Adahlia parks her hover craft and hops down from the seat. She glances around, in search of more stones to line the bottom of their makeshift pond. Back at camp, Diyrl and Sotet are making plans for the excavation. Actually, more like arguing with each other about this or that. How deep the pond should be? How wide it should be? What kind of fish and other creatures to stock it with? How many to stock it with? How long they should wait before harvesting? In other words, arguing about everything. Adahlia found it better to just go off and find more rocks. At least, she can hear herself think.

Finding a large stone, with a flat bottom, Adahlia tucks it into her sack. She reaches for another stone, not far from where she found the first, and hears what sounds like a high-pitched sneeze. Adahlia glances cautiously around. The sound does not repeat. Adahlia remains unmoving for a brief time before deciding it was her imagination. She takes a step forward and reaches for the rock again. The sneeze again. Louder this time.

Adahlia suddenly remembers Diyrl’s warning about other exiles existing on the Wandering Sands. She whirls in the direction of the sneeze and brings up the stone in her hand—ready to pelt anyone attempting to sneak up on her. However, when she turns, there is no one in sight. Adahlia’s face twists with confusion and she drops her arm at her side.

“Huh?” she utters aloud.

“I’m sorry if I scared you,” a soft, masculine voice calls out of thin air. “It was not my intention to frighten you. I’ve been observing you and your friends. I followed you to make sure that you would be safe. Please forgive me.”

“Followed me?” Adahlia inquires. “How did you follow me? And who are you? What are you? And why can’t I see you?”

Adahlia releases a small gasp and stumbles backwards; as the horn, head, and broad shoulders of a unicorn shimmer into view. Just as suddenly, they dissolve back into thin air.

“You cannot see me—because I do not wish you to see me,” the unicorn mocks. “But I think now, I do wish for you to see me.”

Once again, the unicorn shimmers into view. His multi-color horn and skin dazzle in the light of the two suns. He swishes his tail as if swatting a fly and struts in Adahlia’s direction.

“I have been observing you and your friends since you arrived here. I was sleeping nearby when the lix spotted my shade trees. I heard her approach and camouflaged myself. You are Adahlia. I am Lerfaf.”

Adahlia is so awestruck by the sudden appearance of the unicorn that she barely registers he is talking to her. She walks around the mystical creature, admiring every aspect of his wondrous presence.

“Wow,” Adahlia sighs. “Wow. Are you what I think you are? Are you really a unicorn?”

Lerfaf snorts and swishes his tail yet again. “I don’t know anything about unicorns. I am an Equifrit. My world is named Equival. It is a world many stars and several portal jumps from here. A world which, in all likelihood, might no longer exist.”

Adahlia stops to admire Lerfaf’s tail—noting the numerous colors of the hairs. Lerfaf lifts his tail and looks under his belly at Adahlia. “And where are you from?”

Adahlia grows solemn and crosses her arms over her chest. She begins to pout, turning away from Lerfaf. “I don’t want to talk about where I’m from. I’ll probably never get back there. I would never say that to Sotet, because it would probably make him very sad. But, I don't think I'll ever get home. Six world cycles is such a long time.”

Adahlia’s shoulders slump and her bottom lip trembles. She tries to stem the tears which threaten to tumble from her eyes. Lerfaf comes to Adahlia’s side and nudges her with his nose. His voice is calm and comforting. “Do not cry, Little Adahlia. All hope is not lost. I have been here many many cycles of the suns and moons. But I have never given up hope of one day seeing my sisters and brethren again. One must never give up hope. Never. Do you want to hear my story? Perhaps it will help you to better understand your own?”

Adahlia wipes a solitary tear from the corner of one eye and shakes her head. “I’m supposed to be gathering rocks for our pond. Sotet and Diyrl are getting weak without meat. Not to mention, irritable and hard to get along with. I don’t think I have time for a story.”

Lerfaf winks and bumps Adahlia softly with his snout. “There’s always time for a story, but you are right. I’ll help you gather stones and then we can head back together. You can introduce me to your friends. Does that sound like a plan?”

Adahlia’s face lights up with excitement and she hops from foot to foot. “Sure.”

Lerfaf nudges her softly again, and Adahlia laughs. Her sadness is now temporarily in the background of her mind.

_

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

_

“There’s plenty of water here,” Diyrl exclaims withdrawing her claws from deep within the ground. Her claw is covered in a grayish mud up past what could be considered her ankle. “The roots of the trees don’t quite reach as far as the water is buried. A little further down and it will start to pool. I’m sure of it.”

Diyrl resumes digging. Sotet shrugs and returns to his task of determining the exact dimensions of the pond. He uses wooden pegs and string to outline the area where the pond will be. Sotet and Diyrl look up as Adahlia approaches. Sotet drops the string when he notices Adahlia’s new companion. Diyrl eyes the unicorn/equifrit with apprehension.

“Who are you?” Diyrl queries without a hint of formality.

