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The next three days leading to the weekend basically confirmed my fears that Gina's parents had been correct in discouraging her dreams of becoming a Grand Prix rider. There are some people, especially elves and leprechauns, who are natural born riders and move with their horse as if dancing. Most others like Connie gradually gain skills through repetition and training. But there is a small third group to whom riding a horse is inherently alien and who almost seem to get worse the more they ride.

Unfortunately for Noodles and myself, Gina was one of this third group. Gina had a nice outdoor arena, about twenty by sixty meters with pulverized rubber footing, ideal for dressage. There were also several jump standards with their rails askew, probably, I guessed, from Noodles hitting them when asked to jump. We started by working on the flat in her outdoor arena, where I quickly found that she yanked on the reins when posting. This is usually a sign that the rider is pulling themselves up from the saddle with their hands and and not pushing up with their calves. "Drop the reins," I mumbled to her through the bit in my mouth, dropping back to the walk.

"I'll fall off," she nervously replied.

"No you won't," I said. "You aren't supposed to use your hands to hold on, balance with your seat."

"Okay," she said dubiously.

I picked back up a slow trot. After three strides I felt her becoming imbalanced, at which point she promptly fell off. I'm taller than most horses are so it's a long way to the ground. I stopped immediately, careful to not step on her, and looked down with concern. "Gina, are you all right?" I asked.

"I'm just- the wind knocked out of me." She sat up, her blouse dusty and helmet slightly askew. Gina was one of those people who wore a show outfit, even when schooling, so had breeches, an expensive blouse, and tall leather boots on. I knew they'd be dirty by the time the show rolled around, but was certain she likely had a closet full of garb so she could dress the part, even if not perform, of an event rider. "What did I do wrong?"

Over the three days, my respect for Gina grew, though her skill did not. She fell off several times, but always got back on. More importantly, she didn't blame me, but asked what she could do to improve. We spent the entire day just working on her seat. Though she was still very mechanical, she at least got to the point where her balance wasn't so bad that I feared she would fall, and at last it was dinner time, and the day before the show. "Let's call it a day," I suggested. "The sun's going down and we're running out of daylight." I walked over to the mounting block so she wouldn't have as far to fall when she dismounted. Gina got off- not swinging down lightly like Farhain or even Connie might, but threw her weight into the left stirrup. This made the saddle roll against my withers. She'd had a rough day, so I decided to have a mounting and dismounting lesson with her later.

She picked up my reins and started to walk toward the barn, then stopped abruptly. "I'm sorry, Thardor. I'm leading you around like you're an ordinary horse."

"No problem," I replied. "It's very relaxing being an ordinary horse."

"You speak like someone from - well, like an American," she replied. "Not like Farhain."

"Farhain has not spent as much time on the human plane as I have," I replied as she started walking again toward the barn. I rather enjoyed the arena, as the footing was near ideal. "I like your arena," I told her. "It's very comfortable to trot in."

"Could I ask you a question?"

We were going through the gate and onto the path to the barn. I expected she was going to ask me about how she was doing as a rider. Although unicorns seldom lie, I felt it would be justified to spare her feelings. "Of course."

She stopped again and turned to face me. I was used to the mannerisms of humans and didn't take it as a threat as I might have from another equine. "Does Farhain have a...well, a wife?"

I'd been expecting this question at some point, as I'd seen how infatuated she had become with the elven warrior. "He does not," I admitted.

It is impossible to understand human women. I watched her face, expecting her to ask some silly question like Connie might as to if he liked her. Instead, her face began to tremble and she burst into tears, dropping my reins and running toward the house.

I tossed my head to fling the reins over my neck, as I didn't want to step on and break them. Walking into the barn, I went into my stall and carefully got a drink of water, trying to keep the headstall and reins from getting too wet.

Farhain walked in, a sour look on his face. "Lady Gina is upset," he stated flatly. "What did you say to her?"

It's a bit hard to talk with a bit in your mouth. "Could you untack me?" I asked.

He took off the headstall then unbuckled the saddle. I was pretty wet under the saddle pad from the day's exertions, and he was kind enough to pick up a towel and begin to dry me off, rubbing it across my back. I waited for him to say more, but he remained silent, staring at me. I finally gave in. "She is attracted to you," I said. "Could you give Noodles and me some hay and grain?"

