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Citadel Truths Episode One - Dancing with Unicorns By Darrel James Vanwinkle 12/12/2000-06/05/2002

When Valerian Mouse, a 12 year old teen aged male human, was lucky enough to earn an all expenses paid family vacation to San Fransisco, he did not suspect that he would encounter the old sagely oriental man who would teach him about the true forces of the arcane world, as well as help him unlock his hidden reservoir for using the magical powers himself. Valerian Mouse was quite taken aback by the sudden abilities he gained and the magic spells that seemed to come easy to him. His only mistake came later when he visited a powerful mentalist who accidentally unlocked Valerian's psionic powers. Now he found himself dealing with both wizardly spells as well as psionic powers. Valerian ran away to a secluded wilderness-like setting in the Northern part of Washington state on the Canadian border. It was here that he calmed himself enough to perform a peaceful communion with the forces of nature. The various spirits helped to calm his mind and place a damper on his newly acquired powers. Valerian was quite pleased with the aid he had acquired from the spirits, and set about making this location he had discovered into his own private fortress of solitude.

After reuniting with his parents, Valerian convinced his parents to acquire the land legally from both the United States government, as well as from the Canadian government. Over the next few months, the Valerian's mystic citadel was built, dungeons first, followed by the vast ground floor, then the upper levels. While the professional electricians were wiring the fortress, the outer walls of his acquired property was built. This took another few months, but was well worth the effort. Once the electricians finished their task, the internal landscaping of the inner grounds and central forested courtyard began. As this was a painstakingly long process, it was almost six to seven months later when this project was finished. The next task was to furnish the new citadel home with an assortment of furniture, carpets, and individual room designs. The two main masterpiece chambers of the fortress turned out to be his private den and the vast library he decided that he wanted to fill with as many varied tomes from around the world as he get his hands on. After two long years (Valerian was now 14 years old), the citadel was completed.

It was then that Valerian and his parents encountered a problem with the local politics. It seemed that the governor of Washington state decided that he wanted to take the citadel as his own private political residence. Valerian and his parents had spent too much time and money building the estate that now stood here. So the Mouse's petitioned the United Nations to allow the citadel estate to be officially removed from U.S. influence and be made into a neutral nation outside of any government's direct influence. Valerian found himself too tempted to use his powers for swaying the votes his way, though they were awarded the special status they sought none the less. But in doing so, Washington state shut off the citadel's power supply, saying they could not provide power to a non U.S. residence.

Suddenly cut off from conventional electrical power, Valerian was contacted by a Canadian wizard who supplied help in resolving this problem. It was then that Valerian was taught the secret of how to link the citadel to a mystical power grid that would provide the citadel with an unlimited power supply. After many weeks (Valerian was now 15 years old), the Mouse's home, now dubbed the Mystic Citadel, had it's own power.

Valerian now sat within his private den in absolute silence. After all the effort to make the perfect home, something seemed to be missing. He seemed to have everything he could ever ask for, but something did not seem right. Valerian stood up and walked out into the hallway and gazed at himself in the large full-length mirror. Valerian Mouse was about five foot nine inches tall and weighed about 155 pounds. He had blonde hair, green eyes, and naturally tanned skin. He currently wore a white shirt, blue jeans, and golden-brown sneakers. He had a short red scarf tied around his neck and wore a black banded wrist watch on his left arm. Valerian did not dress in the typical mage fashion because the old sagely man who taught him told him that mages dress however they please at the time of their appearance. He also owned a fashionable black cloak that had a silver lining. Just right for a mage, but he hardly ever wore it. He found it appealing yet threatening. The cloak was stored in a magical pocket accessible by Valerian whenever he desired to obtain it. The magic pocket also contained most of Valerian's money. Although his family was independantly wealthy, he disliked having to spend any more money than was necessary.

It was also around this time that a few of Valerian's close personal friends decided that they needed a good stepping platform in their attempt to get out into the world.

Andros Fox was an aspiring teen aged writer who also had dreams of computer programming. He stood six foot one in height and weighed about 183 pounds, having dark brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin that tanned easily. Andros wore loose blue jeans, a short-sleeved shirt, and on occasion, a warm jacket during the colder months. He most often wore hiking boots unless he was dressing formally, then he wore a decent three piece suit and wore dress shoes. Andros had a silver stud pierced into his left ear. He lived in the state of Nebraska with his parents and was ready to forge a trail for himself in the world. But he was lacking in funding toward attending a better school and had no designated place to move to.

Felix Ocean was a self taught teen aged computer programmer living in his father's apartment in British Columbia, Canada. He stood five foot six in height and weighed about 118 pounds, having long black hair that was very rarely neat or combed, and small light hazel eyes that changed color in light or darkness of the seasons or when he became very angry. Felix wore glasses that had small frames and small lenses, and his skin was of a medium Asian color. He mostly wore black dress pants, a white short sleeve button up shirt, and dress shoes. When Felix felt the need to get wild, he wore only khaki pocketed shorts and hiking boots. He had a silver bracelet around his left wrist and wore a silver ring on his left hand. Felix had several silver earrings pierced into his left ear. He too was looking for a place to move to as a launching platform into the world, but was also lacking in the necessary funds to get himself started at a desirable school.

Valerian decided that the citadel needed other people, like his friends, to grace it's hallways and vast chambers. He spoke with his parents first, then openly invited his two friends to come live at his Mystic Citadel for as long as they wished. He was not expecting them to take him up on the offer, but within the next few days, Valerian found himself helping the two move out of their homes and into the citadel.

The moving projects took approximately three weeks, but soon, both friends were living within the fortress. Valerian made a deal with the two that he would help fund their induction into the better schools, and that they could repay him at a later date. They agreed to this and things seemed to settle down nicely.

The Summer sunshine peaked into the windows of the citadel on Valerian's 16th birthday and he suggested they all go on a picnic in the nearby secluded forest. Everyone was pretty excited and packed together two baskets of food, as well as a bag of various items to play with. Frisbees, books for reading, a portable laptop computer, horseshoes and stakes, and a croquet set. The three set off in Valerian's new four-wheel drive Jeep deep into the forest. When they arrived at the perfect spot, Valerian turned the Jeep around and parked it. The picnic blanket was laid out on the ground and the food, paper plates, and cooler was set out on it. The three played with the frisbees for about an hour before settling down to eat the picnic lunch. It was while they were eating that Andros noticed something on the edge of the picnic site. "What was that?"

Valerian looked in the direction Andros had indicated. "I don't see anything. What did it look like?"

Andros replies, "This may sound crazy, but it looked like a unicorn."

Felix arches his eye and tilts his head. "A unicorn? Oh come on. Everyone knows they don't exist. You probably saw a deer or something."

Valerian stood up slowly. "Felix, we cannot say that we believe that unicorns do not exist. Andros says he saw something. That is good enough for me. If there is a unicorn in this forest, then he must be really lost. I thought they lived in Europe."

Felix hums, then looked to Andros. "Sorry, Andros. I suppose you did see something."

Andros nods his head. "It's okay, Felix." Andros looked up to Valerian. "Do you think I really saw a unicorn?"

Valerian is still looking to where Andros indicated. "I believe you may have seen a unicorn or a deer or a wild horse. Whichever it is, we have to make sure it knows that we are not dangerous to it. Who knows, it might come out into the open."

The three ate some more food and drank some cola over the next hour. Valerian took the bowl of salad over to where Andros had seen whatever it was, and set the bowl on the ground, just behind the closest tree. He then returned to where Felix and Andros were setting up the croquet set. The three played several games of croquet, then Andros and Valerian tossed the frisbee around a bit while Felix worked on a project on his laptop computer.

Finally, the setting sun announced the end of their picnic. Everyone began picking up the toys and the trash from the area. When Valerian went to retrieve the salad bowl, he was pleased to see that it has been licked clean. Valerian picked up the bowl and looked around.

Valerian whispered, "If there is a unicorn out here, I would like to see you some day. If not, then I hope that you enjoyed the salad I gave you. My name is Valerian Mouse. I live in the new citadel just West of here. If you are a unicorn and need my help some day, that is where you may find me."

Valerian turned and took the bowl back to the rest of the picnic supplies. Felix and Andros helped load the Jeep with the picnic gear, then the three drove off and out of the forest. The sun had set beautifully by the time the three returned to the fortress.

After having dinner, Felix headed off to work on his computer project, while Andros headed into the library to work on some leftover homework. Valerian smiled, then took a walk out into the Eastern courtyard just outside the citadel. He settled down on the grass, crossing his legs and began his meditations to the nature spirits of the area.

Valerian opened his eyes some hours later. He looked at his watch.

Almost Midnight.

He had forgotten how much time can pass when you are in communion with the nature spirits. As he was standing up, he glimpsed something white standing on the edge of the forest. He smiled as he slowly looked that direction. His smile faded as there was nothing to be seen there.

Valerian sighed and continued to look in that direction. It took several minutes, but the object of his desire soon appeared again. It was indeed a unicorn with a white hide, brown mane, blue eyes, and brown braided tail. It's spiraled horn and cloven hooves were both black.

The unicorn just stared at Valerian as he stared back. Several more long minutes passed. Then the unicorn smiled and simply vanished. Valerian blinked his eyes quickly! Where did it go? What did it want? Valerian knew he had to find out.

The next morning, as Valerian prepared breakfast for his two friends, they talked casually about the unicorn.

Valerian poured the pancake batter into the hot pan carefully. "Andros, you really saw a unicorn. I saw it myself last night."

Andros and Felix both blinked their eyes.

Andros exclaimed, "So it really was a unicorn. What do you think its doing here?"

Felix hummed. "Perhaps it is lost, as Valerian suggested yesterday. They usually only appear in Europe, right?"

Valerian thought about that for a moment. "This will sound preposterous, but, what if it is NOT lost? What if it knows exactly where it is? What if it is protecting this area?"

Felix replied, "Protecting this area? Like a forest ranger? That could be possible, I suppose. That is what they did back in Europe. How can we find out for sure?"

Andros exclaimed, "What if we were do some research on the Internet about Unicorns? If it really was a unicorn, then surely it is not the only one in the world. Maybe someone else knows about them too."

Valerian turned and smiled at Andros. "It is a good idea, except, if anyone DID encounter a real unicorn, I strongly do not think they would announce it so publicly on a world-wide media like the Internet. Meeting a unicorn, according to legends, is based greatly on a mutual trust between the two who are meeting, at the time. But still, we can look into it."

Andros added, "We could just ask the unicorn what he wants."

Felix giggled. "Oh, and I suppose he will let us walk right up to him and ask him what he wants too."

Andros looked miffed for a moment. "I do not see why we couldn't just ask him. It has to be lonely protecting a large forest by yourself. Besides, I was serious."

Valerian turned back to preparing breakfast. "The unicorn has an open invitation to come to this fortress whenever he likes. I invited him to visit anytime he likes."

Andros blinked his eyes again. "You spoke to him? What did he say?"

Valerian replied, "I did all the talking. He did not say anything. He just smiled then vanished. As if he had never been there."

Felix asked, "Do you plan on finding out what the unicorn wanted?"

