*********************************
“And there she was, the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen. Her lovely brown eyes looked into mine and I could tell that she wanted me. And just as our lips were about to meet....I woke up.”
The two boy’s laughter broke the stillness of the woods. “You know Iolaus, I have a feeling that the only girls you will ever meet is in your dreams.” Jason, the prince of Corinth snickered as he and the two other boys walked back to the Academy.
“Hey! If Herc hadn’t woken me up, I would have been able to kiss her.” Iolaus grumbled.
“Look, I knew you would kill me if I let you sleep through Chieron’s lovely breakfast,” the tall demigod said, trying to hide his grin and was failing miserably.
“Yeah? Well how about if I kill you now for screwing up my dream?” Iolaus said, lunging for the tall blond cadet.
Iolaus, you never know about dreams.” Hercules said, dodging the curly hair cadet, and hiding behind Jason. “She could have turned into a big, hairy giant after you had kissed her. Then I would have saved you from that nightmare.”
“Well, I’ll never know now, thanks to you.” Iolaus said, jumping for Hercules. But at that moment, Hercules neatly lept out of the way and Iolaus ended up on top of Jason.
“Iolaus!” Jason yelled as he shoved the cadet off of him.
“Sorry Jase...He moved.” Iolaus muttered as he staggered to his feet. Iolaus turned to see Hercules doubled over in laughter.
Jason and Iolaus looked at each other and suddenly, yelling, attacked Hercules, and the wrestling match had begun.
A few minutes later, all three cadets were laying on the ground, tired but laughing too hard to really care.
“You know guys, we’d better get back to the Academy before Feducious murders us himself.” Hercules said, climbing to his feet and helping his two friends to their feet.
“Yeah, let’s go. I am starving.” Iolaus said and the cadets started walking back.
Suddenly Hercules heard a bell-like neighing sound from the woods. “Hey guys did you here that?” Hercules said, stopping and looking off in the direction that the sound had come from.
“No. What was it?” Jason asked, turning around to look at Hercules.
“I...I don’t know. It sounded like a horse neighing..but not quite.” Hercules answered, straining to here the sound again.
“Come on Herc, we are late already. You’re probably hearing the noise in your head.” Iolaus said, snickering. Both Iolaus and Jason knew Hercules would sometimes see or hear things that mortal people couldn’t here because he was half god. But that didn’t stop Iolaus and Jason from teasing their friend.
Hercules sighed. Maybe they were right. He hadn’t gotten enough sleep lately because he had been studying for the big test, which he had aced, today. Jason and Iolaus had turned and started walking again when Hercules heard the strange bell-like neigh again. “Don’t tell me you didn’t hear it this time.” Hercules said, stopping and looking again towards the woods.
“Hercules, we didn’t hear anything.” Jason said, stopping and looking at Hercules. “Come on.”
“I’ll catch up with you guys, OK?” Hercules said, and before they could respond, he had disappeared into the woods.
Jason shook his head and walked toward Iolaus, who had stopped also. “Where did the big guy go now?” Iolaus asked impatiently.
“I don’t know. He said he’d catch up with us. Just let him go, he’ll soon figure out that he is hearing things again.”
“You know Jase, I am beginning to worry about him.” Iolaus muttered as they continued walking.
“Well, you know Hercules. Just let him go and find out for himself that it was nothing.”
Hercules kept his ears alert, trying to hear any sound of the strange noise. As he pushed back branches and tried to be as quiet as possible, Hercules heard the noise again, this time closer. It almost sounded like a distress call. Hercules quicken his steps as he made his way deeper into the forest. He could now here grunts and snorts coming from within a little clearing. It had to be an animal of some sort, Hercules thought as he pushed back the branches. He could here the rustling of leaves as he got closer and carefully pushing past a tree branch he caught site of it.
**********
Hercules could not believe his eyes. There caught in a hunter’s net was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen, except it was no ordinary horse. It’s brilliant white coat seemed to sparkle in the sunlight that filtered through the trees and when it turned it’s head to look at Hercules, the horn, that stuck out of it’s forehead, looked like a glittering lance pointing straight towards the heavens. Hercules remembered reading about the mythical beast called a unicorn that were rumored to only be attracted to virgin maidens. The unicorn’s brown eyes looked into Hercules’ blue ones and he noticed pain and sadness in them. Hercules cautiously moved closer to the white beast, noticing the hunter’s net was tangled around the unicorn’s legs and body. The unicorn groaned and laid it’s head back down.
