A/N: This story takes place roughly just after ROTG. This story is slightly D/N, but it won't be that way for a while. This is my first story, so bear with me. Another thing, I haven't finished all the Daine books yet, so if you have an idea that would be useful to my story you can put it in your review. BTW, you might have heard of my sister Lela ofBast. We're about to start a new story under the pen name LADIESofQUEENSCOVEandJESSLAW. Quite a mouthful, eh?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I'm SO not clever or genious enough to come up with any of this stuff. I wish I was though...
Chapter One
Something was wrong. Daine could feel an emptiness surrounding her. She had learned to trust these instincts. She could feel that whatever it was wasn't a threat, just out of place. She should have known better than to come out into the forest unaccompanied.
Odds bobs, she thought. Will I ever learn?
From behind her came loud bouts of protest from Cloud, who had insisted on going along.
I know you agreed to look for whatever that thing is, but couldn't you have brought somebody with you? Even that stork-man you like so much would have been better than nobody.
He's not a stork-man. His name's Numair, and I don't like him SO MUCH. Besides, it's better if I go alone so whatever it is won't feel overwhelmed by more than one person.
Cloud snorted, but continued to follow Daine as she went further into the forest. Suddenly Daine stopped.
What now? Came Cloud's voice.
"SHH!" Daine snapped. She closed her eyes and listened using her magic. There was no sound except her and Cloud's breathing.
That's it! Daine said.
What?
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
Exactly, Daine said.
Now you've lost me again, Cloud said in confusion
Do you realize how quiet it is? Only two things can create that kind of silence. A direct spell, or the presence of a magical being. And I'm going to say a magical being.
Why's that?
Because the riders and knights have reported strange tracks and markings on trees.
Daine relaxed as the noises of the forest returned to her.
There, Cloud said. Happy now? If you don't mind I've got a nice patch of grass at the stables with my name on it.
Daine turned around to head back, but she caught sight of fresh tracks on the muddy forest floor.
Cloud, let's just follow those tracks. If we don't see anything in ten minutes we'll turn back.
As they walked on Daine studied the tracks. They were just like Cloud's except they had jagged, sharp edges and they were twice as large. She stopped to pick up a silver hair from a nearby bush. Faint traces of copper lingered on its sparkling edges.
"Cloud, I think I know what these tracks are from." She said aloud.
What?
"I think it's a.." Daine was cut off as her suspicions were confirmed.
In front of them stood a silver unicorn.