Valerian replied, "It is a thought. I am not sure what the unicorn will think when I show up to talk to him."

Andros looked over to Valerian and asked, "How are you going to find him?"

Valerian hummed for a moment. "Odd as it may sound, I think we might have a better chance of encountering the unicorn if we were to spend the night in his forest. A camp out. That does not guarantee that we will meet the unicorn, but it increases the chances of our seeing him."

The three finished breakfast then adjourned to the main library where Valerian activated the mainframe computer base. Felix sat down and connected to the Internet to do a search for unicorns. Andros sat down at another terminal and began helping Felix search for unicorn leads by visiting chat rooms where unicorns were the topic or theme. Valerian began gathering ancient tomes and archaic volumes containing information on unicorns, and sat down at the central table to do the long arduous research on the mystical subject. Some hours later, the three compared notes on their research.

Felix exclaimed, "I, unfortunately, was only able to come up with the usual documents about unicorns."

Andros replied, "About 90% of the people in the unicorn chat rooms were there to role play that they are really unicorns, and the remaining 10% of those attending are either lurking and just watching the events there, or doing research for a college class. None of them would admit in private messages that they were indeed a real unicorn."

Valerian hummed. "Every tome I have duplicates all the known information on unicorns. In other words, almost nothing is known about their true life styles."

Andros looked at Valerian. "So we struck out?"

Valerian smiled. "I never strike out. This was just our first hurdle. Now we prepare to go meet a real unicorn."

The three cleaned up the library, then headed off to prepare for a weekend camping trip into the unicorn's forest.

A few hours later, they had their tents fully set up within the deep forest where they had previously seen the unicorn, and played some games to pass the time waiting for the reappearance of the unicorn.

The time slowly ticked by, but no sign of the unicorn.

The sun finally set. Valerian was almost disappointed. He knew the unicorn had to be out here. Andros and Felix were showing signs of disappointment as well.

Dinner was soon prepared, and they ate quietly. It was while they were eating that something happened. Two male unicorns leaped through their camp, in one side and out the other. All three teenagers blinked their eyes!

Felix gasped! "There are TWO of them!"

Andros laughed trying to regain his cool! "Wow! I never would have dreamed of seeing two unicorns up close like that!"

Valerian smiled and said, "I think they wanted us to see them. Notice that they are gone now. I know I am impressed, but seeing them is not enough. I want to know why there are unicorns in the greater northwestern United States."

Andros looked to Valerian, "You really think they actually wanted us to see them?"

Valerian nodded his head and resumed eating his dinner.

Andros and Felix also settled down and finished their dinners, though all three boys were internally excited by the sudden appearance that the two unicorns had made earlier. The boredom was definitely disspelled now.

After dinner, a discussion about the unicorns began. How they looked, their colorations, features, mane and tail styles, whether they had cloven hooves or not. Soon, all three are yawning, and thus, retired to their tents to get some sleep.

Early the next morning, Valerian awakened to the smell of a breakfast being cooked. He crawled out of his tent and saw an older boy, totally naked, preparing breakfast over their firepit. Valerian cleared his throat politely, and the other boy glanced at him.

"Morning. I hope you don't mind me preparing you guys some breakfast."

Valerian smiled and said, "I don't mind, but you're... well... you have no clothes on..."

The boy smiled and replied, "I know. I left them in England last night. I hope my friend and I didn't scare you guys too much."

Just then, Andros emerged from his tent, then literally stopped and stared when he saw the naked boy. Felix was soon to follow, and he too seemed to stare for a moment, then shirked it off as normal and sat down.

Valerian exclaimed, "Are you saying that you and your friend were the unicorns we saw last night?"

The boy nodded his head, "That's what I am saying. How do you guys like your eggs?"

After a fine English style breakfast was prepared and eaten, everyone seemed to be over the shock of a nude young man in their camp, and concentrated on asking about the unicorns.

Valerian asked, "What is your name?"

The boy smiled and answered, "My friends call me Edward Brookes. But please do not call me Eddie. I hate that nickname."

Andros asked, "Were you the unicorn I saw a few days ago in this forest?"

Edward replied, "No, you saw my friend, Reynard Spalding. He was checking you three out. He seems to like you guys a lot. His nickname is the Slinky Fox, for, ahem, obvious reasons..." He winked and grinned.

Felix arched an eye. "Obvious reasons? What kinds of reasons?"

Edward asked, "Huh? You mean you don't know? How old are you three?"

They told Edward their ages. All three were 16 years old.

Edward nodded his head. "That is how old I thought you were. You should know by now what 'obvious reasons' are when it is followed by a 'wink' and 'a smile'."

Andros said, "Oh!" Then nodded his head as he understood what was being implied. He leaned over and snugged Felix for effect.

Valerian chuckled, then turned to Edward and asked, "Have you always been a unicorn? Or are you a shapeshifter who can become a unicorn? Maybe you can shed some light on the truth about unicorns for us."

Edward sat down beside Valerian and replied, "I'll be glad to tell you how I got involved with becoming a unicorn. I was not born as a unicorn but... Well heck, let me just tell you my story... Now, this all started a year and a half ago..."

"Unicorns? Don't be absurd!"

Edward Brookes looked at the old woman with an arched eye, obviously not believing her statement about there being unicorns living in the nearby Dabenshire Woods. Edward, just recently a young adult by a few weeks, was born and raised in the United States by honest hard-working parents, was very studious in worldly events, and had graduated high school in the top ten of his class. He was now in the Northern British countryside by the request of his friend he'd met through an internet finances club. After spending a few days listening to a boring seminar of financial discussions, Edward finally got the chance to go out and see the countryside. Basil, a young man who lived locally who had been attending the financial seminar, invited Edward on a sightseeing tour of the surrounding area. The two spent the next few days seeing the sites, before finally returning to Basil's cottage in Dabenshire Woods. Edward spent the night there after a wonderfully prepared dinner of local meat and fresh apple cider. The following morning, Basil asked Edward to go to the well and fetch some water for the morning's tea. He had just filled the bucket when the mysterious old lady showed up preaching about unicorns in the woods...

"Heed my words, young man, and do not tarry in these woods. Or you will meet the unicorn lord of the land, and you will not be seen again."

"You expect me to believe that there are REAL unicorns in this day and age? Get along, old woman, and quit bothering me with such children's fairy tales."

"You don't believe me, but if you tarry here another day, you will see the truth... Mark my words!"

With that, the old woman hobbled away down the path, and out of sight into the distance. Edward was sort of disgusted at having to listen to such nonsense, especially from an elderly woman. Edward picks up the pail of water, and starts to turn towards the cottage, but then he stops and looks into the woods. Had he just seen something white out the corner of his eye. There was nothing there now. He shrugs and heads on back to the cottage.

Edward re-enters the cottage and sets the pail of water on the kitchen counter. He looks around a bit, and notices that Basil is not in the cottage. Edward searches the four room building, finally searching the bedroom. He sees Basil's clothes lying upon the bed. He also notices that Basil's bedroom has it's own back door exiting into the woods behind the cottage, and the door is wide open.

"Basil? Basil? Where are you?"

Edward looks around a bit more before setting foot out the back door into the woods behind the cottage. He pushes through the brush and walks for what feels like a mile, then suddenly emerges from the thick woods in a small clearing in the center of the woods. Three large rocks with a spring burbling into a crystal clear pool is located centrally here. Edward looks around again, and calls out for Basil. After a few minutes, Edward gets a drink from the spring, and heads back into the thick woods towards the cottage. He walks again for what feels like a mile, then emerges from the woods again... right back in the clearing!

"What the...? I'm here again? Oh great, I must be walking in circles."

Edward again heads into the thick woods, and again, re-emerges into the clearing about an hour later. He begins to get really frustrated by this, and again heads into the thick woods. Again and again and again, until he just sits down in the clearing near the rocks. The sun is low in the Western sky, and a thin cold mist drifts into the area. Edward feels extremely foolish for getting lost in such a small patch of woods in the Northern British countryside. He remembers the candy bar in his coat pocket, and takes it out, and eats it. It tastes quite refreshing, and he pockets the remainder of it back in his pocket. He looks around again as the sun sets. The darkness creeps in slowly and Edward curls up behind the rocks and soon falls into an uneasy sleep.

Very early the next morning, Edward awakens when he hears an odd sound on the other side of the rocks near the pool. Edward peeks over the rocks and sees an impossible sight: two male unicorns drinking from the pool, and seemingly talking to each other in a tongue Edward cannot understand. He watches the unicorns for awhile, until the larger unicorn lifts his head up and sprints off into the woods. The other unicorn lifts his head and seemingly sniffs the air, before looking directly at Edward! All Edward can do is stare back, unable to move.

*Edward? Is that you?*

Edward is surprised to have heard Basil's voice inside his head. He looks directly at the unicorn again, and asks,

"Basil? Are you Basil?"

*Edward... Why are you out here in the woods? When you didn't come back to the cottage, I thought you had gone back to the Seminar. But they said you hadn't returned. I am so glad to see you.*

"I-I-I..."

*You look like you're in shock. You'd better come back to the cottage with me. It's safer that way.*

The unicorn calling itself Basil leads Edward back through the woods for almost the entire day, then directly into the backdoor into Basil's bedroom. Once inside the bedroom, the unicorn kicks the door closed. Edward sits down on the bed, not sure what to think. The unicorn then chants a phrase over and over again in that strange tongue. The unicorn slowly transforms back into Basil! Basil turns back to Edward, and picks up his clothes and starts putting them back on, while Edward watches him blankly. His thoughts and his mouth not quite connecting. Basil finishes dressing and heads into the kitchen. When he returns, he carries a tray of tea, herbs, and cookies.

"Edward, I know you're in shock, and rightly so, but please listen carefully to what I have to say. I am Basil, the son of the forest's unicorn lord. The other unicorn you saw was a friend of mine. Together, we'd been searching for you all day and night that you'd disappeared. I can only assume that after you brought back the water from the well, you came into my bedroom and saw the open back door. You couldn't find me anywhere, and entered the woods looking for me. After that, you stumbled into several of the forest's spring clearings, and because they all look alike, you assumed you were still at the same one. Then you did the smart thing and settled down to sleep. Good thing you had. That allowed my friend and I to track you down to that clearing, where I finally found you. I am so pleased nothing terrible happened to you while you were lost in the woods."

Edward slowly drinks the tea, and nibbles on the herbs and cookies... He listens to Basil as he talks, and glances occasionally at Basil's face. Finally, as Basil looks to Edward, Edward looks directly at Basil again, blinking.

"Are you really Basil? The Basil I met a few days ago?"

"Of course. But I'm a unicorn too. I wanted to tell you the first night you spent here in the cottage, but... there's proper rules and stuff I have to obey... and so I couldn't tell you..."

"How is it possible that there are unicorns in this day and age? Didn't the unicorns all die out during the middle ages?"