He paused in his efforts to dry my back. "Thardor... she is very attractive, yet not of our world. It would be most unfair of me to be courting her. In any event, we have our mission and duty to attend to."

As Farhain turned to the hay bales, I pondered not his words but his tone. Unicorns are much like horses in that we read body language and tone of voice well. I could tell that he was uncertain and uncharacteristically emotional. He tossed some hay into Noodles' stall, and then mine. Noodles put his head down and began to munch on the hay, but I turned my head slightly and regarded the warrior through my right eye, tilting my head back slightly to focus. "You want her," I stated.

Elves are seldom evasive. "Yes," he admitted. They also cannot Keep to simple concepts and answers, and he continued on. "Yet my duty as a Captain of the Fane would make me absent for long nights when she might pine alone, worried for my safe return. I must return with you to the Elven plane, while Lady Gina's life is here as a scholar and equestrian."

I wasn't sure about the equestrian part, as I had a sore back from having her bounce around on it for the past three days. Farhain continued to ramble on in a lengthy discourse, as Elves tend to do, though I decided to be polite and listen rather than eat the hay. Farhain and I did not agree on many things, but he had been a good companion on many quests and journeys and this was the first thing that had ever seemed to trouble him. He finally stopped talking and looked at me as if waiting for some kind of benediction. I'd watched enough television to know that some kind of dramatic statement was needed.

"Farhain, if you do not declare your love to her, she will certainly fling herself from a cliff in heartbreak," I said, tilting my head back and swishing my tail for effect. "Human women are like that. Their stories are filled with such things, like the Little Mermaid or Sleeping Beauty."

"What manner of creature is a mermaid?" Farhain asked, now somewhat confused.

"It is no consequence," I answered. "Ask her for her hand as soon as we rescue Ming and Lydia." It seemed like a good idea. I hadn't known Gina very long, but she was quite long winded and would probably fit right in with the Elves. Besides, I would be able to bring it up the next time that Farhain made some remark about the mating habits of unicorns.

Farhain seemed happier. "I will retire to the keep," he said, folding the towel.

"Please, some oats," I suggested. "For Noodles and me."

Farhain was familiar with the concept of automobiles but he seemed uncertain as Gina hooked up her trailer to a green and white pickup truck. "Perhaps we could ride to the show on Thardor and Noodles," he suggested.

"We'll need to be there for three days," Gina replied enthusiastically. "So we need enough grain and hay for Thardor, and I'll need to bring my saddles as well." She looked him up and down. "You can put your gear in the tack room," she suggested.

I wasn't quite sure why people going to a horse show would bring armor and a broadsword, but Farhain complied, putting it into the trailer's large dressing room. It was a nice trailer, all aluminum and a straight load trailer. Since I'd be going alone, she had taken out the center divider, which was a nice courtesy to give me more room on the relatively short trip. I stepped up into the trailer and Gina closed the doors behind me, then came up to the manger and started to reach in. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "I won't need to tie your head."

"Noodles probably doesn't need his tied either," I said.

Gina was surprised at this comment. "But he turns around and faces backwards."

"It's more comfortable," I said. "If the trailer slows suddenly, I can brace my hind legs and not have my chest bump into the manger like it would if I was facing forward." Most humans don't seem to realize this, and I turned around, looking out the back doors of the trailer.

Gina turned out to be a much better driver than rider, not accelerating or stopping abruptly. Still, it is always a bit uncomfortable riding in a trailer as you can't tell when it's going to go around a corner or slow down. It was about an hour trip to the Clairmont estate, and as expected there was a security check for participants. I leaned out to listen and watch.

"We're here for the show- I'm registered," Gina said to the security guard who was holding a clipboard.

"Got it. Who are you?" he asked Farhain.

"I am Farhain," he replied. "Captain Fahain."

"Can I look in the trailer?" the rent a cop asked, somewhat suspiciously. He didn't wait for a reply, and after glancing at me opened the door to the dressing room. "Oh, you're here for the entertainment. The jousting," he said.

Farhain seemed surprised. "I am prepared to fight for the honor of my lady."

The security guy shrugged. "Great that you're always in character, dude. Go slay some dragons."

"There are dragons about?" Farhain asked with some alarm.

"Yeah, and trolls and stuff too," the security guard said, now somewhat amused. "Have fun."

