The Unicorn Knight (Otho)

[Kanchana]

Yelena Osasuntsu


Yelena walked, arm slung over Ceelena's shoulder as they forced their way though the heavy falling snow. They were at the border of the forest, only strides away from shelter. But they did not know this, they could barely see each other in the blizzard of flakes.
"Come on Ceelena!" she yelled though the howling wind, icy finger tangled in the thick white mane "It can't be far!"
Months of travel, of heartbreak and time had gone to the journey. To find a sanctuary of warmth and of hope. She had heard of these elves, related to her in some manner, though the old wives tales her mother had spoken. She just hoped that they were true, that the map she had found held the truth and safety.

Her long blonde hair whipped dangerously around her face, her nose numb from the cold as she shrugged the fur jacket closer around her, fighting to keep some warmth in.
Her feet were wet and all but frozen to the ground she walked upon. She knew if they stopped, well they would be stuck.
But days without food or water had taken its toll. Hunger stung her stomach, her tried muscles aching for rest.
And, as one it just all gave up. Her young body collapsed in a heap, the unicorn mare beside her.
They curled up, one last movement, trying to stay warm.

One question remained now. Would they survive?

[Kanchana]

Javrena

The blond-haired elfin girl goaded the black horse forward, her dark green cloak pulled close for warmth in the chilly morning air. Green eyes searched the landscape, looking for a sign of her friends. Nothing. Suddenly, the teenager noticed a small rise in the land. Odd... This area's flat... Well, it should be anyway. She tapped her heels lightly against her mount's sides, and he broke into a trot, coming upon the strange mound as Javrena slid off his smooth, bare back.

"Hmm... What do you think, Xay?" she asked the horse, rubbing his neck as she looked at the snow. Finally she got down and started digging, wondering what could have caused the anomaly. It wasn't long though before her questing, quickly numbing fingers brushed against a thin sheet of ice. Breaking through it with ease, the thin fingers found a still-warm body.

Working quickly, she began uncovering the rest of the person, fair head and shoulders first, then everything else, including a... Unicorn?

The girl stopped short, before she finished her work. Best, she figured, to get the woman to some heat before she froze. The unicorn would have to stay where she was, but Javrena knew she could find the strange creature later.

"Easy Xay, easy..." she murmured soothingly to her shying horse as she lifted the blond-haired stranger onto his back. Quickly, she slid her cloak over the other's shoulders, then got up behind her, wrapping her arms beneath the unconscious woman's, and sliding her chilled fingers through Xay's mane, spurring him on with her heels.

The black horse raced through the snow, following the path they had made before, moving swiftly through the streets towards Javrena's home.

The home wasn't large, set back behind her foster mother's herb shop, snuggled against the small stable. Still, it was warm and comfortable. Javrena dropped off the horse, pulling off the woman as she did so and catching the light form. Her black horse trotted easily into his stall, his sides heaving a bit. A little boy ran out from the door connecting the house to the stable, his eyes wide as he saw the still form of the woman. "Neradon, cool down Xay, would you? I need to get her inside."

The boy nodded quickly, sliding a rough rope from a nail on the wall and clucking to the stallion quietly, slipping the rope around the black horse's neck and tying a quick knot.

Javrena slipped through the door, carrying the slight form in her arms carefully. She took the stranger up to her bedroom, laying her down on her bed, and sliding off her wet cloak, hanging it up to dry. The blond-haired teen pushed the blankets up, covering the still form, before she trotted downstairs to grab some of her mother's herbs. Well, at least she shouldn't die because of me. thought the green-eyed girl as she started chopping up the sweet smelling leaves, grabbing a few cups of icy cold snow and filling the small metal tea pot with it, putting it over the fire to melt and adding in some of the fragrant leaves, humming as she did so. Everything seemed so much simpler when she was caring for a patient, even if she didn't know them. Her adoptive mother had made sure she could do the work at a young age, and it was almost second nature now, for the green-eyed girl.