"Oh, the middle ages." Basil seems humored at the mention of that time period. "We were persecuted in those days, and lured into traps by maidens fair to be slain. The scent was extremely overpowering to us unicorns. One day, the unicorn lord gathered the remaining unicorns together and we all chanted a spell to change our lives forever. We would no longer be enticed by fair virgin maidens and we would live a peaceful uninterrupted life from then on. But with every cure, there comes a curse. In exchange for the immunity to fair maidens and having immortality, we unicorns were magically 'locked' into these forests, only being able to leave as humans, but having to return to live one day a month in the body of a unicorn. But that was only one half the curse..."

Edward listens interested in Basil's story as he drinks some more tea.

"What was the other half of the curse, Basil?"

"The other half..." Basil looks at Edward and smiles a little. "The other half was the increased interest in other males. In other words, we unicorns became immune to women, but we were totally interested in men."

Edward almost spits his tea out, and chokes a little at this statement.

"You mean, all the unicorns in this area are gay?"

Basil again smiles a little, handing Edward a napkin.

"That is a blunt way to put it, Edward. Once a year, a unicorn must go forth and find a male partner to spend some time with. This 'partner' must be human. Nothing 'sexual' takes place between the two, unless the human is willing to do so with the unicorn. The day I met you at the seminar, I knew you were the 'partner' that I was seeking, and when I saw you wanted to get away from the seminar and go see the sites, I knew I could easily get you to come with me. I apologize if it seems like I used you, and you can go back to the seminar if you no longer want to spend any time here. But it'll be lonely here without someone else to chat with and spend time with."

"You chose me?"

"Yes, I did. You met a lot of my personal interest fields. And I was quite taken with your shirt with the unicorn's print on it. That told me you wanted to believe in us, and maybe, 'meet' a unicorn, if you could."

"I must confess that I have been interested in you quite a bit since I first met you, but I thought you'd turn me away if I said anything openly. And now, I find out that you're a gay unicorn... I don't know what to say..."

"Say you'll stay awhile. At least, stay until after the full moon night. Then you may leave, and I will be okay for another year. If you leave now, I will probably not survive."

Edward places a hand on Basil's shoulder. "Of course I'll stay. I should contact the seminar to let them know I'm okay, though, and tell my other friend that I'll be staying with a local."

Basil smiles, and places a hand on Edward's shoulder. "Thank you. I'll take you back to the seminar in the morning after my 'daily jog' in the woods."

The rest of the day went by quietly. Edward and Basil chatted and played a game of darts, and had a nice dinner. Afterwards, the two undressed and slept together in bed, snuggling each other. They were quick to sleep, and the night passed without incident.

When the morning came, Edward awakens to see Basil standing naked in front of the open back door. Edward sits up and yawns, then smiles at Basil.

"Are you getting ready to change back into a unicorn and 'jog' around the woods?"

"Yes I am. I'd invite you along, but you tend to get lost, and you need to get ready for the trip back to the seminar."

"Um, just how is it that you change into a unicorn? Is it those strange words that I can't understand?"

"The Latin spell is partly responsible for the change. The curse is responsible for the other part of the change. Why do you ask?"

"Because I think you look sexy as a unicorn and I really like you as a human."

Basil smiles, "Thank you, Edward. I better get to it now, or I'll be a wreck the rest of the day. See you in one hour."

Basil chants the strange foreign words over and over slowly changing back into his unicorn body. When he is completely changed, he looks towards Edward who is sitting on the edge of the bed watching. Edward leans over to Basil and kisses the unicorn on the muzzle. Basil, as the unicorn kisses back with a smile, then pulls back.

*Stay in the cottage till I return. See you in one hour.*

Basil trots out the backdoor into the thick woods. Edward gets out of bed and draws the water for his morning bath. He bathes, gets dried off, and gets dressed. He goes to the well and fetches another pail of water. He is very surprised to hear the old woman's voice as he finishes filling the pail.

"You are still here? Didn't I warn you about the forest lord, yet you still tarry. Leave while you can, or you'll not be able to..."

Edward turns towards the old woman, but she is already quickly heading back down the path. He thinks a moment whether or not the old woman is referring to Basil, but keeps his thoughts to himself. He picks up the pail, and re-enters the cottage. He places the pail of well water on the counter, and heads back into Basil's bedroom. Basil has just re-entered the bedroom as Edward walks in. They both stop at the same time, and both go quiet a moment as they look at each other.

At that moment, another larger male unicorn enters alongside Basil, and looks directly at Edward.

"Basil? Wh-who's your unicorn friend?"

The other unicorn also voices almost the same question.

*Basil? Who is your human friend?*

Basil appears to turn a bright red blush. Both Edward and the larger unicorn look at Basil awaiting an answer, until they both turn to each other almost at the same time. The unicorn speaks first.

*A pleasure to meet you. I am Reynard Spalding.*

"Hello, I am Edward Brookes. Pleased to meet you."

*Basil chose you this year, did he? I think you're a fine choice and so well mannered too.*

"I come from a clean well-to-do family in the United States. Are you from around here someplace?"

It is at this point that Basil snaps out of his blush and interrupts the conversation. *Edward, Reynard is a very good friend of mine. He's the one you saw in the woods yesterday at the spring. Reynard, this is Edward, the guy you and I were looking for in the woods. Right after you left, I found him at the pool and I got him back to the cottage.*

Reynard smiles, *Good thing Basil found you, Edward. The woods can be a dangerous place to be at night.*

Edward thinks a moment, then asks, "I've seen an old woman at the well, twice now, and she's warned me to get away from these woods right away or I'll not be able to. Something about meeting the forest lord being dangerous for me."

Basil and Reynard both look at each other, then look at Edward kind of blankly.

Edward blinks then asks, "Is the forest lord dangerous to me? Or is the old woman lying?"

Reynard rolls his eyes a moment while turning his head back towards the back door. Basil sighs, then looks directly at Edward, *I promise you that you will always be safe while either I or Reynard is near you. But, the forest lord 'could' be dangerous should you ever meet him in the woods alone at night.*

"Why would I be in the woods at night?"

Reynard looks to Edward and says, *Don't you worry about it. As long as you stay near the cottage or near one of us, you won't ever have to be in the woods at night. And if you do have to be out at night, I'll do my best to protect you.*

Reynard lifts his head suddenly, then hurriedly says, *I have to go now. I hope to meet you again. Bye Edward.* With that, Reynard immediately rushes out the backdoor and into the woods.

Basil whews quietly, and kicks the door shut. Basil recites the chant again, and changes back into his human form. He gets dresses and takes Edward into the kitchen for some breakfast.

It is after breakfast, and while the two are en route to the seminar building, that Edward asks Basil,

"Why were you in such a rush to get Reynard and me apart? He and I were getting along great, then you suddenly got between us and, quite frankly, reacted as if Reynard was encroaching upon your owned property. Do you think I'm your slave or something?"

"N-n-no... It's not like that at all... I was j-just... worried that Reynard would try something with you. Among the unicorns, his nickname is 'The Slinky Fox', and he has a tendency to force himself upon others. If I hadn't been there, you would've been pounced by Reynard. I've been pounced by him enough times. I could tell that he likes you, a lot."

"So you were protecting me from him?"

"Yes. I like you a lot too, and I was afraid he might try to hurt you, unintentionally." He stops, and points ahead. "There's the seminar building."

Edward walks up to the seminar building's front doors and tries the handle. He is a bit shocked to find them locked. That's when Basil calls Edward over to the announcement sign. Edward walks over and reads what Basil had read. The seminar had ended two days ago. Evidently, everyone had gone home.

The next hour was spent trying to contact the friend that Edward had attended the seminar with. As he slowly hangs up the phone, he turns to Basil and sighs...

"My friend has already returned to Germany, and we both forgot that my plane tickets and passport were in his suitcase. And the worst part is that the airport lost all my luggage, so now, I'm stranded here in England with no ID, no other clothes than what I'm wearing, and without my passport and plane tickets, I can't go home... What am I to do, Basil?" Edward sits down on the steps and cries...

Basil sits beside him and holds him closely, "Shhh... Don't cry... I'll help you all I can... For now, let's get back to my cottage, and I'll fix you some lunch... I promise you'll be okay..."

Basil takes Edward back to the cottage, and sets Edward down in the bedroom. He then heads back into the kitchen to prepare lunch. Edward lies there quietly feeling a bit sad about his situation, but glad he's with a friend who'll stand beside him and help him through this. He notices the back door open slightly, and a white nose and silvered horn poke through the opening. Edward looks towards the unicorn cautiously, and whispers,

"Reynard? Is that you?"

The unicorn nods his head barely and looks to Edward with the 'come hither' motion of his head. Edward cautiously gets up, and goes over to the door and the unicorn. The unicorn motions for Edward to step outside the door. Edward slowly steps out the door and it closes behind him.

The unicorn looks at Edward and says, *You are as handsome as the others have been saying.*

"Reynard? You met me this morning, remember? I'm Edward Brookes. You ARE Reynard, aren't you?"

*Oh no... I'm not 'The Slinky Fox'... My name is Howard Hunter. I live on the other side of the Dabenshire Woods. I just wanted to meet the human everyone was talking about. And now I have and I am glad I have. If you get tired of Basil, think about coming over to my farm. I live with three other unicorns, but I'm sure they'd love to meet you. I better go now. I'm not supposed to be away from the farm. I hope I see you again later* He kisses Edward's cheek. *Bye.*

Edward slowly re-enters the backdoor and is barely sat down on the bed when Basil comes in from the kitchen with a tray full of lunch items. Basil looks at the slightly ajar backdoor, then looks at Edward quizzically. Basil goes over and shuts the door, then looks at Edward.

"Who was here? Was it Reynard again?"

"Not this time. This unicorn seemed younger than both of us."

"I'll bet it was Howard Hunter, that little scamp." Basil laughs.

"He said if I got tired of you, I could go over and live with him."

Basil grins, "I'll bet he did. Did he tell you who he lives with?"

"No, but if I had to guess, I'd say that one of them is Reynard. Am I right?

Basil laughs, nodding his head. "That's right. And the other two are Adam Hurley and Shepley Lockwood. The four live together sharing a medium sized farm on the other side of the Dabenshire Woods. The grow vegetables in their garden and herd sheep in the fields. They live quite a good life. Reynard is always wanting to hire someone to come in and help them there, but the others always refuse. They think Reynard just wants someone around to pounce."

Edward laughs, "I guess I'm quite popular among the unicorns, aren't I? It looks like they all want to meet me."

"They are all getting anxious, is all. The moonlight dance is coming up in a few days and the ceremony that keeps us unicorns safe will be conducted then by the forest lord. On that night, you will be here by yourself. On that night you must stay in the cottage, no matter what. Don't go out for anything or anyone. Even if it's me telling you to get out of the cottage. I tell you this now for your own safety. If you venture out on that night, I will not be able to protect you."

"Protect me from what?"

Basil looks at Edward seriously, "From the forest lord, of course. If he catches you outside of this cottage on that night, he will force you to attend the ceremony. You won't have a choice if he catches you, and I'll be powerless to save you. You must promise me that you'll stay in the cottage on that night. Promise me!"

