The next day, Lilly set down the box containing the captured beast stone for what felt like the hundredth time. She couldn’t decide if it would be worth the risk of activating, but she was running out of hope of ever finding Astra again.

Lilly squinted, wiping her sweaty hands on her overalls as she watched a beat-up pickup truck approach, towing a rusty horse trailer. She felt a prickle of curiosity and concern; visitors were few and far between on her secluded magical farm. Had someone come to claim Aura the alpaca? Had someone find Astra?

The truck came to a stop, and a middle-aged man emerged, his dark hair peppered with gray and his face etched with worry lines. He approached Lilly with hurried steps, his hands wringing together as he spoke. He had a slight stutter. "Are you Lilly? I-I heard you can help magical farm animals."

Lilly regarded him carefully, noting the desperation in his eyes. "Yes, I’m Lilly. I’ve cared for a few magical farm animals, although I am far from an expert." She spoke slowly, her brown eyes narrowing with concern. "I’ll see if I can help. What seems to be the problem?"

"Name's John," he said breathlessly, wiping sweat from his brow. "I recently r-reclaimed my old farm that I rented out for years. Found an injured unicorn there, and I don't know what t-to do." His voice cracked, and Lilly could tell that he was really upset. "She's hurt real bad, and I can't care for her. C-can't take her back to Briarhaven, where I work now. Mabel at Thornwood Goods said you might be able to help."

Mabel was always so good at helping her when she needed it. Lilly figured she should pass along the good deed if she could.

"Let me see her," Lilly said, determination settling in her chest as she followed John to the horse trailer.

The minute Lilly laid eyes on the young mare, she knew she had to help. The unicorn's coat, once pure white, was now matted with dirt and dried blood. Her beautiful mane hung in tangles around her sorrowful eyes. But it was her leg that made Lilly's heart clench; it was visibly swollen, the pain evident in every shallow breath the unicorn took. She'd never seen such a pitiful creature, and her heart ached at the sight.

"Her name is Snow," John said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know how long she's been like this."

Lilly looked down at her feet, fidgeting slightly. It was true that she had experience helping magical animals, but she'd never faced an injury as severe as Snow's. Despite her uncertainty, her compassion for the suffering creature outweighed her self-doubt. With a deep breath, she nodded.

"Snow," Lilly whispered, feeling a connection to the injured mare. She always thought unicorns were one of the most majestic magical creatures, and here was one that needed her help. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "All right, John, I’m going to need your help to get her out of the trailer and into the barn. I'll do everything we can for her."

As they coaxed the trembling unicorn from the trailer, Lilly's mind raced with plans for Snow's care. Her determination and compassion fueled her every action; and though she knew the road to recovery would be long and difficult, she was ready to face it head-on—with the help of her Practical Guide to Magical Farm animals, of course.

"Thank you so much, Lilly," John said gratefully. "I don't know what I would've done without your help."

Without wasting another moment, Lilly fetched her well-worn copy of the Practical Guide to Magical Farm Animals and flipped through the pages, searching for information on unicorn injuries. As she studied the diagrams, her mind began to race, analyzing the situation and formulating a plan. Meanwhile, Snow whinnied softly in pain, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Okay," Lilly murmured, steeling herself. "First, we need to stabilize her leg."

She retrieved a splint and bandages from the barn, her movements efficient and deliberate. Despite her initial hesitation, her determination to help Snow now shone through.

As she worked, gently securing the splint around Snow's injured limb, Lilly couldn't help but marvel at the unicorn's resilience. She would have to be careful when she cleaned the creature’s coat to keep the wound dry. Though clearly in agony, Snow allowed Lilly to tend to her without resistance, her large, trusting eyes locked onto the young woman's face.

"Easy, girl," Lilly whispered, offering a reassuring smile. "We'll have you feeling better soon."

Finally, the splint was in place, and Lilly wrapped the bandages snugly around Snow's leg, doing her best to minimize any further swelling. As she finished, she took a step back to assess her work, her eyes filled with determination.

"All right, Snow," she said softly, stroking the unicorn's silky mane. "We've got a long road ahead of us; but together, we'll get you back on your hooves."

"John, I believe Snow will need a combination of rest, medication, and careful monitoring to help her recover," Lilly explained, her voice soft yet steady as she outlined the treatment plan. She could see the worry etched on John's face, and she reached out to touch his arm reassuringly.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Listen, I promise to do everything in my power to heal Snow. She's in good hands here, and I won't let her—or you—down." Her warm smile offered comfort, her brown eyes conveying sincerity.

"Th-th-thank you, Lilly. It means more than you know," John replied, his voice wavering with gratitude. "I just... I-I can't thank you enough for taking her in."

With that, John left Snow in Lilly's capable hands, and she watched him drive away, feeling a wave of determination wash over her. Turning back to the injured unicorn, she inhaled deeply, bracing herself for the long days ahead. Lilly threw her sadness over losing Astra into helping Snow.

With the Practical Guide to Magical Farm Animals spread open on the table before her, Lilly urgently leafed through the pages until she got to the section on unicorns.