“Whoa boy,” Hercules whispered as he moved closer. “I’m here to help you.”
The unicorn didn’t move, either because it was too tired to move or that it knew the demigod would help it. Hercules slowly pulled a knife from his belt and he knelt down, still muttering words of comfort, and cut at the net. Hercules was glad that he had stuck the knife into his belt this morning. Since he, Iolaus, and Jason were taking a hike today, Hercules had thought it safe if he brought the knife along, just in case.
The unicorn trembled as Hercules cut. “Whoa, come on help me some,” Hercules muttered as he cut faster.
The net was almost off when, suddenly the unicorn lashed out with it’s golden hooves. Hercules barely had enough time to move out of the way of the powerful hooves, and making one last cut, the net fell off.
The unicorn scrambled to it’s feet and stood up, shaking itself, glad to be free.
Hercules sighed and put the knife back into his belt. He had been so close to getting trampled as the tall unicorn had gotten up. And the scroll had said the unicorns were dainty. “Yeah right.” Hercules muttered, standing up.
The unicorn looked at him as he stood. “Go on, get out of here.” Hercules said. “You’re free, get out of here before those hunters come back.”
But the unicorn didn’t budge. It just stood there, staring at Hercules.
“Man, I thought you unicorns were smart.” the demigod muttered and shook his head. “Fine. I have to go. Good luck.”
Hercules turned his back to the unicorn and made his way back towards the path that led to the Academy. The sun was going down and Hercules knew he was going to be reprimanded for being late to dinner. Suddenly he heard a snort and looking behind him, he noticed the unicorn had disappeared. Sighing in relief that it was gone, Hercules turned around only to come face to face with the silver unicorn.
“What the...” Hercules shouted, jumping back and nearly falling flat on his butt in the process. “Man, what is with you? Go! Get out of here! Don’t you understand that you are in danger if you stay here?”
The unicorn just shook it’s head at Hercules and snorted.
Hercules ran a hand through his blond hair. What was he going to do? The unicorn was clearly not going to leave him. If only he knew somebody who could help him with this ordeal. “Wait a minute. Kora could help me.” Hercules muttered. Nobody but Hercules knew that Kora, the innkeeper, was a follower of the god Artimus. Kora would know what to do. Sighing, Hercules stepped around the unicorn. As expected, the unicorn followed the young cadet, like a dog following it’s master.
*******
The sun had set and Kora was about to pull her hair out. The inn was packed and the cook was ready to start throwing the food at the impatient customers. Kora couldn’t blame him.
A “Hey Kora.” turned her attention to the two cadets, Iolaus and Jason, as they walked up to the counter.
“Oh no, it’s the trouble makers again. What crazy idea do you have now?”
Iolaus and Jason looked at each other then back at Kora. “Uh, none. We just wanted to ask you if you have seen Hercules lately? He was suppose to meet us back at the Academy before sunset and we haven’t seen him yet.”
“No, I haven’t seen him.” Kora answered, a little bit cautious about what the two boys were talking about. She had never trusted them, only Hercules she had learned was trustworthy. He was the only one who even knew she was a follower of Artimus. But seeing the worried looks on the two cadet’s faces changed her mind. What if something had happened to the tall cadet? “I’ll keep a look out for him, ok?”
“Sure, he’s probably down by the stables or in his bunk, waiting to surprise us or something like that.” Iolaus said.
“Thanks, Kora.” Jason said, smiling at her as he turned to leave.
“Yeah thanks. Uh Kora, if you need some help, I’ll stay and help you....”
But before he could finish his sentence, Jason grabbed Iolaus’ arm and dragged him out of the inn. Kora shook her head and grabbed a tray. The last thing she needed was Iolaus helping on one of the busiest days. Another angry shout came in her direction and sighing, left to see what they wanted.
****
Hercules could hear talking and laughing coming from Kora’s inn and he knew she was busy. He quickly ducked behind the bushes, that were about twenty feet from Kora’s, when a laughing couple came out from the inn. He sighed with relief when the couple didn’t look his way and glanced at the silver unicorn standing behind him. It was very hard to hide the beautiful creature because it’s coat seemed to glow in the dark woods.
“Ok, you have to stay here. You can’t follow me this time, you got that?”
The unicorn seemed to nod, the glittering horn bobbing like a lantern. Hercules sighed and looked away. He knew the unicorn would surely be spotted if it followed him to the back of the inn. Two more people exited the inn and Hercules realized that it was Jason and Iolaus. ‘Oh great. They were probably looking for me. I am really going to be in deep trouble.’ he thought, as he watched his two friends walk back to the Academy.