Edward is taken aback by Basil's seriousness, and looks at his expression to see if he's kidding. He finally decides that Basil is being very serious about this, and promises to stay in the cottage. Basil gives a sigh of relief when Edward promises to stay inside, then the two eat the lunch that Basil had prepared. Later that day, they played another game of darts and read some books.

That night, they had dinner together, and afterwards, Basil yawns rather tiredly. Edward smiles and kisses Basil's cheek.

"Go on to bed, Basil. I'll wash the dishes."

"Thank you, Edward. I'll probably be asleep when you finally come to bed. This has been a long day for me." Basil gets up, and heads off to the bedroom, and gets in bed, yawning again. Edward smiles and quietly closes the bedroom door. He picks up the pail and heads outside and down to the well to fetch water for washing the dishes.

When he gets to the well, he stops and looks all around for the old woman. He waits five minutes to see if she will appear. Then he begins filling the pail with well water. He has just finished filling the pail, when he hears the old woman's voice behind him.

"This is my last warning. Leave while you..."

Edward drops the bucket and has turned on the old woman in a heartbeat. He grabs her shoulders tightly, and growls,

"Do NOT EVER sneak up behind me!! Who ARE you? Why do you always show up the second this pail is filled? I waited five whole minutes for you to show up! And you 'sneak' up behind me!! Just WHO the HELL are you?!"

"You're hurting me..." she cries out...

Edward releases her and sighs angrily... "I want answers. Not warnings, but answers. Please. Tell me what you know."

The old woman looks at him sternly, then nods her head slowly... "I will tell you all you seek to know... First of all, I am Selena O'Dale, a local gypsy woman and storyteller of these lands. I have lived here a long time and have rescued many people just as I have been attempting to rescue you. You've already met the unicorns, I take it?"

"Yes, I have. And they have all been very kind and they too warned me about the forest lord." Edward replies.

"Good. Then that means they like you. Once a year, a random unicorn is slated to live in this cottage and go forth, as a human, to find a 'partner' to spend a few days to a week with, until the night of the forest lord's ceremony. That part is both true and harmless. On the night of the ceremony, the unicorn leaves the cottage right at sundown, leaving the 'partner' inside alone, with instructions to stay there 'no matter what'. That part is also true."

Edward nods his head and waits for the gypsy woman to continue.

"The 'partner' then has one hour free to do whatever he likes. It is usually at that time that I show up and take the poor boy to safety in the village. Well, at least those who will come with me..."

Edward blinks his eyes, "What happens to those who don't believe you?"

"Those I cannot convince I leave to their fates. I have only failed to rescue three others, and there was a fourth that when he heard that there was forest lord, became very intent upon hunting it. I suppose he thought I was referring to the great White Stag of legends, the one who grants three wishes."

Edward thinks a moment, then asks, "What were the names of the four you could not rescue?"

The old woman thinks for a long time then starts putting forth names.

"Howard Hunter was the fifteen year old local boy I couldn't save. Adam Hurley was the seventeen year old son of a rich banker from Switzerland. Shepley Lockwood was a twenty-one year old photographer from London. And the weird kid, the nineteen year old computer programmer from Seattle Washington..."

Edward nods, "Let me guess: His name was Reynard Spalding. Right?"

Selena nods her head, "That's right. You've seen them?"

Edward smiles, "As a matter of fact, I've seen two of them. They are living at a medium sized sheep farm on the other side of the Dabenshire Woods. The four of them together. And very much alive and healthy."

Selena nods then questionably adds, "Alive and healthy, as unicorns?"

Edward drops the smile, and nods affirmative... "But they have human forms, when they need them..."

Selena looks directly at Edward. "Don't be fooled, young man. They may have human forms, but they are trapped in this forest for all eternity. They must always remain in this area or die. They are part of the forest lord's herd. And you will be too unless you heed my warnings. They intend to make you join the herd. If you care for your freedom and you truly care about the unicorns, you will heed my warning and leave here before the night of the ceremony."

Selena backs away from Edward and hobbles down the path into the darkness and out of sight. Edward picks the empty pail back up and proceeds to refill the pail again... He has just finished when he hears a sound between himself and the cottage. Edward slowly looks that way, and sees a massively huge unicorn standing on the cottage path. It's spiraled horn is pearly white, and it's cloven hooves are silver. Edward just looks at it dumb-founded, but holds unto the pail of water firmly. He slowly approaches the monster unicorn without a sound, and stops a foot from the beast. The monster unicorn looks at the pail and drinks some of the water from it. It then points it's horn at Edward's coat pocket. Edward sets the pail down carefully then takes the candy bar from his pocket, unwraps it and gives it to this monster of a unicorn. The beast devours it then takes another drink from the pail. He lifts his head and looks directly at Edward with a gentle but very serious gaze. Edward is sure he hears the unicorn within his head...

**HELLO EDWARD. I AM THE FOREST LORD. THANK YOU FOR THE CHOCOLATE AND CARAMEL. THE WATER WAS REFRESHING TOO. I SAW YOU TALKING TO SELENA. SHE SPEAKS THE TRUTH. IF YOU WISH TO LEAVE NOW, NO ONE WILL STOP YOU. BUT ALL THE UNICORNS ARE FOND OF YOU AND WE HOPE YOU WILL CHOOSE TO STAY.**

The forest lord unicorn turns and vanishes into the woods, leaving Edward standing there dumb-found... He picks up the pail of water and finally makes it back inside the cottage. He fills the sink quietly and washes the dishes. When he finishes, he dries his hands and goes out and sits on the cottage's kitchen porch where he gazes out into the woods. While he sits here, he thinks he hears the unicorns in his mind, but no clear words ever come forth. Finally, he gets back up and goes back in the cottage. He enters the bedroom and sees that Basil is gone again, the back door wide open.

Edward sighs and pokes his head out the door.

"Basil? BASIL? Where are you?!"

Edward shrugs and gets undressed and goes to bed. He falls asleep uneasily, but rests soundly. When Edward awakens next, there is a unicorn nudging him in the side with a hoof, *Edward? Wake up. It's urgent.*

Edward sits up with a start. He looks at the palomino colored unicorn for a moment, then asks, "Who are you?"

*You'd know me as Shepley Lockwood. You have to come quick. Basil's hurt and can't move. It's partly my fault... Please hurry!!!*

Edward is immediately out of bed and dressed as fast as possible. "Take me to him."

*Get on. I'll carry you.*

Edward mounts Shepley's back and holds unto the mane tightly as the unicorn tears out through the woods and to an old covered wooden bridge. They get just inside, and Edward dismounts, and rushes over to where Basil's back legs have both fallen through the weakened rotted boards, wedging him in tightly. "Don't worry, Basil, I'll get you out of this."

*What are you doing here?* Basil asks in a painfully upset manner. *Had this been the night of the ceremony you would have stupidly walked right into a trap...*

"Shut up while I try to get you out of this..." Edward lays down on the boards and inches around directly behind Basil's tail, and reaches down between the unicorn's thighs, grabbing unto each leg. "Here goes nothing..."

Edward slowly pulls Basil's legs at first straight up, then forward out of the hole. He cautiously edges around the rotted boards and pulls Basil over and out of the covered bridge. He has just stopped, when he hears the forest lord behind him, walking up quickly...

**I JUST HEARD. HOW IS BASIL DOING?**

Edward got a better look at the forest lord now that it was daytime. He was very impressive.

"I don't think his legs are broken, as he seems more upset that I was brought to pull him out of the hole..."

Both the forest lord and Shepley chuckle a little, then the forest lord says to Basil...

**YOUR FRIEND JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE AND YOU BERATE HIM FOR CARING ENOUGH TO COME HERE TO FREE YOU FROM A DANGEROUS SPOT.** He looks at Shepley, **AND HAVEN'T I WARNED YOU NOT TO COME THIS WAY DURING THE PRE DAWN HOURS?? THIS BRIDGE IS IN SERIOUS NEED OF REPAIR.** He turns to Edward, **I THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS A SECOND TIME, EDWARD. I AM IN YOUR DEBT.** The forest lord licks Basil's legs once each, then lifts his head and vanishes into the surrounding forest. Both Basil and Shepley seems surprised that Edward had already met the forest lord AND was still human... Shepley and Edward help Basil all the way back to the cottage and inside the bedroom. Shepley and Edward toss Basil into bed and pull the covers over him. Shepley chants the spell and becomes human. He then puts on Basil's clothes, which surprisingly fit well, and together with Edward, goes through the kitchen and out unto the porch where they both sit down to chat.

"So you're the photographer from London. What prompted you to become a unicorn?"

"Well, you're certainly well informed. You must've been warned by Selena O'Dale. Yes, I am Shepley Lockwood, a former aspiring photographer for a local nature magazine. I was down on my luck, and I heard a rumor about an elusive white beast in the Dabenshire Woods, and I jokingly told my editor that the people were probably seeing a rare white stag. My editor wasn't very amused, and told me to get my heinie up to those woods and don't come back without a photo, a GOOD photo of the white stag... With that in mind, I was pretty much out of a job, and after I found out about the unicorns, I unloaded my sob story on them, and they agreed to help me out all they could. And to do that I had to give up being human and join the herd as a unicorn. I have no regrets at all."

"No regrets at all? What about loved ones, family, friends?" Edward asked.

"As I said, I was down on my luck. My parents had just disowned me for supporting someone they didn't like. That someone dumped me about two days later for a rich man from Paris. And I had very few friends. So being a unicorn among other unicorns who didn't care where I came from, and liked me for who I am, was pretty much the best and most happiest thing that could ever happen to me. I have no regrets."

"Wow." Edward was really moved by Shepley's personal story. "And the others you're currently living with. Is it possible for me to talk to them about why they became unicorns? I'd really like to know before the ceremony night."

"Well, the ceremony isn't for a couple of nights, and if Basil would allow it, you could come home with me for one night, and chat with the other three at your leisure. When you're done talking with them, I could bring you back here so Basil wouldn't be too lonely. I could have you back here by tomorrow afternoon. How about it?"

"If Basil will allow it, I'd love to go see your place." Edward replies.

Edward and Shepley re-enter the cottage and head to the bedroom. The back door is wise open, and the forest lord is checking up on Basil's condition. Shepley bows to the forest lord, then takes off all of Basil's clothes from himself, and chants the transformation spell again, becoming a unicorn. Shepley then says,

*Edward would like to come see the farm on the other side of the woods for one day, and so he may chat with my farm mates about why they became unicorns. Is that all right?*

The forest lord looks at Edward and smiles, **I THINK THAT'S A SPLENDID IDEA. BASIL ISN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR AWHILE AND IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO BABY HIM AGAIN. EDWARD? GO ON AND ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH SHEPLEY AND THE OTHERS.**

Edward smiles back at the forest lord, "Thank you, um, sir. I'll hopefully be back by tomorrow afternoon." He turns to Shepley who is already standing in the open back doorway and mounts up on Shepley's back and holds unto the unicorn's mane tightly. Shepley takes off into the woods at a tear. Trees, branches, and bushes fly by as if they were nothing. After a good two hour dash, a leap over a running stream, and another hour and a half dash, Shepley and Edward arrive at the secluded sheep farm where the four unicorns live. Shepley finally comes to a halt just inside the double doors of the back of the house. Edward dismounts, and sits down to one side, and watches Shepley change shape back into a human. Shepley picks up his clothes, redresses, and motions for Edward to follow him.

