I was not sure if trusting this man was the best of all choices. He called himself Cougar, surely a name that struck me as taken rather than given, and he stood in his green tunic and trews as solidly as anything I have ever seen. Still, there seemed to me something of the etheral about this Druid, and I was reluctant to accept his offer.

"Have you found the gate on your own?" he asked.

Of course I had not, and he knew this. He inferred that I would be wiser to quell my doubts and follow, for my own efforts had met no success. I glanced down at my own clothing, the simple white dress of the Rimeyed. Of course, the clothing I wore in Belynu was long gone, but this was as near an aproximation as I could create.

He followed my glance, smiled. "You are not really dressed for this, are you?"

I shrugged. "No. But it will have to do. I will follow you."

He turned and stepped into the forest. I took a deep breath, and then I followed.

It was like stepping into a green darkness. The oaks, tall and healthy, shut out the light more effectively than any man-planted arbor I'd ever been in. The air was humid; water dripped off the leaves. I followed the druid up the side of the sandstone outcroppings. It was steep, and hard to climb, the wet ground made loose footing and the quickly rising elevation made flat purchase difficult to find. My breath came in gret gasps, and I clung to saplings eriodically, begging the druid to slow down, to let me rest a moment, catch my breath. I was desperate for dry air. Had I closed my eyes, I could have easily thought myself some place tropical.

He paused, stepped back to me, pulled a small bramble from out my hair.

"Careful, child, don't hurt your pretty skin."

If I'd had enough breath, I would have laughed. The druid was clearly a younger man, despite his silvery hair. My breathing controlled, I waved the druid onward.

I struggled to the top without pause from there, although I am sure the Druid slowed his pace to accomodate me. As I finally reached the crest, I stood straight, my chest heaving as I tried to breath. There were oaks here, too, with branches so low that we had to duck to pass through the grove. We walked carefully around a stone circle, obscured by the long, late summer grass. Here the light was dappled, gentler, but the aura of power among the old oaks was overwhelming.

He pointed, and I walked in the indicated direction. The plateau was small, and I could see the light and the sky easily; I only needed to pass through a few trees to reach the cliff's edge. To look over the edge was terrifying, dizzying. I did not realize how high we had climbed.

Suddenly, my mouth dried, and I heard him speak behind me. "Are you sure you want to do this? The gods do not always attend."

I looked over at him, nodded my head; I could not bring myself to speak. He glanced down, struggled with some thought or another, and then, troubled, said "Very well, if you must."

"I must," I said, and I jumped.

I'm not really sure what has happened. Everything is most nebulous, and I find it quite difficult to concentrate. I've been unwell for some time, and I long for the simplicity of my homeland, of the sound of the setui rustling, of clear sight and sound friendships. These halls are full of intruige and manipulation, and I wish above all things to return to my home Shadow, to be again in a life I understand.

Curse J'juer and all her foolish manipulations!

I thought to turn back, but when I turned, the land had changed, and I knew myself trapped. Most nervous I was, and afraid, but I was impelled forward. I walked on, afraid. I was on a path, trailed mostly by animals, but with a human print upon it.

Soon, I heard a horseman (later, I knew him to be Rolf). I hid in shadows, but the horseman spied me. I stepped out, noting the symbol on the great defense plate he carried, the symbol in my dreams, the symbol of the horned horse.

He seemed quite startled when I spoke of the horned horse. He led me to his leader, a man named Julian. They told me I was in Forest Arden, in the land of Amber. Julian, too, was shocked to hear of the horned horse -- they named it UNICORN.

They helped me on to a horse, a most gentle ng, and led me to the King--Random--and Queen--Veeahl--a blind woman.

I wanted to cry upon seeing them, for they mind me of my father, killed by the witch J'jheur, and my goddess mother when she lived among us as a human, so wise and calm a ruler he, so gentle and kind a ruler she.

They listened to my story of the unicorn most raptly, and Random welcomed me to stay among them. a servant, Hern, led me to a room and made sure I was comfortable--he looks like he could be a friend. Friends I will need in my search for my goddess mother.

Day 1, part 1

Many nights passing I have been haunted by a dream, a symbol of some sort, looking like a spiral or a whirlwind. Today, I saw a creature bearing this device--much like a horse, but with a horn growing from the top of its forehead. The horn grew in this spiral fashion. I noticed it following me as I walked through a clearing. At first, I was uncertain, but the beauty of the pure white creature enthralled me and I could not help but follow it. Upon noticing the horn, I knew it to be a destiny, perhaps a message from my goddess-mother.

I followed it for many hours, even unto a day. The beast waited upon me when I needed to rest, an led me at a speed I could withstand. The land was like nothing I had ever seen before, not even in the lands I have visited since leaving Belynu. Bright and healthy plants, like living jewels, and trees as tall as seuti, but slender and graceful like the dancing leavs that grow from the water.

But suddenly, the creature disappeared, and I was left alone.