The Unicorn Price (99 Words)
It had been a mistake. He was no hunter, and even if he had been it would have taken remarkable skill to catch this unicorn without some kind of deception. But he was desperate and the king’s bounty was tempting. Now the unicorn’s horn was at his heart.
The unicorn’s eyes gazed into his. But then the creature raised her head and turned aside. The man’s knees buckled with relief. He almost cried out when she nudged him with her soft muzzle.
“Beneath the oak tree is buried a silver star,” she said. “Its price will feed your children.”
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Written in response to the Daily Post’s Prompt, “Astral,” and Carrot Ranch’s Flash Fiction Challenge. Check ’em out!
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Sigh of relief … so much tension! Fantastic!
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Thank you 🙂 🙂
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Their brief is to heal and to help, he should have asked right at the beginning 🙂
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Lol that’s true! But alas, some myths go that the unicorn has a very poor view towards men
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She must have seen he had a good heart. It makes me think perhaps she extracts a price from some and gives it to others.
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I think she saw that he was good, too. Some unicorns are simple and dangerous–others, I think, are more wise.
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I was able to see the character of the evil king, erstwhile hunter, and wise unicorn -all for 99 words. Very impressive, and great story.
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Thank you 🙂 It means a lot that you enjoyed it.
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Beautifully written. It has a real sense of magic.
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Thank you 🙂 It means a lot that you enjoyed
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