As Gina put the truck in gear, I could hear Farhain starting to ask her about the jousting, dragons and trolls so I looked around. The Clairmont estate was old by human standards, perhaps having been built seventy years ago. The house was imposing, on a hill and designed to look a bit like some medieval monastery. The moss growing on it's stone walls added nicely to the effect. There was a large barn with an arena attached that appeared to be the same vintage as the house, plus several other buildings that were more modern that looked somewhat incongruous. The parking area for cars was filled with ones that I knew from watching television were quite expensive, and the horse trailer area was packed with large vehicles that dwarfed Gina's truck and trailer, which looked toylike and out of place.

Since it was a three day show, Gina had secured a stall for me in the barn. It wasn't really necessary, and had it not been for our mission I would have suggested just trailering in every day, but by having me at the grounds Gina and Farhain would have a reason to be there and able to look around for Ming. She opened the door of the trailer and let me step out. I waited, watched and tossed my head to remind her to attach a lead rope to the halter I was wearing; it wouldn't be quite normal for a stallion to be walking about loose.

Farhain came up to us, buckling on his sword. He had already put on his chainmail vest and carried his silver and white shield, resplendent with the symbols of Gwilellen Fane. "The soldier at the gate warned of dragons and demons," he said. "And I see other warriors yonder."

I looked over at one of the fields, where I could see amongst the hot dog stands a variety of people wearing medieval garb and a large truck that said "Medieval Renaissance Faire" on the side. I was about to comment, but remembered in time that I was supposed to be a horse, so just snorted and flipped an ear back as Gina giggled. She'd been almost giddy the last few hours, and I wasn't sure if it was the excitement of the upcoming competition or if the elf had said something to her regarding his undying love.

The barn she led me into was one of the newer ones. We met a tallish woman who was wearing breeches, a riding blouse, tall boots, the obligatory visor of someone in charge and held a clipboard. "Gina Horton, with Thardor," She mispronounced both our names, quite a feat, while the tone of her voice made it clear she felt we were out of place. "You're in stall 47. Please enjoy the show," she said flatly.

I wasn't quite close enough to step on her foot, but did flick her with my tail as we walked by. Several of the other competitors were already there, eyeing Gina and me as we walked in. Most of the horses were warmbloods. I never really understood why humans expected such large and heavy horses to be comfortable jumping, but in my time on the human plane had found that their concept of a good horse would change year by year depending on what the rich and famous folk- kings, bards, presidents, movie stars, singers and the like- happened to fancy at the moment. If I were a normal horse, I would probably be most like one of the thoroughbreds, and someone called to Gina to ask if I was off the track as we walked by.

"No," Gina replied, suddenly gripping my lead rope tightly. "He's - I'm not sure exactly what." She did know, but telling the woman that I was a unicorn who had willed my alicorn be invisible might be truthful but not a socially acceptable answer.

"Oh, a 'grade' horse," she said loftily as she turned away. "Good luck." I made up my mind right then that if I had the chance I'd make Gina a star.

Stall 47 was rather nice, much bigger than most of the stalls I'd been in. There was an automatic waterer, which was clean- usually they tend to be corroded and the water tastes bad, but I checked. It had a slightly rubbery taste due to the stopper in the bottom of the bowl, but wasn't too bad. Farhain came in, carrying a bale of hay. Quite a few of the competitors glanced at him- I can read human faces quite well, and the women were not staring at him because he was in full armor.

I could see that Gina was able to read them as well, and she was somewhat threatened. I nudged her with my nose to remind her that we were standing in the stall. "I'm sorry," she said, taking off my halter. I nudged her again and she remembered to close and latch the stall door.

Farhain then put the hay bale down and removed her doubts by taking her hand. "My Lady, fare well in the competition," he said softly. "I will scout about to ascertain the whereabouts of Ming."

The predatory looks I'd seen from the other women turned to pouts of jealousy, and they turned back to their own horses. Gina broke the haystrings and gave me two flakes of the hay. "We're riding this afternoon," she said nervously. "I wish we had more time to practice jumping."

I looked up from the hay, wanting to reply. If we had practiced much more, with her awful seat I'd probably have been too sore to compete, so it was probably just as well that I couldn't answer her. She walked off, presumably to get her equipment from the trailer, and a couple of the nearby competitors came over to peer in my stall. "Who is this chick?" one asked.

"Some local nobody," the other replied. "I'm surprised this nag can lug her fat ass around."

