Spirits of the Earth

A soft warm breeze blew gently over the trees. It was Autumn and some trees had already started to color to gold or red. The sunlight that reached the soil seemed to dance as the wind made the leaves dance.

At the ruins of a forgotten overgrown castle, a stream gently flowed. Some leftover rocks indicating it once in older times, it had been a hand made canal when this castle stood proudly. And men in shining armor and fine dressed ladies walked here.

The ruins, were as good as empty now. Not even an echo of the glory it once had lingered. Only crumbled stone walls. Half collapsed towers. Stray rocks in the forest and the stream partially guided by the canal. Moss and vines growing over the rocks and between every opening it could find.

In the beams of sunlight that lit the overgrown ruins warmly, there was a woman with black hair and silver eyes. She had tattoos on her leg and lower abdomen, and a wellcurved body. Hidden under actually nothing. The woman was naked and was sitting on the edge of the the canal. Her black silver colored clothes neatly folded next to her. She only had a piece of jewelery on her head and black feathers sticking out of her hair. It was a force of habit. Only when she was alone in the room of a tavern she would take the thing off. Human form or not, where her horn was, always seemed to be a darker spot.

In another part of the peaceful woods, a unicorn sat on his large white haunches, just idly enjoying the calm present everywhere. The sun shone a bright yellow hue on everything its rays touched, and a result it was very warm too. He knelt by a small stream, dipped his head in and began to drink as by the heavens was he thirsty! The water tasted pure and sweet, a magical stream it was and he instantly felt more refreshed and full of joy, as though everything was as it should be and nothing could ever go wrong ever again.

Shaking his light blue mane in the air, water droplets swinging this way and that, Chestnut decided to follow the stream and see where it led. Who knows, he might find something interesting. And so off he went, humming a soft tune under his breath, a song about light, fluffy clouds and unicorns frolicking in fields of green under rainbow-filled skies. He stopped abruptly when up ahead, he saw a fair maiden bathing in the same stream he was following. But this was no ordinary maiden, no, for Chestnut sensed she was more like him. A unicorn shapeshifted into a human form perhaps? Only one way to find out.

Trotting merrily over to where the black-haired woman sat, her clothes sitting by her, he had an idea form in his mind. A purely harmless idea, mind you. Bending down quickly, he picked up her clothes in his mouth and trotted away just as fast, neighing and snorting in amusement as his eyes twinkled in merriment. "Hey fair lady, these here your clothes?"

Tossing them up in the air playfully, he caught them again in his mouth, teeth gripping the soft fabric of them as he continued to dance around, just out of reach, so the maiden would have to walk a ways to try to get her garments back. That is, if she could catch him. His suspicions about her also being a unicorn told him that she could just simply shift back into her natural form and go after him that way. But it would be fun, no matter how she tried to do it.

"Come and get 'em!"

Sicillica looked up. It had been a long time since she had seen one of her kin. Her own herd to be more exact and got on her feet quickly reaching out in an attempt to reclaim her clothes.

''So you disturb a woman during bathing, and you want her to chase you naked?'' she asked and morphed into her true form. ''That is not really gentleman like now is it. Fortunatly I often walk around like this but I'd rather have those back. If you tear them you are responsible for new ones'' never would she set foot near humans, elves, or their settlements in the way she was now. They gave to much drama.

''Fine... I'll play your game.'' she was not really into this but perhaps for a very short while it could be fun. She just hoped this stranger knew when enough was enough.

Not at all surprised when the woman transformed into a black unicorn, Chestnut continued to trot just out of reach while dangling her clothes in his mouth. Neighing and tossing his head up again, he ran around to continue this little game of his.

"Never fear, the lady's clothes are in good hands, er, I should say good teeth." he snickered at this, and continued to prance around. "And I'll have you know I am a perfect gentlemanly unicorn!" Saying all this through clenched teeth as he was trying to both talk and hold the clothes in his chompers at the same time, which was not exactly the easiest thing to do.

''oh come on...'' Sicillica muttered. Rather then hopping around she was more of the running type. She wanted those clothes back, having spent many hours of labor to actually purchase those. ''or is this punishment for bathing in a form unnatural for me...'' when it became easy to predict his moves though she managed to get in front of him and gently took the clothes between her teeth.

And Chestnut let her take the clothes back without a fuss. "You win, fair and square!" he chuckled and snorted. "Say, wasn't that fun, I thought so." Continuing to grin at the other unicorn.

Just then an acorn fell down from a tree right above them, and it plopped Chestnut right in the nose! "Owww!" Looking at the ground, he saw what it was. "If I was a squirrel, I'd eat that."

"The name's Chestnut Sparkle Mister, at your service," he said, bowing as much as a unicorn could bow. "But you can call me Chestnut, all my friends do." Another acorn dropped on his head and he snorted at that. "But perhaps we'd better finish introductions away from attacking acorns." he commented wryly.

''The ruins have ceilings, it is safe to walk around. I've walked around here for already a few days.'' Sicillica said. ''My name is Sicillica. Not sure if I should say pleasure to meet you, since the first thing you did was steal my clothes...'' she morphed back to human form after a simular bow and got herself dressed. From beside the canal she picked up her socks and shoes as well. She did chuckle when the acords dropped on him.

She returned to her unicorn form for the moment when she was down though and laid down in a patch of moss. ''So. Chestnut, where did you get the nickname sparkle mister from I wonder?'' she asked as she looked to his direction and gestured to go where she was.

"Oh c'mon, you need to lighten up a little. I'll have you know I fully intended on giving those back." He grinned at her, before laying down in the mossy patch next to her.

"As for my name....isn't it obvious? I sparkle like the stars!" As if to emphasize that point, he shifted a little in the grass so that a patch of sunlight shone directly on him, making his sparkly nature that much more evident.

Rolling over to face Sicillica, he bent his front legs underneath him to get into a more comfortable position. ''Two small children from several years ago gave me that nickname, and I thought it appropriate too so I kept it." He blew a wayward strand of blue hair out of his eyes, looking up into the sky for just a moment. "They were really great kids." he reminisced fondly.

Looking back at her, Chestnut was drawn to her black coloring and just as darkly-colored mane and horn. "You don't see too many black unicorns from where I'm from." he stated, thinking back to his heavenly home. "Oh sure, they exist, but the color isn't too common. At least not in my home plane." Blue eyes met silver ones for just a moment, before he commented further, "In my home, black is considered to be a lucky color, one of both exotic beauty and the very night itself. Is it the same where you're from?"

Sicillica snorted and laughed. ''Looks like I was born in the wrong  place then. My old herd and humans we grew up beside believed I symbolised misfortune, plague and death. They kicked me out and I've lived on my own since. Because we lived alongside  humans we learned how to morph into one I managed to survive somehow.'' she said while looking at him.

''Cute of those kids. From your side to considering you kept the name.''

Chestnut's eyes widened in surprise. "Now that's just unfortunate. Being kicked out of your own home!" He shook his head at this revelation. Apparently not all unicorns had the same beliefs. Not too terribly surprising he supposed.

"In my home, white is considered to be the most common color, well body color that is. Manes and tails can vary. Blue is the next common color, with black being a rarity. There are a few other colors, but they are extremely rare, even more so than black. Horns are usually either white or silver, but not always."

Chestnut breathed in a breath of fresh air before he continued. "I however, decided to leave my home of my own free will. The mortal world is a fascinating place after all. These woods and a recently built nearby village are pretty much where I stay nowadays."

At the mention of the children, he smiled. "Ah yes. They were a boy and girl named Jack and Jill. They lived in a small cottage with their parents on top of a small hill, near the town well. They always found me to be so fascinating." He chuckled at the memory. "Unicorns were apparently very rare in those parts, so most of the people there viewed me with awe and wonder. I can't say I blame them." he snorted gaily, snickering a bit. "I do make a most spectacular sight!"

''I suppose so.'' Sicillica said. She did think briefly he was a bit full of himself despite everything sounded as if he was jestering. My old herd only had white coats, mane, tail and pearl white or opal white horns. And then, I was born. Daughter of the head stallion. Imagine the fuss it gave my mother. She got of the hook when some old weird tale popped up. An old legend that usually was meant to scare the children of they misbehaved.''

She cleared her throat. ''And when the moon does not light the sky. The stars cower in the shadows and darkness rules the very lands, the Black One appears. Born from those most pure. Taking away all the joy and happiness. Death and decay shall befall on those tempted by darkness and roam the world undead. Rotting away the crops and poison all the water they touch..'' she spoke an an overly exagerated voice. She sighed. It had saddened her a long time. Maybe somewhere it still did. But living on her own had its benefits.

Chestnut snorted at this. "That is a little on the over-dramatic side of things." He paused a second. "And even if there is such a dark unicorn, you are not the one the tale speaks of. I can tell that much, despite the fact that we have only just met."

The unicorn thought back on some of his own kin's various legends and tales. One of them surfaced then at that moment, and he felt the need to share it.

"Once upon a time,
There existed a unicorn so pure of both heart and soul,
That she rivaled all others of her kind everywhere unicorns were found.
This unicorn was also the greatest beauty there ever was.
Coat, mane and tail of the purest silver, horn of the brightest white.
Clearly she had been blessed by all the forces of light and goodness,
And was destined to accomplish great deeds in this life and many lifetimes thereafter.
And for some time she was, a beacon of light in the dark when there was none,
A shoulder to cry on when all hope had been lost.
The greatest friend one could ever have,
Her compassion knew no bounds.
One fateful night, that all changed.
The unicorn, her name being Stardust, came upon a lost and weary soul,
One who had been lost to darkness and despair.
A darkness he could never escape from no matter how much he tried.
This man was a vile sort, seeking to destroy everything pure and good,
In order to fill the empty void in his soul.
Even to this day no one knows what had happened to him to make him so.
Stardust took instant pity on him and tried everything she could to help.
But it didn't work.
Even worse the man dragged her down with him into the choking darkness.
He set a trap for her one day, and ensnared her, then cut off her horn.
But not before he tortured her for many days and many nights.
When her horn was taken from her, she died instantly.
When others found out about Stardust's death by the hands of this evil and cruel man,
There was much sorrow and grieving.
Everyone knew that such a tragedy was a major loss to their kind,
For no one like Stardust had ever been born since then.
Legend has it that she is unable to reincarnate into a new body,
Drowned by whatever dark tortures the man had inflicted upon her heart, soul and body.
It is thought that she wanders the spirit mists out of the bounds of time itself,
Lost, alone and lacking the beauty and purity that she once possessed.
A terrifying wraith of a beast had taken her place,
And with it the sweetness and joy of Stardust was gone forever
In the minds and hearts of all those who knew her and called her friend.
A void which can never be refilled ever again,
For Stardust had been no ordinary unicorn.
The compassion which made her who she was
Became the very thing which took her life.
The man was never found and heard from ever again.
To this day, we all mourn the loss of Stardust, the greatest unicorn there ever was.
For there will never be another like her in all the ages of this world and beyond."

