Taming Destiny

A coach rode onto the paved road heading past the stately townhouse as a boy watched the coach leave through a window in the living room and when he could no longer see the coach heaved a sigh and slowly got up from his knees and moved consciously towards the entry, climbing down the stoop made his way to the back of the house, with a single-mindedness past the beautiful flowers some cropping up the back of the house walls and fence, beds of roses in varying shades, arranged neatly around artfully cropped hedges, lilies and dandelions gathering and adding a diffeing beauty to the garden and further away separated by a small fenced gate leading towards a vegetable garden. Barely glancing at the almost too artful gardens, the young boy headed further away; breaking into a run, he made for the path opposite the road the coach took, his long, thick, curly dark hair pulling away from his low bun and spreading in the wind.

His fair skin shone in the fading light, littered with scratches and blisters, some scabbing over, elbows lined with spiral marks, jaw set, and grey eyes almost too cold, holding an intensity far beyond his years like windows to a quiet storm, sat symmetrically on his slightly gaunt face, giving him a striking and sharp appearance. His fair complexion contrasted sharply with his dark hair, making his eyes stand out even more. Though small in stature, his posture carried quiet confidence; he ran into the treeline at the edge of the forest. Slowing his run to almost a fast walk, he made his way deeper inside, passing trees, raising branches, sidestepping tree roots, and somehow following an invisible path toward the center.

The forest was always quiet and dark just before sunset, the locals believed superstitious reasons like the demons wandering on man's soil and sullying the land but that was utter tosh, from a young age, right around the time he had been able to jump the fence behind the garden out back and been able to run faster and further away from the main road leading to town back at his Aunt and Uncle's house.

But he knew there were no such things as demons no matter what his guardians would prefer he believe, only stories told by humans to scare children. His Uncle and Aunt would be furious -well far more furious - than they usually were if they found out they were unable to beat the freakish, demon-like evil within him, or worse that he willingly embraced said nature

'Calm down Caed' he whispered fiercely to himself, breathing in and out, dimming the rage within, walking quickly, dodging overhead branches, and deftly stepping snaking roots slowly the tension in his chest loosened and he stopped hunching into himself and slowly a smile spread across his face and his once cold expression began to thaw, feeling lighter and brighter he ran further in.

Their ears perked up as he picked up the distinct sound of hooves hitting the ground, smile brightening, making a beeline for the sound.

"Woah!! Calm down boy!" grinning from ear to ear, almost strutting he walked closer to the creature, coat gleaming white, mane flowing and fanning on either side of its sides, rubies and sapphire dotting the mane, a sharp ivory horn stood proudly between its forehead and a set of golden eyes, overall shimmery in silvery glow, the unicorn stood proudly and strong in the middle of the glade.

"There, boy, "whispering softly and gently pressing his head to the side of the mighty creature. Slowly, a feeling of calm settled over him, leading the unicorn over to a bush of berries, and he began picking wild berries into a sac, filling it to the brim before leading the unicorn to a huge tree fanning over the area.

Settling down, both child and uniform began eating the berries quietly, listening to the sounds of the forest as dusk settled. An owl hoots in the distance, chirping crickets, the soft rustling of leaves in the wind, and soft munching as both share the contents of the sac amongst themselves.

"Aunt Mildred left for the seamstress this afternoon" he starts " ball she says, Uncle Edgar is to be made viscount now that grandfather Sinclair's dead, quite like ld the old man's long tales" he adds quietly, looking up at the leaves and following the trail of settled dew he continues " they'll be staying at the castle a fortnight, he plans on making the most in court, I won't be missing them "he says with a frown, the unicorn nudges him, turning he gives him a small smile " well now that Uncle Edgar has what he wants I bet he'd be less angry and slower to his belt" he bows his head and quietly adds " or whip" in stronger tone" or bottle, bet even Aunt Mildred will be happier" he shivers unconsciously and continues chewing on the berries while petting the unicorn's coat.

"I bet your herd must miss you silly, the care of those gem placements, is stunning, if only people could you in all your beauty, they wouldn't be quick to judge all magical creatures but then again they'd convet you in one way or another" shifting closer to the unicorn and resting comfortably against its flank, humming slightly to himself " I'll stay the night here, uncle and aunt aren't bound for the house till midday tomorrow, thankfully they took the helps with them no one will be missing me" forlornly he adds combing through the mane " I bet where you go whenever is a ton better than here fields and glades soothing you, warmth and family, food all you can eat and drink, no one calls you a demon, monster, evil I bet" sniffling he looks up at the sky " must be heaven, boy a beautiful heaven " ending his sentence softly raising his hand to the sky and spreading his hands above "heaven...."

Far away as the skies darkened and the soft cadence of the night increased, the wind softly picked up and the moon shone bright and brave twirling and spiraling in the middle of the glade as the boy slept a soft breeze of greens and gold surrounded him and scales grew on his skin glowing almost obsidian black a whisper in his ear and the boy slept peacefully, the unicorn watched the scene carefully and bowing to the presence as it rose into the night and disappeared in a flurry of golden light.