"How do you suppose she got that stud she's with?" I guessed she was talking about Farhain and not me.

She shrugged. "Beats me. I bet you I can cut him loose and bed him before we go home."

The other grinned wickedly. "I bet I can get him first."

"You're on." They wandered off, talking.

I knew they were both going to lose, as Elves are strange about breeding. I would have thought nothing unusual about having two or three mares. It was the way of equines. Some humans, like these two women, were the same way, but I thought of Ming and Kallain's prediction. "She'll want you all for herself," my brother had warned.

I stopped eating hay and stomped my hoof as if there were a fly on my leg. It wasn't the way of unicorns, but it seemed to be important to Ming. I'd just have to convince her otherwise. I could be patient, even if it took a few weeks.

Gina returned with her saddle and the rest of her tack, huffing and puffing from the exertion. I felt a bit guilty, as she could have just tacked me up at her trailer and I could have carried it with ease, but I was in no position to suggest it. The other competitors were starting to tack their horses up, and the aisleway of the barn was rapidly becoming a crowded frenzy of activity.

Many of the other horses were becoming agitated as they could sense that they would soon be on course. I felt bad for many, as their riders were impatiently smacking them with crops or yanking on their lead ropes, which only made most of them more upset. The few riders who were not rough handed but were quietly tacking up and soothing their horses were the ones I marked mentally as being the ones that would be rewarded with a full effort from their partner.

Gina was, from my observation of her interacting with Noodles, almost timid with horses. For me or Noodles this was fine, but I decided I'd have to talk with her about it as some horses become nervous themselves if their rider isn't confident. With me, though, she walked into the stall and began to tack me up, starting with the saddle and forgetting that she should have put on my halter first. I stood quietly as she tightened my girth, adjusted the stirrups and breast collar, then opened my mouth as she slipped the headstall over my ears so that the bit would go in. I didn't particularly care for the figure-eight noseband, but it was what she had and she adjusted it as I had instructed her the previous day so that it was quite loose. I'd suggested to her that it wasn't necessary for Noodles either; she had purchased it on the advice of some ignorant trainer who probably had no idea of the tortuous discomfort that it caused or more likely didn't care.

As at most horse events, whether an A rated show or a backyard 4-H project, bystanders felt compelled to offer commentary. "You really shouldn't tack up in the stall," one of the women stated as her horse danced on the crossties as she rapped him with her crop. "You might have to show the horse who's the leader."

"He's okay about it," Gina replied blandly.

The woman smacked her horse again, and he gave up, standing rigid with fear. "See? This is how you train a horse," she said smugly as she yanked the girth tight. "You should watch some natural horsemanship videos, you'll learn something."

I pinned my ears back at this comment. Unfortunately it didn't register with the woman, but her horse took it as a threat and stepped away, which resulted in another flurry of beating with the crop and made me feel bad. For a moment I thought about changing her to a donkey, which would have been quite satisfying to do, but decided that it might be too disruptive in the current situation. Gina picked up my reins and led me down the aisle of the barn, outside to the warm up ring outside the large older barn. "The dressage tests will be in the indoor arena," Gina confided softly. "I'm really nervous. I've never done anything beyond introductory."

This was fine with me- I'd done up through Grand Prix dressage, and the third level tests that we'd be seeing in an event were a piece of cake. No one appeared to be close enough to listen, so I mumbled through the bit that she shouldn't worry.

As luck would have it, our number was drawn first, so we would be going into the arena before anyone else. I was fine with this, as it meant the surface would be perfect and also that I'd have all day to loiter in my stall. Gina was pale and started to shake nervously. I turned my head to look at her through my left eye and cocked an ear back. "I don't remember the test," she stammered to me.

This could be a problem. At introductory level, someone reads the test out loud so that the rider merely has to follow their directions. I knew the FEI- the Federation Equestrian International-third level pattern, but didn't know if that was being used here or the USEF - United States Equestrian Federation- test. I hoped they were using the FEI test or it would be a scoring disaster.

Gina led me to the arena entrance- she didn't get on in the warmup ring- and climbed into my saddle. I could feel her tension through her seat, and also from the rigid grip she had on the reins. I turned my head back to look at her again; she was rigid. Normally a rider would take a few laps around the warmup ring; several other horses were already there, cantering or trotting about, and their riders looked curiously at Gina, who didn't cue me to move, so I moved off into a casual walk, hoping that it might break her stage fright.