Unicorns are equine creatures of legendary beauty and mystical prowess. Distinguished by a single, spiral horn that graces their forehead, their coats are marvels in themselves, ranging from the purest white to the deepest black. Some rare variants even boast of iridescent or shimmering hues, casting a mesmerizing glow in certain lights. Their mane and tail, often flowing long and free, have been likened to the river of stars in the night sky, ethereal and otherworldly.

Their preferred natural habitats are tranquil and untouched environments—forests, glades, and meadows where the very air pulses with magic are their homes. Farming advancements have allowed these creatures to be tamed and used as the magical farm animal of many uses. While they can pull carts and plows like a normal horse, they also have many untapped magical abilities that make a farm flourish, although not enough is known about these creatures to write what is fact and fiction when it comes to these miraculous animals.

When it comes to their diet, they're predominantly herbivorous; and while they will graze on regular grass, they enjoy a magical plant and produce as treat. Some ancient texts argue that the unicorns derive a portion of their sustenance from the very essence of magic that permeates their surroundings; but again, not enough is known about these creatures to know for sure.

Among their myriad of magical abilities, it is rumored that their horns have healing properties. It's been said that a unicorn's horn can purify the murkiest of waters, neutralize the deadliest of poisons, and heal the gravest of wounds. Unfortunately, this rumor has also been the unicorns’ downfall. Instead of more farmers raising these magical creatures, poachers hunt them in order to sell the horns and strands of hair.

When considering unicorn breeding, it's essential to understand the depth of the bond they form. Unicorn pairs forge deep, lifelong bonds that are nearly inseparable. Their foals are born with a soft nub, which will transform into a resplendent horn as they approach maturity.

For magical farmers keen on raising or working alongside these creatures, several considerations are paramount. First, building trust with unicorns is an undertaking that demands patience and genuine intentions, for unicorns bond deeply with those they trust. Their safety, of course, is paramount. They necessitate expansive and secure pastures, hidden from malicious eyes and intentions. Socially, unicorns are creatures of camaraderie. They flourish best when in pairs or small herds.

Lilly sighed. Although it was interesting, the section on unicorns was very brief and seemed to be full of more speculation than fact. She continued flipping through the pages until she came to a section called, “Sick and Wounded Magical Farm Animals.” She continued to read, but each page turn was accompanied by a muttered, "No, not this... This!" Her eyes were frantic, her mind buzzing with worry over her wounded magical farm animal, Snow.

Pulling on a jacket, she dashed out to her car and headed straight for the herbalist gnome's home, a vision of the required herbs from the guide clear in her mind.

When she arrived, she very cautiously approached the cottage with her hands raised. She called out a hello as she approached and breathed a sigh of relief to see the herbalist appear at the door unarmed.

"Can I get some ginseng from you, Brecka?" she asked, her voice fraught with worry. "I have a unicorn that injured his leg. The guide says these herbs can help!"

Brecka nodded and turned to retrieve the plant from her selection of herbs. Her wrinkled face was thoughtful as she handed Lilly the dried plant. She even generously offered extras for propagation. "Just remember, Lilly. Each plant has its own spirit," she said. "Respect them, and they'll help you, even in the most dire of circumstances."

With gratitude, Lilly sped off in her car, the pile of herbs tied in bundles beside her. Soon, she would have enough herbs growing in the woods around her homestead to have her own medicinal farm. She wondered if there was a market for herbs used for magical farm animals at the Thornwood Farmer’s Market. She would have to see after she established some of the ones Brecka had given her.

When she arrived home, her heart pounded as she set to work, grinding the herbs into a healing paste. "Hang in there, Snow," she murmured to herself. "I won't let you down."

Kneading the mixture into Snow's leg, she looked into the creature's eyes. "You're going to be all right, Snow," she whispered. "You're strong, and I'm here. We're going to get through this together." As she soothed the animal, she felt a spark of hope ignite within her, her fingers working with renewed determination.

Throughout the day, Lilly attended to Snow's every need. She changed the bandages, adjusted the splint, and provided nourishing meals, all the while monitoring the unicorn's progress with a watchful eye. Her love for the magical creatures on her farm drove her forward, fueling her determination to heal Snow.

As the sun dipped low in the sky each night, Lilly lingered in the barn, stroking Snow's silky mane. Lilly glanced at the sun hanging low in the sky. She hadn't noticed the late hour creep up on her. The world outside was almost enveloped in darkness, and a breeze rustled through the trees, whispering of an impending storm. She heard her chicken’s clucking nervously and went to check on Aura and Snow before heading back to her house.

Aura seemed to be eating contentedly, but Snow was pawing at the ground with her good leg in distress. With a sigh, she adjusted the blanket covering Snow's trembling form, placing a reassuring hand on the unicorn's flank. She hadn't eaten dinner yet, but her own hunger paled in comparison to her concern for Snow.

"Rest well, sweet girl," Lilly murmured, brushing aside a few strands of hair that clung to her forehead. Even though exhaustion weighed heavily on her, she couldn't bring herself to leave Snow alone. Sleep and food could wait; her focus was solely on Snow's recovery.

The first drops of rain began to patter against the roof, quickly increasing in intensity. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the wind picked up, sending shivers down Lilly's spine. After the worst of the storm passed and Snow settled down, Lilly made her way to the bolted shut door to escape to her house. A loud scraping sound stopped her dead in her tracks.

There was something outside the door. Was it friend or foe?