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The fields flourished to life as the spring sun reflected off the rainbow colored grass that surrounded the tall birch trees. Brightly colored birds flew swiftly, chirping and chasing each other about. A tall horse with a coat that shined like pearl grazed beside the shade of a willow tree. He looked up. His milky white mane gleamed in the sunlight. His long golden spiraled horn and narrow golden hooves sparkled like stars. His body was slender and muscular, he was a fine stallion. Anyone who set their eyes onto him were envious of his beauty. The stallion raised his soft, gleaming tail. The Unicorn looked over to the river. Fourteen mares stood beside the river, grazing off the fresh green grass and drank the crystal clear water. Their young fouls frolicked playfully nearby. He was the finest of any stallion, no other dared to challenge him. Their beautiful coats gleamed in wonder, all different, all magnificent, perfect in almost every way. He had fought many battles, killed many foes and the mares were his trophies. He had many names, the humans called him Thunder. other stallions called him White Fire. his true name was Jupiter. Jupiter did not mind what he was called, he was still the same stallion whose mares were the finest unicorns, the one whose territory stretched far and wide, with land as beautiful and magnificent as he. No other stallion dared to tread on his territory. He was cunning as he was deadly. His herd was small with fourteen mares and six foals, for such a powerful unicorn, but he knew that a small heard could travel quickly in case of danger. Greed had no meaning to him. He kept his heard well protected and was good to his children. The stallion sniffed the air as his ears flicked back and forth, listening for any sign of danger.

The bushes rustled from across the river. A young boy, who looked about fifteen, with shaggy blond hair and green eyes peeked out from behind, carefully making sure to downwind, he knew the slightest disturbance could risk certain death. His name was Galen. He had been watching this stallion and his herd for many weeks now, fascinated by their greatness. Galen had a special gift. He could tame even the most vicious animal. He longed to posess a unicorn from that herd. How admired he would be, riding through town, sitting on top such a magnificent and magical creature. He was deep in thought when he heard the shrill whinny of another. He looked over to the hill top to see a fierce black stallion. His body was like satin. His muscles were great and powerful, an awesome sight. Galen ducked back behind his bush and woke his friend Timmothy. Timmothy sat up sleepily and then looked over to watch the two stallions. His band was a small number of five mares as he challenged his White Fire. Timmothy whispered over to his friend

"You were right Galen. The stallion did challenge Thunder."

"His name is Jupiter, and I know he will win."

They had tracked the black stallion that seemed to be heading towards the stallion's territory. Galen had suspected he would challenge the great champion.

Jupiter had already rounded up his heard and ordered them to stay near. This was his kingdom. the challenger would not take it so easily. He stood tall, raising his magnificent head. His horn gleamed brightly as he accepted the challenge. The two foes raced toward each other, heads bowed, their piercing horns out in front, ready to tear each other apart. They met, rearing high into the air, their battle cries shrill and deadly. Their murderous hooves raked each other across the chest. They reared again, this time locking their hooves as they brought their teeth into each other's necks. The black unicorn was a worthy opponent as he brought the great champion to the ground, but Jupiter was too quick and deadly as he pushed the stallion up and pierced his chest. The stallion screamed in pain and fury, then fell to the ground with a mighty thump. The Black unicorn's band of five mares came down from the hill and touched their horns onto the fallen body of their leader, making his body turn to earth. His golden horn and hooves crumbled. Thunder stood clear as the unicorns performed the ancient ritual. When the five mares finished, they went over to his herd and began to graze peacefully.

The two boys watched in dismay. Timmothy looked over to Galen. "Did you see that?"

"He's one of the best Timmothy, a killer, undefeated. He is the champion."

The weary stallion sniffed the air once more. The wind had changed its direction. He could smell two young humans hiding in the bushes across the river, he knew their scent, he knew they were no threat to him. The great stallion began to sniff the air and smelled seven other humans nearby. He wheeled around facing a clump of trees. These humans did pose a threat to him. He called to his mares and sent them off running. He did not wish them to be taken.

He stood there in all his glory, challenging his enemies, daring them to do their worst. His head was arched high, ready to challenge, ready to kill.

They came out from behind the trees, six hunters, four with ropes. They moved in, surrounding him like a pack of ravenous wolves. The great stallion reared high into the air, bringing his powerful hooves down on an unlucky hunter before him. The four ropers moved quickly. The settled the long thick ropes around the stallion's neck. He came up on his hind legs, fury in his eyes, anger in his call, trying desperately to shake the monstrous snakes that coiled around his neck. The seventh man walked out into the field. A golden bridle rested in his hands. The four men brought the stallion down hard as the seventh fixed the bridle onto Jupiter's head.