It didn't. I walked deliberately around the ring, she sat frozen, not moving at all, and I could feel the stares of the other riders and the inevitable hangers on that were around the ring; trainers, parents, spouses and friends of the riders waiting for their number to be called.

Suddenly it was time. "Gate call for Gina Horton on Thardor," the loudspeaker blared.

I trotted boldly into the arena, pausing in the center for a few seconds. Gina managed somehow to make the traditional salute to the judges, then I moved into a medium trot, tracking toward the left. She was still in too much of a panic and wasn't posting, and I hoped she wouldn't be marked down for a sitting trot. I had to concentrate a bit, trying to keep my gait smooth as I moved into a longer trot then did a shoulder-in, followed with a pair of half circles.

Through all of this, Gina's hands and seat didn't move. At least she wasn't falling off. I could hear a murmur from the crowd of onlookers and hoped I wasn't going off course or performing the wrong movements.

It seemed I'd be able to pull it off until we got to where we had to do a flying lead change. For me, it was not a big deal, but Gina wasn't expecting it and as I went from my right to my left lead I felt her starting to come off. This wasn't good, as we were not only to do the lead change but go into an extended canter which is quite a fast gait. I'm very smooth, as most unicorns are, but inept riders tend to have their troubles compound with speed. I slowed, shifted by doing a slight two track to get her balanced again, then picked up a collected canter.

It was finally over. I trotted back to the center of the ring and turned left. Gina did the traditional salute, then vomited. She was kind enough to lean over so it didn't splatter on me. I walked boldly out of the arena. Gina still wasn't providing me with any guidance, so I walked out of the warmup arena and out toward the parking area, where I didn't see any people. "Are you all right?" I mumbled through the bit.

"Thardor, I'm...I looked like such an idiot," she said. "I couldn't think. I'm so sorry."

Most bad riders blame their horse, and she had never faulted me or Noodles for her shortcomings. I turned my head to look at her and twisted an ear back to listen better. "You did fine," I mumbled. "Remember why we're here."

"I know, she said, finally starting to relax. She was loosening her death grip on the reins, and I could feel her relax in the saddle. "It's just...I'll never get to do this again, since you and Farhain will be gone."

I made an impulsive decision. "I'll come visit you. We'll go to shows."

She seemed suddenly hopeful. "Really?"

"I enjoy going to shows," I replied, which was true, though I would have preferred a better rider. "Let's go back to the barn. You go find Farhain and help him look for Ming." Hopefully that would keep both out of trouble.

Trouble, though, seems to find a way of happening. Farhain came late that afternoon to see me after Gina had put me into my stall. "Unicorn, there is a banquet tonight for the competitors that is being held by the master of the castle. I speculate that Ming may also be in attendance."

I glanced around to see if anyone was nearby- they might think it extremely odd that the elf had spoken to a horse as if he understood and called him 'unicorn', but if they heard me answer it might be a bit more unusual. "Very probably," I replied. "You might want to be a bit careful as the humans don't generally have unicorns about, or speak to them."

Farhain found this amusing. "I suppose that is why you were not invited. Should I find Ming, I will request she accompany me to the stable so that you might convince her to return with us to Gulthar's keep." He suddenly became more serious. "Should she not wish to accompany us, our mission will fail."

At that moment Gina came scurrying up. "Thardor! We're in third place," she gushed. "The scores came out and we're in third place!"

I'd not expected this, as I'd thought Gina's lack of riding skills would have dropped our score significantly, but Farhain seemed pleased. "Lady Gina, I am only surprised that you are not leading this competition," he replied. "But I am certain the unicorn did his best."

Gina hugged Farhain- which seemed unfair, as I was the one who'd had to lug her around the arena. "The top four riders will qualify to be on the Olympic team!" she said excitedly.

This was particularly bad news, as it would draw attention to us. I was about to say more but some other people were approaching, so I turned back to my hay, but looked up and over the stall gate when one stopped to talk with Gina. He was an older man, short, gray haired with a twisted nose. I recognized him immediately. "Miss Horton-"

"Mister Sullivan!" she squealed almost as if she'd met a rock star. In the equestrian world, Keith Sullivan most certainly was the equivalent. He'd been a fixture on the US Equestrian team for at least four decades as a rider and now it's coach.

