"You are right," Viniria said calmly. "I'm sorry. I should not have told the others."
All the unicorns raised their heads in panic. "The others? You mean there are more humans here?" Their eyes roamed the fields.
That was all she needed. The forest guardian quickly changed into a cheetah and grabbed the child. She ran low, trying to move among the sea of hooves. One of the males managed to spot her and stomp on her tail, but the creature was determined to escape. Dislodging her mangled tail, she was very careful not to clench her jaw, because it would hurt Luka. The herd started running after her, with their glowing horns aimed straight at her animal form. Still, it was difficult for the heavy unicorns to run across the bouncy terrain. The quick creature managed to outmaneuver them and soon reached the area outside the hills. There she hid inside a small opening.
The group angrily neighed outside. She could hear their stomping behind and above her. "Just give us the human child, and you will be spared," they said.
Viniria felt like crying. She turned back to rest, visibly shaken by the whole ordeal. The boy looked at her with big worried eyes. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she uttered: "I'm sorry, little one. I have to do this."
The little boy looked at her stunned. She took out a small pebble, the very same she showed his aunt when she gave her the terrifying choice. But the boy had no such luck. She placed it into his mouth and closed it. The transformation was instant. Just after his little body turned gray and hard, did she start to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she hugged and kissed him.
"We're waiting," the horse beings were heard outside.
Viniria wiped her tears. Gently placing the little stone statue on the ground, she covered it in dirt and sturdy vines. She then stood up, determined.
"I'm ready to talk!" she declared.
The unicorns agreed, moving a little so she can get out.
"Where is the human child?" the unicorn queen asked.
"He is no longer in the way," Viniria uttered.
The queen tilted her long head. "In the way of what?"
"In the way of what I am going to do to you for ruining our day!" Viniria yelled, clenching her fists. Meanwhile, the couple was having different issues. Reaching the collector's lair, they could truly see many wonders of the world. The hall was long, with many shelves, displaying trinkets, cages with exotic animals and even large objects that required special casings. Many of which Zora got excited about, because they fit her ever-growing list.
The collector, a duke with a serious expression, thought carefully about his answer. "To tell the truth, I have spent a large chunk of my life finding all these things. Long before magical items became the fad of the day."
"We realize that. Still, we beg you to reconsider. You would be doing many a great service," Aidan spoke.
The duke scoffed. "Do I look like a people-pleaser? All I am interested in are more things for my collection. Like your harp, I heard it can put anyone to sleep. Is it correct?"
Zora clenched her precious instrument. "I apologize, but I need this badly."
The duke hummed. He then turned to Aidan. "And how about you? I heard you could turn into a wolf. Is there an item that allows you to do such a thing?"
Aidan cleared his throat. "That would not be possible."
The duke nodded, quiet and disappointed. "Well, in that case-"
"Daddy! Have the foreigners arrived?" a girly voice could be heard behind a red curtain. The duke flinched, seeing a young girl burst behind the throne.
"Yes, my precious. The guests have arrived," he said, with his voice turning high-pitched.
The teenage girl, no older than 16 looked at the two. She had a flamboyant outfit, made of pure silk. "Good! Tell them they can have anything they want from your collection. As long as they bring me, you-know-what?" She then turned, disappearing behind the curtain.
The duke sighed, frustrated.
"I beg your pardon. But what is this you-know-what thing she was referring to?" Aidan asked.
"Oh, that," the duke swayed his hand. "A completely ridiculous request. There was a boy who visited recently. An inspiring young man wanting to become a monk. My daughter took a liking to him, but he did not feel the same. So naturally, she did what any young person would do. Demanded that I behead the boy and bring her his head on a silver plater. Where do children get these ideas?" he chuckled.
The couple stood, gobsmacked. "You did not oblige her, did you?" Zora uttered, in shock.
"Of course not!" the duke replied. "But to tell you the truth. After months and months of pouting and whining... I sort of wish I did."
Aidan shook his head. He was ready to reject the stupid idea when his attention turned towards his wife. She was surprisingly quiet, looking at her long list. "May I talk to the girl? Alone?"
The duke shrugged. "I do not see why not."
The queen from another land, was let into the girl's private quarters. Just like the main hall, it was equally filled with fascinating trinkets. The girl was laying on her bed, turning her pouty face to the side.
"I heard you were having boy problems," Zora said in a friendly tone.
"The only problem I have is that my silver plater is empty," the girl said defiantly.
Zora sighed. "I remember when I was young as you. I used to believe love was this grand adventure. That, when you found the one you loved, everything would fall into place," she said, staring into the wall. "And when I met my perfect man, I was lucky enough to marry him."
The girl, slightly intrigued, turned toward her. "And? What happened?"
The queen sighed again. "Let me tell you something about living with such a man."