The White Tower
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 12 - Kiri
Kiri smiled at the young girl and she blushed, lowering her eyes. The Unicorn was so handsome! Both his Unicorn form, all silver and gold, and his fairer human form were beautiful, but his human eyes had a gentle look in them that made her want to know him better. Much better!
"Welcome to the valley, Jae." He greeted her, and then turned to his brother, "Taiki, what is the problem?"
Taiki told Kiri about the Great Dragons and about Raike's death and Shun's sacrifice. And about the Black Dragon who waited at the White Tower for Jae's return.
"This is ill news indeed! You are welcome here, although I am not sure that we can prevent a Great Dragon from finding you." Kiri told her.
"I thought that nothing could pierce the veil that hides the valley." Taiki said.
"A Great Dragon will not be able to see the valley, but he might be drawn to this area. But let's not worry about things that might never come to pass. Come, Jae, I will take you to meet my grandfather. He is the leader of the Unicorns."
As they walked across the valley floor, Jae marveled at the Unicorns. All of them were so beautiful! Silver white with manes of different colors: some silver blue like ice, others pale gold like the first rays of dawn, but none had the beautiful gold mane that she had seen on Kiri.
"What color of mane do you have, Taiki?"
"Actually I am all black."
"Taiki is a rare black Unicorn. The only one of his kind." Kiri explained further. "He is half Unicorn and half human. His father was my father, Keiki, but his mother is Rin, who lives at the Castle with her mate, the healer mage, Kaiba."
"Yes, I have met them both. They helped with my birth and have been to the Tower several times. And I've met their son, Kain, also."
"Look, here comes my grandfather." Kiri indicated a pure white Unicorn with a silver mane and a golden circle around the base of his horn. He was galloping rapidly toward the group. He came to braking stop in front of them, kicking up dust and tiny clods of dirt. Kiri swiftly moved in front of Jae to protect her.
"Grandfather!" Kiri exclaimed, in protest.
"How dare you!" Zalika roared inside of their minds. As always, he spoke telepathically since he refused to change to a human form. "Taiki! You brought a Dragon into our valley! You told a Dragon the secrets of the Unicorns! Stupid boy!!!"
Taiki blanched under his grandfather's tirade, but Kiri stood up for him. "There were extenuating circumstances and she is not a full dragon, but half, like Taiki. Jae is half human. And is this how we welcome those who come for help?" He said, anger tingeing his voice.
"Half or full, she is still a Dragon! And our sworn enemy! Your own father, my son, died at the hands of a Dragon! Did you forget?" Zalika would not be dissuaded from his anger.
"Never ask me that!" Kiri replied, his voice low. "I know well how my father died! It was my place that he took! It was my death that he gave! And Jae is not our enemy! She is a child who needs help and Taiki offered her sanctuary. Would you turn your back on that offer? This is perhaps the first step to healing the rift between our two species? My father and the Red Dragon Kyo were becoming friends before his death."
"There can never be an end to the animosity between Unicorns and Dragon. As long as we live, they can die!"
"What do you mean by that?" Jae asked timidly.
"A Unicorn's horn is the only thing that can kill a Great Dragon, except for another Great Dragon. Many centuries ago, before the Dragons went into hibernation, men killed the Unicorns for their horns and made spears to kill the Dragons. We died so that they could be killed." Kiri explained.
"A river of blood separates us -- and it will never stop its flow!" Zalika added bitterly. "Your own mother was killed for her horn."
"I know that! And a Dragon was killed with it." Kiri answered.
"But now there is chance for peace, Grandfather." Taiki said. "In Otherworld, all the species live together in harmony. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to mend those wounds? Kyo has proven himself a friend. And the Green Dragon, Shun, gave his life force so that a human might live."
Zalika sighed, which came out like a low snort, "My time is almost over and soon Kiri will take the leadership of the herd. But remember this -- there are many Great Dragons sleeping under the mountains. And they are not all friendly. Remember the Black Dragon that killed your father!" And with those words, the old Unicorn turned and left them, his step no longer strong and firm, but slow and cautious.
Neither Taiki nor Kiri said anything more -- what was there to say? The old ways had to be erased so that the new could take its place. And Kiri knew that his time was coming -- and that it would be soon.
"I'm sorry." Jae said sadly. "I should return to the Tower."
"No, Taiki has offered you our protection and you shall have it." Kiri said firmly. "Like my grandfather said, it is time for change."
Since the Unicorns stayed in the horse form, there were no shelters, but Kiri and Taiki created a small lean-to and put soft grasses and blankets inside for Jae. Kiri brought her fruits and vegetables and bread (from the Castle) and Taiki brought her an earthenware pitcher of cool, clear water.
"I'm sorry we don't have better accommodations for you." Kiri told her.
"Please! This is wonderful! I am so grateful to be here and away from those Dragons." Then she mused, "…those Dragons. I still don't feel like I am a Dragon. I can't transform into one. But my father is a Dragon, so I am half-Dragon at least."
"And like me, you are unique." Taiki said. "I am the only half-Unicorn that exists. And you are the only half-Dragon. Perhaps that's why I feel a kinship with you."
"I must go to see my grandfather and try to make amends. I don't want him to be upset with me. I will see you in the morning." Kiri said. "Taiki, you will stay with Jae tonight?"
"Yes, I'll watch over her."
Kiri transformed into his Unicorn counterpart and galloped away.
Taiki sat down next to Jae, just outside of the lean-to. "Taiki," Jae began. "Tell me about your brother."
"Well, there's not really much to tell. He came for me when I was eight and has been teaching me Unicorn magic since that time."
"Does he…." Jae suddenly blushed and kept quiet.
Taiki looked at the girl, and smiled, "No, he does not have a mate."
Jae blushed even more, appalled that she had been so easy to read. "I can sense things where others cannot." Taiki explained. "Kiri will soon be the leader of the Unicorn herd."
She looked at Taiki, trying read into his words.
"I do not think the herd will accept their leader with a Dragon -- even a half-Dragon -- as his mate." Taiki said softly.
"Oh! I don't even know Kiri! I just met him!" Jae stammered quickly, but in her heart she was saddened by his words. And knew that they were true. Kiri would never allow himself to fall in love with a Dragon. Why -- oh, why! -- did she have to be born a Dragon!!!