Erwin found a quiet clearing beneath a towering oak. He stretched out on the soft grass, the Bowtruckle settling comfortably against his chest. For a rare moment, tranquility enveloped them—or at least it did for Erwin. Complete relaxation had become a distant memory since he'd tangled with the Cavendish family affairs. Hogwarts offered some distance from that world, but it had thrust him into perils far deadlier than boardroom schemes.
His ruthlessness wasn't born of cruelty; it was survival. Hesitate, and you'd end up dead. Erwin closed his eyes, letting the gentle breeze wash over him.
A rustle broke the peace—footsteps crunching through the underbrush. He bolted upright, slipping the Bowtruckle onto his shoulder and drawing his wand in one fluid motion, aimed toward the sound.
The footsteps drew nearer. Erwin tensed, every sense on high alert.
Then, a slender, silvery horn pierced the bushes, followed by a small, wide-eyed figure. Erwin froze. A unicorn? And not just any unicorn—a foal, no bigger than a pony.
The little creature startled at the sight of his wand, stumbling back and tripping over a tangle of vines. Erwin couldn't help but chuckle. This one seemed a bit clumsy.
The foal scrambled up and ducked behind a shrub, peering out with unmistakable curiosity. Seeing no threat, Erwin pocketed his wand and waved gently. "Hey, little one. Come say hello?"
It hesitated, then took a tentative step forward. Erwin sat cross-legged on the ground, keeping his movements slow and non-threatening. Unicorns were drawn to purity of heart, after all—qualities he wouldn't claim to possess in abundance. But his innate affinity for magical creatures, that golden talent of his, must have bridged the gap. It was proving more potent than he'd realized.
Emboldened, the foal edged closer, now just a few paces away. "That's it," Erwin encouraged softly. "I won't hurt you."
With a soft snort, it inched nearer, its dark eyes still watchful. Erwin lay back down, feigning disinterest by closing his eyes. Moments later, he felt a warm, velvety nudge against his arm as the foal settled beside him, nuzzling closer to catch his scent.
A grin tugged at Erwin's lips. A unicorn—actually touching him. Blimey, I touched a unicorn! The thought bubbled up like a child's glee.
The foal rested its head fully on his arm, utterly at ease. Erwin cracked an eye open, only for a chill to run down his spine. That sharp horn hovered perilously close to his midsection. One twitch, and it would be a painful poke.
"Easy there, little guy," he murmured. "Got a name?"
The foal let out a soft whinny. Erwin tilted his head. "Beth? Suits you. How'd a young thing like you end up wandering alone? Where's your herd?"
Beth sprang to her hooves and nodded toward the deeper woods. "You want me to follow?"
Another nod. Intrigued, Erwin stood, adjusting the Bowtruckle on his shoulder, and trailed after her into the Forbidden Forest's heart.
They soon reached a serene lakeside glade. A small herd of unicorns grazed peacefully, their coats shimmering like moonlight. At the sight of Erwin, they rose as one, eyes narrowing with caution but holding their ground.
Beth neighed twice, and from the shadows emerged a majestic stallion—far larger than the others, his presence commanding. He trotted to the water's edge... turning his gaze on Erwin.
"Young wizard," she said, her voice a melodic chime in his mind, "Beth says you understand us?"
Erwin nodded. "That's right. Every word."
Murmurs rippled through the herd. The great mare stamped a hoof, silencing them. "What brings you here? Your scent is... extraordinary."
"It's my gift," Erwin replied. "I have a natural pull toward magical creatures like you."
She inclined her head. "That explains it. But tell me, have you come for the lost items?"
Erwin blinked. "Lost items? No idea what you're on about. I was just out for a walk, picking up some ingredients."
"You truly don't know?" The King's tone sharpened with suspicion.
He shook his head. "Enlighten me?"
Curiosity sparked in him—this had all the makings of a fateful twist, the sort that protagonists in tales stumbled upon. But the mare's eyes hardened. "If they're not yours to claim, then they're none of your concern. Thank you for returning Beth. Now go, young wizard, and speak of this to no one."
Erwin's lip curled in mild frustration. That's not how these encounters usually play out. He'd half-expected a grateful gift, some ancient artifact or boon. Instead, dismissal. Still, pressing the issue would be folly; unicorns weren't to be trifled with, their magic as fierce as it was pure.
"Fair enough," he said. "Just a heads-up—the Forest feels off lately. Watch yourselves."
"We sense it too," the mare replied. "Farewell, young wizard. May our paths cross again under better stars."
With a final whinny, she led the herd into the trees. Beth lingered, glancing back with wistful eyes—Erwin's scent must have left an impression.
As he made his way back to the castle, the mare's words gnawed at him. What "items"? The mystery itched like an unsolved riddle, fueling his endless curiosity. Bloody unicorns and their secrets, he thought. Curiosity killed the cat, after all—but satisfaction brought it back.
...
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