"Please, just call me Keith," he said casually. "Your dressage performance today was quite amazing. I've not seen your name in any show result before." He was looking more at me than at her, then reached up and touched my forehead. "Your flat work alone was amazing. I could not even see you cue the horse, you were so in tune with him. " Sullivan started to rub my forehead, which was rather a pleasant feeling. "I almost think I've seen this horse before. But it was forty years ago, so impossible."

Actually it wasn't- I remembered a teenage Sullivan coming to Lydia's stable long ago for riding lessons, and how nice his seat and light his hands had been even then- but I decided to not correct him. "He has been to many competitions," Farhain stated. This was true, but might lead to more unwelcome questions. I flicked an ear back, hoping that he would pick up on the gesture.

Sullivan changed topic. "Miss Horton, would you be able to attend the banquet with me tonight? I'd like to discuss your availability to train with the team."

"Yes!" Gina replied, so excited I thought she would hyperventilate.

Farhain merely glared and picked up my halter. "I will take the uni...the horse out for a bit of grazing," he said, slipping the halter on my head and opening the stall door.

I walked out, watching Farhain with my left eye and Gina and Sullivan with my right. It's a big advantage to have such a wide field of vision, and I also flicked my ears back to listen to the two as we started to walk down the aisle. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought Sullivan was heaping empty flattery on Gina, as her riding skills were plainly awful. As we walked out of the barn into the field, Farhain began to speak to me in a low voice. "Is this Sullivan some sort of nobleman or master of knights?" he queried. "He seems to have some authority and renown"

"Sort of," I replied. "More of a trainer of riders than of knights."

"I fail to see why Gina would be so enamored," he said.

The field was somewhat muddy and our footfalls were leaving soft indentations in the field. I really wanted to roll, but knew that would leave mud and green stains in my coat, and didn't want Gina or Farhain to have to brush them out. "She is just excited to meet someone so famous," I said, reaching down to pick at some clover.

"Still, I should not feel at ease at the banquet without her."

Unicorns don't worry about the odd human habit of not speaking and eating. "We are here on a mission," I replied, munching the clover and not picking my head up. "Move about, try to find Ming. I'll be waiting in the barn," I added unnecessarily.

"Let us return thence," he replied. I picked up my head and let him lead me back to my stall, where he disconnected the halter and shut the door. "Do you wish your portcullis closed?"

He meant the upper half of the dutch door. Most of the other horses were already secured in their stalls, their riders and grooms preparing to attend the banquet, and their doors were closed. I didn't really like to be closed in, as I could not reach out and unlatch the door by myself. "No," I replied. Farhain gave me some more hay, filled my water bucket and gave me some of my grain, then himself left to prepare for the banquet. I prepared to settle in for what I hoped would be a peaceful night.

About an hour later, I'd finished the grain and was munching my hay when I could hear a band start to play. Actually, an orchestra, as there were violins and other string instruments, most likely the entertainment for the Clairmont's soiree. It wasn't too loud, but the choice of Wagner seemed odd for a social event, but I shrugged it off. Humans were strange and incomprehensible at times.

The next day was cross-country, which I was looking forward to. Running through open fields and woods and leaping over obstacles is great fun, and outweighed my concern that Gina might come flying off. Farhain came to see me early, speaking softly as he prepared my breakfast. "Ming was at the banquet, but my approach was prevented by a crone who accompanies her."

This wasn't too surprising, considering that she had no memory. "Do you know where she is?" I asked.

"I followed them after the banquet. Ming is being held in a room in the main keep; I observed her looking from the balcony afterward."

Balcony meant second floor, which was nice for storybooks but a bit hard to slip into if the Clairmonts had motion sensors or a decent security system. "Did you find anything else out?"

"There will be a joust for entertainment of the guests this evening," he said. "Ming will again be in attendance." He looked a bit disgusted. "The warriors and knights we saw yesterday are of little skill."

I started to formulate a plan. "We will be attending too, then," I said. "After I finish with Gina, get your gear ready."

Gina finally arrived. Today she was excited and full of confidence. "Keith says I'm a natural rider," she said as she got out her saddlepad and threw it on my back. "I came here hoping to just make it through and now I'm almost on the Olympic team. I can't believe it."

