Unicorn Lost

Presents

A	Black-Footed Ferret guard slinked swiftly through the forest along-side of the trail.

Quicksilver had recruited him because of his breed's incredible stamina, his unusual speed for such a creature, and in particular, his lack of loyalty to the King. Now, he honed all of his qualities towards finding the skunkette, whose trail was stronger than that of the Ermine Guard that had captured the tree-household and their other guests.

Presently, he topped a rise and saw the skunk he sought, along with a small copper dragon. Moving forward enough to be within earshot, he called to the travellers, who were now hurrying along the path. "Excuse me? Hallo there," he grated with a voice as dry as fall leaves.

He saw the skunk and dragon whirl around, then he staggered out of the trees, sumbling over a rock. He smiled internally as he thought how his master would approve of the way he had adapted the drunk-donkey act to suit his needs. "Help me, please," he implored the duo, then collapsed entirely.

Kamida hesitated a moment more before heading back to him, Pence close at her heels.

"I am sorry," he said, as they drew nearer. "I have not found any food for three days, and I am parched and famished," he murmered.

Moved, Kamida offered him some water immediately from the bottle she had gathered in the Chipmunks' kitchen. "Drink slowly," advised Pence. "If you drink too fast, you'll just pee it all out again."

"Pence!" cried the little skunk.

"S'true," he defended. A slightly hurt look crossing his scaly snout.

Shaking it off, Kamida looked back at the ferret. "He's right, of course. You do need to drink slowly to have any good effect."

The ferret drank slowly, but greatfully; then smiled at his new companions. "Have you seen any unelevated prairie dogs? I am famished."

"No," said Pence. "You won't find any prairie dogs of any sort in a dark forest like this."

The ferret moaned, "Too bad! I knew I should not have wandered under the forest eaves. I'm starved, and all I can think about is my mother's prairie dog stew and my father's fried haggis."

Kamida's violet eyes lit up. "I have a can of haggis you can have!" She set down her backpack and reached deep within its workings, until she found the can-opener and the haggis. She opened the container and handed it to the weakened traveller. "I'm sorry, I don't have any way to heat it for you, but it will have to do."

"Bless you, child!" The ferret snatched the can and happily set about munching on a bite of the meaty mass.

"What is haggis, anyway," queried the skunkette.

"You're better off not knowing," Pence and the ferret chimed at once.

"Bless you, child," repeated the ferret, his black forepaws now stained with entrails. "Allow me to thank you." He reached into a pouch and pulled out a purple bracelet. "I noticed the silver cuff you wear. Does it affect your memories?"

"Yes!" cried Kamida, shocked.

"Put this on," instructed the ferret, "And it will restore them. You've seen the crystal butterflies? Yes? They are chased away by the power of the bracelet. This will let some of them come to you again. As you regain your memory, more will be able to come to you as well."

Speechless, the little skunk made a joyful cry, taking the bracelet and putting it over the silver one she already wore. As soon as she released it, it merged with the silver, glowing green. Some of the runes glowed and disappeared, while others changed. A buzz of electricity shot around the cuff, and Kamida cried in pain. But it only lasted a moment before subsiding.

She looked up in time to see a deep crimson butterfly land on her nose. Suddenly, she saw the scene with the honey jars all too clearly, the honey sticking once agian to her fur as she scolded the copper dragon harshly. It didn't seem right, but it was as though it were happening all over again, so she guessed it must be correct.

Returning from the memory, she remembered also what was happening right now. "Ohmigosh!" she cried. "Our friends must be so far ahead now. Thank you, mister--?"

"Blackfoot."

"Thank you, Mister Blackfoot, for the gift. I hope you feel well, but I'm afraid we have to run. We're trying to catch up to some friends ahead of us on the trail."

"I understand completely," he smiled. "Thank you again for the food and water. You have probably saved my life."

"You're welcome. Goodbye!" Kamida and Pence turned back to the trail and hurried away.

When they were out of sight, Blackfoot smiled. He stood up and tossed the foul-tasting, canned meat into the underbrush. "You won't be so greatful, little lady, when you realize that bracelet is feeding you false memories. Quicksilver, on the other hand, will be delighted-- soon you will see him as your savior. Just as you want to save your little friends!"

-page oo29-
written by ToraKiyoshi.

Copyright and Credit:
  · Florence from "Freefall" © Mark Stanley.
  · Magic Gardener © Hortmage.
  · Jeanette © Jeanette Isabelle.
  · Kathy from "Carry On" © Kathy Garrison.
  · Kamida © Guest #1.
  · ToraKiyoshi - Writer.
  · White Pony from "Cross Time Cafe" © S.Kidwell.
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