Chestnut was temporarily saddened by this recollection, also wondering why he didn't choose a less depressing tale to share. "That obviously isn't one of the happier stories." he remarked dryly.

Sicillica did not know this story but she did shed a few times. ''Darnit..'' she muttered and shook her head.

''Let me not find that man...'' she muttered. It were no words of hate or vengeance though.

She was thinking of something cheerful. Well. She had one but wether it was cheerful or not she was not sure.

''A woman once told me a story about some cats.
Not to long ago, in a witches lair, kittens were born.
Witch cats. All having black fur and green eyes. All, but one.
One had blue eyes and white paws.
But that remained unknown until the kittens put the first steps outside of the cave.
His siblings bullied him. Saying he would never be a witch's cat.
The kitten answered that he did not wanted to be a witch's cat, but a farmers cat. Drinking warm milk, killing mice and be petted until sleeping.
His siblings laughed which saddened the kitten. Only one, his sister Charcoal was nice to him.

As they grew older, the cats learned magic. But the one with the green eyes, was not as good as his siblings were. Even his mother started to cast him out more and more.
When the kittens were old enough, the witch put all of the kittens in a bag. They would be given to young witches whom would graduate from their apprenticehood. But nobody wanted to have the kitten with the blue eyes and white paws.

-"I suppose I need to bring you home with me again then.''- the witch said and flew back home on her broom.
The next morning, the witch and mothercat were gone. It frightened the kitten at first. What if they would never come back? Then a thought struck him; if they would not come back, he would not have to become a Witchcat either. He cleaned his fur and left.

As he walked beside the river, he realised how hungry he was. The fish that swam in the water looked yummy and he tried to catch one. Only to lose his balance and fell in the water. The river dragged him along the stream until two children used a branch to get him out. They did not know though, him being a witchescat allowed him to be able to swim.

The children praised him and asked where he came from. Of course, he did not reply. They called him stray and brought him with them to the farm they lived on.
Their mother dried him with a towel and gave him hot milk.

The children loved the few magic tricks he could. Like letting stars come from his whiskers or turn himself invisable. The farmer and his wife did not comment on it but did not dislike him for it either. Everything went well until a few days later in the darkness of the night, a leprecaun showed up.

He entered the house and turned everything upside down. Making it a mess. Writing on the floor he was a witchescat.

The next morning the farmer and his wife got downstairs and saw the mess and the writing. The man threatened to drown Stray but he quickly fled. Thinking that being a farmer's cat was perhaps not meant for him after all.

He tried a few more farms. All of them sending him away. He eventually reached the docks at the sea. He was hungry and saw something moving in the ropes. A mouse. He cought and ate it.
-''Well done''-  Stray heard a voice and saw a sailor.
-''There are a lot of mice on the ship. Would you like to be our shipcat?''- he asked.

Stray miauwed. Finally. Someone who was nice to him again. He followed the sailor on the ship.

After a few weeks, a storm reigned the seas and almost a wave swept Stray from the deck. He thought to himself, that maybe being a shipcat was not meant for him after all.

The next morning, it was still raining heavily. And then Stray realised something. Still in theory being a witches cat he could hear the chanting of one. 'I am the evil seawitch who says, the ship will end on the oceanfloor. Drown they drown they will. Do death with them all'

He had learned how to reverse witches spells ands he climbed up and up the ropes. He had to be close enough.

- ''Mistress! Mistress!'' he called out to the witch. My name is Stray. I am a witchescat. Please take me with you, I do not want to drown!''-  he called hoping it would lure the witch closer.

- ''You are a witches cat? How did you end up on board?''- the witch asked.

- They took me on board and I can't escape. And I am afraid to swim. The sea is so deep and the waves so strong!''-

- ''Very well I will get down.''-  the witch said. But when she was close, Stray spoke a spell causing the winds to take her far, far away. The storm laid down.

The sailors became quiet. They had heard him and knowing Stray was actually a witchescat made them fearfull of him despite knowing he had saved their lives.

A few days later the captain knelt down beside him and gently patted the cat. ''We all know you saved us but it is bad luck having a witchescat on board. You can not stay with us. We are almost back home. I will bring you to the docks.''

With a rowboat the captain brought Stray to the docks, thanked him once more and headed back. Stray did not look back. Afraid he was going to cry.

-''I need to find another home.''- he thought bravely and continued his search.

After a few weeks he was exhausted and fell asleep beside the road. But woke up when he felt someone picking him up and put him in a bag. When he was taken out, he realised he was in a witches home and saw Charcoal who shared her meal with him and showed him new magic tricks. When she asked what he could do, the witch snorted.
-''He? He can only turn invisable and conjure stars from his whiskers''-

-''So what''-  Stray said. -'' I do not want to be a kitchencat, I want to be a farmerscat''-

-''You ungratefull rat. Farmerscat? You do not deserve to be a witches cat.''-
The witch grabbed Stray and threw him in the kettle. Stray felt his magic slipping away and when he thought that it was over for him, his sister intervened. Throwing over the kettle and grabbed the broom of her owner. Pulled him on and flew off with him.

Stray thanked his sister who said not to mention it and together they jumped off the broom. Both landing in the river. Stray realised his sister could not swim anymore either. The contends of the kettle had taken away her powers too.

Both miauwed and when all hope seemed lost the two were taken from the water bu a few children. Stray regocnised them as the farmers children.
Their father was right behind them.
-''Look father the witchescat almost drowned and look he has a sister''-

- ''Witchescats do not drown, these are ordinairy cats''-  the man said.

-''Does that mean we can keep them?''-  the children asked to which the man nodded.

After being dried up and being fed warm milk, the two siblings crawled against one another, tired. ''You know, Stray? Being a farmers cat. I think am going to like it'' she whiserped. And the two fell asleep.''

This conluded the story. ''Sorry... it was a bit long wasn't it...'' Sicillica asked.

Chestnut thought about the story Sicillica had just shared. "It is a very nice tale about friendship and belonging. Almost makes me want a cat companion." he chuckled, then looked to Sicillica again. "I have another story, this one much more cheerful with a more satisfactory ending. I'm sure you must have heard it before, as just about all unicorns have their own version of it to pass down to their children. This is my kin's particular version of the tale."

With that, he cleared his throat loudly, albeit a very exaggerated throat clearing it was, which just might make the other unicorn roll her eyes if she was so inclined. Chestnut did love to put on a show.

"Among the unicorn elders of old,
There once lived a great warrior unicorn named Divinity, whose horn was of the purest gold.
Divinity was brave and fearless, and had immense skill with not only divine magics,
But also the longsword as he could take on a human form.
His longsword was known as the legendary "Longsword of Kings'',
And Divinity wielded it like no other unicorn could.
One day a meeting was called for all able unicorn warriors to attend.
A great enemy had been sighted on the horizon, leading a massive army of black knights.
These knights were called the 'Black Death Warriors', their leader being the most powerful of them all.
Divinity himself led the unicorns who were to battle these black knights
And purge this evil from their lands.
And so a great battle was fought, one that shook the very foundations of heaven and earth itself.
Divinity, like all his warriors fought bravely and fiercely,
Managing to drive off or kill most of the invaders.
He himself took on the challenge of confronting their leader, the infamous 'Dread Dominator'.
Wielding both his longsword of kings and calling upon his divine magics,
He was able to slay this mighty foe, felling him where he stood.
However, Divinity suffered a fatal wound and would not survive for much longer.
He looked around the battlefield as he lay there during his last moments,
Many of his warriors dead or dying around him with many more of the enemy also dead,
And thought to himself, 'This is it. We've won, finally.'
As his life continued to slip away, he received a visit from the Goddess of Unicorns herself, Epona.
She appeared to him in all her glory, and said to him,
''Divinity, you have fought bravely and with great honor.
You have saved your brethren from many terrors untold.
And for that, you shall be exalted amongst the stars for your sacrifice for all time.
Go forth peacefully now, Divinity, Great Warrior of Unicorn Kind,
You shall ever be remembered from this day forward.''
And so as the warrior unicorn took his last breaths,
He passed on and indeed became ascended among the stars of the heavens.
The Constellation of Divinity shines to this very day,
A bright and welcoming sight for all our kin.
Sometimes, when the stars align, this constellation can be seen at its brightest,
Providing hope and determination to all unicorns everywhere.
Many unicorns would pray to the Constellation of Divinity
Whenever they needed a boost in matters of courage or warfare,
And they were emboldened by this act of reverence each time.
Divinity's legacy would live on in the stars,
A mighty paragon of unicorn kind he was.
To this day, the Constellation of Divinity shines ever brightly,
A reminder to all that evil can be bested,
And many lives saved,
And that strength lies in the heart of each unicorn everywhere.
Divinity watches over us all,
And with it, our kind shall always prevail with whatever is thrown at us.
Good shall triumph over evil, and all will be well.
Divinity, our savior, shall live on forevermore."

Finishing the tale, Chestnut grinned then. "A much happier story, yes? What version of it do you remember?" He stretched out his legs, all four of them at that moment, pastel blue hair draped over his back with tail splayed out behind him, looking very much like a unicorn rug then. It looked pretty silly.

Sicillica thought for a moment. ''I know a version he initially survived but traded his life by giving a breath of life to a girl who fell in the battle. It was the Godess in disguise and she blessed him by letting him ascend to the stars, having passed the test of nobility...'' she replied.

