"Envy, I've lived a long time. For a couple of centuries I even dwelled in the land of the unicorns. And I know it takes years for a horn to regrow." I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I would've done anything to keep her from more pain, but her horn couldn't grow as quickly as I needed.
She whinnied, shaking her head. "If you'll believe, I promise, when the time comes, it'll be ready, developed, complete."
How could I tell this amazing creature no? It was impossible. I wouldn't. It might take longer than I'd planned, but if Envy believed it was her destiny, then I wanted to make her happy.
"Thank you so much, Envy. I'll go to the trolls next. I need their strength. On my way back, I'll stop here and check on you."
Envy laughed. It was a neigh-whinny-neigh type laugh. I had to join in.
"Okay?"
"I'll come with you. It'll be fun to travel, to voyage, to trek," Envy said, pushing her nose against my thigh.
"Oh, I-"
Envy interrupted. "Don't say no. I'm supposed to go. Devoran even decided, agreed, approved."
If I took her we'd have to walk. Or, I guess I could carry her, if she let me. "Ryden and I are going to fly."
"Oh, to fly, to soar, to flutter!" Envy closed her eyes. Her lashes trembled against her lids and her whole body shook, like she concentrated too hard. A black cloud twisted around her legs, and over all of her body, like velvety tendrils.
"Envy, what's the matter?"
The wispy curls vanished. Extending from Envy's back was a beautiful, feathery pair of deep violet wings.
I gasped. The girl inside my head, Snow White, did the same.
"They're beautiful," I said, unable to stop myself from stroking the downy feathers. "How did you do this?"
She whinny-neighed again. "Magic."
"What's the plan? Continue to take care of her here?"
"We're moving her to our house. I've already explained the situation to child services. With her father gone, and the crazy stepmother out of the picture, I'm her legal guardian. And I won't leave her in this ridiculous house another second."
"Good. It's tragic all that's happened to her and her family. First her mother dies. Now her father vanishes. Poor Snow. She's too good for this."
"Agreed, son."
"She isn't as red and glowy anymore. Do you think she'll wake up soon?"
"I don't know. Magic is strange. It's exciting, easy to manipulate if you possess the gene, but it can also be cruel and cunning."
Chapter 11
My sister, Sharra, and I were born with wings, and at a young age became quite adept at flying. But I had a training period, a time where I learned what it meant to beat my wings against the air, turn them, or tuck them according to what kind of flying I intended. With the little unicorn, Envy, there was none of that. She leapt into the sky, and soared like she'd been flying forever.
"It took me ten tries before I could fly without crashing into something," Ryden whispered.
"She's magnificent," I said, unable to take my eyes from her.
"This is amazing, wonderful, stupendous," Envy said, her deep violet wings beating against the bright sky.
I flew over to her. "It really is the best, right?" Her giddiness and enthusiasm rubbed off on me. The girl called Snow White was enjoying herself as well.
I've never flown before, she squealed happily. Her voice caught. Is it all right if I talk? I was nervous to speak before, but now you know I'm in here with you, it would be... nice.
Of course, I answered back, wondering if somehow I was talking to myself, but was so far gone in my insanity I didn't realize it.
Thank you, she whispered.
For whatever reason, having her with me brought comfort. If I am crazy, then I don't want to be sane, I thought.
I decided to believe in Envy, as long as I could, and instead of flying inland, toward the land of the unicorns, I headed to the craggy mountains where the trolls lived.
I heard the trolls long before I saw them. Their battle cries. Trees being torn unceremoniously from the base, pieces of rock carved with bare hands from the mountain. They were still at war with the elves.
It appeared Devoran's mission of peace hadn't worked, I thought, pushing myself faster. Over the mountain peaks, along the steep ridges, to Ellavera Pass.
The scene I came upon twisted my gut. Death raged below. Bodies of the willowy elves, and the leathered trolls were strewn across the earth. Hundreds of trees in various stages of mutilation amongst the dead. Large boulders broken and powdery, making the bleeding bodies appear covered in ash.
"This has to stop," Ryden said, her tiny lips trembling in dismay.
"We cannot let this mayhem continue, go on, advance," Envy added. Her eyes filled with tears.
This is awful, Snow White added.
It is, I agreed.
I searched the battleground for Devoran or Titan, the leader of the trolls. Since Devoran came to this fight, I knew Titan would be there as well. I spotted him at the top of the Pass. Angry lines etched his potato-skin face. The troll yelled orders, sending spittle into the faces of those unlucky enough to be near. Pointy yellow teeth seemed to swallow his face.
Steeling myself, I headed over.
Ten feet away, Titan turned his beady black eyes on me, an angry roar sending spittle my direction. Luckily he didn't have that kind of range. But I took that as his greeting.
"Titan, I have business to discuss." I stayed in the air, beating my wings to keep me alight so that I could look Titan in the eyes. Had I landed, I would've come to his protruding belly button, and that wouldn't do.
"Can't you see I'm busy? These senseless elves are nothing but trouble, insects to be squashed back into the earth where they came from." He focused his attention on the warriors he'd been talking to before I interrupted. "I don't care if Devoran wants to talk. I'm sick of his mind games. Kill them all," he shouted, waving his three-fingered hand in dismissal.
As he spoke, I turned away, searching for Ryden and Envy. I could make out the pixilette a ways off, hovering anxiously over something. I couldn't see Envy. "Where did that little flying unicorn get to?" I wondered aloud, searching the sky. I hoped she was okay. The trolls cared little for other creatures, especially when they were in the throws of battle. Returning my gaze to Titan, I said, "This is of the upmost importance. I cannot wait."