Galen woke from his sleep, finding himself in bed, still dark outside. He knew that dream, but it was not a dream. It was a reality, a reality that had happened a year ago last summer. He made up his mind. Getting up, he dressed and retrieved his leather backpack and proceeded to Timmothy's. Galen rapped lightly on the door, hoping his friend would answer, he did.

"Galen? What are you doing up? It's still dark."

"I had that dream again Timmothy, about the unicorn."

"You too?"

Galen nodded "I want to find out what happened to him, and maybe bring him back, I want you to come with me."

"Oh no, your nuts Galen! Has your memory slipped? Didn't you see the size of those guys?"

"I didn't say we had to fight them, besides you always said you wanted to be a great warrior."

"Warrior yes, kid with a death wish, no. Besides, I don't think my dad would approve of me running off in the middle of the night to go on some, wild goose chase!"

"It's a unicorn Timmothy, not poultry, if we don't help him, who will?"

Timmothy looked into his house then sighed and turned back to his friend. "Ok, just let me get a couple things."

"I knew I could count on you."

"You do relize when we get back, I am holding you personally responsible for my injuries."

Galen smiled, knowing his friend was joking and watched as he went back inside and closed the door. He waited patently as his friend packed up a few supplies and got ready, then they walked off down a dirt road, Galen leading.

They stopped at a small cottage and Galen raised his fist to knock.

"What are you doing? This isn't the place."

"I know, but we need horses."

"I knew that."

Galen rapped on the simple wooden door and a young woman about sixteen answered it, she had long curled blond hair that shined like gold and sparkling blue eyes. Galen had met her a few months ago during a fair and hit it off right away. Unfortunatly she was one of the few things Galen did not tell his friend much about and all Timmothy knew was she was apprenticed to an old hermit of a man who owned a small number of horses previously owned by noblemen.

"Yes? Galen? What are you doing up at this hour of the night?"

"We need to borrow two horses Celest."

Celest looked at the two boys and grinned. "Planning on taking a little trip Galen?"

"We just need to ride to the next village for supplies"

Celest smiled, her eyes sparkling as the moonlight fixed on them. "Give me some credit Galen, I know you better then that."

"We just need to borrow to horses."

"Three."

"What?"

"You need three horses."

"What? Oh no, we are not taking you along."

"I'm coming with, or no deal."

Galen sighed "Okay, but we are not going to slow down for you."

"Had no intention to."

It didn't take long for Celest to get ready, when she came out, all she had was a small leather pouch at her side. They rode for a few hours then stopped at a clearing in the forest to eat. Timmothy had surrounded a pile of wood with some stones for the fire but was having great difficulty starting it. Celest walked up and knelt down smiling.

"Let me try."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Start the fire?"

"Of course."

"Sure, good luck."

He tossed the tools to Celest and watched. She just smiled and knelt over the wood pile, taking out a smooth white stone from her pouch. Leaning over the fire she closed her hand around the stone, when she opened it, the stone was glowing red hot, Celest grinned and touched the stone on the pile of wood, it soon became a roaring fire. Timmothy stared in shock as Celest put the stone away, but she only grinned then rose to her feet.

"I'll get the water."

When Celest was gone Timmothy turned to Galen.

"Did you see that?"

"Yes."

"How did she do that?!"

"You saw it. She used the stone."

"That part I know, you know her, did you realize she could do that?"

"Yes."

"Well, how?"

"She's a wizard."

"A wizard? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you knew."

Timmothy rolled his eyes and began to help set up camp.

During the next few days Timmothy began to notice a gradual change in his friend, he spent much of his time with Celest and he often caught the two holding hands. Timmothy couldn't help but feel a little jealous, was this girl that Galen had only met two months ago replace his and Galen's long friendship? It began to seem more likely as the days passed by.

The 3rd night as they prepared to eat Timmothy turned to his friend "So whats the deal with you and her?" Celest had gone to gather berries.

Galen turned and looked confused "What deal?"

"You like her don't you?"

"We're just friends."

Timmothy laughed slightly "Did you fall off your horse and hit your head on a rock? Friends don't sit uncomfortably close to eachother by the fire, friends don't lend eachother their blankets when the other is cold. It's brighter then light, you like her."

Galen continued to protest, even knowing he had lost "we're just friends, really."

His friend laughed, but despite the earlier harassment, Galen continued to stay close to Celest even as they all finished eating and went to sleep.