Edward follows Shepley deeper into the house, and finally into an inner, well furnished, den. Over in one corner, sitting at a large computer desk (covered in several computers, manuals, and tools) is Reynard Spalding. He turns and smiles when he sees both Shepley and Edward entering the room.

"Hiya, Shep. Hey there, Eddie. How's it going?"

Shep replies, "We're both fine. Where's everyone else?"

Reynard says, "Adam is in the kitchen cooking something won-der-ful. And Howard is tending the sheep, like he does every day." He smiles at Edward. "How long you here for, Eddie?"

Edward sort of grimaces, "Please don't call me 'Eddie'. My grandparents always called me that and I always hated it."

Reynard gets serious for a moment, "It's okay. I'm sorry. I'm just feeling good right now. I'll call you Edward. So, how long you going to be with us?"

Shepley heads out of the room to the kitchen while Edward replies to Reynard.

"Just till tomorrow afternoon. I came over to ask you about why you became a unicorn. I mean, didn't that sorta ruin your computer programming career?" Edward asks.

Reynard kinda smiles, "Not exactly. You have to understand circumstances as they were taking place. You see, back in Seattle, I'd just graduated high school as a certified genius, and I had just finished an at-home by-mail programming course, and got the best scores they'd ever seen... But I wasn't happy. I was missing one important thing."

"What were you missing?" asked Edward.

"I wanted a 'mate'. I was gay, you see, and no one locally would have me because I was the 'geek'. I saved up my senior trip money, and added some other funds to it, and took a two week vacation trip to England. I hadn't been in the area two days, and I met Basil at one of those Renaissance Fairs. We had some fun, and he invited me back to his place. I didn't think I made THAT good of an impression and I was a little skittish about going to a stranger's place."

"I stayed with him for awhile, then one day I met that gypsy woman, Selena, who went on and on about some white beast called the forest lord in the Dabenshire Woods. I remembered from my internet studies that the White Stag lived in a something-Shire Woods, so I was thinking 'This is it! My chance to get anything at all I want to wish for.' I thanked Selena for her information, and I tore off into the woods looking for the White Stag... Needless to say, I was lost within five minutes, and spent the next day walking in a straight line. And I did encounter a great white beast, but it wasn't the White Stag, but the forest lord himself. I had managed to accidentally walk up behind him, so I didn't see the horn till it was too late. I stupidly grabbed the forest lord from behind yelling 'Gotcha! Now you owe me a wish! And I want the perfect male mate for me to love forever and ever'. He slowly turned around and I realized my mistake quickly."

"What happened then?" Edward asks, obviously very interested in the story.

"He looked me over and circled me a time or two, then mentally said into my mind, 'THERE IS NO CREATURE MORE PERFECT THAN A UNICORN, SO I WILL GRANT YOUR WISH TO THE FULLEST OF MY ABILITY.' I was shocked that he was going to grant my wish! He then came up behind me and bit deeply into my shoulder. That hurt a lot! The next thing I knew, my pants were down around my ankles and he was mounting me from behind! That was the most painful thing I'd ever felt, as I quickly forgot all about his biting my neck..."

"He forced me down to the all fours position and commanded me to repeat every word he was sending into my head. Naturally, it was the Latin spell of transformation, and once I uttered it, I transformed into a big beautiful unicorn. The forest lord then mounted me fully, and rode me like I was his mare. Then after he filled me good, he dismounted me and escorted me to this farm where I met Shepley, Adam, and Howard. The forest lord left me here and I wasn't able to change back to a human for three days. It took me that long to remember the spell. It's a phrase I have never forgotten."

"So you were forced to become a unicorn? Why did you stay a unicorn?" Edward inquires.

"After the shock of becoming a unicorn had passed, and I saw how friendly the other unicorns were, I realized I could have as many open mated relationships as I wanted, and not a single unicorn would ever get jealous. (Except Basil, but that's another story.) I then proceeded to set up my own British Internet Service Provider service, and soon, had literally tons of customers. I was also the one to turn to for the repair of anyone's computer. Why did I stay a unicorn? Why not? This was the perfect setup. I was happy, and I could make others happy. It is thanks to me that the herd can pre-select new candidates for joining the herd from all over the world. I usually go to either a chat room or a MUD/MUCK and find someone who is either: a) unhappy with their current life, b) mateless, c) wanting to get away from their current country, d) is planning on being in England during the week(s) before the ceremony, or e) is willing to DO anything, literally, to get away from their parents/family. You'd be surprised how many qualify that I bypass in the decision making field for potential new herd members. There is a key factor I look for, and that key is: the person in question must either: a) like unicorns, b) think they are a unicorn IRL, c) role play a unicorn character online, or d) collect unicorn items (shirts, art, statuettes, etc.). You, Edward, were selected this year because of an internet financial club contest you entered, where you wrote, 'Freedom is a Unicorn in a Stock Market', or something like that, and even though you only got second place, the forest lord liked what you wrote (I showed it to him), and we arranged for your trip over here. We paid for everything to get you here. To the herd, you are a winner."

Edward sits there a bit shocked... "You mean the only reason I'm in England now is because the herd wanted me here, and paid my way round-trip?"

"No, we purchased you a one-way trip ticket to get here. If you joined the herd, why would you need a return trip ticket? We then arranged for Basil to attend the seminar, so he'd meet you there, and get you away from there once you had your fill of it. He then purposely kept you away from the seminar long enough for it to end (which was the entire length of your sight-seeing trip, remember?), and then, took you back to his place. The rest you know..."

"I see..." Edward says with a sad sigh...

Reynard hugs Edward gently, "Awwww... Please don't take it the wrong way. We really like you... If you choose not to join the herd and still want to go back to the United States, we'll get you there. Promise."

Edward slightly brightens up a bit. "Really?"

Reynard smiles, "Hey, I gave my word. Besides, I'm the one who'd have to arrange your trip back." He hugs Edward again. "I'd really like it if you stayed. Even if you don't want to join the herd and want to stay in England, I'll give you a job working for my ISP."

Edward smiles once again. "I feel a lot better now, Reynard. Thank you."

Reynard smiles, somewhat foxily, "No problem. Now why don't you head into the kitchen and see what Adam and Shepley are up to..."

Edward gets up and heads off the way Shepley went. He doesn't find the kitchen, but does locate the bedrooms. He looks into an open doorway and sees the younger Howard Hunter relaxing on his bed. Edward slowly enters, knocking on the wall lightly with his fist, "Howard? Can I come in?"

Howard, who is laying atop his bed in his underwear, smiles as he sees Edward entering the room. "Come on in. I'm just resting from corralling the sheep. It's good to see you. What can I do for you?"

Edward walks over beside the bed, and stand there a moment looking at the good-looking youngster's body, before responding. "I was kind of curious about why you became a unicorn or why you stay one. Do you mind telling me your story?"

Howard scoots himself over and patpats the spot on the bed beside him... "Sit down, Edward, and I don't mind at all. I'll be glad to tell you about myself." He smiles as Edward sits down on the bed beside him, and leans back a bit. "Let's see where to begin... Well, you probably know I was the local boy not even old enough to be out of school yet."

"No, I didn't know that. Please continue."

Howard smiles, "Well, I wasn't attending school. I was the orphan boy from the nearest village. I was stealing food to eat, to keep myself from starving, and the locals chased me out of the village and into these woods. Once I was a ways into the forest, that's when I noticed that the villagers had not followed me into the woods. That's when I also noticed that I was quite lost. I wandered around for hours till the sun set and it got very dark. I was terrified. I cried for about an hour, then Basil found me. He took me back to his cottage and gave me whatever I wanted. It was great! The next morning, I found myself doing simple chores for Basil, but I didn't mind at all, cause Basil was giving me a place to live, a place to sleep, and three meals a day..."

"Then I noticed him disappearing every morning, and it was also around that time that Selena first slapped the old 'evil woods' story on me. I dismissed her stories every time she bothered me. I even told Basil about her first visit. One night, after Basil had told me not to leave the cottage that night, Selena showed up and told me to come with her, and I flatly refused, until she left. Then it was quiet for about two hours, then I thought I heard Basil entering his room, so I got up from my bedroom and entered his bedroom. I immediately saw the open door and went to shut it, and I got hit from behind and passed out."

"I woke up naked in a big clearing full of unicorns, all singing, dancing, and chanting. A very large unicorn came to me and fed me his cum from his dripping shaft. Of course, I didn't want to drink it, but I felt compelled to drink it. Then, I was hoisted up and lowered down into a mass of mating male unicorns. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I quickly learned what was going on, as I joined in on the fornicateing orgy and somewhere in the course of that, I became a unicorn. When the morning came, I woke up back in Basil's cottage in bed with Basil. This wasn't as much a shock as it was that I had my arms around his body. I then remembered the previous night, and for some reason I didn't mind being a unicorn. I had a family."

Edward sits back up and looks at Howard. "And you have no regrets?"

"The only regret I think I've had since then is that the experience didn't happen sooner. I have no current regrets."

Edward slowly gets up and off the bed. "Thanks for telling me about your experience, Howard. I need to see what Adam and Shepley are up to. See you later." And Edward heads out the door and down the hallway once again... He allows his nose to lead him to the kitchen. As he enters, he sees Adam Hurley stirring a large cooking pot full of chocolate. Adam smiles as Edward enters the kitchen and says, "Grab an apron, put it on, and give me a hand with this stuff." Edward grabs an apron, putting it on, and heads over beside Adam. Together they move the pot off the stove and carefully unto a cooling tray on the counter. Adam looks at Edward and smiles again. "How can I help you?"

Edward smiles and looks Adam over. A slightly slender young man, but stronger than he looks. Edward asks, "I was kind of curious about why you became a unicorn or why you stay one. Do you mind telling me your story?"

Adam says, "I was born rich and despised it. I could have anything I wanted and there was no challenge in life. My father would buy anything I wanted. One day my father and I were visiting the British countryside and we came across a village near a large forest. We overheard some farmers talking about the unicorns in the woods. So I looked to my father and said, 'I want a unicorn. I want one from the woods.' My father believing that money could buy anything, said, 'And you shall have one.' My father dropped me off at the local inn and he departed to find someone to sell him a unicorn. Well, I had no intention of staying at the inn, so I skirted the forest along the road till I came across a quaint looking cottage almost hidden by the trees. I went up to the front door and knocked. Basil answered the door and invited me in. He was entirely naked, but for some reason I wasn't bothered at all, but was strongly aroused by his nudity. I told him I needed a place to spend the night and that I could pay for the room if need be, but he said don't worry about paying anything. I tried to insist, but he said 'Money isn't everything and cannot buy you happiness'. After hearing those words, I decided then and there that I'd found my true home. The next morning I told Basil that I wanted to live with him for as long as he'd have me and I stayed with him for about five months. Then one night, Basil tells me not to leave the cottage for any reason and he heads off. Around midnight, I hear someone calling my name, so I go to see who it is. I get tackled from behind, knocked out and wake up in a huge unicorn orgy where I am a unicorn too. The next morning, Basil and I have a long talk and I decide to stay with the herd. The unicorns were a far better family than my rich parents could ever dream of being and I was happy."

