another shadow now in the murk. “Seek the truth, noble Zephyr! Protect the Human! If ever again you seek to cross Mistral Bog, ask for Snatcher.”
    The Unicorn nearly spat in his direction, but desisted. What if the Lurk was right? Was there some grain of truth in his story? The consequences of his debt had galled and shamed him now for tens of seasons. The Unicorns treated him as if his presence were tainted. They shunned his company, and shrouded his paths in snickers and whispered conversation. Courting a mate had become unthinkable. Yes, he was an outsider. But he had always believed … Zephyr lifted his head to ask another question, but the colourless expanse of Mistral Bog had swallowed the Lurk as if he had never been.
    Disconsolate, confused, and above all lonely, Zephyr turned his horn toward Thaharria-brin-Tomal, home of the Unicorns. He reached