As soon as the snow had melted to water and started to boil, Javrena strained out the bits of leaves and poured out a cup of the hot drink, taking it upstairs and setting it on the small desk beside her bed. When the woman, whoever she was, woke up, she'd probably want something hot to drink, and the drink could help keep away colds and other such things.

Satisfied that the stranger was taken care of for now, the green-eyed elf took up her second cloak and put it on, taking the stairs in a set of leaps and bounds and started making a warm mush for the unicorn. Whether the strange creature would like it or not, Javrena didn't know, but still, it was worth a shot. If the unicorn didn't, she could always give it to Xay and Xan. Moving out, she saw the two black stallions side by side in the stalls. Quickly, she began harnessing them to the work sled. No doubt her older brothers would be furious with her for using Xan, who was really their's, but she needed the team.

As soon as they were placed and hooked up, she took the warm mash and jumped up onto the seat, flicking the reins and starting off the blacks.

They moved at a quick pace, till they came upon the still, quiet form of the unicorn. Two other figures were there as well, and the blond-haired teen recognized them as her friends, Jebidiah and Lalin. Seeing her, they waved and as she got down, they started talking quickly, before noticing the pot of hot mash.

"I take it then that you saw this one here before?" asked Jebidiah with a smile.

"Yes. Now, would you two be so kind as to help get the poor creature onto the sled?" asked Javrena, rolling her eyes a bit at her cocky friend.

The two boys nodded, and Javrena positioned the sled before jumping out to help them slide the white unicorn up onto the sled. With a wave, Lalen trotted off through the snow before he was asked to do any more work, but Jebidiah stepped up and sat on the seat beside the green-eyed, fair-haired girl as she took the reins and the horses started walking back home, pulling against the weight of the strange creature.

As soon as they were at Javrena's home again, Jebidiah got out and unhitched Xan, taking Xay as well when Javrena got the tack off and took the mash inside again. Why she'd brought it along, she forgot, but ah well, she was forgetful like that. Shaking her head at her own rashness, the elf heated it up again, before bringing it out and putting it near the creature. Jebidiah was already moving his hands carefully along the white body, his face wearing a concerned expression. Finally, he got up and shook his head a bit. "Mostly, it seemsshe was just tired and far too cold. I think she should be fine, but I'm not sure. I'll be back later. Let me know when she wakes, okay?"

Javrena nodded, before taking Xay away from her friend and leading him back into the stall as Jebidiah did the same with Xan. Then, her brown-haired friend left, waving to her as he sauntered off again.

Closing the door, Javrena walked back into the house, starting up the stairs to check on the other patient. Whoever she was, she probably had an interesting story to tell, and Javrena couldn't wait to hear it.

[Kanchana]

Yelena Osasuntsu

Her body shivered, feelign the warm tingles of a hand brushing against her frozen skin. The sudden warmth stung, as a strong light often did to the eyes.
Her mouth opened, but no words appeared though a low, shaking moan escpaed her as she was pushed into the saddle.

Hours later, she twisted in the pallid sheets, her blond tresses falling over her face and tangling into knots. Her icy blue orbs flashing open and closed as if fighting off something in her dreams. But the fear which showed, it had to be true.
A cry escaped her, her slim body convulsed as the nightmare grew words.

Her mother, her father and little brother, all laying dead in their old family home. Their killers stood over them, their sharp teeth bared. She tried to run, she tried to turn. But she wasn't truly there. She was just as helpless in her dreams as she was in true life.

The nightmare vanished with a blink of her unmoving eyes, sweat raining down over her small, fragile bodice as it bolted upright. She dry-reached, gagging on the horrible memory. Icy orbs fluttered, taking in the homely room around her. Wondering how she got here.

A familar herbal smell caught her attention, and slowly she turned towards the mug and picked it up with shaking hands. Was it safe to drink? She sniffed it lightly, able to tell most of the herbs within. Her mother had been a healer, she had grown used to such things.
Unable to find anything wrong with it, she sipped it with a wrinkle of her small button nose. Sure, it helped, but that didn't mean it tasted any good.