Looking back at the unicorn, Hercules pointed at it. “Now you stay put. That’s all we need is for everyone to see you.”
The unicorn looked away but stood there. Hercules shook his head and quietly sneaking out of the bushes and making sure the coast was clear, took off towards the back of the inn. The torches that aligned the inn cast enough light so that Hercules could see where he was going. He crept along the side wall and looked in. It was packed all right, and Kora looked ready to kill somebody. Hercules glanced back to where he had left the unicorn and noticed to his horror that it was gone!
“Oh no. No. No.” Hercules muttered, looking quickly around, trying to see any glimpse of the unicorn. When he found nothing, Hercules heart slowly stopped it’s wild beating. Maybe the unicorn had decided to leave and return to it’s home.
“What are you doing here?” Kora’s angry voice brought Hercules back to reality.
“Kora. Look, I’m sorry to bother you this late. I thought I needed your help but....” Hercules stopped when he noticed Kora’s shocked expression was not turned towards him but at something behind him. He slowly turned around to see the silver unicorn walking towards him. “Oh crap.” He muttered when the unicorn tossed it’s head and stopped a foot away.
“Hercules....why...how....that’s a unicorn!” Kora gasped, dropping the tray she still held.
**********
“Uh, yeah, that is what I came to you for help with.” Hercules muttered, looking back at the astonished face on the blond innkeeper. “You see....”
“Hercules!” Kora nearly yelled, now turning her attention to the demigod. “How could you bring a sacred unicorn here? You can’t be that stupid!”
“Wait a minute,” Hercules said, interrupting Kora. “It was not my idea to be strolling around the woods with a unicorn by my side.”
“Well, then, how did it get here?” Kora said, putting her hands on her hips.
Hercules turned to look at the silver creature. It snorted and shook it’s head. “That is what I need your help with. I ended up running across it trapped in a hunter’s net and so I freed it. But now it won’t leave my side. I can’t get it to go back to where it came from or anything and I was hoping you would help me.”
Kora remained silent as she studied the unicorn. “Oh no.” she muttered after a bit.
“Oh no? Oh no what?” Hercules said, not liking the tone of voice.
“This particular unicorn must be a young one, or else it wouldn’t have left Artemis’ sacred grounds. But you are in trouble also, because the unicorns are one of Artemis’ favorite creatures, along with the Golden Hind. And you know what she will do to people hunting or trying to trap one.”
“But, I don’t understand. I freed this one and it won’t leave me. I don’t want Artemis frying my butt because of it. How do I make it return?”
“I’m afraid you can’t make it do anything.” Kora said, turning worried eyes toward Hercules. “The reason it is not leaving you is because it probably thinks it owes you now. You said you rescued it and so it will stay by your side until it can do the same for you.”
“Oh great.” Hercules muttered. “Well, what if we brought it back to where the other unicorns are? Maybe it will see it’s kind and go back?”
“We could try, but I can’t tonight. It is a full house.”
“But what about me? I have to tell Cheiron what happened or they will think I was killed or something, and I already am in major trouble.”
“Hercules, I can’t leave the inn. And I know for sure that you shouldn’t go back to the Academy. If the unicorn is spotted, who knows what could happen.” Kora said, picking up the tray she had dropped.
“Then what do I do?” Hercules asked, trying to keep his voice down.
“Look, right now I have to get back and help these customers. Why don’t you wait in the bushes here until I have a chance to close up. I close in about another hour, so it won’t be long.”
Hercules sighed and nodded. He had nowhere else to go.
“Ok, just keep the unicorn hidden. It could be a disaster if it was seen.”
“Right,” Hercules mumbled as he watched Kora disappear back into the noisy inn. “Come on buddy, lets get you hidden.”
Hercules and the unicorn quickly snuck back into the bushes. Crouching down, Hercules rubbed a hand through his blond hair. How was he going to explain all of this to Chieron?
Unbeknownst to Hercules, Iolaus and Jason were just outside the inn, still arguing about Iolaus’ attitude.
“You can’t keep doing this Iolaus!” Jason said. “She will kick us out of the inn if you keep trying to hit on her.”
“I wasn’t hitting on her, I was being polite and asking if she needed some help. More than you would do. I bet you don’t even know how to clean dishes.”
“Oh yeah? Why don’t we step over here and I will show you how I can clean up your dish of a face?”
