THE UNICORN'S PLIGHT

CHAPTER 3

As Ashley ran with Dar, her heart beated twice as fast. Adrenalin rushed through her body. Thoughts ran through her mind. Are the unicorns ok? Are they alive? And who the hell is this hottie running beside me?

Ashley glanced over at the man who was running beside her. He had beautiful muscles on his very strong body, a six pack stomach, and hardly anything on. Ashley was snapped out of her fantasy when they reached the 2 unicorns.

Ashley was out of breath. She sat down on the brown dirt to try and slow her breathing. "Are you ok?" asked Tao.

"Fine," panted Ashley. "Who are you guys?" she asked them. "My name is Tao. I'm a healer," he said looking at her cut on her cheek. "And this is my friend Dar. He's the Beastmaster," said Tao.

"Nice to meet you. Thanks for saving me. I'm Ashley," she said. Her breathing returned to normal.

"Ashley, what were you doing in Zad's prison?" asked Dar who kneeled beside her. Ashley looked at Dar. "I was trying to get the alicorn back," said Ashley.

"Alicorn?" asked Tao. "It's the name for the unicorn's horn," said Ashley and Dar in unison. Ashley blushed. "Yeah and I failed," she said. "But I won't give up," she said glaring at nothing.

"You have determination. I'll give you that, but this is far too dangerous for you. You could have been killed if I hadn't come along," said Dar.

Ashley pissed at this. "You could have killed me with that pear knife!" she yelled standing up. "Still, I saved you," said Dar who now towered above her. "I hate that," mumbled Ashley.

She looked over at the unicorns who were drinking water out of the stream. "They asked me to help," she said walking over to them. "I made a promise," she said stroking the mares mane.

"And I NEVER break a promise," said Ashley who looked at Dar and Tao with determination staining her face and eyes. "Will you help me?" asked Ashley. Dar looked at her with concern.

"You say you have to get the alicorn back. Now there must be a body to the other unicorn," said Dar. "Where's the body?" he asked her. "Hell if I know. I was supposed to get the alicorn back then they would take me to it," said Ashley pointing to the unicorns who were now playing like children in the water.

"Okay," said Dar. He put out his hand for Ashley to take. Ashley took it. He pulled her into a hug. "I'll help you," said Dar. "Thanks," she said. This was an awkward moment.

She felt herself blush. Then she felt something dripping down her face. She figured it was tears from her eyes, seeing she was very happy, but her eyes weren't wet.

She wiped her cheek. It was bleeding again. "Great," said Ashley. She pushed away from Dar to not let him see. "You bleeding again?" he asked. "Yeah, just a little," she said still hiding her face.

Then the stallion unicorn pranced over and pout his alicorn near her face. It glowed bright. He had healed her wound. "Damn you're useful," said Ashley. "Thanks," she said.

The unicorn neighed as it pranced back the mare. "Can you stay with them?" asked Ashley. Tao smiled. "Sure," he said. Dar's smile faded. "I want you to stay too," he said. "What? Oh never mind I understand. No need to explain," she said as she walked with Tao.

Dar went back to Xinca to get the alicorn back. "Trying to save my unicorns again?" asked the sorceress who blocked Dar's path. "Yes. I will not fail," said Dar. "I'll be watching," said the Sorceress. Then she disappeared. Dar sighed as he headed back to Xinca.

Meanwhile, Ashley was humming a graceful tune. Tao smiled. "You have a nice humming voice. Your singing voice as beautiful?" he asked. Ashley smiled. "You tell me," she said as she sang a couple lines:

If I could melt your heart
We'd never be apart
Give yourself to me
You are the key
If I could melt your heart
We'd never be apart
Give yourself to me
You are the key
If I could melt your heart

She sighed as she finished. Tao was astonished. As were the unicorns who had hummed while she sang. "That was gorgeous. You are one of a kind," said Tao. "Thanks," she said as they continued to walk on the road while the unicorns took refuge at the edge of the road.