It had been a while since she heard the story. She looked at him and giggled. ''Be carefull. The ghosts from this castle might think you're a stuffed carpet''

"Ah, never fear, good lady unicorn. If any ghosts try to bother us, I'll protect you from them. Chestnut Sparkle Mister is both a gentleman and a fierce opponent!" Saying all this as he flopped over on his back, legs sticking up, just chilling out and enjoying the nice day around them.

"Honest!" Chestnut stated in a sincere yet teasing tone, before sneezing as some of his hair got in the way of his nose. "Achoo!"

''No idea how you find rolloing over like that comfortable...'' Sicillica said and considered morphing for a moment. Something she in the end did not do; it was not often she could be like this, in the presence of someone else.''

She was way younger then Chestnut and it was clear by now she certainly had not experienced as much fun as he had. It did not mean she was not open for it though, she could laugh about his jestering.

''Bless you.'' she said after he sneezed and moved towards him very gently removing the manes from his nose by simply using her lips. ''better?'' she asked.

"Much better now!" he quipped chirpily. "As for my position, it is quite comfortable, just have to watch for those pesky stray pebbles and that I don't sit right on top of an ant hill. Which I will tell you, don't ever do that, my rear end itched for days afterward!" Chestnut both chuckled and grimaced at the memory.

The male unicorn lay there for just a few moments longer, enjoying the sun and fresh air before he got up on all fours again. "Let's go explore those ruins, shall we?"

Sicillica laughed and stood up. She could totally imagine the events with the anthill and its inhabitants.

''We could, sure. I just hope they are stable enough... then again. Would they not be I suppose I could reinforce them.'' This time, she did morph. The ruins were not very big. Fitting two unicorns in would most likely be a bad idea. For both the pressure on what remained of this once glorious place andn ot being in one anothers way.

''So Chestnut. How old are you?'' Sicillica asked.

"Oh, I'm anciiiiient, don'tcha know? Almost an elder, really." Actually Chestnut wasn't entirely sure just how old he was. He had kinda lost track after the Fall of Fell, if he was going to be honest with himself. The years since then had both trickled by and flew like the very wind itself.

"Actually, I don't really know. Age after all is nothing but a number, right?" The blue and white unicorn grinned at the black one, his eyes twinkling in a mischievous light.

"Say, I'll race ya to the ruins! Last one there is a rotten mushroom!" he called out behind him, already running to the broken-down fortress. He soon entered the dilapidated and crumbling castle ruins, blue mane and tail fast disappearing around a corner.

''At least give it a honest start!'' Sicillica pouted. She was faster in this form them humans were but would certainly not match that of Chestnut. ''Just be careful where you walk!'' she said and started running too. How on earth did she get involved with this fourlegs with a personality that seemed in many ways opposite of her own.

Her own family were very serious people usually as well. So most likely it was just due to that.

A lot later then Chestnut she reached the ruins. ''Rotten mushroom huh... I do suppose it is a name I had not slung at my head before.''

However, Chestnut was nowhere to be found. If Sicillica were to look closely at the northern most crumbling pillar off to the right, she might see a horse-shaped shadow emanating from behind it, no doubt cast by a certain unicorn in hiding.

Chestnut did his best to remain quiet, trying not to chuckle and give himself away. The shadow moved only a tad as he shifted his weight, waiting to jump out whenever she would come on by. Just a little prank on his part, nothing more.

Sicillica sighed. ''You say you are ancient but you act like a fowl...'' she pouted. Not just that, having fun was not really something she was an expert yet. She did not see the shadow either. After all she did not know what to look for.

She did saw a shadow move but it could be the wind moving something. She closed her eyes instead and focussed. Where the wind blew, plants grew and... ahh there he was.'' she picked up a flower and when close enough threw it towards Chestnut. ''Found you''

Catching the flower in his mouth, Chestnut grinned. "Aw, you cheated!" he whined, but in good humor no less.

Looking at the flower he held Chestnut saw it was a violet, a most beautiful one at that. "May I present to the fair lady a most gorrrrrrgeous flower?" he stated, purposefully drawing out the 'r' in the word 'gorgeous'. "It is a fine sight, just like you yourself." Grinning a most goofy grin at Sicillica whilst holding out the flower for her to take in teeth of gleaming white.

She felt her cheeks redden. Never before did a unicorn tell her she looked nice. Or they did and let it be  followed by the words 'Pity that she is a black unicorn though'.

''Well thank you kind sir.'' Sicillica said as she accepted the flower with a bow. She did not keep the flower though. Instead she let it regrow it's roots and made sure the flower would live long and beautifully.

She started to walk towards the entrance of the collapsed castle. ''Want to go in further?''

"By all means." Chestnut bowed his head to the ground in a gentlemanly way. "Ladies first."

As he waited for Sicillica to take the lead, he looked around the ruins and admired their craftsmanship, even as dilapidated and time-worn as they were. Surely this must have once been a grand castle in ages past. A time even before Chestnut himself had been born, or at the very least before he came to the mortal realm from his divine home in the heavens.

At the front, there were the remains of a drawbridge, no doubt also fantastic during its days of glory, heralding newcomers and inhabitants alike within its grand halls of wonder. Peering closer, he saw the rusted remnants of a armored statue, now reduced to nothing but a pile of debris and tarnished metal. It was kind of a surreal feeling that swept through him then, gazing about at all the fallen grandeur around him and the other unicorn.

Sicillica stoped when they reached a point the floor was open. Below where the floor was open parts of the basement and even the dungeons were visable. The black unicorn knelt down and placed her hands on the cold mossy pavement. Thick sturdy vines started to grow and started to form bridges.

''There we go.'' she said with a smile. ''Do not worry. They will hold you just fine.'' she said as she took a few steps on the vinebridge and jumped up and down on it. It did not give way at all.

Chestnut waited for Sicillica to cross first, before he in turn went on in, the vine bridges indeed holding up as they were of pretty strong magical make. It was a bit dark in the ruins so he allowed his horn to act as a light source for them to see by, the white light illuminating everything within ten feet with a bright glow.

"I thank you for the sturdy bridge, good madam." He said, saluting her with his horn in a flourish of dancing white, shadows being cast about as he moved it. Peering ahead, he gazed into the interior of the castle. "Let's see what great wonders await, shall we?" And off he went to go check it out, but not getting too far ahead of Sicillica either.

''Plantgrow magic at it's finest'' Sicillica said with a chuckle. ''I can basicly grow every plant that has ever lived. Although I shall refrain from growing enormous hostile venus fly traps... they did not really catch flies when they were bigger.'' she looked around with a smile. Despite she had been at these ruins for already a few days she had not actually entered them.

''Do you think there would be a treasure room in a place like this?'' she asked after spotting a few skeletons in decayed clothes.

"I should think so! Grand castle this once was and all..." Chestnut looked around some more, the tapestries on the walls nothing more than rotted rags of mildew and decay now.

"The real question is, is there any treasure left here or did bandits and treasure hunters get to it first?"

A crumbling set of stairs wove its way upward some several yards away from them, many of the steps broken or simply not there anymore. Getting closer, Chestnut eyed these stairs with a frown. Unless Sicillica used her magic again, he didn't think they would be safe enough to climb. Especially not for a handsome steed like him.

''I got it.'' she assured making more steady vines grow. After leaving though she'd have to make sure these vines would stay. They had wovem themselves in the stone for support after all and removing them now would most likely tear whatever was over of this castle.

''Seeing the amount of bones I'd dare to say people either turned on eachother or starved to death before getting out.''

She fixed the stairs too on each step. Reinforcing the rock and giving good ground for Chestnot to stand on so he would not slip.

''Although treasure rooms were usually below right?''

"I think you may be right." Chestnut eyed all the corpses and bones lying around, complete with rotted weapons. "Makes you wonder just what happened here."

Trotting up the stairs now with the steady growth in place, Chestnut didn't pause in his stride. "Let's see what's up here first, yes?"

The stairs continued up for some time, around and around they went, the darkness being lit up by the light of Chestnut's horn. "Stairs...gotta love 'em." he jested playfully.

''Ahw.. want my vines to lift you up?'' Sicillica asked with a teasing voice. Her steps were certain but could imagine it was not pleasant for Chestnut to be walking here.

''As for what happened here. Do thieves not often work together despite being strangers? One or more do not hold up the end of the bargain and mistrust grows as the goal gets closer. Blinding them from the realisation they need one another to pass through the ruins?'' there had not been new bodies and she was not suprised. Barely a soul came here. She stumbled on this place on accident really.

''So Chestnut what things interest you? Or what things would you like to do?''

Chuckling at her vine-lifting comment, yet looking a bit uncertain at that all the same, Chestnut harrumphed in response. "Can those vines of yours carry my full majestic greatness?" he teased.

"As I do not get involved with the likes of thieves and all their friends, I wouldn't really know. They all seem to be a rather greedy, cut-throat bunch. With a few exceptions." he quickly added in, not wanting to sound prejudiced. "Although there have been tales of some of my kin falling to temptation and whatnot. I suppose the shine of jewels is indeed a hypnotizing sight." he surmised.

They continued on up the stairs, still no end in sight. Although it was rather slow going for those of the four-legged variety who could not morph into a bipedal form. "Do these stairs ever end?" he whined, a slight whinny to his voice.

"I like many things. As you've probably noticed, I am rather a fun-loving steed. Jokes and pranks are a specialty of mine." Chestnut chortled a little at this, remembering some good ol' times he had had. "Good times, good times..."

''I could learn some from you then. Fun was not exactly a big part of my life. Or any part really.'' Sicillica replied. They did eventually reached the end. There were no bodies here and through the mossy glassless windows light casted its light in the tower. The wooden floorboards were rotten so she simply made vines to make sure they would not fall through. ''I am sure that my vines can carry your full magneficent self. Maybe I am a little magnificent too.'' Sicillica teased.

The room had been undisturbed for a long time. The remains of the tables and silver plates, cutlery and fine detailed silver goblets were laying about as the table had collapsed over the years. Remarkably a part of it was still standing. The tablecloth was one rotten rag though.

'''How did... this castle come to an end. Left behind? At the least the persons could've brought the silverware along...'' she said pondering.

"Now that's a downright shame. No fun in your life? Hmph." Chestnut sighed in relief as the top of the stairs came into view then. "It's never too late though to change your ways." he commented, a note of faith and certainty lacing his words.

As the plant growth steadily and sturdily covered the floor, he chuckled at her comment. "Well, then we can be magnificent together then."