Hercules could immediately tell who was just outside the inn and his heart plummeted. If Iolaus and Jason spotted him now, the unicorn would be spotted and who knew what would happen then. “Keep hidden or you will be in real trouble.” Hercules hissed at the unicorn when it lifted it’s head to look at the two young men who were arguing. But the unicorn ignored the demigod’s whisperings and took a step toward the end of the bushes. “No! Stay here!” Hercules tried to whisper loud enough to have effect on the stubborn unicorn.
The unicorn looked down at Hercules, seeming to just now take notice that the young man was there.
“That’s better.” Hercules muttered, turning his back to the unicorn. “You stay put or....” But before he could finish, something suddenly shoved Hercules from behind, knocking him into the bushes.
***************
Jason was just about to start clobbering Iolaus when he heard a loud “OWW!” come from the bushes behind them. “Did you hear that?”
“Yeah, I think I did hear something.” Iolaus muttered. Just then the bushes rustled and muttering could be heard. “Someone is back there.”
“I believe you are right. Come on, let’s see who it is.” Jason whispered, motioning for Iolaus to follow him.
When Hercules had quickly gotten his bearings, he glared at the unicorn who was now grazing behind him, casting one brown eye in his direction as if to say ‘what are you looking at?’
“You are going to get us into big trouble. What if someone heard....”
All of a sudden there was a yell and two men jumped on Hercules, knocking him to the ground. There was a few muffled shouts and curses until Hercules was able to pin one of the men to the ground, only after throwing the other off of him and into the bushes.
Just then Hercules realize who they were. “Iolaus!”
Iolaus had the same shocked look on his face. “Herc? What...Why are you in the bushes? Me and Jason thought you were some robber or something.”
“Robber? Why would you....oh no, Jason!” Hercules realized that the first person he had kicked off of him must have been Jason. Hercules let Iolaus off the ground and turned to see Jason groaning as he slowly climbing out of the bushes in which he had been pitched into.
“Hercules? What are you doing back here?” Jason asked, rubbing his head. “And why did you have to hit me so hard?”
“Why did you attack me? I wouldn’t have done it if you guys hadn’t planned a surprise attack on me.” Hercules muttered, tossing back on of his bangs which had fallen into his face. Just then he remembered the unicorn. Where had it gone? “Oh crap,” Hercules muttered, looking around for the silver creature.
“Oh crap is right, you nearly broke my head open,” Jason grumbled.
“What is it Hercules?” Iolaus asked, noticing the troubled look on his friend’s face. “Could you please explain all of this?”
“Uh, well, ummm...I can’t.” Hercules said, still looking around. “But I need you guys to help me.”
“Look, Chieron and Feducious have been worried. They will tear you head off when you finally come back to the Academy. I say we start heading back now so that you aren’t in so much trouble.” Jason said as he started making his way out of the bushes. “We’ll just listen to your story when you tell it to Chieron about why you were late, and then after they punish you, then you can enlighten us with the true tale.”
“You guys don’t understand. I can’t come back to the Academy just yet. Somebody needs my help. What I need you guys to do is to explain to Chieron that I had to go and visit my mother. Umm, she became ill or something like that.”
“Oh I don’t know Herc, I mean, Chieron will kill us too if he finds out that we lied to him.” Iolaus muttered.
“How many times have I covered for you?” Hercules asked, grabbing onto Iolaus’arm to stop him from leaving. “Please I need your help this time. I can’t explain it now, just please, be my friends and help me.”
Iolaus looked at Jason. Jason nodded and came back towards Hercules and Iolaus. “What do you need us to do?.”
***************
“Man, I hope we don’t get in trouble for this.” Iolaus muttered as he and Jason quietly walk into the Academy.
“Why are you so worried about getting into trouble?” Jason asked. “I mean, you get into trouble all the time. I just am worried about Hercules. He is keeping something from us.”
“Yeah, I was wondering that too. It’s not like Herc to keep something from his two good friends, unless he was trying to keep us from danger.” Iolaus mused.
“What are you two doing up so late?” Chieron asked, nearly scaring the two cadets to death.
“Um, well...we were just looking for Hercules...” Iolaus stammered. But Jason came to the rescue.
“And we found him. He went to see his mother because she had gotten ill. He couldn’t find you or Feducious so he went without telling anybody.”
The centaur teacher eyed the two boys suspiciously. “I see. Well, I am glad to know that Hercules is not injured or something like that. But in the morning I want you to go and tell him that he needs to see me soon. I can’t have cadets wondering off without telling a teacher about it.”
“Yes sir.” both Jason and Iolaus said.