I couldn't either, but said nothing as she put the saddle on and tightened my girth. The saddle was a nice all purpose one, but a bit more oriented to dressage than the jumping we'd be doing today, and I started to worry a bit- Gina didn't shorten the stirrup leathers as we would need for her to balance over the jumps but left them long, which had provided a deep seat for the previous day's dressage. Since there were other riders in the aisleway getting ready as well, I couldn't say anything but knew I'd have to be very, very smooth on my jumps to not be coming back to the barn separately.

Gina and I started in the middle of the order, and I fretted a bit in the box waiting to start. Riders are allowed to walk the course prior to the competition, but I knew that Gina would give me very little guidance on what jumps were upcoming. The course was about two miles, it would take us about ten minutes to complete. We started out and I set a brisk pace, intending to slow for the obstacles so I could look them over and set my stride.

The first half of the course consisted of relatively simple obstacles, mostly coop and roll-top jumps that we went over with ease. But as we got deeper into the course, we encountered a bank jump, which looks like a set of large 'steps' followed by a drop fence. Neither was a problem for me, but the drop fence- where you jump over a rail and the opposite side is much lower than where you started- proved to almost be Gina's undoing, as she lost her seat and flopped forward, dropping her reins and grasping desperately to my mane to keep from falling. I could hear the gasp from the spectators then their sigh of relief when I pulled up and let Gina regain her seat, reins and composure, then picked back up a fast canter. We ran through a small grove of trees and I could feel her tense up, so I guessed some major obstacle was coming- it was a difficult obstacle called a 'Normandy Bank', where I'd have to jump over a ditch onto a higher level, jump from there over a brush box, then a drop into water. "I can't do this," I heard Gina say as we approached.

For a moment I forgot that I was supposed to be a horse. "We can," I mumbled back through the bit. I leapt over the ditch, paused for a moment to allow her to regain her balance, then lunged over the brush box into the water. It was quite a drop, but I landed as gently as I could and again paused to let her get her balance before I jumped out of the water and continued the course. I hoped no one had been close enough to hear me speak.

We finished the course- the last few obstacles were relatively simple and presented no balance issues. There were several people waiting for us as we finished, including Farhain, Sullivan and a couple that I recognized as the Clairmonts, as well as the show veterinarian and a couple of people with cameras. Gina pulled me up and got off- the vet did a quick check over of me and gave a thumbs up. One of the people with the cameras was taking pictures and another started to talk to Gina.

"Miss Horton, I'm Brad McCurdy with Equestrian Today," he introduced himself. "You've suddenly burst from nowhere onto the Eventing scene- would you be able to tell our readers a little about yourself?"

Gina handed my reins to Farhain. "Of course, Mr. McCurdy," she replied.

As the reporter continued to talk with Gina and Sullivan, Farhain led me off. "Lady Gina seems quite pleased," Farhain said dryly.

"As long as the attention isn't on us," I replied, then looked around, startled at my carelessness. Fortunately no one seemed to be looking at us. Farhain took me back, not to the barn but to Gina's trailer where he removed the saddle, pad and bridle.

"So what is your plan?" Farhain asked.

The 'joust' was to be in the early afternoon, and I needed to rest up a bit. "Do you think you can defeat all the other...uh, knights?" I asked.

It was a pointless question. They were actors, and Farhain was a Captain of the Fanes. "There will be no contest," he said, not arrogantly but as someone recognizing the facts.

"You defeat all the other knights, then I'll jump up onto the podium, you grab Ming and I'll gallop back to the rift," I said confidently. "Everyone will think it's part of the show." The rift was about fifteen miles away, but at a gallop I could be there in half an hour, and I was certain that we could convince Ming to come with us. It seemed an excellent plan to me, and Farhain nodded consent, but it did not quite turn out as I had expected.

The joust started as expected. A bunch of actors, some on horseback, were milling around by the dressage arena. Spectators were in the stands, and the Clairmonts along with Ming and several other people I didn't recognize were on the podium. Some wore medieval costumes, but Ming was wearing a fluffy yellow dress. I hadn't seen her as a human for a long time, and as she chatted with the Clairmonts I felt a bit of despair and a pang of loneliness, wondering if she would choose to return to being a unicorn with me. Farhain and I watched from the hill nearby, as the knights one after another were knocked to the ground by one wearing silver armor.

Finally, there were none left. Some guy wearing a bearskin coat that would have looked more appropriate in a western movie stood up. "Are none left who would challenge the silver knight?" The other actors lined up, bowing and putting their swords point down against the ground.