Taking a look at the partially collapsed table with silver dishes and eating utensils on them, ghostly remnants of a once great feast that had taken place here long ago, he frowned a bit in confusion. "Indeed, they could have taken some of this stuff with them. Why they didn't, who knows?"

Wilted flowers caught his eye then, obviously once having been part of an extravagant garland at one time, now reduced to nothing more than faded colors and moss. He recognized the flower remnants as being a type of Star Glory, their red, yellow and white hues still somewhat evident after all this time, being that this particular flower was a rare magical type not often seen much nowadays. It was purported to have extreme longevity, passing many a test of time. However it seemed even its long life was not enough to last forever. All things that were not truly immortal eventually came to an end. It had been quite some time since Chestnut had seen some of these flowers. They were common enough in his home plane though.

Picking up the garland in his mouth, he draped it over his head and grinned at Sicillica. "Now I am that much more awesome, yes?"

''Moment.'' The black unicorn touched the flowers slowly but surely giving them new life. ''If we plant them somewhere perhaps they can continue to bloom rather then having been plucked for a temporary goal. As for me and fun...  I could try. You do not happen to know a place what accepts black unicorns though do you other then your home. Then again...'' she wondered if she would be ever able to actually live among her kin.

''Your... herd or group you were born into... do they 'adopt'?'' she asked. A blush of embarresment was on her cheeks. She was used to live alone and she was used to it but she did always miss something. If what he said was true, black unicorns being accepted in the part he grew up perhaps she could come there from time to time.

She stepped away and smiled. ''Perfect'' she said with a wink. You are even extra fabulous now'' she dared to smile and giggle.

Chestnut tossed his head about playfully and with much silliness, as he donned his new and improved flower crown. "Yes, faaaabulous indeed! Now we just need to find you one." He began looking around for another garland and soon enough he found one, gently draping it over Sicillica's head.

At her question about the acceptance of black unicorns in his home and of adoption, Chestnut smiled and answered. "Some do, yes. My uncle Cillian in particular has a fondness for accepting new folk into his family." The blue and white unicorn chuckled as he recalled all the little ones he had adopted, being that his uncle had never settled down with a female unicorn ever in the time that Chestnut had known him, much less been at home. He supposed things could have changed since then, as it had been many centuries since he last visited. Chestnut had found the mortal realm to be quite charming and lovely, with the exception of that one past battle, so he felt the need to stay for as long as he wanted. He did plan one of these days to return though, but he himself didn't know exactly when that would be.

"I haven't really visited other unicorn realms that much, so I cannot tell you much about their customs and beliefs. Perhaps there are places in this world that would be accepting, just gotta look around I say."

A painting caught his eye then, although much of the paint was chipped and worn away, the unicorn was still able to more or less tell what it depicted. The caption underneath it was also worn, but he was able to make out the words "King Arnaldo The Third, of the Beryl family line." he read carefully. "Huh, who do you suppose that could've been?"

''Maybe I should visit yours.'' Sicillica said. ''I won't mind being part of a herd again and I would like some more positive experience with my fellow kin.''

She sneezed when the garland was on her head though due to the dust. She returned the flowers to their full blooming glory too.'

''No idea. King Arnaldo The Third appearantly and... from the something something family?'' she asked. ''Regarding human history of rulers I sort of did not catch up. She tapped the silverware with her boot. ''Do you think there is any use for this? It is kind of a waste don't you think?''

"I would love it if you came to visit sometime. Although it's been a long while since the great and mighty Chestnut has been home." he teased again. "But of course, I would be welcomed back like any other of our kindred. You as well would be welcomed too. After all I did say black unicorns in my home are something of a rare treat."

When Sicillica sneezed due to the large collection of dust particles, Chestnut grinned. "Them dust bunnies are vicious critters, are they not?" Then he also sneezed as well when some of the dust got up his nose. "I stand as said." he commented wryly.

Glancing at all the silverware and plates, he nudged at one of them with his big furry nose. "I don't see why not. Leaving them here is indeed a waste. I'm sure people would find some use for these, even as ancient as they are." Blowing some dust off one of the plates, he grinned cheekily at his reflection. "They definitely make for some fine mirrors, despite all the rust on them."

''Not sure if it is true but is there not a party in this woods every once every while? Maybe they can use these. Or sell them and use the money to fund the party with?''

She picked one up and looked at it. Her other hand automaticly tracing to the jewel that concealed the mark where her horn was in her other form.

''When you go home perhaps I could come with. Not just for family. I hope to someday have a family of my own. Or does that sound strange.'' she giggled though afterwards. ''If they are as fabulous as you I certainly would give birth to fabulous children.'' she jestered

"Now that's an idea! Yes, I think that would be great! Uh huh." Chestnut bobbed his head up and down in approval.

"Yes, I think that the arch-druid there would be very grateful for all the silver dishware. In fact, I heard rumors of another one going to happen within the following month in the Meeting Place. The eastern part of it, if my memory serves me right. The two of us can go together!" He beamed a toothy, joyful grin at her.

At her other comment, he chuckled. "Kids, huh? They can be a mighty hoof-full I warn ya! Reminds me of Chelsie and Canton, the terrible two!" And were those young blue unicorn twins ever trying to deal with. Chestnut shuddered in remembrance of one of their pranks they had pulled on him. They had managed to give him a hair cut, albeit a really awful one, with a blade Canton had found one day, and with Chelsie using her levitation powers had trimmed off all of his hair just about! While he was taking a nap no less!

"It took forreeeeeever for my poor, beautiful mane and tail to grow back to its proper magnificence!" He shuddered again, remembering the horrid buzz cut. And of course, the two fowls' laughter his way. "Never again..." he muttered, but with the hint of a smile on his face too. After the shock of it had passed, it had been rather funny.

Sicillica laughed. ''Pranks are a part of being young. I am sure you have a fair share of pranks on your name too Mister Sparkles.'' she said and looked at the plates.

''Going there together? Do you... think i can handle that?'' she asked as she started to pick up the plates. She did wonder though how on earth they were supposed to bring it all with them. Silver was not light in weight. And of course there could be a lot more hidden in the castle. Then again this tower had been half collapsed and only had been made accesible for them due to her vines.

"You bet your tail I do! I did eventually get back at them."

Chestnut chuckled as he thought of his own prank upon the children. He had put a grasshopper on each of their heads while they too had been taking a nap. And those kids did not like those green bugs. After all the loud whinnying and bucking about had ensued as they tried to get it off of them, Chestnut himself had been rolling around in the grass, utterly in stitches over the whole thing. It was safe to say the terrible two had quit their pranks on him after that. At least for a little while.

"Sure! You must come to the party, it'll be great fun, I promise! After all, no one likes a party pooper!" he sniggered. Regarding the plates Chestnut said, "I can hold one or two plates in my mouth, but I think we'd be better off just telling them where to find this stuff."

''A party pooper?'' Sicillica said although she was not sure wether being at a party would make her comfortable.

''I just... am usually not doing to well around a lot of people. So protect me would you?... if I go?'' she asked. ''As for the plates, we could. The vines will hold. Want to check the rest of these ruins or do you wish to go to the arch-druid now and tell him about this.''

"Don't worry, the great and valiant Chestnut will protect the beautiful black unicorn lady from any and all harm! But really, you should relaaaax, chill out, have some fun! And Vanilla Spice!"

Chestnut sincerely hoped this upcoming celebration would include the fabled sweet drink, as they didn't have it the last time he went, much to his great disappointment. So he got drunk on ale instead, although it wasn't quite the same. Regardless, shenanigans as always would ensue and he would partake of it as usual. Even better if Sicillica was there too.

It only took a mere split-second to make up his mind about her next question. "I say we explore some more. Uncharted territory in who knows how long is exciting after all! The dishes and silverware can wait."

The unicorn trotted over to the doorway of what had once been a grand dining hall, eager to see what lay beyond it. "You coming?" He asked, looking back at her.

Sicillica giggled and lead the way. The vines at the least were still holding strong. ''If you wanted to be lifted down do let me know'' she spoke. For her after all the walking was a lot easier.

Remarkably a lot of the castle was able to be reached with the vines reinforcing the structures and repairing the floors. She needed to be careful though not to get to tired. Not that the vines would then lose their strength but in cease they would actually really need it. Most rooms where ages ago the servants slept were to collapsed to even enter. But they ended up in a large room with a massive hardwooden now rotten bed. ''I think we reached the royal bedroom...'' she said as she looked around. A very large painting what had been torn and decayed over the time hang on the wall. It revealed a man and a lady, and a young child though.

"After you, milady." Chestnut swooped his head down as Sicillica passed him by, leading the way. "Nah, do not worry about the great and mighty Chestnut! Besides, using too much magic can be tiring."

As all unicorns possessed some amount of magic in them, Chestnut knew this well enough. His only real magic though was in his horn as he couldn't cast spells nor did he have any interesting abilities other than what his horn gave him. All unicorns were different in that regard, in terms of what powers and abilities they each possessed.

Upon entering the royal bedroom, Chestnut admired all the red and purple coloring evident, even if it was moldy and rotting. Some of it was more brown than red or purple though. Trotting over to the painting, he recognized the same man as in the other painting. "That is the same man as in the other one, King Arnaldo the Third."

Inspecting it some more, he commented again, "That has to be his wife and son too." The woman was lovely and regal as many Queens were, with hair pulled back by a sparkling crown of silver whereas the man wore one of gold. Royal garb with the ancient kingdom's insignia adorned the rich fabrics of their clothing, and the small child, a young boy of no more than ten human years, also wore expensive clothing. The faces stared back at Chestnut, stern and intelligent, as though the painting was a window into time and the past itself. In some way it was.

"Still don't know who they could have been."

''It's a shame really... despite even having paintings of themselves and once a grand castle... it seems everyone has forgotten about them.'' she wondered if there were any descendants alive. If so, they were basicly the ones who had the right to all of this stuff.

She opened a drawer and saw it was filled with expensive jewels. One drawer for the queen and one for the king. She took a silver tiara themed crown with blue jewels. It was beautifully crafted. She put it on her head and placed the crown that belonged to the king on Chestnut's head. ''There we go. King Chestnut the fabulous and Queen Sicillica the... hmm how should I call myself other then Sicillica...'' she wondered. It was not like she had many positive nicknames after all.

