The Unicorn's Plight

Chapter 2

The man who had been following Ashley made sure to keep his distance. Dar didn't want to frighten the girl, nor the unicorns, who were very precious to him and the sorceress that created them.

Ashley had gotten on the stallion bareback. Before doing anything, she threw her hair into a high ponytail. Ashley wasn't without skills, for she knew how to ride.

She dug her hands into the stallion's long white mane. "Okay, please take me to who killed the third unicorn," Ashley said. Then she nudged the stallion with her ankles until they started to canter. The mare followed right beside them.

"This girl is different," said Dar to Tao who had just caught up an was out of breath. "She sure dresses strangely," said Tao in between pants. Dar smiled.

"But at least we know she wasn't the one who killed the 3rd unicorn," said Dar. "And like me, she can communicate with them," he added.

"Where do you think she's going?" asked Tao. Dar looked up and saw Sharak flying overhead. Sharak follow her, said Dar to him. Sharak called out and did what he was asked.

From Sharak's eyes, Dar saw Ashley galloping full speed to Zad's empire. "She's going to Zad," said Dar who took off running at the speed of a cheetah.

"Here we go again," said Tao and then he too started to run again to keep up with Dar.

Ashley had arrived in Xinca. "ZAD!" she called out. She was careful not to get too close to the gate. She didn't want guards jumping her.

"Who calls my name without first saying 'King?'" asked Zad who looked over the wall to see a young girl sitting on a unicorn with another by her side. The unicorn reared in anger. He had his ears pinned and cow kicked out.

"Easy boy. I know he's evil," whispered Ashley not taking her eyes off of baldy.

"Unicorns," said Zad in fascination. The women around the area looked over the gate to get a glimpse of the beautiful mystical creatures. "Enough," said Zad angrily pushing them back. The women moaned in sadness.

"I've come to make you a deal," said Ashley while dismounting the stallion. "I'll give you myself, a pure virgin, if you surrender the third alicorn," said Ashley.

The two unicorns reared behind her. Ashley felt the ground move when they came down from rearing. Ashley looked at the unicorns. "My pure beautiful loved ones, please go into the forest where it's safe. I don't want to loose you two," she said.

Both stallion and mare ran into the woods. "You have quite a talent girl," said King Zad. Ashley smiled. "And you certainly have a way with words," said Ashley. "Do we have a deal?" asked Ashley. "Come in," said Zad.

Ashley was very skeptical about going into Xinca. But she had to get the alicorn back, so she had to play along. She entered Xinca while getting looks from everyone.

King Zad came down some steps and looked at her up and down. "You have a nice body, but it's hid by rags," said Zad touching her clothes. "Uh-uh," said Ashley slapping his hands away. King Zad was surprised she had struck him. No one did.

"Business first Kingie, then pleasure later," said Ashley.

"Got somewhere private we can talk?" she asked. "This way," gestured King Zad motioning for her to follow him. Before Zad followed, he turned to a knight. "Post guards at every entrance and exit to Xinca. Just in case," said Zad.

Meanwhile, Dar and Tao were at the edge of the wood with the two unicorns. Tao stood guard over them while Dar went into Xinca to get the girl.

Dar had disguised himself so he could sneak into Xinca using the secret passage. As usual, no problem, but when he looked around, security was tight. "Guess they don't want this girl getting out or anyone getting in," said Dar.

Then Dar saw Ashley with guards leading her into Zad's palace. "Nice place," said Ashley. "thank you," said Zad who sat in his thrown in front of her. "Where is the alicorn?" asked Ashley.

"I should have mentioned this to you earlier. I don't do business with little girls," said Zad. "I'm 17 you old man," said Ashley while death glaring him.

Zad took out his sword and pointed it at her. "Never call me old man," said Zad. "Why deny that you're fighting a losing battle against father time?" asked Ashley. She had pushed it too far that time. Zad cut her across the face.

Ashley winced in pain. "Not a screamer, huh?" asked Zad. Ashley looked up at the king. The cut went all the way across her face. From the top of her left head horizontal to her right chin. Blood dripped from her face onto the stone floor.