Chieron shook his head and turned to leave. “Oh, and you guys had better get to your bunks. Lights out are in two minutes.”
Jason and Iolaus let their breaths out as soon as Cheiron had disappeared. “Boy that was close.” Iolaus muttered.
“Yeah. Man, I hope Herc has a good excuse for just disappearing like that.” Jason whispered as the two cadets made their way to their bunks.
*****
Hercules had watched the two cadets walk back to the academy and when they were out of range Hercules looked around for the beautiful unicorn. Where had it gone and why did it always disappear like that whenever public was around? ‘Maybe it can make itself invisible when ever it feels threatened. But why did it reappear when Kora came out to meet me?’ Hercules mused over the questions in his mind as he looked all around the dark woods for the silver beast. “Come on out. It’s safe now.” Hercules whispered, making sure that the unicorn was not behind him to scare him out of a year’s growth again.
Then he spotted it’s silver glow coming from behind a big oak farther in the woods. It stared at him with big brown eyes and it’s nostril’s quivered in a soundless nicker of greeting. Hercules sighed and made his way toward it. “I know, it was a close call. But Iolaus and Jason would never hurt you.”
The unicorn just quietly stared at Hercules. Suddenly Hercules heard somebody walking towards them. Turning around he noticed a hooded figure making his way in their direction. Hercules quickly hid behind a tree and called out, “ Who goes there?”
The figure stopped and took off the hood to reveal blond hair. “There you are Hercules, I was wondering where you went to.” Kora said, a tinge of anger and fear showing in her blue eyes.
“Thank goodness it’s only you. Jason and Iolaus almost saw the unicorn but luckily it disappeared when they found me.”
“That is a good thing. All we need is for someone to see it and we’ll have all of Corinth on our trail.” Kora muttered as she came up next to Hercules. “I hope you told Jason and Iolaus a story and not the truth.”
“I told them to tell Cheiron that I had gone to my mother’s house. They were curious but they understand why I had to keep it a secret.”
“Yeah I guess they would understand the many secrets gods keep, especially a certain demigod.” Kora muttered, a grin on her face. “We have no time to lose. I suggest we start heading out tonight. We can rest when we get far enough away from Corinth.”
“But what about your inn? Don’t you have to open in the morning?”
“No, I found somebody to cover for me at least half of the day.” Kora said, tugging her cloak tighter around her slim body. “Now lets get moving.”
****
The cool night air sent chills through Hercules’ body, but he kept moving. He was tired and hungry and he knew Kora probably felt the same. Hercules noticed the unicorn moving closer to him as the night drew in. He could feel the soft breath against his arm as the unicorn’s head drew even with him. Hercules caught himself feeling sorry for the poor creature. It was probably feeling very lost right now without any of its kind around.
“It’s ok, buddy,” Hercules whispered, gently laying a hand on it’s silver coat. The hair felt like silk against his skin. “We’ll find your home and the rest of your family.”
The unicorn snorted and as they walked seemed to lean even closer to the demigod, as if seeking safety.
Hours later Kora finally stopped. “OK, I believe we are far enough away from Corinth that we can get some rest.”
Hercules nodded and sat down with his back against a tree. The unicorn remained standing while Kora also sat down. Hercules could hear the night critters as they came awake and scurried about to find food. He crossed his arms and leaned his head back against the tree. Hercules, though, seemed to be able to hear every little noise that the woods made. No matter how tired he was, he just couldn’t fall asleep. Suddenly he felt the ground tremble slightly and he turned to see the unicorn laying down next to him, it’s soft brown eyes looking at him. Hercules smiled and laid a hand against the silky unicorn body. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep, the unicorn’s head laying on his lap.
****************
Kora awoke at dawn to see Hercules fast asleep with the unicorn’s head laying in his lap.
She smiled and shook her head. “I guess even unicorns like half-gods.” she muttered as she gathered up her cloak. She didn’t want to break the happy scene, but Kora knew that they’d better be on the move.
As she walked over to wake Hercules, the unicorn’s head suddenly sprang up and it looked at Kora as if making sure she was no enemy.
“Easy fellow,” Kora soothed the creature as she moved closer. “I have to wake up sleeping beauty here so we can get moving to your home.”
The unicorn suddenly snorted and standing up, made it’s way to Kora, lowering it’s horn,causing Kora to back away from the sleeping cadet.
Just then, Hercules opened his eyes. He sprang up seeing the unicorn advancing on Kora and ran to the unicorn’s side. “Whoa buddy, she’s ok. She’s with me.”
