Winfire To The Rescue

by VJ Kruger

"I told you not to snatch a highborn wench," Levinia shouted, her mind frantic. "Are you daft? We will likely feel the hanging noose, you old poop." Shivering, Levinia moved closer to the fire. The filthy, tattered rags she wore revealed her emaciated flesh and craggy bones.

"You told me to snatch a lass with virtue to lure the magic horse. Her purity smells like a lush, green meadow after a rainstorm. She's the one we need," Cletus argued.

Levinia rolled her eyes and spat into the fire. "It's a unicorn, not a horse!" she roared.

The bound girl, sprawled across the jittery horse, eyed her two captors. She worked her jaw trying to dislodge the dirty rag stuffed in her mouth. Cletus shuffled toward the girl muttering to himself. He lifted her, staggered, and jiggled her to the ground beside the fire.

The girl's turquoise eyes glittered from the light of the fire. Her flaxen tresses, thick and silky, glowed like molten gold in the moonlight.

"She is a beautiful lass," Levinia admitted. "What's your name, girl?" she asked, removing the rag from the girl's mouth.

"Serene, and what pray tell, do you plan to do with a unicorn?" she challenged.

Excited, Levinia explained. "You be a virginal maiden, lass. You can tame the unicorn so we can capture him. A healing potion made from his magical horn will fetch a lot of money. We won't be hungry or cold for years and years. Despite this cold, harsh world, we will survive," she vowed. "Now, go to sleep. We will make plans tomorrow."

"Winfire, are you out there?" Serene questioned the darkness with her mind. "To the right, Serene, just beyond the first copse of trees. How did he capture you? You're slipping, girl!" Winfire chided.

"Scolding is not necessary, Winfire. How he captured me is irrelevant. You need to worry about your fine, golden horn. You're in danger of losing it."

"Ha! That will never happen. Your father and his men are riding fast and furious. They will teach these two a lesson they won't soon forget." Winfire jeered.

Just then, an army of men burst from the trees, yelling and thrusting their weapons. In a matter of seconds, Levinia and Cletus were staring at the point of a gilded sword, the sapphires and diamonds glinting in the moonlight. The blue eyes of the man standing behind the sword blazed with anger, as he probed their souls with his stare.

"You will both die for this night's deed," he hissed.

Levinia and Cletus clutched each other, shrieking, and pleaded for their lives.

"Nay, Father, let them live. Bring them home with us and find them work. With food and shelter, they can live in peace," Serene said as she hugged her father.

Serene mounted Winfire as he nudged Levinia and Cletus, planting his regal horn under their noses.

"Stop that! You are a blatant showoff." she scolded.

"They deserve it. Now they know where my horn belongs. Attached to me!"

The majestic beast, moonlight dancing on his brilliance, galloped off into the night with Serene's gleeful laughter ringing in his ears.

End

VJ Kruger © 2006 - 2008

See more of the author's work at:
http://www.texasquintessence.com/index.html



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