Legends of Belariath
Vasava
Vasava's Journey
On a stormy night deep with cold winds on the mountain paths, a white unicorn mare gave birth to the filly she named Vasava. The black unicorn stallion snorted at the different patterns of black and white that striped the young fillies coat.
”She is different, my daughter” The stallion nickered to the mare. “She is lovely, my mate.” The white mare responded with affection for her youngest.
Vasava grew to adulthood racing the butterflies along the mountain paths. Carefree, happy and the proud daughter of the largest band of unicorns that lived in the far reaches of the Northern mountains.
Villagers knew the legends. They'd heard of the unicorns that played and lived deep to the north. 'We should catch one' some would say. 'Their powers are legendary' said another. A band of hunters from the village went forth to capture at least one of such creatures. Their village would be prosperous and famous for having such a beast in their midst. The hunt started. The group found the band of unicorns playing among the lush valleys of the mountains. Unicorns were not easy to catch. They found out many would die to avoid capture. Half the herd lay dead at their hands. The black stallion fighting bravely fell to a sword as he struck yet another hunter into the dirt. Blood of the unicorns spilled into the earth and the mountain gods rose angry at the destruction.
Bolts of lightening seemed to come from nowhere. The remaining herd scattered to the winds leaving the mountains. In their wake, the mountains darkened, no longer the peaceful place where unicorns played. What was once green and growing with abundance turned black and dismal with the loss of the herd. What was left of the hunters ran in terror to their villages with the strange tales. No prize, no trophy, no unicorn would grace their village.
Vasava had fled with the others galloping madly down the mountain side. Long vines grabbed and clutched at her legs wrapping about the young mare bringing her to a trembling halt. She began to fight in earnest. The vines were wrapped securely about her. The more she struggled the tighter the hold till near suffocation gripped the unicorn.
A dark figure came out of the shadows beholding what his snared vines had captured. A wily curl of a smile touched his lips as he watched the unicorn struggle to exhaustion. After a time, the struggles ceased. The heaving sides of the creature attested that she still was alive. “You will be a fine addition to the Emporer’s stables.” He set about cutting the vines forming a head harness about the unicorns head. One front leg, he tied up against her body holding it in place wrapping the vines about her girth.
Vasava found herself drug along the paths on three legs. Hopping with a bounce in front bringing up the hindlegs made for a cumbersome gait of travel. Time passed and the forest changed. The lands formed farms and a village as the dark man took the unicorn to the castle “Sturmtsalise”. Inside the gates, the guards stood in awe as the unicorn was led inside. She was taken into the stables among the common horses of the lands. No doubt the finest mounts of these humans. The vines were removed and they left her for a while.
Voices outside talked of the great gift inside for the Emperor. The unicorn flicked her ears as she listened to their voices. Darkness fell and quiet ruled the castle. Still there was no sign of this Emperor. Using her lips on the fastening of the stall, Vasava opened the door of the wall square. Slow and careful steps gained her the outside of the stable. A nickered warning of one of the horses cautioned her to be careful. Still she moved onward, the huge gates were open. The guards seemed to be having some conversations with humans off to the side as silently she eased past the gate.
“Freedom” A nickered whinny of excitement broke from her throat. Loud voices raising the alarm dinned behind her as the unicorn fled for the forests.