This was our cue. Farhain rode me boldly down to the arena. "Farhain, of Gwilellen challenges the silver knight," he called out.

The bearskin guy looked a little confused- this wasn't in the script. The silver knight's lance also bobbled a little bit at the sight of Farhain, in his elven mail armor and shield and riding what appeared to be a unicorn with no bridle- which in this case actually was. "Who the hell are you?" the bearskin guy hissed as we rode past.

"Sir knight, prepare for battle," Farhain called out, drawing his sword.

The silver knight dropped his lance and drew his own sword. I hoped that Farhain wouldn't actually kill him, but I wasn't sure. The crowd watched, convinced this was part of the show. I started to gallop forward, when an unearthly howl came from the left. "Trolls!" I shouted out, all pretense forgotten, and wheeled to face them.

About a dozen trolls burst through the crowd, heading for the podium. A few of the spectators shrieked as trolls swatted them aside- I didn't know how trolls had gotten to the human plane, but knew that they were likely not alone. Most of the actors were already running in fear and the silver knight's horse bolted in panic and ran away.

Trolls are big and strong, but not very bright, and their attack was uncoordinated and disorganized. Instead of all rushing at Farhain and me, some were distracted, chasing the actors or people in the crowd, upsetting and looting a food cart. Farhain and I quickly dispatched three of their number, the elven captain slashing one in half with his sword, sending a second's head spinning and I slashed another with my alicorn. It seemed too easy.

"Unicorn! Ming!" Farhain suddenly called out, realizing that this was a diversion.

I spun about- Ming was no longer on the podium. Instead, Pierre Clairmont and his wife stood with menacing glares, and I realized that they were not who they had appeared to be. "Farhain! Demons!" I called out and charged at the platform. It would be easy enough for us to destroy the pair. I accelerated into a gallop, leaping over some chairs and shifting my weight to my hindquarters and leaped forward and upward, to jump onto the podium.

We hit an invisible barrier in midair. I fell heavily backward to the ground, landing on my left side. Despite his armor, Farhain was stunned by the impact, and as I struggled back to my hooves I shifted my weight so that he would not fall.

Elaine Clairmont spoke in the cold, hollow voice of a demon. "I expected a unicorn to be so gullible as to not see a trap, but certainly not a Captain of the Fanes."

Behind us the noise of the confusion was fading as the crowd fled and the trolls wandered about, ransacking any edibles that had been abandoned. "Return Ming to me or I will destroy you," I challenged.

"You are in no position to make demands, Thardor of Gwilellen Fane," she replied as a troll walked by, eating a Pepsi cup. "You should be pleading for your lives."

If the demons had created this charade to trap us, they had some other motive. It would have been far easier for them to just kill us once they were aware of our presence. I decided to not point this out, but to instead prod the demon to reveal more of their plan; demons tend to be too talkative. Farhain shifted on my back, and I knew he was still groggy from his imbalance in my saddle, so having a long discussion with the demons would buy time for him to recover. "Should my alicorn find it's mark, you will cease to exist. But if you harm me, I will become more powerful than you can imagine."

Clairmont- or whatever demon had possessed her- must not have been a Star Wars fan, as she looked confused. "Unicorn, I spare you at the behest of one of my allies. But the elf has no such protection."

I could feel that Farhain was more balanced in the saddle, and considered my options. Since the demons had created a magic barrier between themselves and me, I had to assume that they had a like barrier to prevent our escape, and that my first instinct of turning and bolting would only reveal how precarious our situation was. Magic barriers were a tried and true staple for demons, though generally they used them for protecting themselves and not to hold others in. At the same time, we still didn't know where they had taken Ming- though she had been there moments before, demons were more than capable of opening a rift. But so were unicorns.

At that moment I had a realization. Piesa was the only being that might have both an interest in me and enter an alliance with a demon. But even she must realize the danger and treacherous nature of demons. "My mare, Piesa. She has taken Ming then?"

The demon looked surprised. "You are more perceptive than I realized, Thardor. The human woman is of no consequence to us."

That was all I needed to know. I could feel the rift was close by. It was too far away for me to open normally, but their own magic barrier was distorting it. I didn't know where or when we would end up, but I summoned all my own magic, ripped it open and with Farhain still in my saddle dove through.