When the crowns were placed upon their heads, Chestnut pranced around a little, admiring the beautiful shine of it all. The crown he wore was gold-themed with majestic red rubies encrusted into the top and bottom of it.

"Indeed, King Chestnut, the Fabulous and Queen Sicillica, the Beauty of Night's Embrace. Quite fitting really, just like these crowns. So comfy really. Who'd have thought?"

The insides of the royal headgear were indeed comfy, inlaid with soft velvet around the bases of them, but crafted just so that it wasn't visible on the outsides. Inside the king's drawer lay a grand scepter, also encrusted with jewels aplenty. The top of it bore a gigantic blue diamond on it. Chestnut whistled at this, awestruck. Even he was impressed by the sheer value of it as blue diamonds were pretty dang rare. Poking his head over to the queen's drawer, he looked to see if there was something similar there.

Sicillica got red cheeks. ''B-beauty of nights embrace?...'' she said half stuttering. Although she then told to herself to take the compliment. It was after all not a bad thing to be said to a person.

There was a scepter and another artifact although they were more for ceremonial use such as actually becoming queen.

''I think if the archdruid would have all this he wont have any trouble funding those parties. But then again... plates, cups and cutlery is one thing this is something completely different don't you think?'' she wodnered if they were actually now not disrespecting these people by looking through their stuff. Sure it had been untouched for the Gods knew how long and nobody would miss it. But was this alright? Then again. It all lay here decaying in the moist air, in the drawers. Craftmanship like this would be a waste to lay here to decay.

"But of course! Queen Sicillica, Beauty of Night's Embrace! Rather rolls off the tongue, don't you think? And besides, the title is definitely fit for a queen!"

When she voiced her concerns, Chestnut frowned a bit. "The arch-druid could most definitely benefit from all the silver dishware. But I think you're right about the rest. But it does seem an awful waste just to let it sit here though."

Brightening again as he thought of something, Chestnut continued. "However there might some organizations that collect and preserve such stuff for all to see. They could take this stuff and showcase it for the general public! However, I don't know of any though. At least not around here." The frown returned again, Chestnut's mouth a thin line of disappointment as he speculated.

''Maybe the archdruid knows some people. I think with those parties he will meet plenty.'' Sicillica replied. ''As for the title, alright. Beauty of Night's Embrace it is.'' she said with a giggle and placed the crowns back.

''Come there is plenty more to see for sure!'' she smiled and perhaps even radiated a bit more as she started to learn the aspacts of fun slowly.

''Next place. Quest for finding the treasure room maybe?''

"We'll ask him then for sure." Chestnut agreed, following her out of the chamber.

"Treasure room, eh? This unicorn's up for treasure room questing any time!" Half-jesting, half-serious he was, as it would be a sight to see for certain. While it was unlikely for bandits to have looted it all, there was that possibility though. Chestnut supposed they would find out if they kept looking.

Walking along the corridor before turning a corner, a thought occurred to him then. "You said this place was haunted. I have yet to see anything fishy though. Perhaps the ghosts are on their best behavior with us around?" he jested again.

The clanking of a chain was heard then.

Chestnut stopped in surprise. "Did you hear that?" he asked Sicillica.

''The place being haunted was a joke actually...'' Sicillica admitted although wondered if she maybe had been right after all. Then again. This place had been abandoned for a long time and even spirits at some point left.

''Maybe the vines stirred up something?'' she said as she made her way down. She felt no evil presences though. So would it be a ghost then at the least it would be a friendly one. She hoped.

"Of course it was a joke, haha." Chestnut nervously chuckled, looking uncertain.

The clanking was heard again then, followed by the sound of a loud crash!

Chestnut looked to Sicillica, then strained his ears trying to determine where the sound had come from. "I think it came from over there." he pointed his head to a door further on down the hall.

Now to see whether it was a ghost or not... Chestnut wasn't necessarily afraid of ghosts, but he hoped it wasn't one all the same.

Despite not afraid of ghosts, not knowing what was at the other side kind of unnerved the black unicorn. But still. There was one way to find out. She went towards the door and placed her hand against it.

''Y-you know, normally it is the man going first...'' she whispered before closing her eyes briefly before opening the rotten wooden door with rusty metal strips open quickly. ''Who goes there?!'' she called.

Trotting quickly over as well, Chestnut poked his head inside to have a look. As the dust settled, the yellow light streaming in from outside a broken and cracked window soon revealed the source of all the clatter.

An armor stand that once had held a suit of chainmail armor on it, now rotted and decayed with moss and mildew galore on it, had fallen to the ground. Some of the loose chains and metal pieces had come off further as it crashed to the vine-covered floor. But there amid the pile of metal and rubble, sat an inquisitive, hungry squirrel staring at them with wide eyes, chittering before it scampered away to try to collect some acorns scattered about in two different corners, some of them near the armor stand.

Looking outside would reveal a tall tree, its long branches reaching into the room like gnarled primitive fingers, its growth obviously having stretched all the way into the castle room itself due to neglect over the many centuries of not being pruned by the castle inhabitants who once dwelled here. That had to be how the squirrel had gotten in, no doubt about that.

Chestnut chuckled in relief at this, as it t'was only a squirrel seeking food. "Silly little furry guy." he shook his head in amusement, watching as the woodland creature continued scampering about gathering up what it could before making a hasty exit back out the window, its treasure firmly in its mouth.

''It always amazes me how it are the little creatures making th most noise.'' Sicillica said and laughed. She was not sure what this room once was. She guessed where the captain of the guards was stationed and giving orders judging by how the room was designed. Whatever it was, little to nothing was left and Sicillica headed out.

''Alright. Let's see what is below. You are not scared are you?'' Sicillica teased.

"Of course not! I am a fearless and brave unicorn after all! It would take an awful lot to scare one such as I!" Letting out an eep! as a tiny piece of ceiling fell on his head. Glancing up at the ceiling then showed it was only a small amount, but certainly no cause for alarm that the place might cave in on them.

Shaking his head and grinning at his own silliness, Chestnut ran after her. "Wait up for me!" Quickly catching up to her as his speed was pretty commendable. "Let's see what other adventures await the intrepid duo, yeah?"

Sicillica giggled. ''Don't worry I know you are brave.'' She assured.

The way down was a bit tricker and there was a lot to fix before it was safe for them to pass through. Vines cleared the hallways from stones and returned them to their original place. She needed a break after that though. The castle started to look like a castle again even though kept together by vines.

After the break she lead the way down. There were dungeons and even cells. With their torture devices. Even mummyfied corpses. But that was not the way they went. Their way ended in front of a closed rusty vault like door.

"You got that right!" Chestnut lifted his head up high, while trotting along in style. Unicorn style mind you. He waited patiently as they took a break, making idle chat about this and that.

Continuing on, making their way into the dungeons below, Chestnut eyed all the torture devices with a disturbed look on his face. "A dreary place, mind you." he commented, uneasy. "Definitely not a place to stop at and have a cup of relaxing tea."

He said this as he eyed some kind of spiky enclosed contraption, in which the victim would be placed inside, the door then closed therefore impaling them on the spikes inside of it. The door was partially ajar, a skeleton of a long dead person still inside, its bony jaw opened in horror even now. Eye sockets seemed to stare at the unicorn, begging him to save him from this fate even though Chestnut the valiant unicorn had arrived many centuries too late to do such.

Chestnut shuddered and moved on, but not before he told the skeleton that he was sorry even though there would be no response. "Poor chap." the unicorn muttered, eyes sad before lighting up again as they moved on from the dreadful scene.

"Ah, this must be the treasure room!" Chestnut said excitedly, as he glanced at the metal vault door. "Let's see what's inside, yes?" Pushing on the heavy door with a hoof, it creaked loudly before giving way, dust mites and dust balls aplenty going up his nose, Chestnut sneezing several times as a result.

What they saw inside would take both their breaths away, the sight nearly overwhelming in its ages old grandeur.

Sicillica coughed as the dust got into her nose. She could not see much in the darknes of the vault though, the light sources having been long died. Which was why the black unicorn made luminescent flowers grow and a broad smile came across her lips. ''Say... how far away is that archdruid.'' she asked as she entered the place. Despite under a bit of rubble and a lot of dust, it seemed many riches were still here. ''Chestnut... this place was not that difficult to reach of people had plenty of ropes with them. So... why is there still so much of this left... and how come there are indeed so many remains...''

Carefully she walked inside. Something she basicly regretted right away as she walked right into a spiderweb and released a bit bit of a shriek.

Letting his horn glow with white light so they could see better, Chestnut saw there were indeed tons of riches and treasures here. But also many bodies and piles of bones.

At Sicillica's shriek, he whirled around in alarm, saying "Don't worry, Chestnut shall protect the beautiful black unicorn from all harm!" Then he saw it was just a spider web, albeit a very large one at that. The male unicorn couldn't help it. He burst out laughing, but his laughter quickly died down when there was the sound of something huge scurrying above them.

"Is it just me or did I hear something scuttle overhead?" And that was when a gigantic spider of mammoth proportions made itself known, clacking its overly large mandibles at them threateningly. And all too late, Chestnut noticed all the egg sacs in the corners as well. They were spider eggs. And the valiant unicorn let out his own shriek of terror then. "Spideeeeer!"

If there was something in life Sicillica hated, it were spiders. And this one being an actual giant spider queen did not make it better. ''At least we know why there are so many dead bodies.... run!''

Her initial fear of spiders making her forget completely she was capable of using magic.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Chestnut immediately started running, but made sure not to get too far ahead of Sicillica either so they wouldn't lose each other. His hooves flew across the vine-covered floors as he galloped for dear life.

The spider queen in the meantime let out a loud screech and with another clack of mandibles it too dashed after them, climbing the walls and skittering along at a very disturbing pace. It tried to swipe at them a couple times with a pointed hairy spider leg, but missed. It was safe to say its poison would be deadly if either of them were to get pierced with its appendage. Even Chestnut's superior resistance to harm wouldn't be enough here.

''Gross gross gross gross gross gross gross!'' Sicillica called out with every step she took. That until she fell after one of her feet got stuck behind a rock and by rolling to a side she avoided the spider's poisonous bite making her screech in anger. Well anger. It wanted a meal right?