"Well, you look beautiful in blood," said Zad. "You're sick," said Ashley. "And you are now my prisoner," said Zad. A guard came up behind Ashley, but before he could grab her, Ashley ducked behind him while grabbing his sword.

She cut his ass. The guard screamed in pain. "I'm not leaving here without the alicorn," said Ashley pointing her sword at Zad. Zad was impressed. "You can fight," said Zad. "A little," said Ashley.

"So you're not leaving here without the alicorn huh? Then I guess you're not leaving," said Zad. He snapped his fingers and 5 guards came in and surrounded her. Ashley knew she couldn't take on all these guards, so she dropped her sword on the floor. It fell with a clang.

"Take her to the dungeon," said Zad. "And then hunt down those 2 unicorns. Bring me their alicorns," said Zad. "NO! You can't do this!" yelled Ashley who was thrashing about to get loose from the guards iron like grip. It was no use.

"My dear, I'm king. I can do whatever the hell I want. And tonight I'll do you," said Zad with his breath right on her neck. Ashley let the guards drag her into the dungeons below the city.

Ashley was thrown into a cell populated by rats. She just kicked them aside, not wanting to get bitten. She sat down in defeat. She thought about the two unicorns. "I hope they will get away," she said.

Ashley waited a few hours then she tried to escape. She tried the door…obviously locked. But she saw the hinges. They were rusted. Ashley with all her strength in her body, kicked the door and it flew right off it's hinges.

"Awesome," said Ashley as she headed outside. She easily dodged the guards. Then she was in the city of Xinca among the people. She tried to find the gates she had come into the city from, but couldn't.

"Damn this city is a frickn' labyrinth," she said. Then it got worse. She saw some guards coming from in front of her, but nowhere for her to hide. She stood there, but someone had grabbed her and pushed their chest into her back.

Ashley was pinned against a stone cold wall. They cleverly hid her with their body. "Who are you?" asked Ashley. "SSSHHH," came a voice. Ashley felt a warm hard cover her mouth to keep her quiet. The touch was rough, yet smooth at the same time.

Ashley looked to her side and saw the guards pass, thinking that this person was just a vagabond getting out of the way. "The unicorns are safe. Someone is looking after them," said a man's voice.

He released his hand from her mouth and eased his body off of hers. "That still doesn't answer my question," said Ashley turning around to meet her savior face to face.

Dar took off his hood so she could see him. "I'm Dar. I'm the Beastmaster," he said. He saw her face. It was bleeding again. He touched the wound.

"Does it hurt?" he asked her. "No," said Ashley. I'm used to seeing my blood," she said. "When we're out of here, I have a friend who take a look at that," said Dar.

Ashley looked up to get a good look at this guy. When she took in all of his features, she blushed as red as blood. Holy Shit! This guy is FINE! she thought.

"Thanks for saving me," she said putting on a regular face now. "Don't thank me yet," said Dar seeing more guards coming from either side.

"Why are their so many?" asked Ashley. "Zad must have found out you escaped," said Dar. "Damn that old man," said Ashley clenching her fists.

They were trapped. "Now what?" asked Ashley. "They'll see me for sure this time," she said.

Dar put on his hood again, and grabbed Ashley roughly. He placed her in front of him like a human shield. "Play along," he said. He grabbed a knife from the food stand by them.

He put the knife covered in pear juice to her neck. The guards saw this and came running. "Hey you! Stop!" he yelled. "One move and she's dead," said Dar. Ashley knew he was faking, but it still hurt. His grip and the blade.

"King Zad wants her alive," said a guard. "Oh really?" asked Dar. "If he wants her, you can tell him to come and get her himself," said Dar. The guards backed off while Dar made his escape with Ashley in his arms.

Once safely away from the guards, Dar let go of Ashley. "Sorry about that," he said while opening the secret passage. "Anytime," said Ashley. Dar helped into the passage, then once safely outside of Xinca, Dar took Ashley to the unicorns.

AN: Whoo! This chapter rocks! I had fun writing it! I'll update as soon as I get some reviews!