Edward smiles, then asks, "And you have no regrets at all?"

Adam smiles, "None at all. I am quite happy with my life as it is now. I am loved and I have a loving family. My rich father in Switzerland thinks I married a local girl and wires me money every month. I'm not sure what will happen when he finds out that I'm gay and mated with other gay unicorns..." He laughs... "Why don't you go find Reynard and see what he's up to? I need to get dinner started."

Edward smiles and heads out of the kitchen back towards the inner den. He peeks in but Reynard isn't there. So he walks through the farmhouse in search of Reynard. He finally locates Reynard in a room downstairs from the den. The room itself seems to be a secret furnished chamber warm and cozy for Reynard's unique solitude. As Edward climbs down the ladder into the chamber, he call out into the warm darkness, "Reynard? Are you down here?"

Reynard's mental voice is heard, *Edward? Yeah, I'm in here. You've found my private resting room. Come on in and close the trap door behind you, please.*

Edward climbs back up two steps, and closes the hatch, then descends again. He gets to the bottom, and lets go of the ladder, turning around in the darkness slowly... "Um, I can't see a thing... Where are you?"

Reynard's mental voice says, *With your back against the rungs of the ladder, walk slowly straight ahead about five or six steps. You'll most likely bump into a foot stool there. My clothes are in the chair next to the footstool on the right. I am another three steps beyond the footstool.*

Edward walks about four to five steps forward and his left foot bumps into the footstool. He steps over the footstool count that as another step, then proceeds to walk forward again another three steps. Edward is just going on step three as he falls forwards into a thick sticky gooey mass, sinking up to his neck in no time. His fall was so sudden, that he only got out a quick 'HELL--' before going in deeply...

Reynard's mental voice quizzically asks, *Oh no... You didn't... Tell me you didn't fall into my mud bath with me?*

It takes Edward a good five to ten minutes before he can form a response. "-spbt- Why didn't you just tell me you were taking a mud bath rather than invite me on into the room? -spbt- Oh god! My only clothes are ruined! -spbt- Now what am I supposed to do...?" Edward feels around a bit, then locates Reynard's body in the deep muddy pool...

Reynard's mental voice apologetically says, *I'm really REALLY sorry, Edward... Tell you what, do the best you can to get out of your clothes, and toss them out of the mud. I promise I'll find you something to wear. Surely one of us four living here has something you can wear... Again, I'm really REALLY sorry...*

Edward slowly removes his shoes first and hefts them out of the mud... His socks slip right off easily and he tosses them in the direction of his shoes... Next, he steps out of his jeans and underwear and throws them out of the mud. Then he removes his coat and shirt and throws them out of the mud... Edward feels Reynard move suddenly next to him, as he falls again right down between Reynard's unicorn legs. "Ack... Sorry, Reynard... I can't get any traction."

Reynard's mental voice softly speaks, *That's okay. I've had similar things happen to me. In a way, I'm glad you're this close. On the other hoof, I really feel responsible for not giving you better warning... Well, until I'm ready to get out of the mud bath, you might as well enjoy yourself... I'll explain what all your touching... Your hands are currently holding my fore hooves... your bottom is sitting straddle upon my hardened aroused shaft... and I can feel your hard-on against my belly, so I know you're turned on too...* Edward rubs his body up and down Reynard's body and shaft, really enjoying the feeling even though he can't see a thing... Together, they fondle and hug some more until an undetermined amount of time later, when Reynard mentally says, *Time to get out and get washed off. Just either follow me, or hang unto my tail, and I'll lead you to the showers.* Reynard leads Edward out of the mud pool, across the room into what feels like a horse stall and the shower comes on instantly, washing the mud off of both of them. *Go grab your muddied clothes and put them in the shower. We'll try to save what we can of them...*

Edward heads over to where he thought he tossed his clothes, he searches around some more, and some more... "I can't find my clothes anywhere. I need some light down here." Suddenly, the overhead light comes on, as Edward sees Reynard standing next to a light switch in his nude human form. "Your clothes are over there, but I can tell from here that the only thing worth saving is your coat... I'm truly sorry, Edward."

An hour later, both Edward and Reynard are upstairs in Reynard's room looking through trunks and drawers. Reynard is digging out whatever clothes he can find that looks like it might fit Edward. An hour later, with Howard's, Shep's and Adam's help, Edward is again wearing some nicely fitting clothes and soft leather boots.

"You look good, Edward." Shep says.

"They are a lot more comfortable than my other clothes were too." Edward remarks.

"I think they are clothes Basil used to wear. "Adam says. "I've kept dinner warm for us all, let's go have some dinner."

After a won-der-ful dinner, Edward offers to help clean up, but Adam adamantly refuses... explaining, "You are the guest, and our guests do not help clean up." He grabs Reynard. "Reynard will help clean up seeing as how he messed up your clothes." Shepley, Howard, and Edward retire to the outer den, where Edward and Howard play a game of darts, as Shepley reads a book. Sometime later, both Adam and Reynard join the others in the outer den. Adam grabs a book from the shelf, and sits down beside Shepley. Reynard joins Howard and Edward in a game of darts. Shepley gets up and yawns first, then says, "I'm heading to bed. I'll see all of you tomorrow for the 'morning jog'. Night" Shepley heads out of the room and down the hall to his bedroom. Adam is next to head out, which he does without a word. Reynard and Howard continue to play darts with Edward, until Howard finally runs out of energy, yawning widely. "Night you guys." Howard heads down to his room slowly. Reynard and Edward play another game of darts, then smile.

Reynard says, "I'm not really sleepy just yet. How about you?"

Edward smiles a little, and says, "I'm a little tired but not sleepy."

Reynard smiles back and says, "I'd better show you where you can crash later."

Reynard leads Edward into the inner den and unfolds the hide-a-bed, spreading out the blankets and fluffing up the thick pillows. Reynard says, "I'm usually working on someone's computer and I'd crash right here rather than going to bed. You can either sleep in my bed or here on the hide-a-bed. It's your choice."

Edward looks at the hide-a-bed and smiles at Reynard, "Right here is fine. You can sleep here too, if you'd like. I don't mind at all."

Reynard smiles, and hugs Edward, "Okay. That's settled. Now what do you what to do?"

Edward smiles and pulls Reynard down into the hide-a-bed atop himself and together they snuggle and hug into the night...

When the morning light finally arrives, Edward awakens alone in the bed and goes to the kitchen to find breakfast already waiting on him... He finishes eating and heads off to the foyer where he sees everyone's clothing all piled up and the double doors wide open... 'The morning jog' is what they called it. Edward smiles as he imagines four unicorns running wild in the Dabenshire Woods. Edward wanders around the farm and looks over the sheep and the few horses that are stabled here. When he returns to the farmhouse, he is pleased to see that Reynard has returned and is getting dressed. Edward walks up to Reynard and hugs him gently. Reynard looks at Edward for a moment, then asks, "What do you think about unicorns currently, Edward?"

Edward answers, "From what I've seen from you four, unicorns are very caring individuals who are closer than humans ever dream of being and literally go out of their way to make a person feel welcome and loved."

Reynard smiles a moment, then goes somber... "That's good."

Edward then adds, "I think I'd like to chat with some other unicorns first though and maybe the forest lord too, if he'll let me. There's still some minor doubts in my mind and talking to other unicorns would help clear up those doubts. Unfortunately, the only other unicorns I know are Basil and the forest lord."

Reynard thinks then says, "I know of two others... If you want to chat with them, I'll take you to them, but I won't be able to stay with you while you're chatting with them. I have work to do today. Do you want to go see them?"

Edward smiles, "Of course. Where do they live?"

Reynard gets undressed again, and again becomes a unicorn. *Get on and hold on tight.*

Edward climbs on and holds unto Reynard's mane tightly. Reynard tears off like a shot deeply into the woods and continues for about two hours. He stops and turns North for another thirty minutes. Reynard emerges from the woods at a hillside, where a door is imbedded into the side of the hill. Reynard pounds on the door with a hoof, then waits. After a few minutes, the door swings open to reveal another male unicorn. Reynard quietly mentally speaks to the unicorn, and nods up at Edward. The Reynard says, *Okay, Edward, this unicorn's name is Carvell. He is mated to a unicorn named Todd. They will both chat with you for awhile, and later, make sure you get back to Basil's cottage. They don't like traveling at night, so if your chat extends into the late hours, then you'll have to spend the night.*

Edward slides off of Reynard, and watches Reynard bolt off back into the woods. He turns to Carvell and smiles, "Hello, I am Edward Brookes." The unicorn quietly says, *Please come in.*

The unicorn leads Edward deeply inside the home inside the hill, down several tunnels and finally into a rather large cozy looking burrow. Within, Edward sees another male unicorn licking himself. *That is my mate Todd. Todd? This is the human Basil chose, his name is Edward Brookes.*

Todd gets up slowly and minces over to Edward and nuzzles his cheek and licks Edward's lips slowly, *Hi there. I'm Todd. Give me a hug.* Edward wanting the chat to go well, does as he is asked and hugs Todd gently...

Todd smiles and glances at his mate with a wink, *Carvell? Why don't you head up to the kitchen and prepare us all a little something, please.* As Carvell heads off obediently, Todd sits back down, and looks up to Edward, *Please have seat near my lap.* Edward again does as he is told, and sits touching Todd's sheath. "How's this, Todd?"

Todd smiles again, *Perfect. Please make yourself more comfortable.*

Edward asks, "What do you mean by 'more comfortable'?"

Todd continues to smile, *It must be warm with all those clothes on for you. If you take them off, you will become more comfortable, I promise you.*

Edward blinks! "You're being pretty forward about it, aren't you? I thought Carvell was your mate. The way you're acting though, it's like you mate with whoever is unfortunate enough to enter your lair."

Todd nuzzles Edward's cheek gently, *Carvell is but one of my many MANY mates. Carvell told me you wanted to chat with me, and as I never have more than one male in the room with me at any given time, I released Carvell so I could spend some time with you, Edward. So please, may I see what you look like unclothed?*

Edward stands up slowly, "I came to ask you about how you felt about being in the herd, and about your life as a unicorn, but I get the feeling I've placed myself into a situation with a horny sex craved unicorn..."

Todd chuckles a little, and smiles again, *I've been called worse, I can assure you... In fact that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.* Todd pokes his horn into Edward's shirt, and tears it right off of him... *If you remove your own clothes, then you'll have something to put back on when we're finished...*

Edward looks at his shredded shirt on the floor of the burrow, and then looks at Todd, "Has any unicorn ever denied you what you lusted after?"

Todd laughs quietly, *No, I always get what I want... One way or another...* Todd tears through Edward's leather belt as it bursts off his body in two pieces on the floor. Todd looks at Edward expectantly...

Edward just looks back at Todd. "Please don't do this. I only came to chat about the herd, unicorns, and the ceremony. I didn't come to pleasure you."