***

The white nose sniffed, the green orbs flashing opened at the smell of cooling food. But she was cold, to cold to try and move.
Her startled eyes took in those around her, two males and a female. They seemed to be trying to help as they heaved her into the sled. She relaxed, sensing no plans of harm within her voice. Thoughts of Yelena passed the females mind, and she trusted she would be taken to her knight.

She flinched slightly, feeling soothing hands against her white pelt. But, still she did not open her eyes, rather listened to the voices around her.
He, the boy who was touching her, seemed to care. The other girl, the one with thoughts of Yelena, looked down at him.

As soon as they both left, she heaved her bodice to her feet and nibbled at the marsh. It was hot, not normally food she ate but it had been so long since she had eaten something worth while that she didn't care.

Finished and knowing not to strain her stomach, the fae left the food and pushed the door open with her nose and trotted towards the front door of the house.
She felt Yelena's worry, the pain which coursed though her bones.
Yelena! she cried, trying to get inside. She paced in front of the door, knocking it a few times and tried to get inside. She was used to the inside, though she prefered not to speak to anyone rather then her knight.
With a final cry of worry, she charged the door and knocked it down. Using her mind link to clamber up the stairs and barged into the room which Yelena rested.
Ignoring the other elf, she hurried to the bedside, her hooves clattering over the wooden floorboards before dropping to her side.
Yelena...calm down.. she told the girl who was still panting.

OOC: lol XD btw, love your post.

[Kanchana]

Javrena

To say that the blond-haired elf-girl was surprised when a frantic unicorn trotted past her up the stairs and into her room would be an understatement. The green-eyed girl stood for a moment, her eyes widening a bit, before she quickly moved after the white creature, stepping into her room with a slightly annoyed expression on her pale face. However, as soon as Javrena saw that the stranger was awake, she smiled.

"Hello," she said, looking to the white fae with a slightly bemused expression, before shaking her head a bit. "I'm Javrena, Daughter of None." added the girl, sitting down on the small, rough-hued stool at the foot of the bed. For a moment, she looked down at her hands, interlocking her fingers as she twiddled her thumbs a bit, not sure what to say. The green eyes flickered across her room for a few moments, but her mind knew the scenery well. At the west end of the room was a small window, and the late afternoon sun shone a few rays through it already. Near it was a trunk, where she kept most of her things. Above the window sat a few well-worn books, and a soft bit of doeskin.

On the east wall stood her bed and sat the stranger, as well as her companion, the white unicorn. The desk beside it was small, but both it and the chair placed neatly in front of it, the seat slid beneath the top of the desk, had a carefully crafted look about them. Near the door, on the northern end of the room, were two hooks, one for each of her cloaks. On the one hung her green one. On the other usually hung the brown.

On the southern end was part of the chimney, many-colored stones placed such that it didn't take up much space. Warmth radiated from the smooth rocks, making it a bit better than outside, though it was much warmer downstairs, closer to the two fireplaces, the warming family fire, which heated the small living room, and the kitchen fire, used only for cooking and other such useful things.

"What were you doing out there, by the way? You could've died before you were found you know. Walking out into a blizzard is just plain stupid, unless you have a very, very good reason." Javrena said at last, her bright eyes looking to the stranger, curiosity and a little bit of annoyed worry in her gaze.

((Thanks. LOL, Jav' hasn't been RPed in a long while, and there's plenty of muse right now.))

[Kanchana]

Yelena's orbs widened as the girl entered. So the wives tales were true, other elves did exist! She threw back the covers and launched herself at the girl, hugging her tightly and laughing a high pitched bell like sound.
"You exist!" she cried with delight and then winced, as if finally remembering that she exactly the healthiest person around. Pulling away, she clambered back into her bed and stared at the green-eyed teen.
"I am Yelena Osasuntsu of Raivata, daughter of none alive," she murmured, pausing at the mention of her late father, mother and brother.
"I come from the land of Omerala, a once beautiful land now filled with war, I left hoping to find others of mine kind, and I did!"
She looked upon the teen in earnest "I must speak with your queen, only she may be able to save the last of mine kind!"

