Chapter Eight.
More surprises’.

Amber stuck her head above the water and jumped out of the pool the others followed and soon where all out.

Grendle looked down and remarked “my clothes are not even wet”.

“I told you that you had nothing to worry about least about getting wet” said Amber with a smile “it is magic forests don’t forget that”!

“Oh I haven’t” said Grendle “but it is still all new to me.
Remember you are traveling with a human”.

"I know it is just hard not to live without magic.
After all it is part of me and this forest is magic filled with good magical creatures that help keep the forest alive”.

“Will we see any of them”?

“Only if they want to be revealed or seen” said Jasper “they are very shy creatures especially the Unicorn or the Golden moose.
Niyphs are the shyest but sometimes Fawns will show although only when seen and you will never see a Centaurus unless there is dire need.
They are the most proud and wise creatures in this forest and if you see one show it great respect treat it as you would treat any other lord or king and refuse nothing it gives to you”.

"Alright" laughed Amber, "Jasper you are beginning to sound like a philosopher it is highly unlikely we will see any of them so there is no need to lecture him as if we are walking right into where they live".

Jasper turned pink “sorry I just got a little carried away”.

Grendle smiled “that’s alright I was finding it very interesting but shouldn’t we go”?

“Yes” said Amber “we should If my calculations are right we have been under water for exactly a day and a half so we must go if we are to stay on schedule. Come it is this way once we leave the center you will feel something go out of you do not worry about it it is only the power of the magic lessen as we leave the center”.

They did as they left the pool the trees and roses they all let out a gasp but soon everything was back to normal as they set off once more towered the white mountains.

That evening no fire was lit but little glows of purple light which were also warm was enough .They sat around the fire and talked about their journey.

“So do you know the way out”?Asked Grendle.

"Not really."said Amber blushing this forest is new to me.

“So are you saying we are traveling with a blind eye! Said Grendle.

“No I know magic forests all I have to do is speak to the wind or the trees and they will point the way out”.

“Look”!Said Jasper suddenly“in those trees there are two blue gem like eyes watching us!

They all looked in the direction he pointed and indeed there where two large blue eyes which sparkled in the light watching them.

“Don’t worry” said Amber “whatever lives in this forest will not hurt us”.

The eyes were suddenly gone and they heard the sound of soft clomping of hooves and suddenly there before them glowing silver in the moonlight was a white unicorn with shinning blue eyes.

It looked at them all with curiousness as they all said together“What is it you wish guardian of the forest”?

Then a voice soft and warm spoke “call me Thimor”!

“What is it you wish Thimor”? said Amber.

“To speak with you”!Said the same soft voice they all looked at her as they said"What is it you wish”?

The unicorn spoke“You are travelers traveling to a distant place on your travels did you meet anyone by the name of Slevantus”?

They all looked up at her and spoke "Yes we did” said Amber “We rescued him from a torturing death. But the forest would not allow him access claiming he was evil so he and another one of our company who also was proclaimed evil have taken the long way around and will meet us on the other side”.

All the while they spoke the unicorn was growing more and more excited so that she glowed and magic began to happen all around her flowers of strange colors bloomed grass grew high and trees shot up .

"Do you know him” asked Amber.

“He is my soul rider” said the unicorn “He and I where cruelly torn apart but now I feel it. I am freed from the evil curses and so is he I must find him the bond is strong enough to let me know he is well and in good spirits because if he was in a bad mood so would I be in one and if the curse was still upon him so I would be cursed as well so I must find him so I ask you this may I travel with you to him”?

Amber and the two others looked shocked!

Amber recovered first“Of course Thimor it would be an honor to have you travel with us and if it is alright with you may we hear the story?
"She shook her head“That was a secret we knitted into the bond and only to those he tells I can tell so no”.

“Very well it shall be as you say.”

The others looked disappointed but nodded.

“Wonderful”said Thimor “I shall be overjoyed to see him again I thank you”.

“Do not”said Amber and Jasper together“It is our pleasure and honor to have one of the magic guardians travel with us”.

“Could we ask you a favor”asked Grendle speaking for the first time Thimor looked at him.

“We seem to be lost on this expedition would you lead us to the end of this forest”?

Amber stuck her tough out at him and Jasper shook his head but Thimor only nickered a soft nicker that could have been a laugh and said,

"Of course human I will lead you out of this place I am eager to show my gratitude with a favor".

“Thank you” said Grendle with a satisfied smile Thimor nodded.

“We travel during the day if it is convinaiant for you”?
Said Amber

“Very” said Thimor

“Good then we still have a few hours till daylight come and join us”.

“I will just give me a moment” and suddenly she disappeared into the forest.

”Huh?” said Grendle “what was that”?

“Wait”! Said Amber “she will come back this sort of thing only happens to the bonded and it only happens at night”and you have to invite her.

“What dose” said Grendle.

Amber did not have to answer for out of the forest came a very tall woman with golden slippers a golden crown on her head her face was soft smooth and pale with red lips a straight noise and large blue eyes that still sparkled her hair done in one long bread was silver and tied with a gold cord and she wore a shimmering white dress .

She came and sat down in there circle and said

"Now I can sit with you and not look strange.”

She laughed and the forest joined in her laughter.

”So” said Grendle “is it alright if I ask a few questions”?

“As long as they don’t have anything to do with Slevantus go ahead".

”Well first off how does a bond happen”?

“Oh he asks”Said Thimor.

Amber smiled.

“Well human let me start of by saying even I don’t know what causes it only that it is rare especially between two creatures of magic usually when it happens it is between human and unicorn or elf and horse never two magic creatures”.

“So are you saying Slevantus is not human”?

“No I did not say that only pointed it out and remember your promise”?

“Yes sorry about that”.

“Ok next question” you said you had a few?”

”Yes well the next one is simple what happens in a bond?”

“Oh that is easy we share all thoughts and feelings. We become the same almost and are emotions blend. When I am happy he is happy. When I am sick he is sick. When I am in pain he is in pain. And the list goes on. As well as I can change in the evenings into human”.“Are you going to ask any more questions or may I ask some now”?

“No, no go ahead and ask,”

“Well to begin with what are you three doing traveling together?”
“You do after all make odd traveling companions elf ,fairy, and human and what was the other a werewolf?
“Don’t look so surprised I have ears to”. So tell me what are you doing together and what brings you to the forest of light?

So Amber told everything nothing could be hidden from Thimor she knew when you where lying or speaking half truth so everything was out and she seemed satisfied.

It is time we begin our journey said Jasper the sun is rising!

As he said those words Thimor began to fade and in her place kneeling on the ground was the unicorn who stood up"This way"She said and headed off in a direction.

We must keep up said Amber hurrying after her.

So they continued on their journey following the white form of Thimor the Unicorn.