The equifrit opens his mouth and releases the strap of Adahlia’s bag of collected stones. He shakes his mane of multi-colored hair. “I am Lerfaf,” the equifrit states calmly. “I know who you are. You are Diyrl, of Lixuwon. And you are Sotet, of Shretonia. She is Adahlia, of Earth. I have never visited these worlds. Nor have I heard of most of them before yesterday evening. But you all seem to be quite interesting creatures. Your energies are very different than anything I have ever encountered before. You have great magic, Diyrl. I can feel it. And you, Sotet….Have great passion and empathy. But you are deeply saddened. It distorts your energy. Weakens it. And Adahlia…You are conflicted. There is something holding each of you back. I dare say, you will each need to confront these obstacles if you hope to survive your exile here. Many who have come to this world have perished under their emotional burdens. Yes. I know a lot. But there is also much I do not know. I had hoped we might journey together. However, since you have decided to stay here for a while; I desire to be a good host. You need not dig anymore, Diyrl. There will be water enough.”

Diyrl narrows her eyes and leans in the direction of the equifrit/unicorn. Sotet stands with both arms crossed over his chest—unsure of what to make of this mysterious creature.

“What do you mean?” Diyrl says with a deep growl. A wisp of smoke snakes out of the corner of her mouth.

Lerfaf only laughs and closes his eyes. The equifrit plants his hooves firmly on the ground and his pelt begins to glow with the radiance of a dozen suns. The colors on Lerfaf’s flesh seem to run together; and the brilliance of light surrounding him causes Sotet, Adahlia, and Diyrl to partially shade their faces. Large tears like crystalline raindrops fall from the corners of Lerfaf’s eyes. The tears collect on the ground and flow into the medium-sized hole that Diyrl has created in the dirt. The liquid pools until it runs over the sides of the hole. Lerfaf takes a deep breath. A few seconds later, the tears stop flowing. Lerfaf opens his eyes and meets Diyrl’s gaze.

“Does that answer your question?” Lerfaf asks.

Diyrl glances down at the liquid in the tiny pond. “You expect us to drink THAT?” she yells.

Lerfaf answers matter-of-factly and without hesitation. “Why not? You already have. Every drop of water on this dry world was put here by me. I can see the history of the Wandering Sands is not as much common knowledge as the lore. A bit of scary to keep children obedient and royal subjects loyal, I suppose. However, there is some truth to the myth of the Wandering Sands. It was once nothing but a desert wasteland. During my cycles here; I have traveled this world many times over. I have left behind many shade places just like this one. I have seen many exiled here. In the beginning, they mostly died. From thirst, infighting, or a lack of will. I mostly left them alone due to their violent natures. I kept up my travels—always alone. You three are the first group of peaceful travelers I have seen in many cycles. So, I have no qualms about sharing my gifts with you.”

Diyrl narrows her eyes impossibly further—until they are nearly shut. “The oasis…With the trees with the large split leaves…You made that? How? With magick? You have different forms of magick? Where does it come from?”

At this, Lerfaf releases a guttural laugh. “Magic doesn’t come from anywhere, Diyrl?” You should know that better than anyone. Magic is either a part of you…Or it isn’t. If you believe there is magic…There is magic. If you believe you can do a thing…You can do it. Such is the basis of magic.”

Diyrl is suddenly very thoughtful. Sotet, on the other hand is skeptical.

“If you are so magical,” Sotet challenges, “Why are you still here? Why not find a more hospitable world to live out your days? Why stay on this barren world?”

Lerfaf smiles wistfully and shakes his mane. “I am here by choice. Because I can do more good here—on this world. I can offer water and shade to those who are tired and wary. I can blow on the face of those who have fainted and revive them. And they need never know. And I can help all of you. I don’t know why I was drawn to you three. I don’t know what makes you so much different than all of the hundreds of exiled worlders I’ve seen over the cycles. But I suppose that is also part of the journey. I want us to trust each other. I want us to understand each other. But most of all, I want us to all be friends. Being magical is nice. But being lonely gets to be a real pain. I am not your enemy.”

Adahlia moves to Sotet’s right side and takes his wingtip in both of her small hands. She tugs softly on his wing. Both of her eyes are moist with tears.

“Please, Sotet. Let’s give him a chance. He’s a unicorn. I’ve never heard of a bad unicorn.”

Sotet whispers conspiratorially into Adahlia’s ear. “They’re also make-believe. So—“

Adahlia giggles and pokes Sotet in the side. “Sotet!”

“Just laying out the facts,” Sotet whispers back. To Lerfaf, Sotet offers his other wing in greeting. The equifrit raises his hoof and allows Sotet to grip it.

“After everything we have been through so far—it’s always nice to encounter a friendly face. As you say, I am Sotet of Shretonia. Welcome to our camp.”

Adahlia glances from Diyrl, to Sotet, to Lerfaf. Her grin is almost ear to ear. Three magical creatures, creatures of legend, standing here before her eyes. How did she ever manage to get so lucky?

Just as suddenly; memories of her mother, and late father, come crashing back into her mind. Was she lucky? Truly lucky? Was this some kind of trade? Was this some belated birthday wish come back to haunt her?

Adahlia shakes her head and wills the bad thoughts away. No, she is lucky. Very lucky. Lucky to have magical friends to keep her company and help her to see this journey through. Even if it takes all six world cycles; she will see her mother again. Her father would have been delighted to see her so happy. She will be brave for him. Her hope grows more and more with each passing day.

Once again smiling, Adahlia laughs and claps both hands in the air.