She frowned slightly at the mention of dying and shrugged her narrow shoulders.
"I live in a land of snow, we thought it no different...we have no eaten in days due to lack of food and lack of time to spare. I ended up walking most of it, leaving Ceelena energy incase one needed to run.." she blinked, trying to remember what had happened "but your storms here..they are unnatural, magic hinders travelers and not the weather itself."
Her small hand outstretched and rubbed the silver fae's nose gently, murmuring words of thanks.

Remembering the girl, she smiled to her "thank you for all your help, we would have died without your aid, we are both forever within your debt," she vowed as her empty stomach growled.
And suddenly, a shiver wracked her body, forcing her to pull her light blue tunic closer to her.
"Oh," she added with a yawn "this is Ceelena, my closest and dearest friend."
Pleased to meet you, thank you for finding the kinds in your heart to help to travelers in need Ceelena said directly to the girl before him and chuckling lightly and sorry for breaking down the door.. she added sheepishly.
"Ceelena!" Yelena scolded the pallid fae with a small smile "you can't just break down peoples doors."

[Kanchana]

Javrena

She smiled a bit, though her eyes were dark at the mention of the strange snows. "The borders are protected by spells. There's been trouble here, what with the human king... Not many pass through the boundaries and survive. The snow means death for many." she said, shaking her blond tresses a bit. The girl didn't like the way it was now; she preferred the natural snows, when travel wasn't so hindered during the nights.

At the other elf's first words though, the girl's face turned serious. "I might be able to do something for you there, but I cannot guarantee you that I can arrange a meeting for you. No doubt our queen will be interested in the both of you, but as for getting the news to her... Ete... I'll visit Gemstarzah later on." her green eyes turned to the unicorn then as she laughed a bit.

"That door's been broken down twice before. A third time won't hurt it much more. My older brother just needs to learn how to properly place the hinges! As for helping you, it's nothing. Part of my training as an herbalist. My mother would've murdered me if she found out that I left weary wanderers to freeze." she replied aloud, grinning. "Now then--" she was interrupted by a banging at the frost-laced western window.

Rolling her eyes, Javrena pulled it open, to admit a snow-covered, lanky, brown-haired boy. He brushed off the snow, pulling off his deep blue cloak, and draped it across his arm as he surveyed his friend's room. Finally, he laughed, then, with a shake of his head, stepped the rest of the way in as Javrena shut the window.

"Well, this is a new one. Javrena, I like the new additions to your room. A pretty elfin wanderer and her unicorn companion." he said with a grin, before striding over to the bed and offering his chilled hand to Yelena. "My name's Jebidiah Zackson, but most just call me Jeb." he said in a friendly voice. "I'm human, in case you were wondering. I'd freeze out in those snows too, 'cept that I'm too stubborn to let it stop me."

[Kanchana]

Yelena Osasuntsu

Yelena nodded, her blond locks slinking over her shoulders.
"I felt the force of magic, it is a common thing in my lands, but just outside the lands I now know there was another force. Something stronger then these magic's."
She slowly shook her head, unable to describe the feeling of immense power in a few simple words.
Pausing, she sighed.
"She will want to help me...I know it," she said hesitating in her words "I am the last hope of the lands, and its next leader."
She carried on, hoping that she wouldn't notice that she was actually a next in line heir.

Ceelena chuckled lightly, her nose nudging Yelena's arm as if to say 'see, no harm done' but she slowly shook her head, hiding her own laughter.
"Tell me," she said "do you have unicorn knights here?"
She guessed not, deemed by her surprised look at the mention of the silver horned horse.

Silence grew over the trio, broken by a knock upon the frosted window. A boy, human, tall and lanky with brown hair. She smiled slightly, nodding her head in greeting.
"Hello Jeb, I am Yelena Osasuntsu and this is Ceelena," she said, staring upon him with intrest. She had never met a human before, they had never entered the lands of her home.


OOC: soz for the shocking post...doing like 100 things at once.. soz...Also, does Jeb have a girl?