The Twilight Canyons can be a tretureous place for someone who is unprepared. You thought you were prepared. Going for a mule ride in the Twilight Canyons. It would be fun, right? You were prepared. You had enough food for the day, a first aid kit, all the essentials. But you hadn't been prepared for your mule to kick you off and abandon you in the middle of the canyon. So what, you had said. I'll find my own way around.

Well, it had been only two hours since your mule had run off, and you were already hopelessly lost.

The sun hangs high in the sky, burning the back of your neck as you trudge along the missleading mountain paths. Your sunblock had run out quite a while ago, and you had dropped the bottle over the edge of a cliff. Some fun day in the Canyons this was turning out to be. You look around, hoping for some sense of direction, but every stone, every tree, every cliff looks the same as the last.

You trudge on for another hour, and the sky begins to cover over with clouds, as if pulling a blanket over itself for the night. The air around you grows much colder, and a thin drizzle starts to fall, quickly growing into a heavy downpour. You groan and look around for a shelter. You see a rock jutting out from the side of a cliff, just enough to put something over your head. You hurry towards it.

But your foot skids on the slippery rock, and you trip backwards over the ridge, falling towards the river that formed the canyon far below.

With a sickening jolt, you find yourself out in thin air, falling rapidly. You scream, your arms flailing about for something to grab onto. Still a couple hundred feet from the canyon floor, your shirt snags on a gnarled branch sticking out from the rockface. You sigh in relief, and assess your situation.

You're dangling by your shirt over a hundred foot drop to the rocks and river below. Could be worse, right? At least you're not dead.

It seems you spoke too soon. With a loud snap, the branch that saved your life moments before gives out. You bounce off a rock not far below and, with a cry of pain, are flung out into open space again.

This time you know there's nothing to catch you. You're too far away from anything that could, with the bottom of the canyon racing rapidly towards you. You shut your eyes tight, bracing yourself for the imenant impact. Maybe it will be quick and painless. Instant death.

After a few minutes, you become aware that you're not falling anymore. You slowly open one eye, afraid of what you might see. You seem to be hovering still a couple yards from the ground. Something caught you.

Said something turns its head to look at you lying on it's back and smiles. It's a large pinto Uni, with a long white horn and giant, powerful wings. He caught you right on his back. He has a large, strong looking head and bright red eyes peaking out from beneath a long forelock.

That was a little too close, yes, child?" He says calmly. His voice is deep and mellow, and reminds you somehow of waves rolling up a beach. He speaks with a strange accent, making his words seem choppy, and annunciating every syllable. It sounds almost as if he wasn't used to speaking. "You must be happy I caught you. Just a little way down and you would not be.

You nod, sitting up on his back shakily. He seems strangly unreal, as if you must already be dead, and this is just an illusion of what could have happened.

He laughs, a sound like ringing church bells. "You will want to hold on tight." He tells you. "I will be flying to a place for you to rest, and I fly high and fast. You want not to fall again, yes?

You nod once more, tangling your hands in his long mane. But even with your firm grip in his mane, you almost fly off again when he shoots forward with impossible speed, going from nothing to 100 in less than a second. He manuvers himself easily around the canyons and cliffs, even going at this speed, as if he's lived here all his life. You begin to feel sick, and shut your eyes so you won't see how close you come to crashing every time he makes a sharp turn.

Finally, he comes to a sudden stop outside a cave. The jolt from his stop sends you flying over his head and into the cave. He follows you, much more gracefully, laughing. "You cannot fly, little human. That is for us with wings.

You grunt, and position yourself more comfortably on a rock.

We will be staying here for quite some time." He says quietly. "Do you have ways to entertain yourself?

You shake your head, spraying droplets of water around the cave.

He casts his eyes around the cave, groping for something to talk about. (peo: Groping, ha. Vocab word. XD) Finally his gaze returns to you. "Playing as the host, I suppose it is my job to give you entertainment. Would you like to hear about me?

