Lesser Bloom

Silhouette

Jergal dipped his quill into the ink and leaned forward continuing the story.

Lirael approached Pip who took her hand and gave a small peck on top of it. Lirael laughed and Kragga shook her head.

- What a charming man you are Pip! Stop playing a knight in shining armor and help me instead, would ya? - Pip rolled his chestnut eyes and winked at Lirael while he jumped over the fence and slowly approached the Unicorn. Kragga smiled a bit at Lirael before turning her focus back on the unicorn. Kragga, tall and broad-shouldered, her half-orc frame clad in reinforced leather tack and a simple green tunic, stands a respectful distance away. Her black-tinged tusks catch the light as she holds out an open palm, empty—no bridle, no rope, only patience. She hums low in her throat, an old orcish riding song turned soft and steady, the kind used for calming war-boars. Sweat beads on her brow; she knows unicorns choose their riders, and force will only make this one bolt or lash out with that deadly horn. Beside her, Pip—the small, wiry halfling stable lad—bounces lightly on his toes, trying, and mostly failing, to stay still. His curly hair is full of hay bits, and he's clutching a small woven basket of fresh clover and star-apples, the unicorn's preferred treats.

- Easy now, beauty - he whispers, voice high and cheerful despite the tension.

- We've got the good stuff—no moldy hay for you.- He edges forward a half-step at a time, slow as molasses, humming along with Kragga's tune in a reedy counter-melody.

The unicorn snorts, nostrils flaring rainbow mist, and takes one cautious step toward Pip. Its ears flick forward, then back—wary but curious. Kragga doesn't move, but her eyes never leave the beast; one hand rests lightly on the hilt of a small curved knife at her belt, not for harm but for readiness if things turn sour. Suddenly the wind changes and the unicorn turns its head towards Lirael. Their eyes meet and ignoring both Kragga and Pip, the unicorn marches towards Lirael. Pip tried to ran after it but Kragga grabbed his shoulders stopping him and motioning in silence for the young man to stay put and observe.

Lirael's breath caught; but she cannot take her eyes of the quickly approaching huge mane. The creature stops only inches away, close enough that she can feel the cool, sweet warmth radiating from its coat—like standing beside a spring dawn. Its silver eyes meet hers: ancient, knowing, utterly calm. No fear, no demand—just recognition.

Slowly, regally, the unicorn lowers its head. The glowing horn dips until the smooth tip brushes the center of Lirael's forehead, right between her brows. A soft chime echoes through the stables—like distant crystal struck once—followed by a wave of gentle warmth that spreads from the point of contact down her arms, through her chest, into her very bones. Colors flare briefly along the horn's length, mirroring the opal sheen of its body, then settle into a steady, soft luminescence that matches the faint glow now kindling behind Lirael's own eyes.

For a heartbeat the world narrows to just the two of them: servant girl and wild-born legend, bound in quiet certainty.

The unicorn exhales a breath scented with wildflowers and starlight, then straightens. It nudges her shoulder once—gentle, almost playful—before turning in a slow circle and returning to the mossy circle, settling down as if the choice were the most natural thing in the world. Kragga lets out a low, awed whistle. Pip stares, wide-eyed, then whispers.

- Lirael... it chose you. - Lirael touched her forehead where the horn rested, fingers trembling slightly. A small, stunned smile breaks across her face as the first tears slip free—not from sadness, but from something vast and long-denied finally clicking into place. Suddenly a hateful voice breaks the magical moment. Then the sound of swift, purposeful boots on moss echoes through the stables.

- Stay away from my unicorn you lowlife. -The unicorn's ears flick back at the sound of his voice. It lifts its head slowly, horn withdrawing with a faint shimmer. Lirael didn't need to turn around to know the owner of the voice. It was her half brother Thalorion. Kragga and Pip bowed lowering their heads but behind their backs both of their hands clenched into fists. For the commotion, the stable master, Torvald walks out of the stables. The Head groom, former sellsword who found peace tending the luminous elven steeds bowed respectfully towards the young lord, who looked at the human in his late thirties with despise. For him, Torvald and his life was as meaningless as a bug. Torvald lifted his head and his calm green eyes quickly assessed the situation. He spoke softly to the animals in a gravelly voice, braids protective charms into their manes, but his tone was harsh and crude towards Elves.

