The Balinor Chronicles: The Celestial Herd
Chapter Thirty-One: Cursed by the Heir
The Mare drove Arioch out of her cave, the one she that once shared with two other beings so like herself. At first Arioch, confident in his power, ran as the blackest unicorn. Almost too late, he saw the Elemental Mulciber out of the corner of his eye. The red stallion was charging head down, his entire weight behind his sharpened horn. Merely seconds before impact, Arioch did something that he ultimately regretted: he spread wings and flew. This lessened the fear he would have over the Unicorns when the fighting times came, and it revealed his special magic to all. Yes, Arioch would live regret that one folly the entire war.
For there would be a war.
Before he was driven out, Arioch invoked the power of The Dark One, the god that he served. Using his power, The Heir of Diablo cursed the Mare, the Valley, and their descendents. He cursed Sirani and her dreams, who had fought long against the Shifter Lords. He cursed all who had crossed him. This curse took the form of a prophecy, but it was more a promise than sacrilege. It was Diablo's oath, the one that would cause all to happen. The power of these words never died. As he spoke, The Dark One carved the words into the floor of the Mare's cave, ensuring that she would never forget them. They were outlined in the shape of the star, and eight-pointed behemoth, cut with jagged slices into the stone. The words were forgotten by mortals, but the star was not. Down in the Mortal Realms, the eight-pointed star was seen as lucky, and put on flags, arms, and maps. Little did they know it would lead to their downfall.
Yes, there would be a great many wars.
Time will come
And all will fail
As dawn brings darkness,
Summer, hail.
King of Star
And King of Horn
Fight the dark lord
Enemy sworn.
But King of Horn
And King of Star
By dawn surrender,
Lost by far.
Sun is chased,
But stars are caught
And all their work
Is but for naught
But will someday rule
O'er Sirani's dreams
And Mare's mortal Fools.