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Shattered
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Shattered |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments 
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Aurora’s ruby fingertips spread out over the charcoal sky, gently lifting the cover of darkness off of the slumbering Earth. As the first gleaming lemon rays of sunshine tumbled through the clouds and onto the ground, the tinkling of a nearby stream could be heard through the emerald shroud of forest. Along with the soft, melodic sound of the flowing water, the shrill chirp of woodland birds and rather lethargic rustle of the squirrels hummed upon the crisp morning air. Large, vibrant splashes of color were thrown randomly throughout the veil of green, the flowers nearing perfection in their ethereal beauty. Azure hummingbirds flitted silently from blossom to blossom, thrusting their needle-like beaks deep into each flower and greedily drinking the nectar which resided deep within them. Once fulfilled, the tiny birds were swept upon the wind and carried back to their nests where their young, dependent chicks awaited them. In quiet awe of the jade tinted surroundings, I simply stood and let the thick, humid air flow through my flushed lips and into my lungs. After what seemed an eternity, my trance was broken by a distant silver shimmer floating lazily through my line of vision. Naturally curious, I twisted my silken ivory limbs through the dense underbrush and followed the splash of resplendent color. My rather futile chase after the odd glimmer ceased when a loud, consistent rush of sound pounded at my ears. After weaving my way through the emerald leaves and bright, tropical flowers for a few more yards, I discovered the source of the noise. A magnificent waterfall rose from the soil, it’s crystalline water flying over mountains of granite and creating a mound of creamy foam as it cascaded into a serene pool. Strands of pale sunshine fell upon the gurgling water, braiding intricately within each gleaming droplet. From somewhere behind the glassy sheen of the waterfall, I glimpsed the silvery light once more. This time I silently crouched behind a large, gnarled oak tree and waited for the glimmer to reveal itself. A heavy breath of air caught within my throat as the source of the silvery light exposed itself. Tentatively, a slight, horse-like creature stepped out from behind the cascade of water, her soft lavender coat and silver horn glittering within the ribbons of sunshine. The gorgeous beast grunted, her nostrils flaming slightly as she turned her head towards me, obviously catching my scent. I cringed, assuming that the unicorn would become frightened and return to her home beneath the veil of jeweled water. To my surprise, she instead walked down from her rocky perch and moved slowly toward me. Once the great mythical creature was close enough to me, she whispered something to the curling winds. After flirting with the unicorn’s royal purple mane for a moment, the giggling breeze circled around and told me what the beast had said. “You are of pure soul, my sweet child. Come toward me, touch my horn...learn what I have learned and I in turn shall learn what you have learned.” I hesitated for a moment, unsure that I was as pure of a soul as the unicorn believed I was. But her gentle wintergreen eyes assured me that it was I that she wished to communicate with. So with trembling fingertips, I reached out and touched the tip of her glowing horn. Images bathed in golden light flooded my mind. Great forests of luscious green, aqua colored ocean waves, and diamond beaches stretched as far as I could see. Quaint tribes huddled around twilight campfires, telling ancient legends and revealing the secrets of life, love, and eternity. For but a brief moment, I listened in upon them and knew what they knew about the universe. But that beautiful snapshot faded as a new series of pictures entered my mind. These were images which I had known my whole life. Dark, dusty alleys filled with murderers and drugs, crowds of starving people, and mobs of apathetic souls going about their daily business, not lifting a finger to help those less fortunate than themselves. Horror quickly filled my body as I realized what a ghastly world I live in. Embarrassed and shaken, I removed my hand from the unicorn’s silver horn. But it was too late. Her serene eyes were deeply wounded by the knowledge I had given her. “Even my power, my light, and my love cannot mend a world as broken as yours.” Her mournful words echoed within my thoughts. Suddenly, a primitive howl ripped forth from the unicorn, sending all sound within the forest dead silent. The glorious beast fell to the ground, her body heaving as she struggled for each mouthful of air. Then an explosive beam of light came from somewhere deep within the unicorn, shattering her brilliant silver horn. The tiny glimmering shards flew up into the air and dissipated among the clouds as the dying animal took her final breath. “NO!” I screamed, falling to my knees and cradling the deceased unicorn’s head in my lap. A deluge of sorrowful teardrops slid across my shivering face as I sat there holding the lifeless unicorn. Deep within the corners of my soul, I knew that the moment her silver horn shattered, so had the last hope of rebirth for the world in which I live. *I have a wax figurine of a unicorn and a couple of nights ago I accidently broke the horn. That is what inspired this story...your muse can turn up in odd little places, can't it? < !signature--> *Krista Knutson* "We are not seperate from spirit, we are in it." ~Plotinus~ [This message has been edited by Alwye (edited 07-13-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Krista Botterill - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Wonderful tale my dear! I enjoyed this story greatly, you weave a great web of images (even taking in what I said to you in private). The ending was rather surprising, and I find it quite fitting that our world is beyond redemption... again, great writing my dear! Abrahm Simons "Keep on dreamin' boy 'cause when you stop dreaming it's time to die" - Blind Melon |
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Silkdragon Member
since 2000-06-24
Posts 65 |
Very good story, krista, with a great moral! Good job, and as always, I love your imagery. You use words so well.... *jealous scowl * LOL. This is an excellent piece!! Erin [This message has been edited by Silkdragon (edited 07-13-2000).] |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
A beautiful story!! I loved the story itself, so I went back and read it for the imagery which is magnificent!  |
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AVANTI Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE |
Great work!awesome story teller... beautiful imaginary liked it a lot If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves from which evolves the light... Avanti Rao |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Hey Krista, Thank you for the peaceful, colourful and magical Journey  Your imagery painted a beautiful serene picture. An excellent tale dear... absolutley loved it. |
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demoninlove Member
since 2000-02-11
Posts 211Dehradun |
Wonderfully written and deeply penetrating story. Indeed the age of Beauty to which the Alicorn Belonged has passed into the yesterday... Deepak Menon |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Beautiful prose, magical. Stunning images. "I've been too honest with myself I should have lied like everybody else" faster-Manic street preachers. [This message has been edited by brian madden (edited 07-15-2000).] |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Hiya Krista! Sorry it's taken me so long to find the time to comment on this! I'm always eager to read your prose, and with good reason as defined by yet another sparkling piece! That you gained this creative tale from a broken figurine... wow! I have only one... "problem" with this. In the first two paragraphs, you focus almost entirely on the imagery... which is done well, but I think perhaps a tad overdone. It's a bit distracting to take in so much without having any "action" going on. By action, I mean plot. I love the images, but I think they're not necessarily relevant to the piece as a whole! Just my op! As a tale, marvellously done! I felt the pain of loss with the death scream of the magnificent beast who died for want of being able to heal. Thank you for another great read Krista! Chris |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Wow Krissa! What a neat tale! and inspired by a broken horn... that is interesting. LOL. Inspiration comes from everywhere I suppose. Wonderful tale."The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Phillpotts *Cassandra Roseen* |
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