Aera Silverleaf paced through the forest in long, careful strides.  She breathed in the nutty aroma of the trees in restrained intervals, keeping her calm and cool.  Clothed in green she was the very model of a Wood Elf scout.  Her emerald cloak moulded around her body as much as protection from the scratching branches as to camouflage her.  A hood concealed her fiery red hair, tied back in a warrior’s ponytail.  Her tunic was a soft brown to match the bark of the trees around her.  A thick leather belt around her middle kept a quiver of Elven arrows at her side.  Slung over her back was a sinuous long bow.  Aera had been trained by the elves of Loren and had risen to be one of their best.  Her fluid steps were silent and efficient. Summer had reached the forests of Loren, bringing with it the hordes of goblins.  Small encampments had been found already, an omen of a larger attack to come.  Aera shook her head to clear it, it was not her concern to worry about the attack.  She was a scout and she had to finish her rounds.
           The forest spread out before Aera in a beautiful array of green and brown.  Loren was beautiful in the very sense of the word.  A druidic cathedral created by towering oaks and silver birchs.  Streams of light filtered through the leaves in a patchwork of gold on the forest floor.  The shrill call of some unknown bird whistled clear and loud.  It echoed within the elf’s ears, thrilling her.  She knelt down before one of the many rivers that threaded through her home.  Colourful fish that swam in the crystal waters darted away as Aera quickly cupped the water in her hands and splashed it against her face.  Suddenly her head was filled with music, pure and mourning.  It called to her and drew her away from the river.  Sad and hypnotic, it was inhumanly perfect, drawing out some portion of her spirit she had not known was there.  It made Aera want to cry out with sorrow and ecstasy.  The song took control of her body, leading her onwards.  She did not care, it called and she obeyed.  For an eternity of bliss she hung between heaven and earth until without warning it stopped.  Aera gasped for breath as if she had been underwater.  She longed to hear the music again but it did not come.  Darkness had fallen while she had been entranced by the music and now she was in a new part of the forest.  A voice broke her out of her reverie.
           “Dat’s a good horsey, now stay still,” this was accompanied be a loud neighing and gales of laughter.  Furrowing her brows, Aera crept closer as her elven training took hold.  Hiding between two trees, she was able to see a small clearing.  A few tents had sprung up amidst the greenery.  Small campfires dotted the darkness like fireflies, spreading a glowing light around the surrounding area.  Without being able to see the owners of the tents, she knew they were goblins.  She guessed there were about ten of the little greenskins, sitting in a large circle.  As her eyes looked upon the center of their attention, awe filled her.  A large white stallion towered over the goblins, looking as wild and free as the wind itself.  Sweat glistened along its snowy coat and the fire seemed to make it glow.  Sprouting from its forehead was a long crystal horn.  It seemed to spiral into the night like a lance.  Glistening with an ethereal beauty, Aera knew at once that it was the creature that had called her—a unicorn.  It shook its glossy mane and stamped its foot impatiently at the goblin that crept around it.  Leather thongs were tied around its head to small stakes in the ground.  The goblin grumbled out a curse and drew a wicked-looking knife out of its sheath.
           “We’re gonna have horsey stew now, ya hear?”  The words were spoken in a high-pitched voice that detracted from the intimidation.  The goblin barely got them out before being tackled from behind.
           “No, Oknuk!  Da Warboss said keep da horsey or he’ll rattle yer skull!”  The speaker cuffed the goblin with the knife and sent him sprawling.  Aera bit her lip nervously, she could not let them harm the unicorn.  There was no time to get help either, she did not know what to do.  Biting her bottom lip, she drew her blade.  It flashed with captured light and she quickly rubbed dirt against it to dull the shine.  Within another moment the decision was made for her.  The goblin called Oknuk charged at the unicorn, flying past the others.  His knife was drawn for the kill and even from a distance Aera could see the bloodlust tinged with madness that shone in his eyes.  Without thinking, the elf bounded over the ridge towards the camp.  Each long stride ate away at the distance until she could feel the heat of the bonfires.  With an animal-like snarl, she skewered the goblin.  Aera thrust her foot against the corpse and pushed it from the blade.  Half of the goblins were stunned with shock while the other half looked ready to explode with anger.
           “It’s an elfey!  Kill it, kill it!” A goblin hurled itself at her, teeth bared and dagger in hand.  Her sword moved with a certain grace achieved only by true blade masters, a degree she had never attained.  It clove the skull of the little wretch and then rose in the air for defence.  Another charged in where the first had been.  It dodged under her blade and slashed frantically with a wickedly-curved knife.  Aera cried out in pain as it cut through her armour to rend the flesh beneath.  The scout bit fought the tears that came and retreated away from the antagonist.  The blade flashed and the tip dug in a quick line across her foe’s stomach.  Another quick flick of the sword felled the beast.  The goblins, realizing that one-on-one attacks were not effective, began circling around her.  One of the greenskins began rousing others from the tent.  Aera did not waste a moment, instead of fighting she threw her leg over the flank of the unicorn.  She brought the blade down on the cord that bound the horse.  Hugging the neck the great snowy neck, she urged the unicorn onwards through the massing goblins.  She carved away through the troops while her mount struck out as well.  Once free of the circle the horse and rider fled, the goblins trailing after.  The unicorn seemed barely hindered by the thick underbrush and it dodged through the trees as if they weren’t there at all. The speed exhilarated and thrilled Aera but fatigue washed over from the battle. The yells and mad screams of the goblins echoed within the woods, alerting other elves to their presence.  As the wooden gates of Loren came into sight, the scout caught sight of companies of bowmen preparing to fire, along with regiments of warriors preparing for the attack.
           Aera quickly guided the unicorn behind the battle lines.  She turned away from the fight, knowing that victory would be the outcome.  She walked into her home hoping that tomorrow’s assignment would bring a little peace.

Author:
Helen Marshall