Kora shook her head. “You know, you had better learn to wake up by yourself. I don’t want to end up speared by your watch dog here.”
“He’s never done that before.” Hercules muttered, rubbing a hand down the silky neck. “I think something is bothering him.”
“Since when have you started calling it a ‘him’?” Kora asked, putting her hands on her hips.
“I don’t know. I guess ‘it’ doesn’t sound approprate anymore.”
“You just don’t get too attached to him.” Kora said, eyeing the young cadet. “You know we can’t keep him. He needs to go back to where he came from.”
“Yes mother,” Hercules muttered.
Kora sighed and turned away. “Come on. Let’s get moving. I don’t want to stick around in this area for too long.”
Hercules caught up to the young woman. “What do you mean? I thought we were safe here?”
“Right now we are, but we soon have to move into the Tangero territory to get to the other secret grove in which Artimus keeps the unicorns. I have heard the the Tangeros don’t take nicely to intruderes in their territory.”
“Oh great,” Hercules muttered as he kept pace with the inn keeper.
“Don’t worry yet. If we stay far enough away from their camp and keep to ourselves, we shouldn’t be bothered.”
****
The three travelers continued their journey, walking through mountainous hills and green pastures. Everything looked so beautiful and green, Hercules thought as they pushed on.
They suddenly came to a patch of woods and Kora stopped. “Ok, we’ll rest a bit then continue. Just past these woods lays Artimus’ secret grove. But the Tangero camp in these woods also, so we will have to be very careful.”
Hercules nodded and sat down with Kora as the unicorn, staying close by, started grazing.
“I am still wondering how the unicorn made it all the way to the Academy from here.” Hercules muttered.
Kora shrugged her shoulders as she grabbed a sandwich from her sack, handing one to Hercules. “When unicorns are young, they are very curious. And if the mother doesn’t watch them every single minute, they will get into trouble or run off, just like your friend did. His mother was probably injured or killed, though. Usually unicorns don’t get that far because their mothers will stop them.”
Hercules looked at the unicorn, it’s brown eyes were cast in their direction. “Poor fellow. What will happen to him if he has no mother.?”
Well, that’s the good thing. Another unicorn will take the responsibility of raising and teaching them until they get old enough. So I wouldn’t worry to much about your friend.” After a few more minutes, Kora got up and signaled them to follow. “Just be really careful. The Tangeros set lots of traps in their neck of the woods and we don’t want to run into any of them.”
“How do you know so much?” Hercules asked as they entered the woods, but Kora motioned for him to remain quiet.
The tall trees blocked the sun causing the forest to look dark and eerie. Hercules and Kora tried their best to remain silent while the unicorn made no sound at all. ‘I wonder how he does that,’ Hercules caught himself thinking.
Suddenly the unicorn stopped, putting it’s nose in the air. Hercules stopped beside it.
“Come on. We have to keep moving.” He whispered, noticing Kora as she kept on walking ahead.
But the unicorn laid back it’s ears and wouldn’t budge. Then the young demigod knew something was wrong. “Um, Kora?” Hercules whispered loudly, looking around for the innkeeper. He turned back to where the unicorn was, only to find nothing but woods.
“Oh no.” Hercules felt his heart sink. He knew he had to find Kora and quick. With the unicorn gone Hercules knew that danger was close by. “Kora!” He raised his voice and quickened his pace hopeing to catch up with the innkeeper.
As he rounded a bend, he suddenly heard a cry and it sounded like Kora. Hercules started running and finally came upon Kora on the ground, a hunter’s metal trap had her leg pinned to the ground. “Kora!” Hercules called as he sank to the ground next to her.
Kora grabbed Hercules’ arm. “Go! Now! Get the unicorn to safety.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Hercules said, as he used all of his strength to open the trap and free Kora’s leg. Finally the trap sprung open and Hercules gently lifted Kora’s leg from it. Even through her boot, Hercules could see the blood from the wound that the trap had caused. “We have to get out of here.”
“Hercules, I can’t walk. You need to get the unicorn to Artimus’ grounds before he is seen.”
I would if I could Kora.” Hercules answered as he took part of her cloak and ripped off and edge and tied it around her ankle. “But he’s gone again. I believe that he sniffed the danger and became invisible. Right now, we have to get out of here before the danger finds us.”
Hercules finished tying off the wound and helped Kora to her feet. Kora gasped as she put weight on her injured ankle.
“Here, put your weight on me and off that foot. We’ll get out of here, don’t worry.”
