Chapter 1

T'was a normal day, a day like any other at Haggard's castle. This shining sun and the sparkling sea made a stark contrast to the crumbling, dreary fortress. The inside was even worse, barely resembling what a regal castle should be. The halls were empty, dusty tombs and the rooms were soul-crushingly bleak. Nobody would willingly stay in such a place, and yet 5 people do live in this castle: a king, a prince, a magician, a cook, and a peculiar woman who, until recently, was in fact a unicorn.

The magician who regrettably caused this transformation, Schmendrick, walks towards his chamber. Another day acting a fool for the king. How dreadful. He should leave! Forget this impossible quest, they were never going to find the other unicorns! He should leave with the others and never come back and…

Forever regret it. Schmendrick thought of Amalthea. He thought of the breathtakingly beautiful unicorn, now turned breathtakingly beautiful woman. He thought of how she trusted him with this great task, how determined she was to bring order to the world again. And Schmendrick was once again reminded that it was, in fact, he who turned her into this. He who cursed her with mortality. He who made her forget everything that made her a unicorn, so majestic and responsible.

No, he shook himself. I could not turn my back on her. Not now, not in this shape. I would never forgive myself, looking into those dark, innocent eyes and knowing that I failed them. Knowing that she cannot stay like this. This form. With long, angelic hair, the smooth, porcelain skin, the beautiful, delicate figure…soft…silken…beckoning…

Wait, stop! What the Hell are you doing?! It is a crime to think such sinful things of such a fantastic creature. We need to find that Red Bull and get out of here…I think I'm losing it…

Though it is true. Ever since the unicorn took on this form, Schmendrick's view of her shifted. Admiration turned infatuation, loyalty turned to longing. He harshly berated himself for this conversion, yet he could not change what was in him heart.

As he made his way to his room, Schmendrick caught notice of the very same woman he was thinking about. Damn, this is not a good time, he thought. I can't avoid her, though. I'd better see what she wants. He approached her standing next to his room with as much dignity as he could muster. When she saw him approach, she smiled.

"Good evening, Magician."

"Good evening, Lady Amalthea. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I must speak to you in private, Magician."

Private? He gulped. She went into his room and let him follow.

"I…wish to ask something of you…"

Well this is certainly odd, Schmendrick thought. She hardly talks to anyone, let alone ask favors. And why me? Does she require my magic?

She turned to the side and looked up in thought.

"This form…it is so unfamiliar, so strange. It does not help me remember myself…" She clenched her fists.

"I hate it."

Schmendrick felt a sharp pang of regret and self-deprecation.

"Yes…well…there's nothing I can do now…"

"But there is. You made me this, so you are in my debt. Listen…

Amalthea turned and stepped closer to Schmendrick.

"You must help me understand. You must help me feel comfortable about this cage of flesh by giving me knowledge on human bodies."

She lifted her hand toward the thunder-struck wizard and lightly brushed his cheek.

"teach me how to feel," She pleaded.