It was more out of reflex then actually remembering she had magic though as strong barbed vines came from the walls and wrapped themselves around the spider which furiously did every effort to break free but at the least if gave the black unicorn time to get on her feet and resume fleeing until realising that she indeed had magic and made the vines wrap themselves around the spider queen tightly but instead of killing it she locked it in a strong box of vines.

''So... want a pet?...'' Sicillica said after a good minute and laughed a little fearfully and akwardly. Hoping that the vines would hold. Spider or not it was still a living creature. And killing was not really on her list of hobbies.

Chestnut stopped running as he looked back and saw the giant spider wrapped up in tight vines. It thrashed around frantically as it tried to get loose but didn't make much leeway regarding this. But the vines wouldn't hold forever that was for sure.

"Ah, no I think I'll pass." Chestnut said, both serious and jokingly before shuddering as he looked at the creature again. "In any case, I think our tour is over now. Those vines won't hold it for long."

Even as he said this, some of the vines began to snap loose as the spider struggled, trying to free itself. "Now, now, didn't anyone ever tell you that eating others isn't very nice?" Chestnut said by way of a joke. The vines broke off more and more as the thing kept at it. "I think that's our cue to go. Run!"

Just as Chestnut started to dash off again, the giant insect got free of its prison then and off it went, letting out a loud shriek in the process.

Sicillica gladly followed and soon were outside the dark hallways. ''We may... want to... warn the... archdruid about... miss spider in there...'' she panted after realising the creature had stopped following them. She dropped herself in the moss and fallen leaves first panting and then laughing.

''That.. was the most exitement I had in my whole life!'' she felt so relieved she morphed back to her natural form still laughing.

Chestnut soon joined her with laughing, since they were now safely away from the creature. "Yes, I think the arch-druid would want to know about that."

Chuckling and snickering some more, he regained his composure and looked back toward the castle ruins. "Well, since we can't go back in there anymore, what do you propose we do now?"

Chestnut wasn't sure at what point the monstrous spider had stopped following them, but he didn't dare go back in there to find out. The spider could have the castle for now, he figured.

''Trottle our way to the archdruid? Truth be told I never really give mind to where I am going. Normally I just walk and mind my own business. Until of course a unicorn stole my clothes...'' she joked. Still a little panting and actually lay very comfortable on the forest floor. ''I suppose though these are the moments humankin has tension relief related intercourse... '' she laughed once more but got on her feet.

''Do you have another plan regarding what to do?''

"Hey, it was all in good fun!" Chestnut defended himself, but was also chuckling. "You should've seen the look on your face though! And with the spider too!"

Contemplating a bit, the unicorn trotted over to the river. "I don't know about you, but all that running made me wanna lounge in the stream here! So that's what I'll do."

After stepping in, he let out a shriekish whinny! "Ooh, that's cold! Brrrr...." But he soon got used to the temperature and dipped his head in, getting another drink. Then he sat down in the stream and chillaxed. A goofy grin on his white equine face.

"There's plenty of room for two here." Chestnut said, splashing some water at Sicillica in merriment.

''I hate spiders. For obvious reasons.'' Sicillca said and jumped in the water too. Gods that felt good. The castle after all was very dusty. She did not shiver though, knowing how cold it was and was kind of used not having warm baths.

''You looked kind of fearful as well though. You surely ran fast.''

Chestnut chuckled, albeit a bit nervously. "What can I say, that spider was huge!"

Splashing some more water at her, he grinned. "But I ran with both grace and style at least. As per usual." Swishing his tail in the flowing water, he laid down then and sighed in bliss. "Ah, this is the life, I tell ya. Nothing like a cold stream to calm down the senses, yah?"

A bird in a branch above decided that was the perfect moment to dump and it did, white slimy bird poop dripping off his blue mane!  "Hey!" Chestnut looked up at the bird with a grimace and lightly scowled at it. "That wasn't very courteous!"

The bird simply hopped to another branch and tweeted as though laughing, and then flew off, shedding one of its feathers, it slowly drifting down onto Chestnut's head. And the unicorn let out a big harrumph at that.

''Let me help you with that then.'' Sicillica said as she morped to human form and took some leaves and moss. Using the leaves to wipe away most of the mess and after dipping the moss in the water she used it as a sponge, very gently.

She did not seem disgusted by it at all and truth be told it calmed her for some reason. ''I do suggest we leave before it gets dark. If that spider is nocturnal it will hunt. And she seemed rather pissed regarding being caged.''

"No complaints from Sir Chestnut!" the unicorn chuckled, again nervously.

After the bird poop had been cleaned from his mane, he sighed in contentment then and dipped his head underneath the waters to further rinse. "Yes, that simply wouldn't do. Bird dung to dirty up my pristine and knightly mane of honor!" he joked.

Shaking his head, water droplets flinging everywhere, Chestnut grinned at Sicillica. "So where to, Your Highness?"

Sicillica pondered. ''How about we visit that archdruid? My king?'' the black unicorn asked.

''Maybe he knows about the giant spider queen and knows better means to get rid of her.'' Gently she squeezed the water out of his manes before stepping out of the cool waters. Morphing back into her black majestic self after finding a smooth piece of stone. Writing a warning on it using a little bit of magic from her horn. ''There we go. Hopefully the spider will starve to death. Although if it follows us again remind me I have magic strong enough to kill it... I'm not fond of taking a life but if its her or us... it is no difficult choice.''

"That sounds like a grand plan my Queen, Beauty of Night's Embrace." he said, winking at her.

Following her out of the river, Chestnut gave one last shake of his head. "I wonder if the arch-druid would have the means to convince the spider queen to go elsewhere. Where exactly, I don't know. Being a druid and a leader at that, somehow I doubt he'd want to kill it. Merely send it on its way to some nice and cozy cave instead, and a secluded one at that."

Noticing what she did with the stone, the unicorn nodded his head in approval. "Another great idea, that." Motioning to the smooth flat rock with his horn. The warning scrawled on there read simply, 'Beware. Giant Spider Inside Castle Ruins.' "That'll hopefully prevent any more mishaps."

Looking towards the southwest, Chestnut started to walk there, head held high. "Let's go find that arch-druid now."

Sicillica nodded and together they walked South West. It was not particular a short walk though and she had decided to just do this in her natural form. Chestnut seemed thus far one of the very, very few to have accepted her this way.

Nightfall was eventually upon them though and it got her a little on edge. She did not fear dark but certainly did not find it pleasant what it could hold.

They did however eventually reach a clearing with a naturethemed house. ''Is this the place or are we stumbling upon an evil witch's lair now...''

The 'house' was more like a dwelling carved into the trunk of a tree, its branches thick and full, with many ornaments hanging from the tree limbs. It looked rather small though, but the tree was very tall so it likely had more than one 'floor' or room inside. A wooden sign was placed above the front door, which was simply a wall of vines separating it from the outside. The sign read 'Arch-Druid Breneg's Residence', carved into the very wood itself. The Head faun definitely lived here, there was no doubt about that.

An owl hooted nearby, flapping its great wings in a flourish as it flew away but not before turning its head a full 360 degrees, bright owlish orange eyes looking straight at them. However the owl didn't go far and simply sat on another tree branch, just idly watching the duo as it blinked its eyes a couple times.

"Hello Mister Owl." Chestnut greeted the animal jovially. The owl simply blinked at the unicorn as if to say, 'why are you here?' The bird definitely had some keen intelligence in its eyes, more so than the average owl did and Chestnut wondered about that briefly. But turned to the door instead and lightly tapped on the trunk near it with a blue-tufted hoof. Now they just needed to wait for the arch-druid to answer.

((I assume you play the druid? =3 ))

There was nothing and Sicillica pondered. ''Maybe he is out on a walk?'' she said softly. Her gaze went to the owl and knocked too after a good few minutes. ''Hello? Arch-Druid Breneg? Sir...?'' she was not sure how to adress him actually.

''It is not that he can shapeshift into that owl can he?'' she said. She heard a lot about the Faun race, many were rather good pranksters or at the least mischievous creatures.

((For now, yes. Got something I wanna write. :D ))

Pretty soon, the sound of cloven footsteps was heard inside before they stopped at the trailing vines that served as the tree's door. The vines were parted and a goat-headed creature with large curved horns poked his head out, amber-colored eyes with black flecks in them gazed at the two unicorns with curiosity and a friendly expression. He was kind of short, just a little over five feet tall but still no less an imposing figure of the woods. It was clear he exuded an aura of being in charge.

"Well hello there, noble unicorns. What brings you two to my humble home in the forest?"

The owl from before hooted and flew over to the arch-druid, landing on one hairy arm and Arch-druid Breneg smiled at the creature fondly before he said, "I assume you've met Halatir, my animal companion?" Halatir in turn hooted a cheerful greeting at the three of them.

His eyes twinkled in delight. "Or did you think I was the owl?" he asked, posing his question to Sicillica. How he knew this was anyone's guess, or maybe he was just that intuitive. Being the head druid, it made sense.

Chestnut bowed before the leader, leaning his head down before swooping it back up in as regal a bow as he could manage. "Greetings Sir Breneg, Arch-Druid of the woods, I am Chestnut Sparkle Mister and this is my lovely companion Sicillica, Beauty of Night's Embrace. We come before your Majesty with the news of a possible prospect you might be interested in as well as a favor."

The faun looked at Chestnut and gave a small smile as he pondered him for just a second. "No Majesty title is needed, good Chestnut." He chuckled, woodland merriment dancing in his eyes then. "A rather unnecessary title I might add, for I am merely a servant of Nature and all She willingly gives. But I appreciate the honor, regardless. Now what's this about a potential prospect and favor?" He looked at both of them as he said this.

''I apolagise fir my theory if being the owl. Lore regarding shapeshifting magic druids pisess is not new to me.'' Sicillica said with a bow before turning human.''as for the prospect... Chestnut and I ventured inside the castleruins. He tokd me you hokd celebrations every once in a while and we found many riches that perhaps could be of use to you. Silver plates, cups, and much more and with my brabd if naturemagic I made some things accesable. The catch though... there isva giant spider occupying the underground passageways.''

"What the lady said." Chestnut chimed in.