Kora frowned but did as she was told. Slowly they made their way through the woods.
“Those Tangero people will know that one of their snares was sprung.” Kora muttered as they limped along. “They will be after us soon.”
“Why don’t we try and be optimistic?” Hercules muttered. “Let’s just try and tell ourselves that we will get out of here alive? Don’t you agree?”
Kora let out a snort of laughter. “It’s kind of weird huh? You rescue this creature and yet when danger peeks it’s head out, it disappears like a coward.”
“I have no control of him. Believe me if I did, I would have had it walking away and back home the day that I met it.”
Kora looked around as they walked, trying to remain as quiet as they could. “Hercules, I think we can get out over there.” Kora said pointing to a light that was peeping out of the woods.
Hercules noticed and made his way with Kora beside him toward the opening. The branches and vines seemed to hold them back as they tried to exit the forest. Hercules was having trouble as he tried to push the vines out of his way with one hand and help Kora with the other.
But just as the two reached a small clearing that appeared before the opening of the forest wall, a huge net suddenly fell on top of them, pinning the two young people to the ground!
“Oh this is just great,” Hercules muttered as he tried to lift the net off, but the more they struggled, the more entangled they became. Just as Hercules was about to rip open a part of the net, he suddenly had the sharp end of a spear pointing right at him.
Kora meanwhile had been cursing and trying to untangle herself, but when she turned around to fuss at Hercules, she quickly noticed the ten gruff-looking men that surrounded them. They were the Tangeros, Kora knew with a feeling of dread in her stomach.
*********************
An older, gruff looking men stepped closer to them. His eyes looked down at the two prisoners as if sizing them up. “Why are you trespassing on Tangero property?” He asked, glaring at them.
“We didn’t mean to.” Hercules said. “But your part of the woods just happens to be the only enterence to Artimus’ sacred grounds and we...”
“You are forbidden to enter out domain!” The man yelled, interupting the demigod.
“You will now have to be exicuted.” Suddenly he motioned to his men and Hercules and Kora were ruffly yanked to their feet and the net was taken off.
“Please, we didn’t mean any harm.” Kora said as the older man drew his sword.
The man who had spoken to them glared and nodded his head at the rest of the men. “Tie them to the trees and lets get this over with.”
Hercules and Kora were ruffly grabbed and yanked over to a set of trees where the guards tied them up.
“You don’t have to do this.” Hercules said, as he tried to wrestle with the rope that tied their hands behind the trees. “We didn’t mean to trespass. At least let the girl go free and show some mercy.”
The man snarled at the cadet and walked up to them, sword in hand. “Mercy is never shown to trespassers. Be glad that I am making your deaths quick and painless.”
Hercules swallowed a lump of fear as the man smiled a toothless grin and raised his sword to strike.
All of a sudden there was a gasp from the rest of the men that were standing behind Hercules and Kora. The older man turned around to see what his men were looking at and saw the huge form of a silver-white unicorn, ears laid back and horn lowered, pointing right at the older man’s back!
“By the gods...” the older man muttered and dropping the sword, started backing away from the two prisoners and towards the rest of his men who were grouped together and trembling in their boots. Hercules chuckled inwardly at the site of the Tangeros backing away from a unicorn. Suddenly the unicorn let out a shrill scream and reared up on it’s hind legs, striking at the heavens with it’s front hooves. Hercules thought it was the most beautiful site he had ever seen...the beautiful creature reaching up to the heavens...the few rays of the sun, that had escaped through the trees, falling on the unicorn’s silvery hide, causing it to sparkle in the light...almost like something the gods had brought to earth.
But the Tangeros did not think the same thing. As soon as the unicorn reared up, they were gone, shoving each other out of the way to escape the demon.
The unicorn came back down on all fours as soon as the men were out of site, and looked at Kora and Hercules, as if saying ‘Do I have to do everything?’
Hercules grinned. “Thanks buddy.”
“Man that was close.” Kora muttered beside him. “But now can your pet unicorn here free us or do we have to stay tied up to these trees all night?”
Hercules rolled his eyes at the innkeeper. “Ok, boy. Do you think you can do one more favor for me?”
The unicorn snorted and walking up to them, he lowered his horn and neatly cut right through the ropes the encircled Hercules’ wrists. “Thanks bud.” Hercules said, patting the unicorn’s neck.
After Kora was untied, the three travelers let a weary sigh out. “We’d better get out butts out of here. Who knows how long those men will take to figure out what they ran from.” Kora said rubbing her wrists.