You nod enthusiastically, and he begins:

I turned and smiled at my friend, Zaliracc. He raced towards me down the hill from the Battle Ground, where the Leader Ordeal was held. "Zaliracc! Is Mother alright?

Yes..." Zali nodded uneasily. "Mal, I don't think she should watch this. She is very sick, and if you lose...

I will not lose, Zali." I said firmly. "There's nothing to worry about. Rorric is past his prime, I can beat him easily.

Zali didn't seem convinced. "You seem very sure of yourself. Yesturday you were complaining that you didn't want to be the Leader.

I don't." I mumbled. "But I can't let the Herd down. They need a strong leader. Stronger than Rorric." My eyes blazed suddenly, making Zali shrink back."Rorric is a slimy coward. It would be better if we were rid of him.

Zali nodded, his eyes clouding. "Listen Mal," He whispered. I had to lean in to hear him. "There's something you need to know about Rorric..." Before he could finish, I was called away to begin the fight.

Tell me later. Okay?" I gave him a friendly nudge.

If there is a later..." He muttered darkly.

You worry too much!" I whinnied, cantering up the hill to the Battle Ground. Rorric was already standing in the center, flanked by his mate, Eerkiu and his son Rakin.

I bent to sharpen my horn on a rock. I'd been doing this all morning. He snorted and scraped a hoof across the ground. We faced off, waiting for the signal to start. The crowd around us backed away and formed a circle around us. Everyone fell silent and the air was still and brittle. The slightest movement would shatter the silence, rocketing us into violence.

A signal was given from the blind Elder Aihlino. I bowed to Rorric, but he only snorted.

Begin!" Aihlino bellowed, and Rorric charged. I stood my ground, waiting until the last moment to swerve to the right. He galloped past me, screeching to a halt just before crashing. With an enraged scream, Rorric spun back towards me, his horn slashing in an arc to cut me in two. Startled by his quick recovery, I reared, lashing out with my hooves. One hoof slammed into his left eye, and he wheeled back, blinded for a moment. I siezed the chance, swinging my powerful head around into his neck, knocking him off his feet. There was a sickening crack as his leg bent the wrong way. He screeched in agony, writhing on the ground before me. Droplets of blood flew from his injured eye, splattering across my legs.

The crowd urged me onward_ "Kill him!" They screamed. I spotted my mother in the crowd. Her eyes were wide with terror and anguish. Next to her was my uncle. His eyes told me to choose for myself. Was I a merciless killer, or a soft forgiver? Rorric's eyes blazed with a challenge. What will you do, worm? Show me what you're made of.

Enough!" I roared. I threw my head up high in an ear-pierceing whinny, silencing the crowd. "Rorric is beaten, and I am now the Hear Leader." I said commandingly. "I see no further reason to fight." Turning to Rorric before me, I ordered: "Rorric is no longer part of the Ashen Tree Herd. He is exiled, to become a nomad, striped of his Leader's Rank. Stand and go now!

Snorting with distaste, Rorric stood shakily. He turned and limped away. He turned his head back to his mate and son, who hesitated. "What are you waiting for?!" He snarled. "Let's get out of this rat-hole!

I stepped in front of two. As much as I would like to be rid of Eerkiu, Rakin was a decent stallion, and a good friend of mine. I would defend him. "Eerkiu and Rakin did not lose. You did." I told him. "You are exiled. They are not. They do not go with you.

He opened his mouth to retort, but thought better of it. He again started to leave, and again turned back to me. His eyes were full of hate and vengence. "Listen here, all of you." He ordered. "Don't think you've seen the end of me. No, mark my words, I'll be back, you can count on that. Don't forget me!" With that last decree, he turned and sped away, favoring his broken leg.

I wish you hadn't been force into Leadership, Mal." Mother sighed. "You're so busy now.

I'm still here, Mother." I said sympathetically. "You haven't lost me, and you still have Sursuo and Zali to help take care of you."