- Lord Thalorion, how may we serve you today? - he asked and Thalorion pointed at the unicorn.

-That stud is mine, mother bought it for me. You really should keep a better eye on your staff human. How come that a lowly half-life dares to touch my possession? And those two are just standing there like statues and watching. Torvald, bore a faint limp from an old wound; unlike the young lords, the other elves respected his skill enough to overlook his blunt human manners. Torvald looked at the skinny Lirael and how the unicorn stayed close to her. The horse was at least four heads if not five taller than the weak little girl, yet acted like a sheep near her. The same stud that almost crushed Kragga several times during that morning. Torvald sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

- Lord Thalorion, I understand your anger, the mane was indeed purchased by Lady Amelia, but please understand, that these creatures are not like regular horses. We cannot force them to accept you as their rider. This particular man choose lady Lirael as his rider. I cannot change the decision of the nature my Lord. - Thalorion walked closer to Torvald and slapped him with his gloves, his servants gasped at the sight and Torvald spit some blood out of his mouth before Thalorion spoke.

- There's no such person as Lady Lirael. She is not a lady. She is a walking reminder of my father's weakness. Lirael is in no situation to own anything, even her life is not her possession! Gods, she is only breathing because father let her live! Now, stop talking nonsense and mount my mane for me. - Torvald looked at Kragga and she headed inside to bring out the equipment. They miraculously managed to prepare the unicorn and Thalorion scoffed as he walked next to it and grabbed the saddle.

- See, it knows who is his real owner. - with that he pulled himself into the saddle and as soon as his bottom touched the saddle, the unicorn stood on his back legs and threw Thalorion off of him. The servants rushed to their lord trying to help him up and to get the dust off of him, while Kragga grabbed the unicorn's mane and tried to calm it down.

- Can't you do your job properly? - he shouted at Kragga.

- Your job was to tame this creature, why are we even paying you? - Kragga tried to focus on the unicorn so she wouldn't rearrange the facial structure of the young elf. Lirael stepped closer and looked at Thalorion.

- It is not Kragga's fault. Torvald just told you, they can't teach a unicorn to accept any rider. - Thalorion looked into Lirael's sky blue eyes and lifted his hand to strike at her. He was already in a fool mood and his talented half-sister's comments didn't help him to maintain his composure. The unicorn noticed that his rider was in danger and pulled itself out of Kragga's hold, charging at Thalorion. He froze in fear, Lirael noticed the danger in time and stood in front of Thalorion.

- Sh... Calm down, see I'm fine. - she said soothing the unicorn that kept staring at Thalorion and stepping nervously from side to side. Thalorion gasped and shouted at Torvald.

- GET RID OFF THIS MONSTER NOW!

- But my Lord, the animal did no wrong.

- Fine, if you won't, I will! - with that Thalorion casted a spell and the unicorn neighed in pain. Lirael looked at her brother with disgust and fall on her knees in front of him.

- Please brother, have mercy. Let's release it instead of killing it! - Thalorion kicked Lirael to the ground and that moment despite the pain that it experienced, the unicorn attacked Thalorion. His guards managed to shoot it before it would've knocked the young elven lord to the ground. The lifeless body if the gorgeous creature fall into the sand right next to Lirael. Their eyes met for one last moment before the unicorn's soul left it's body, and Lirael's eyes filles with tears. Thalorion left without saying a word and Lirael caressed the unicorn. She focused her power and tried to heal it, but Kragga held her shoulders, gently squeezing them.

- You can't heal death Lirael. - the young girl cried.

- This is all my fault... If I wouldn't have come, if I wasn't born here... - Pip hugged her suddenly and squeezed her.

- Stop talking nonsenses! - Torvald walked to Lirael and said.

- He needs a name before we gave him back to nature. - Lirael looked at the tall, bold human man and wished for a second that he was her father.

- Silhouette. - she said it quietly and the others nodded.

- Perfect name. - Kragga said.