Prologue: Black against White

Darkness had fallen on the forest. The sun gave its place to the moon and stars and slowly, animals of the night started to fill the night with their sounds and song. A tree stood in a clearing, its bark reflecting the moonlight where some sap exuded from a recent cut. A small shape was seen moving at the tree's base, attracted by the insects that feasted upon the wounded tree. Long snout with highly sensible whiskers, the vole was a deadly predator for them. The air was dry from the summer, the ground dry and the worms, its favorite food, were burrowed deep in it and out of reach. Raising its head the vole looked upon the best way to reach what it had now decided would be its meal for the night.

A rush of wind was heard and a shadow fell from a nearby branch. Deadly talons caught the rodent who realized the danger when it was already too late. Reaching another perch, the owl gave its prey the killing blow with its beak. Second kill of the night, the first went to the fledglings, but the hunter had to also cater to its own needs if he wanted to be successful tonight. The owl feasted on its kill, its plumed ears still moving to pay attention to the sounds nearby.

A twig snapped, causing the owl to look up its golden eyes alert. A tall form appeared in the clearing, moving without a sound. The owl hooted, a warning that he would not give its kill away. The form stopped, its slender hands reaching a hood and pulling it back, uncovering long silvery hair. The place was near, she knew it. Being in accord with the nature of the forest she had felt it die. Why would one kill such innocent creature?

Her eyes darted around the clearing, trying to find the fallen form. Nothing. She then saw it, some pure white hairs coming out of a tall bush. She moved quickly to the spot, fearing what she knew was already there. Parting the branches her eyes met with the fallen creature. Spotless white body of a horse and long slender horn on its head, the unicorn lay on the ground, dead.

She sighed. This was the second kill in as many weeks. The first was a foal, but tonight it was an adult. A bit of comfort filled her when she realizes that the death came as a surprise and that the pain was very brief. She suddenly realized that the kills were not aimless. Someone was trying to bring her out. Someone who knew her link with nature and how much she cared for every single animal in this forest. Someone who still vies for what she is safe-keeper of. Someone who was watching her even now from the tree in the clearing.

Wand in hand she turned around, knowing that he is there already. Her eyes met with his. He was looking at her, his shoulder against the tree's trunk. Even in the darkness she could make out a satisfied sneer on his face. Him that used to be so protective of life before, how could he change so much? She knew the answer and his acts have proven that he is beyond help.

"Is that all you can think of to confront me?" she asked, her voice cutting through the night. "Killing creatures that are the embodiment of innocence and wisdom?"

He did not answer, but she saw him bowing his head with a little smile, an evil smile.

"You are despicable," she continued, disgusted by his lack of remorse. "You should have no rights to enter this sacred forest."

"You know what I want, blood traitor," he replied. "My acts will continue until you give me what is rightfully mine."

"It was never yours," she shot back, "Nor will it ever be, you are not worthy it."

"You talk about worth? You? The shame of our race?"

"And what are you?" she snapped back, "The perfect example?"

"You married him," he accused.

"I married him out of love," she replied, "You wanted to marry me for power."

"They are lower than us," he said, "We were created to rule them."

"I had always hoped that we could somehow bring you back to reason," she said, sadly. "I now see that it is impossible."

"You do not know me," he started.

"You do not know yourself," she cut him harshly, "Have you forgotten all you learned? Forgotten the sacredness of life itself?"

"Do not speak to me about sacredness, you wench," he said, taking a step towards her.

"Come any closer and I will be forced to harm you," she warned, her wand coming in view.

"You cannot harm me," he laughed, "I am much more powerful than you are."

"Your certainty in your power is your weakness," she said.

"Your love for lesser beings is yours," he shot back, "Now tell me where you hid them."

"You will never get your hands on them while I breathe," she answered.

"Very well," he said, "If you wont tell it willingly, I will make you tell it in pain. CRUCIO!" he roared, slashing the air with his wand.

The spell's energy sped through the air towards her. A muttered incantation and a twirl of her wand caused something invisible to form in front of her, blocking the curse and dispersing its energy.

"I am warning you," she said, bringing her wand at the ready again, "do not force me to hurt you."

Another shouted incantation; another spell flew thought the air, only to be stopped again by a shield of air. This time retaliation came and a silvery orb sped towards her attacker, causing him to shield himself and putting him on the defensive. He could not win, she knew it, but he needed to realize it. Lightning erupted from his wand, again being blocked by the powerful shield spell she now conjured for the third time.

The duel continued, the two adversaries sending spells at each other. He was frustrated. She should not have been so powerful. He thought quickly for a better spell while he deflected her counterattack. Yes, this spell should do the trick. Making a cross sign with his wand he uttered the powerful incantation. A beam of red light flew towards her. She knew the spell, a very hard one to defend. A quick motion of her wand and the shield was up again, blocking the spell just barely. The strength of it sent her to hit a tree trunk behind. Pain shot through her back and she muffled a cry of pain.

"You cannot prevent it," he laughed, "It is only a matter of time before I prevail, and I have that time."

She smiled faintly. "Not tonight," she said, "time is something that you do not have."

Sound could be heard in the distance. Running, shouting. She smiled, support would be here very soon, much sooner than he expected. The moonlight reflected his angry face.

"You win tonight, wench," he said, "But know that I know of other ways to make you give me what is mine by right." he added, before disapparating.

She relaxed, he was gone, but for how long? The question came at her while she pocketed her white wand. So much fighting, for so long. Would it ever end? She turned in the direction of the sounds. They would be here very shortly. A silvery form appeared near her.

"You did not tell me that you were going out alone," it said.

"I did not really believed that he would be that bold," she answered.

"Are you alright?" it asked.

"I am," she said, "Apart from a bruised back." she added.

"That can easily be fixed," the shape said, "I just wish I could have done something to help you."

"You could not have, you know that," she replied gently, facing the shape, "This was part of the bargain so you could stay."

The shape sighed; the others will be here in a minute. "Does his return mean what I think it means?" it asked.

"Yes," she answered sadly, turning to meet the men who appeared in the clearing, "It is time," she added, "And I can only hope that they had enough time."

"Why do I have the feeling that history is repeating itself?" the shape asked.

"Because in a way it is, Love," she answered, "But this time the outcome might very well be different."

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