“Yes let’s get going.” Hercules said and helping Kora, they slowly walked their way out of the woods and into the sunshine.
As they exited the woods, Hercules, Kora, and the unicorn stopped dead in their tracks at the site before them.
**************
It was the most beautiful place they had ever set their eyes upon. The grass was bright green and long and the sunlight that filtered through the tall oaks caused the sparkles of light to dance across the forest floor.
Kora smiled. “This is it. Artimus’ sacred grove.”
“It...it is just so..so...” Hercules stammered, trying to find the right word to describe the lovely vision before his eyes.
Finally Hercules and Kora were snapped out of their trance by snort and a sharp whinny from the unicorn beside them. “Man, we’d better get him in there. He looks like he’s anxious to join up with his fellow pals again.” Hercules said and led the way into the beautiful grove.
As they entered the unicorn stopped, throwing it’s noise in the air, as if sniffing for something special. Suddenly it made the bell like neigh that Hercules had heard before when he found the young unicorn trapped. Hercules smiled and whispered to Kora, “He’s calling for them. He used that same chiming neigh when he was trapped and now he is calling for them to come and get him.”
Kora smiled. “Let’s hope it works this time.”
Before she had gotten the words out, there was another bell chiming neigh from inside the grove and suddenly several snow white unicorns stepped out of the woods and into the clearing. A bigger unicorn eyed the humans but it stepped forward and extended it’s neck and head out to the younger one. They touched noses and suddenly the bigger one reared up and neighed loudly, it’s neigh echoing into the grove. It then came back down on it’s all fours and nickered to the young unicorn.
“He’s accepted back.” Hercules whispered.
Kora just nodded, mesmerized by the beautiful sight before her. The bigger unicorn, who Hercules now realized was the stallion of the band of unicorns, trotted back to the group and turned to look back, as if telling the younger one to come and follow.
But to Hercules’ dismay, the unicorn turned away and looked at Hercules. “Oh no,” Hercules muttered and he slowly walked toward the unicorn. “Hey, buddy, I guess it is time to go, huh?”
The unicorn snorted but stood still as Hercules came up to it and laid a hand on the silky neck.
“Well, I guess this is good bye then.” Hercules said, trying not to let his feelings for the unicorn, which had become his friend, show through.
The unicorn nuzzled Hercules in the chest and blew softly, as if saying good bye.
“Nice knowing you. Now go home. Go back to where you belong.” To Hercules’ relief, the unicorn took one last look at the demigod and turning around, trotted toward the group that was waiting for him. He was greeted by nickers and snorts as the family disappeared into the grove.
“Well, we’d had better be going back home ourselves.” Hercules said turning towards Kora.
Kora wiped at tears and smiled. “Yes. We had better.”
As Hercules walked up to Kora he saw her grimace in pain as she accidentally put weight on her injured leg.
“Are you sure you can walk? I mean that leg looks pretty bad.”
“Do we have a choice? We can’t stay here all our lives.” Kora muttered.
“Well, do you happen to know a way around this place for us to get back home? I know that those Tangero people are waiting for us to return any moment and with you crippled, we will have no chance.”
Kora groaned and sat down on a tree stump. “I haven’t thought about that. No there is not a way around the Tangero property. I guess we’ll just have to risk it.”
All of a sudden there was a bright light and to Kora and Hercules’ horror, the goddess Artimus stood before them, arms crossed.
“I thank you for returning one of my precious unicorns to it’s rightful place. And so in return I am going to reward you.”
Before Artimus could say anything more, Hercules stepped forward. “Thank you Artimus, but we don’t want money. All we want is to be back home.”
Artimus stood there silently. Suddenly she pointed to Kora. “Since you are one of my followers I will grant what you say. Is that what you really want?”
“Yes great Artimus.” Kora said, bowing her head.
“Then it is done.” And with a wave of her hands, there came a bright light and when Hercules and Kora opened their eyes they were back in Kora’s inn, in the back room.
“Whoa,” Hercules muttered as he helped Kora sit down. “That was fun.”
“Easy is more like it.” Kora said smiling. “Well you had better get back to the Academy. I know Cheiron will want to know why you have been gone for so long.”
“Yes, but what about you?” Hercules asked, pointing to her leg. “I’ll be fine, I can take care of myself.” Kora said. “Now go.”
Hercules started to leave when suddenly he stopped. “Oh, and thank you for helping me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.”
Kora smiled and nodded.
Hercules waved good bye and started on his way back to the Academy. He knew he would have alot of explaining to do.