Todd drops his smile as he shreds Edward's boots and pants right off his body... Edward stands there in his underwear, the bulge obviously betraying his feelings... Todd shreds the underwear to pieces, and looks fully upon Edward's nude body. *I wish you would've just cooperated instead of how I had to do this... Now you have no clothes at all, and we can't let you run around the woods naked... Come to me and let me pleasure you properly, Edward. I promise you that you will not be hurt. What I do to you, you may do to me in return. Please?*

Edward sighs sadly and resigns himself to laying down with the horny lusty sex craved unicorn. Todd slowly mounts up upon Edward's nude form, and pokes his cock tip into Edward's hole, and starts to slowly push his shaft deeply within. Edward eyes open wide and he moans loudly from the pain of Todd's largeness within him... Todd fornicates Edward repeatedly, until Edward passes out from the pain.

The next time Edward awakens, he is pinned to the spot with Todd atop him still, humping slowly upon him, *Good, you're awake. I'm ready to answer all your questions now... If you don't think you can talk, then mentally think your questions, and I will hear them, and answer them...*

Edward's throat is dryer than he thought, so he begins to mentally think his questions, *How long was I out?*

Todd mentally responds, *About seven hours.*

Edward mentally asks, *Did you, um, fornicate me the whole time?*

Todd smiles, and mentally responds, *Of course. You are a better mate than Carvell is.*

Edward can't help but to smile at that obvious compliment as he thinks, *Am I really that acceptable for you?*

Todd smiles, and mentally responds, *The best I've ever had, and hope you continue to perform for me nightly.*

Edward realizes he's not asking the questions he came to ask, and gets back on the subject, *What is it like as a herd member in your own opinion?*

Todd thinks a moment, then smiles, *The ability to have any mate I choose to have with no questions asked. But I'd sacrifice the whole herd to have you, Edward, as you are right now.*

Edward again smiles at Todd's compliment, and thinks, *Thank you, Todd, I like you too.*

Todd smiles, and mentally responds, *I think I love you, Edward.*

Edward concentrates on his predetermined questions, at the same time trying to quell his own horny desires, and he asks, *Other than having mates, what does it mean, for you personally, to be a unicorn?*

Todd thinks a moment, then again smiles, *True freedom of spirit, love, and friendship. In which I feel all three for you, Edward.*

Edward smiles, enjoying the compliments. he presses onwards with the next question, *I think I already know your answer on this one, but do you prefer new potential mates after they'd been initiated in the ceremony?*

Todd smiles and chuckles, *Of course not. Like I said, I like you as you are right now. But if you became a unicorn, I'd still vouch for you as my mate, although I'd rather have you as a human.*

Edward smiles, and thinks, *That's what I thought you'd say.*

Todd smiles and kisses Edward's neck again... *Any other questions?*

Edward thinks with a smile, *No. You've been very helpful.*

Todd smiles and humps into Edward some more, *Then it's my turn to ask you some questions. Do you mind?*

Edward smiles, *Not at all, go right ahead.* His cock hard and dripping pre from the activity, and his own lusty desire driving him almost into distraction. Never before had he felt such pleasure from any single being.

Todd smiles and mentally asks, *If I were to keep you safe from the others, allowing you to remain human, would you willingly stay with me for the rest of your life?*

Edward smiles, *Only if the forest lord didn't get upset with you.*

Todd smiles, *Good answer, Edward. Here's the next question... Would you accept me as your mate, if I were to obey your every whim?*

Edward mentally almost says 'no', but thinks for a while on that... *If you obeyed my every whim, then you wouldn't have your freedom anymore, so I'd have to accept you as a mate only if your freedom was guaranteed.*

Todd smiles again, *Do you love me as much as I love you? Are you as horny as I am right now? Would you like to fornicate me deeply?*

Edward and Todd fondle and fornicate some more many more hours, and late into the night. They kiss each other deeply and fill each other fully.

When the morning arrives, Todd and Edward go to another chamber and bathe thoroughly. When the bath is finished, Carvell shows up with some clean clothes, and boots. Edward dries off and gets dressed. He turns to Todd and kisses him on the muzzle deeply, "Can I see you again, Todd? I mean, I'd really like to..."

Todd smiles, *Of course. Come back anytime, Edward, you are always welcome here. No matter what shape you end up wearing. Just come on by, and Carvell and I will welcome you in.*

Edward smiles and hugs Todd again, "I love you." Edward and Carvell head out the front door. Carvell smiles, *Thank you, Edward, you've made Todd very happy. Climb on my back, and I'll take you back to Basil's cottage. Or you may choose to stay here. You'd be welcome to stay here. We have many rooms.*

Edward smiles and climbs up on Carvell's back, and hangs unto the unicorn's mane tightly, "I am pleased you want me to stay, but I promised Basil and the forest lord I would be back."

Carvell nods and tears through the woods and soon, arrives at Basil's cottage backdoor. Edward gets off and hugs Carvell, before Carvell vanishes into the woods. Edward opens the back door and walks in. Within the bedroom, Basil is gone, as usual, but the forest lord is here. He looks at Edward and sniffs him a bit, then smiles.

**YOU'VE BEEN WITH CARVELL AND TODD. THAT IS SURPRISING, SEEING AS HOW LUSTY TODD CAN BE, AT TIMES. DID YOU ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH THEM?**

Edward smiles, "They were both very helpful in answering my inquiries and were good hosts to me. In fact, I'd like to go back and see Todd again, if that's okay with you..."

**IF THAT IS YOUR DESIRE, THEN YOU MAY STAY WITH TODD AND CARVELL AS LONG AS YOU WISH. BUT I MUST KNOW NOW, HAVE YOU FOUND OUT ALL YOU SOUGHT FROM THE OTHER UNICORNS YOU'VE SPOKEN TO?**

Edward gets a little quiet, then says, "I was hoping I could talk to you privately, um, sir..."

**VERY WELL.** And with that, the forest lord and Edward are elsewhere, in an unusual clearing in the center of the Dabenshire Woods. **THIS SHOULD BE PRIVATE ENOUGH, UNTIL THE SUN SETS, THAT IS... WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?**

Edward looks around the odd clearing, and without thinking asks, "Is this clearing what I think it is?"

**YES, IT IS. THIS IS THE CEREMONY CLEARING WE OCCUPY ONCE A YEAR.**

Edward gulps a little, then turns to the large unicorn forest lord, "What does it mean for you to have a new person join your herd?"

**FOR ME, IT IS A RENEWAL OF THE HERD'S LIFE SUSTAINING ESSENCE, AND AN INCREASE IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRANSFORMATION SPELL WE USE TO BECOME HUMAN AT WILL. FOR THE JOINER, I IMAGINE IT IS A CHANGE NOT ONLY OF BODY BUT OF HIS FREEDOM OF SPIRIT IN THE FAMILY WE CALL THE HERD.**

Edward blinks a bit, impressed by the forest lord's answer. He nods cautiously, and proceeds to the next question, "Do you, yourself, ever regret being a unicorn?"

The forest lord blinks a bit at that question, then thinks a long time, before looking directly at Edward, and replying, **REGRET? I THINK THERE MAY HAVE BEEN FLEETING TIMES I HAVE REGRETTED CHANGING PEOPLE INTO UNICORNS IN THE MIDDLE AGES, BUT A LOT OF THEM ASKED TO JOIN THE HERD. LIKE TODD, CARVELL, AND BASIL. BUT REGRETTING BEING A UNICORN? ONLY DURING THOSE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE DECIDED NOT TO JOIN THE HERD.**

Edward sighs, and says, "Gee, I'm sorry I made you remember then..."

**I FORGIVE YOU.**

Edward thinks a moment, the looks to the forest lord, "If I volunteered to go through with the ceremony willingly, would I still be knocked unconscious?"

**NOT LIKELY. IF YOU WERE WILLING TO GO THROUGH WITH ALL OF THIS, THEN I'D MAKE SURE YOUR TRANSITION WAS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. YOU HAVE MY WORD ON IT.**

Edward asks, "Does it hurt undergoing the first change?"

**ONLY A LITTLE, BUT THE SEXUAL INTERACTION IS USUALLY ENOUGH TO DISTRACT YOUR MIND FROM THE PAIN THAT ACCOMPANIES THE FIRST TRANSFORMATION. AND YES, I TOO, GET TO HAVE PLEASURE WITH YOU.**

Edward replies thoughtfully, "So I attend an orgy of gay unicorns, participate with them as I transform into a unicorn, and enjoy myself afterwards as a member of the herd. Is that right?"

**THAT IS A VERY BLUNT WAY TO PUT IT, EDWARD, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT IS VERY TRUE. I APOLOGIZE FOR INVOLVING YOU IN OUR EXPANSION CEREMONY, BUT YOU MET AND SURPASSED EVERY QUALIFICATION THAT OUR HERD REQUIRES OF A NEW POTENTIAL HERD MATE. YOU WILL STILL BE HUMAN, THOUGH YOU WILL ALSO BE ONE OF US. YOUR GREATEST BENEFIT IS THE CHOICE YOU'LL HAVE OF WHICH OTHER UNICORNS YOU WILL LIVE WITH.**

Edward stands there and looks around randomly allowing this information to sink in. He runs a hand through his brown hair, and is quiet a long time as he thinks... The forest lord slowly walks over and nuzzles Edward's shoulder from behind. Edward slowly glances up into the forest lord's amber eyes, as the forest lord says,

**IF YOU'D RATHER RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES, IT'S NOT TOO LATE. WE CAN HAVE REYNARD GET YOU A PLANE TICKET AND A PASSPORT, AND HAVE YOU RETURNED TO YOUR HOME IN NO TIME. YOU COULD BE BACK HOME IN UNDER THREE HOURS, BUT THINK OF WHAT YOU'LL BE MISSING. WE ALL LIKE YOU, AND WE WANT YOU TO STAY. BUT WE CAN'T FORCE YOU TO STAY... IT IS YOUR CHOICE. PLEASE EDWARD... THE LARGER THE HERD, THE GREATER THE DISTANCE WE CAN TRAVEL AWAY FROM ENGLAND. WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US.**

Edward looks up at the forest lord, "You'd let me leave? Really? Oh... I thought you were going to prevent me from leaving no matter what... Everyone kept saying how dangerous it was to be caught alone with the forest lord."

The forest lord smiles. He looks bemused; very much so. **REALLY? I WONDER WHY? I HAVE NEVER REALLY EVER ENFORCED ANY ONE TO DO SOMETHING THEY'VE NOT WANTED TO DO. I FIND THIS INFORMATION... MISPLACED.**

Edward looks fully upon the forest lord, now checking him out entirely for the first time. He notices that this large unicorn is very handsome and really built well... Every part of him is very clean...

The forest lord says, **IN THE FEW TIMES YOU'VE SEEN AND SPOKEN TO ME, HAVE I EVER DONE ANYTHING THAT WOULD HARM YOU IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM?**

Edward blinks a little, then honestly says, "No, you've always been open and honest about everything. You've never done anything that would place me in harm's way, or cause me pain." Edward thinks for a while longer looking at himself and the forest lord. Suddenly, he arches an eyebrow and asks, "What exactly is the long term goal for you and the herd? To be able to expand out into other parts of the world? Or to be free in another way?"

