This story is rated G for general viewing.
I shake my mane and snort at the Human. It does not seem to be startled by me, as most Humans are. And what is doing here, so far from any of Man’s realms? "Human," I say in a clear voice. "Who are you, and how come you to this place, the secret realm of the unicorn?" The Human woman comes toward me, but I back away, legs tense and ready to speed me beyond the woman’s reach. I have been taught that Man often brings danger and destruction with him. "Beware of man," my mother always told me. "Answer me, mortal."
The woman laughs, gently. "You, too, are mortal, Dancha."
True enough, but how does this Human know me? "Then I misspoke: lesser mortal, I ought to have said." I looked hard at her. Humans are indeed lesser mortals than such as I. Unicorns are one of the oldest earth races, secret and wise beyond Human knowing, having long since abandoned our homes in Man’s world.
"Ought you?" And suddenly the woman’s voice sounds deeper and fuller than it had. Powerful. "Know you, unicorn, that I am Terra, ElementMaster of Earth."
I almost stagger, so great is my embarrassment and fear. If I have offended an ElementMaster, one who can destroy me in half a second if she choses.....Oh, what harm could befall me! "Lady, forgive me, I beg of you. I spoke rashly, without knowledge of your identity." The woman approachs again, and this time I have the sense to let her reach up to touch my face.
"Fear not, Dancha. No harm will come to you. On the contrary: I seek a diviner of truth, a unicorn. I seek you."
"But--lady," I stammer. For once I am at a loss for words, even with all my proper training. "Lady, I am not deserving of such an honor." Since I was a sucking foal my mother has told me of the elements and what they mean to all Earth, including the secret unicorn realm. I have been taught to revere the ElementMaster as a powerful deity, and to regard the Choosing as an honor. Only once every few hundred years does Terra Choose, and although unicorns are sometimes chosen, seldom does she enter this realm. And that she should Choose me.....it is an experience beyond anything have ever known or hoped to know.
"I seek you, Dancha. I have chosen you for my earth elemental. Do you accept my challenge to find the crystal? Or do you refuse?"
My mind races. It is incredible; I would have to leave my home of course, and I had been taught, also, that the challenges facing the Chosen are hard ones. But-- "Of course I accept, Lady. How could I do otherwise?" I bow my head to touch my horn to Terra’s shoulder, a sign of great respect, for unicorns rarely bow their heads to anyone. She knows this, I can feel it in her touch as she acknowledges my pledge.
"There will be great danger," Terra says sternly. "Many trials await you. The Mars elementals would destroy earth, and they must be defeated. It will be hard."
"Still, I accept, Lady," I say softly. "I will do your will in this. I accept the Choosing."