"No apology is needed. As an arch-druid, I in fact do possess shapeshifting magics. However not all druids do, depending on what particular path they choose to follow. But alas, you have made an interesting proposal for I have been needing to stock up on a few more things for the gatherings I hold. Isn't that correct, Halatir?" Breneg asked the owl.

The owl shifted its head and looked at the lead druid with a 'yes' expression, going hoot hoot!

"And Halatir also agrees." The faun chuckled at his companion's antics. "As for the spider, I shall sway it to move elsewhere, for I actually know a good place where it can be amongst its own kind. I know of what castle ruins you speak of, but so far have had no reason to search them. Until now, of course."

Stepping fully outside now, Breneg extended his arm to let the owl go. "Go, my friend. I shall contact you later on." Halatir let out another hoot in response and flew off, disappearing into the cover of trees and darkness.

Gazing back at Sicillica and Chestnut, the faun said, "I will gather a few supplies and then make my way to the castle as directed, but will wait til' the morning to do so. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Have a good night." And with that, he went back inside, the vines falling back into place after him.

The white and blue unicorn looked at the black one then. "So...what do you want to do now?"

''how about some rest. Making all those vines wore me out a bit. I do not think the arch druid would mind if we sleep here in the clearing. And for whatever reason my intuition tells me he perhaps could use some help tomorrow.'' Sicillica said. Relaxing and sat down against a tree. Patting the area beside her. ''Care to join me?''

"Sounds good to me." Chestnut said and plopped down next to Sicillica by the tree. "And yes, we can accompany the arch-druid if he needs any help. Sir Chestnut does not mind one bit!" Tossing his mane about, he looked at her questioningly. "You feel he may it?"

In fact, the faun druid may indeed require help as the two unicorns had neglected to mention all the egg sacs that were present too. Because Chestnut definitely forgot about that, as being chased by a ginormous spider tends to make one forget about such little details, even a brave and fearless "knight" of a unicorn like Sir Chestnut. Not to mention the spider queen likely had a mate somewhere nearby too, as spiders couldn't procreate by themselves. So logically speaking, he might definitely need some help.

Letting out a yawn, the unicorn sighed then and settled down comfortably by the tree's base. "I think this unicorn is in need of a nice nap now. No better time to do so, eh?" A cool breeze was blowing too which also helped to further calm him. It was now fully dark out, the moon shining in a tiny sliver of a crescent. "New moon." Chestnut yawned again, before closing his eyes tiredly.

Sicillica had not noticed the eggs either or at the least did not remember seeing them. She did take the liberty to lay close with Chestnut for warmth reasons.

''No matter how full the moon is... In the dark people tend to not see me. But you know Chestnut. Today was fun. Most I've had in...ages...'' she said softly before her eyes shut themselves and she fell asleep.

"Yes, very fun. Nothing like running for your life being chased by a giant spider and all. And everything else that happened." Yawning again, Chestnut snuggled closer to Sicillica, his pastel blue mane lightly covering part of her body. Soon, he too fell asleep, as the wind rustled through his hair gently.

-----

Chestnut wasn't sure what had woken him up. But something had for sure. Getting up, unintentionally rustling the other unicorn in the process, he looked around for the source of the disturbance. Seeing nothing, but he definitely felt eyes on him. "Okay, whoever you are in the shadows, come on out and show yourself. Don't your mother ever tell you it isn't nice to stare?"

No response was given and the male unicorn harrumphed. "Alright, let's see where you are." And he lit his horn up to see better in the dark.

''Whaz wong Chezznut..'' Sicillica asked sleepy as she woke from deep slumber. Normally she was alone and therefor always had to be somewhat alert but sibce she felt so safe for the first time since forever she was asleep deep.

Was. Since she had woken up now.

As his horn lit up the darkness around him, Chestnut looked around for the culprit. Soon he spotted a tiny creature perched in a tree branch some ways off, just simply staring at the two of them. Its beady green eyes and thin stick legs along with dragonfly wings identified it as a forest sprite.

"There you are, you little munchkin." Chestnut trotted a bit closer, as forest sprites while mischievous and playful, posed no actual threat. They were loyal to the woods in which they served as well, often serving as scouts and lookouts from time to time. Apparently two unicorns garnered interest from the little creature.

The forest sprite simply stared a bit longer, before dashing off with a high pitched squeal as it retreated back into the dark branches and disappeared. Chestnut sighed. "Ah, I'm sorry to wake you Sicillica. Apparently we had a small audience for a short time. It's gone now."

Going back over to the black unicorn, Chestnut settled back down next to her and tried to resume his sleep. No more curious onlookers disturbed them for the rest of the night though and the male unicorn slept peacefully until morning came around.

''Spriez can join uz...'' Sicillica said before she fell asleep. Feeling Chestnut close again made her smile.

When morning came though the sound of birds whistling and singing their songs was that mainly woke Sicillica. That and the fact morning dew was on her and chestnut. She shivered, as she out of habit was in her human form which was signifignantly colder then her real form and sneezed.

''Crap... if this night gave me a cold I'm doomed...'' she said softly to herself.

Still sleeping peacefully, Chestnut's only response was a soft nickering from his mouth. Soon though, the morning breeze tickled his nostrils and he awoke, exclaiming, "Where's the bacon?"

Seeing where he was though, he settled back down and grinned. "Oh good morning, Sicillica. Had a good night's sleep?"

''I did... but I'm freezin.. ha-choo...'' she sneezed again and quickly morphed to her natural form.

The trees seemed to move a little as well. ''I do not control my magic so well if I sneeze... more people have that but since we are in a forest... and my magic is nature based... I just hope I will not do anything bad...''

She got on her feet and sighed. ''I'll find some herbs to draw tea from... I do not want to disturb the druid this early in the morning...''

"I can help you find some herbs. I don't know anything about plants and their lore but I can help nonetheless. Just tell me what to look for and I'll find it!" Chestnut winked gaily at her. "Just gotta be careful to not anger the forest folk by taking too much and not give anything back." he commented.

"There's no need." Came a deep voice then from the direction of the arch-druid's home before Breneg himself stepped out. "I have some tea already prepared. Something told me one of you would likely need it come the morning. An inkling, if you will." His eyes twinkled merrily at this. "I can bring the tea out to you since I don't think two unicorns will fit inside my humble home." He chuckled at this.

Halatir then flew over to him landing on a tree branch of the tree home itself and hooted once. "Halatir says to you good morning." The faun told them.

Chestnut bowed in an overly exaggerated way, and tipped his horn to the owl. "A mighty fine morning to you as well Halatir. Care to join us for some tea?" he joked.

The owl merely shuddered as though the very idea repulsed him. Breneg laughed at his animal friend and playfully rustled his feathers. "Fraid' not, good noble unicorn. Tea is not on his menu."

''Hero'' Sicillica said happily.

''Well I can morph into a human and take up way less space but... would not want things to get to cramped up indeed.'' she sneezed again. ''I should get myself a blanket next time I get into a town... or just... not sleep in human form outdoors... ugh..'' she said and laughed briefly.

"That would be wise." the arch-druid said, offering Sicillica and Chestnut cups of tea, setting both down on a flat rock that suddenly lifted up out of the ground in front of the trio. It smelled heavily of eucalyptus and spearmint, sweetened heartily with honey. The faun took a sip from his own cup of tea then, a cup of white tea he made for himself. "Drink up then!"

Chestnut slurped from his own cup then, dipping his nose and mouth into the mug carefully so as not to accidentally spill it. "Mmmm, tasty too! I could get drunk on this!" he half-jested.

Breneg only laughed, and Halatir also gave a hoot as well.

((Couldn't resist the pun.  :P ))

((OoC    :P   ))

Sicillica drank the tea after inhaling it's lovely scent. ''So.. arch-druid Breneg... the party you organise... could you tell me more about it?'' she asked.

She already semi promised Chestnut she would go but... it would be nice to know what she could expect. How many people mainly.

"Well, let's see." Breneg took another drink from his cup before answering. "It is a celebration all about the joys of life and the wonders of nature in all its forms. So with that said, I only allow non-humans to attend. More specifically fey and other forest folk as well as magical creatures, such as you yourselves. There is much feasting and dancing, as well as music, the usual for such a party. There are also tents placed around for those who wish to indulge in matters of the flesh but such is not required of anyone to participate in that while there. It is purely one of choice. But if you wish to do so, the tents are required." He chuckled, before taking another sip. "After all, this is not strictly an orgy."

"Many folks from all over come to celebrate and mingle, the party usually lasting for many days. You can come and go as you wish though but whenever one enters they need to relinquish any weapons on their person and bypass a protective enchanted wall in order to tell one's intentions. No violence is allowed and the wall will test for that. You will get any weapons back once you leave however. They're just not allowed on the party grounds."

Breneg petted Halatir who preened at the attention before he continued his explanation. "As for how many usually come...well, it varies from gathering to gathering. It could be anywhere from one to two dozen to well over three hundred or more. It just depends on who all decides to attend the festivities. I hope this is not too overwhelming for you?" the arch-druid asked with a knowing look.

Chestnut guzzled down the rest of the minty drink. "Good stuff this! I wouldn't mind some more if you have it, please."

"Certainly. Give me just a moment." he went back inside and soon brought out another cup for the male unicorn and Chestnut took it happily.

''300 certainly is a lot...'' Sicillica said and gulped unknowingly. Giving Breneg a short explenation of her experience in her former herd and that she basicly avoided very crowded places. ''So yea... Chestnut has been the first unicorn I encountered who did not shood me off because of my coatcolor... and well. If your own family calls you an unholy presence that gives bad luck... you kind of start to believe it so I avoided cities as much as I could. Having a human form makes entering and leaving one rather easy.'' She finished her tea and let out a relieved sigh. ''Could I have another please?'' she asked.

At the least she stopped sneezing now.

"Certainly." Breneg went back inside and returned shortly with a teapot in which he refilled her cup.

He gave a frown at her story about her herd. "That is unfortunate, really. But I will say that my celebrations gather together folks who are pretty open-minded about these sorts of things, including the color of one's coat or hair or anything else for that matter. Just no humans."