The forest lord too arches an eye. **I THINK I TOLD YOU THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO OTHER PLACES, RATHER THEN BE STUCK HERE IN ENGLAND IN THIS FOREST... WHY DO YOU ASK? DID SOMETHING UNUSUAL COME TO YOUR MIND JUST NOW?**

Edward sorta smiles and replies, "Something like that... What 'exactly' was the original magic's effects when it was first cast back in the middle ages? The exact wording, if possible..."

The forest lord looks skywards for a moment, then looks directly at Edward and recites, **AS LONG AS DABENSHIRE WOODS STANDS AND AS LONG AS A UNICORN RESIDES WITHIN DABENSHIRE WOODS, SHALL THIS MAGIC BE MADE TRUE. IF A UNICORN IS AWAY FROM DABENSHIRE WOODS FOR LONGER THAN TWENTY-EIGHT MOONS, HE SHALL BECOME ILL AND LOSE HIS ABILITY TO RESIST THE MAIDEN'S CHARMS.** The forest lord thinks a moment, then nods his head affirmatively, **YES, THAT IS THE EXACT WORDING. I AM SURE OF IT. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?**

Edward smiles and looks around the area for a moment... "What if I were able to set it up so you could leave England anytime you wanted and not suffer any ill effects for doing so?"

The forest lord blinks! **IS THAT POSSIBLE?**

Edward smiles again, "I strongly believe it is. But I'll need Reynard's help and a map of key areas around the world. Are you willing to try my idea?"

**OF COURSE! WE UNICORNS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO THINK OF A WAY TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITHOUT THE ILL EFFECTS FOR AGES AND IF YOU HAVE THE SOLUTION, AND IT WORKS, THEN EVERY UNICORN WILL BE GREATFUL TO YOU. HANG ON WHILE I TAKE US TO REYNARD'S DEN.** And the forest lord teleports both he and Edward directly into Reynard Spalding's inner den! Reynard about jumps out of his pants when the two arrive in the den unannounced.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" Then he sees the forest lord, and goes all humble, "Um, greetings, sir. How may I help thee this fine day?"

**EDWARD HAS AN IDEA ON HOW TO BEAT THE SECLUSION PROBLEM WE UNICORNS SEEM TO BE CURSED WITH.**

Reynard looks at Edward and shakes his head slowly saying, "Edward... You better hope this idea works, cause if it doesn't, you will not only be a unicorn for the rest of your life but you'll be stuck here with us as well... And we can say 'I told you so' a great many times longer than you think we can... Let's hear it."

Edward smiles, "Reynard, pull up a map of the world on your computer and then, start pulling up forests for sale around the world... Preferably, forests away from major urban areas..."

Reynard does as he is told and starts pulling forth the information. Edward becomes quite happy when he sees four privately owned forests in the United States for sale... Reynard then asks, "Now what?"

Edward says, "This is a long shot but buy up the privately owned forests in the United States as well as any other 'key' forests around the world that unicorns would want to travel to... Then, we transplant at least one tree from the original Dabenshire Woods into each of those forests and change the name of every forest to Dabenshire Woods. Once that is done, we construct an area in each of those forests to match the ceremony clearing that's in this forest. Then, the forest lord sets up a powerful teleport magic between each of the forests through the ceremony clearings. And... TADA!!! Suddenly the unicorns can travel anywhere in the world and still remain safe from the ill magic effects."

Reynard and the forest lord look at each other wide-eyed.

Reynard asks, "Is that possible, sir?"

The forest lord replies, **I DON'T SEE WHY IT SHOULDN'T WORK. THE ORIGINAL MAGIC -DOES- SAY THAT WE HAVE TO REMAIN IN DABENSHIRE WOODS BUT DOES NOT GIVE SPECIFICS IN THE EVENT THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE THAN ONE FOREST CALLED DABENSHIRE WOODS. SO I SAY, LET'S TRY IT. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.** Reynard nods to the forest lord and begins buying the forests around the world and going through the legal processes of changing each forest's name to 'Dabenshire Woods'... Within five to six hours, the afternoon hours arrive and Reynard sits back and released a sigh of relief.

"We now own seventy-seven forests around the world, and they will all be legally named Dabenshire Woods within a few months or so. What's the next part? Transplanting seventy-seven trees, one to each forest? AND duplicating the ceremony clearing in each of the seventy-seven forests?" That's going to take awhile..." He laughs, "But I guess we're half-way there..."

The next few months is spent transplanting British Dabenshire trees to each of the forests around the world. Edward, the forest lord, and several others, pitched in on this teleportation effort. While the unicorns are transplanting the trees, the forest lord locates the center of each forest and magically duplicates the ceremony clearing, complete with the teleportation magic, from the original Dabenshire Woods. They finally finish that part of the task just as the sun sets in England. The forest lord, Edward, and all of the unicorns, are gathered at the original ceremony clearing. The forest lord then designates the teleportation ground within the clearing and links up the magics from around the world.

**WITH THIS LINK, I EXPAND THE DABENSHIRE WOODS, WORLDWIDE. MAY THE MAGICS THAT KEEP US SAFE FROM ILL EFFECTS EXTEND AS WELL INTO EACH OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THE DABENSHIRE WOODS, WORLDWIDE.** The forest lord's horn brightens as he places the magic on the final link. **IT IS DONE. WE WILL KNOW IN A MOMENT IF THIS EFFORT HAS PAID OFF.**

Everyone stands around very still and very quiet.

Then, a snowy white owl flies in and lands in the clearing. A glow surrounds the owl, and it slowly transforms into a tall robed sagely looking male human.

"Greetings, Lord Unicorn."

**GREETINGS, MASTER MERLIN.**

"This is indeed a bold plan, Lord Unicorn. Do you want me to test it?"

**WE WOULD VERY MUCH SO APPRECIATE IT, MASTER MERLIN.**

Merlin waves his staff over the teleportation ground nexus and then looks to the trees, "Oh great spirits of the Earth. These unicorns have long sought out a working solution to their problem and this time they believe this will be it. Show us your judgment on whether or not this plan will succeed. We humbly ask for your guidance."

A wind kicked up suddenly and it seems as if the trees came alive. They sway, turn, and shake, as they contact the other seventy-seven forests around the world... Then, as suddenly as it began, the wind ceases and the trees return to normal. Merlin looks to the trees and listens extremely carefully... Several minutes passed...

Then Merlin turns to the forest lord and says, "The Dabenshire Tree Spirits have given you their blessings and sanctify your efforts worldwide. But be warned, the magic for each of the forests around the world is now the same for this forest, even though they are in different parts of the world. As long as you use the teleportation nexus within each of the forest clearings, you may travel to any of the forests around the world and remain healthy."

**MANY THANKS, MASTER MERLIN. MANY THANKS, GREAT TREE SPIRITS. WE SHALL NOT FORGET THIS KINDNESS.**

Merlin straightens up and taps his staff on the ground three times. He rapidly transforms back into a snowy owl and flies out into the night without another word. The unicorns all cheer and it appears that everyone is happy.

The forest lord turns to Edward and says, **YOUR PLAN HAS WORKED. WE HAVE THE BLESSINGS OF THE TREE SPIRITS AROUND THE WORLD. BUT NOW, YOU MUST DECIDE: DO YOU JOIN OUR HERD OR RETURN HOME? YOU MUST CHOOSE NOW AND LIVE WITH WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE.**

Edward's asks only one question: "IF I choose not to join the herd, may I still visit the herd whenever I like?"

The forest lord looks around to all of the unicorns.

Everyone's answer seemed to be the same.

The forest lord says to Edward, **THE HERD AND I AGREE ON THIS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO RETURN HOME, YOU MAY VISIT US WHENEVER YOU LIKE. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HOME AMONG OUR KIND.**

Edward nods and turns to all of the unicorns, "I thank all of you for the kind words and my choice for freedom. I will join the herd and become one of you. I make this decision on the reasoning that you would allow me to return even if I did not join the herd." Edward removes all of his clothing and stands nude before the unicorns and the forest lord. "I am ready. Make me one of you."

The process that followed, of course, was the mating between every unicorn and Edward.

And yes, even the forest lord participated in this sexual ritual.

And because there were so many unicorns, gathered there for that event, it literally took all night to transform Edward into a unicorn. The last unicorn to have pleasure with Edward was the forest lord. He turned out to be much gentler than Edward assumed he would be and when the rays of the morning light shone down upon the clearing, the forest lord stood next to his new son, Edward Brookes, Prince of the Herd. Or more correctly, Prince for a year, until the next new herd member was selected. Edward and the forest lord then entered the woods.

Edward wound up his tale, saying, "...and after my year of being the Prince of the Herd ended, I quickly found work as a professional freelance Internet financial advisor. And I am doing quite well too." He yawned. "I need to get some shut eye. Can I use your tent, Valerian?"

Valerian nodded and escorted Edward into his tent and closed the tent flap.

That evening, Valerian and Edward emerged from the tent and headed deeper into the woods where they met up with Reynard. Afterwards, the three spent several hours chatting on a vast and wide range of topics and discussed various magics and spells.

Then, Edward and Reynard recited the Latin phrase and changed into unicorns right before Valerian's eyes.

Valerian memorized the Latin phrase spell without speaking it into his magical mental knowledge library.

Reynard gave Valerian a ride through the woods, then finally back to camp.

Andros and Felix also got unicorn rides that night, as well, then the five gathered together, in the camp, talking and playing games.

The weekend passed quickly, then it was time for Valerian, Andros and Felix to return to the citadel.

Edward and Reynard said their goodbyes and invited Valerian and his friends back whenever they would like to visit again.

Valerian drove his friends home to the mystic citadel.

Reynard and Edward watched their new friends return to the citadel in the seclusion of their hiding place. Reynard smiled and exclaimed, "I seriously hope we get to play with those guys again someday! I loved playing with them!"

Edward nodded his unicorn head. "It is a small world, so perhaps we will. Perhaps we will."

The two unicorns turned and vanished into the Dabenshire Woods...

Back at the Mystic Citadel, Felix drew Valerian aside and asked him a question that had been on his mind for a while.

"Do you think that dirty story was really how it happened, Valerian? I mean, those unicorns were pretty graphic in their telling of the events and seemed to take great pleasure in telling it in that particular way."

Valerian chuckled. "I would imagine that the true story was very dull and non-exciting and they really wanted to impress us with a telling that was equal to a classic tale. And we were all drinking a bit that night, so perhaps the telling was partly induced by a drunken stupor. It really must be lonely to be a unicorn, Felix. And they chose us as friends."

Felix smiled. "I liked them, too." And he headed off to find Andros.

Valerian then turned and walked out on the balcony, where he saw the Forest Lord at the edge of the yard, giving a smile and a wink as he turned flicking his tail and sauntered off into the woods.

**End of Episode One - Dancing with Unicorns

Stay tuned for Episode Two - Mark of the Moon**