He cleared his throat a little. "The first couple times I held these parties and allowed humans to attend ended up in one too many unarmed brawls or some foolish woodcutter who wanted to examine the best trees for cutting wood from to build a grand dining table with. This was before the wall was put in place to keep such types out. I completely understand the necessity of wood and building but not while I am hosting a party about life and nature. Perhaps not all humans are like this, but to be on the safe side I have purposefully decided to exclude them from future celebrations. It is better this way, even if some might call it unfair. I do what is best for my people and these woods."

Clearing his throat again. "But I digress. You can attend if you like, and if it makes you feel more comfortable to be in your shapeshifted form, by all means do so. You still would be counted as a unicorn and welcomed with open arms."

"Yes, please do come, Sicilly." Chestnut used his personal nickname for her then, grinning. "At least for a little while. As Arch-druid Breneg said, you can leave at any time if you don't want to stay. But I hope you do decide to come." Downing his second cup, Chestnut gave a contented sigh. "Lurve this stuff, I tell ya."

Breneg chuckled and refilled his cup again too. "Glad you like it so much. But I'm afraid this teapot here will soon run out of tea. But not to worry, I can always make more for later. Perhaps a different flavor next time?" Winking as he said this.

''I basicly already promised I'd be there, I am a lady of my word. What kind of 'Queen of the Night's Embrace' would I be if I didn't.'' Sicillica replied with a semi teasing tone. ''I just hope I will not encounter any from my former herd...''

She thanked Breneg for the second cup of tea.

''Regarding the spider though... I have the feeling we're forgetting something...'' Sicillica said to Chestnut. ''I just have no idea what. Maybe it's not important...''

"You are very welcome, Miss Sicillica. Any time." Breneg told her with a smile. "But I do need to be heading off soon to the ruins as already decided. To take care of missus spider in there and collect the items needed."

Halatir landed back on his arm with a small hoot as he wished his master and companion good tidings with such. He would not go with, as this was a job for his master alone. "My thanks, dear friend." the arch-druid said to the owl. Halatir merely lifted his wings up as if to say, 'no problem'.

"I wouldn't worry about it." Chestnut said in response to Sicillica's comment from before. "As you said, it's probably nothing to worry about. What could be worse than Miss Big Mean Spider in there? But we would both like to come with, if that's okay with you?" he asked the faun with hopeful eyes.

After thinking about it for a good near minute, Breneg slowly nodded. "I don't see why not. Just one request though, and that is to remain in back of me at all times as I negotiate with our spider queen friend. Just to ensure things go smoothly."

"No prob at all, will do!" Chestnut said a bit too cheerfully. To be honest, he wasn't sure why he wished to accompany the arch-druid but for some reason he also felt they were missing some important piece of information. Plus the grand castle was a sight for sore eyes, no matter what sort of nasty denizens called it home. Finishing his third cup of tea, he remarked chipper as ever, "So, we ready to roll?"

Sicillica nodded as she finished her drink. ''I just hope she has no grudge against me for having wrapped her in a cage of vines as self defence... also another positive point if we come along. We can carry something too. Silverware and gold is not exactly lightweighted.''

She did feel a lot better and returned to her original form. ''And I can easily weave bags too.''

"Off we go then." Breneg went back inside and gathered a few things before heading right back out, the vines rustling again behind him. Halatir, meanwhile perched himself on a branch and groomed himself before settling down and closing his eyes to rest.

Chestnut turned to Sicillica and asked, "I hope you got enough energy to cast your plant magic in case anything goes wrong?"

''In the worst case it will not be friendly vines like yesterday. I am truely, not fond of killing but if this situation requires thorns and pulling off the spider's legs, I will. This time we know it is there so I will not be so off guard and actually forget I have magic.''

"Such dire actions should not be necessary. After all, I am an arch-druid and have great skill in communing with all of nature and her creatures. With me there, this should only be a matter of calming the beast and convincing it to go elsewhere. Or at the least, let us pass unharmed." Breneg explained, putting a wooden stick with a crystal attached to it in his brown knapsack he carried.

"Yes, let's hope so." Chestnut agreed. "While the running for my life made me once more appreciate the magnificence of the gallop, the circumstances could have been waaaay better."

Breneg chuckled at this, and shouldered his pack. "I can imagine so. So let's carry on, shall we?"

And off the trio went, the morning sun shining brightly through the trees' leaves, casting yellow dappled light rays on the ground, a few light fairies dancing in the rays, trying to catch them, while one basked on a falling yellow leaf going for a ride as the leaf fell from the tree. They definitely looked like they were having fun.

During the day the forest was beautiful. And it did not take very long to reach the castleruins. Remarkably the vines that created the paths were still holding strong. Sicillica noticed though that the sign was gone. ''Looks like someone did not agree with the warning sign...'' she said.

''I suppose we should go to our hostess first?''

The fact the sign was no longer there was something to be worried about. Breneg inspected the ground nearby for footprints or other disturbances though he was no ranger or tracker. "Best to keep alert as much as possible." the arch-druid commented, examining also the vines held in place. He could sense the magic was still strong, and that there was no danger of the place collapsing any time soon.

Chestnut snorted and stamped the ground with a blue tufted hoof. "Well, we're here, might as well go on in. And if Miss Spider isn't cooperative, maybe a cup of your splendid tea will calm her down, eh?" the unicorn chuckled at his own joke, before the smile disappeared from his face as he too looked at the seemingly foreboding castle ruins.

Breneg smiled. "Come on, let us continue." And the faun led the way, getting out his crystal-topped stick wand from his knapsack.

"Well, here goes nothing." Chestnut trotted along after him, looking back at Sicillica. "Come on, slow poke!"

''In the worst case I could still lock her up in vines... I just hope I do not have to.'' Sicillica said as she took a deep breath and proceeded. On their way down she noticed some fragments of wood that just hours before had been the sign.

''If we manage to reason with her, maybe it is an idea to bury the corpses or something? Sure they make a fine warning and were most likely nothing more then scavengers but... letting themstay like this. It feels a bit wrong.''

"Our first priority is the spider. After that, we shall see what can be done." Breneg told them as they neared the castle entrance.

The river trickled alongside the path, making calming, soothing sounds as they walked. Pushing open the large rickety door, or what was left of it carefully, the trio made their way in. No sign of the spider just yet.

Breneg seemed to listen intently for several moments before he indicated a direction. "The stones direct us this way. They echo that a mammoth spider was last seen going this route. The earth beneath us says the same." He looked at the ceiling just to check that the spider queen was not there laying in wait, and Chestnut looked up as well.

"Ah, just what every perfect day should be like." the unicorn mused. "A day of frolicking, exploring, running from an ickly giant spider only to head back into the jaws of impending danger. Yep, perfect day indeed."

So they all headed down in the direction that the arch-druid advised, vines hanging down every which way that tickled Chestnut's nose teasingly. "Achoo!" he sneezed loudly, it echoing far on down the hallways. Achoo, choo, choo, choo, oo, oo, oo... the sound reverberated throughout. Chestnut held his breath momentarily in anticipation.

''Shall I clear those vines Majestic king?'' Sicillica giggled. She did exactly that for multiple reasons. The spider most likely already had noticed their arrival but if they had to run the last thing she wanted was becoming entangled in vines. And more sound perhaps could attract the Gods knew what.

Other then vines though Sicillica allowed some luminescent flowers to grow to provide more light on the ceiling and walls in case the spider would be waiting. She did wonder what the archdruid would permit violence wise if the spider would be hostile. If she accidently went to far she hoped he would not be angry.

"Hah! Vines do not stop this grand steed!" Chestnut snorted in indignation at the response of the black unicorn, but underneath that he was chuckling as well, although inwardly. "But yes, if it please Her Majesty to make way for the King, by all means do so!" Holding his head high with pride, a certain look of both mirth and grandeur shining in his blue eyes, Chestnut shook his mane in a majestic fashion befitting of one such as him.

"After all, we can't have vines tangled up in His Majesty's hair, now can we?" He said, his eyes twinkling in jest.

Breneg said nothing, remaining quiet, but there was a look of concentration upon his hairy goat-like features. One ear twitched at some sound he heard, but then it was gone and all was silent once more. Well, except for the unicorns talking, that is.

They walked on, the arch-druid also casting a spell of bright light once the passageways got considerably darker, making it harder to see, even with the luminescent leaves and flowers Sicillica had cast all along the hallways. Now with more than enough sufficient light to guide their steps, they continued on, Breneg ever alert for any sounds or shadowy movements, while Chestnut quipped up a snarky comment here and there, one of them about stepping in mud and getting his gorgeous hooves dirtied.

Still no sign of the spider though. Or any other trouble for that matter.

Breneg stopped to listen for another moment, before he put his cloven hand on the stone walls and concentrated. After a moment had passed, he opened his eyes again. "The dire spider is close by." he stated, looking at Chestnut and Sicillica. "I also sense more than just her though, so be on your guard. Another massive presence, although not quite as large as the spider queen herself is also around here too, most likely her mate. Not to mention, there is the faint stirrings of life yet to be born."

Looking pointedly at the other two he pressed, an urgent note to his voice. "Do you remember coming across any spider egg sacs? I sense many arachnid presences, but the others are rather small and would not pose much of a threat."

Chestnut froze, eyes wide as he thought, trying to recall what they had seen before. Finally, he spoke up. "I actually cannot remember, Great One of the woods." He chuckled nervously. "After all, running for my life tends to make me forget other details. But there might have been?" The unicorn admitted, looking rather sheepish. The blue and white unicorn turned to his female companion. "What do you remember seeing?" he asked.

The arch-druid nodded to himself, seemingly somewhat satisfied at the response given. "Most likely they are the unborn offspring of the spiders. I would be very careful where you step as the slightest misstep could ruin any chance for peaceful negotiations if anyone accidentally crushes one of the babies if they tread underfoot. That is, if any have emerged into the world yet. I don't think I need to tell you both that the parents will be extremely protective of their young. Best to stay back as far as you can, and let me do the talking."

''It was quite dark. I am a black unicorn but I have no good vision in dark caverns.'' Sicillica admitted. ''It could explain why she was so hostile. Most beings do know better then killing a unicorn. Especially without warning. Dire's are capable of speaking right?''

Careful not to hit sacs, Sicillica tapped the floor. Carefully forming vines which game bloom to luminescent flowers. ''At the least we did not trample any on our way out. There were no webbings or remains on our feet or... hooves.''