She nodded sadly and her eyes clouded for a moment. Her sickness had been effecting her brain more than anything. Her memory was fading, and her emotions were turning to mush. She wandered away, muttering something I couldn't hear. Father's name was mentioned and my eyes narrowed. She often had moments when she would speak to the air, thinking my father was there. I couldn't help but think his dissepearance was what had disturbed her so. As she lost hope of his return, her mind started to go...

I was startled by a call from behind me. Rakin trotted toward me, a sullen look in his eye. "Maledor, we've found another.

I followed him into a valley cut deep into the fields by a river. Zaliraac, my second in command, Aihlino, and a couple other unis were gathered around something on the bank of the river. Half submerged in the water was a filly that had gone missing two days ago. She was cold and stiff, her eyes gray and lifeless.Her mouth was open slightly in a silent scream, dried foam coating her lips. One of her legs was bent the wrong way, with a gash through a vein on the side.

This is Takiya, Shala's daughter." I observed. "She looks just like the others...

This is the fifth foal we've found like this." Zaliraac reminded me. "The blood has been drained from her body from that cut on her leg." He pointed with his horn to the deep gash on her foreleg.

What could be doing this?" Patcho, a celebrated General, asked. "No enemy I've ever fought drains the blood and leaves the rest for the Lupes.

Raihlino sighed and closed his sightless eyes. "This foal was only born a few days ago. What could be so heartless?

I shook my head. "I don't know. But we'll find out. In the meantime, bring the corpse back to the herd. The herd will want to honor her, and then the Elders will take her to the Burial Grounds.

The others hurried to obey my orders as Zaliraac and Rakin, my two most trusted advisors, looked to me. "Maledor, this can't go on. Any ideas?" Zali asked. I shrugged.

Could it have something to do with Rorric?" Rakin whispered.

You're too quick to blame this on Rorric." I snorted. "How could he drain the blood from his victims? No Uni can do that.

Zali opened his mouth, but was cut off by a call for me from the herd. He and Rakin exchanged a glance as I left the scene.

----

The herd leader was expected to make a speech at the funeral, for any Uni. Many of the older Unis questioned my compitence, and I hoped if I made a good speech I could win them over.

Sursuo approached me before I took the spotlight. "Maledor, be careful with what you say out there." He warned. "Very careful.

What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled by his sullen look. "Being too careful is never good.

Oh, you can never be too careful. 'Specially not with this crowd." He jerked his head towards the Unis gathering below Monologue Ridge(the hill where leaders adress the herd). "Remember, Rorric ruled for a long time, and though he wasn't popular, his way was accepted. Many of the Unis in the herd now were born during his rule, and grew up with his laws." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "With all the foals going missing since you took charge, some of the older folk haven't been to happy. Be very careful.

I nodded nervously, feeling as if a couple of Meepits were having a party in my belly. He grinned sudenly and let out a booming laugh. "Ah, don't listen to an old fart like me!" He nudged me up the ridge. "Knock 'em dead!

His words were so true a few days later.

The day my life turned upside down was July 13. I'm not sure of the date, I just know it was a Friday the thirteenth. I guess it really is an unlucky day.

----
Fire!" Someone shrilled. A red Uni called Yuki sprinted toward the herd. Heads looked up from grazing. Crys of fear sounded around the clearing at the sight of the huge flames licking at the sky, easily devouring the tall grasses and racing towards us. Panic drove out common sense, and Unis ran every-which-way in confusion.

SILENCE!" I bellowed from atop Monologue Ridge. My voice stopped short the herd in their tracks. I was hit with a sudden wave of shyness as all eyes turned to me, but I shook it off quickly. Zali jumped up beside me, waiting expectantly for orders.

I cleared my throat and started again. "Everyone make your way into the valley and across the river. The water and the forest around it will slow down the fire and we can think of a better plan of a escape." The herd hesitated. "Go! I shall meet you there!

I lept down off of the Ridge as Zali repeated my orders more firmly to get the unis moving. I pushed myself through the crowd of Unis going the opposite way until I spotted my mother. She was lying on her side, Sursuo standing over her.

Mother!" I cried, racing towards her. Sursuo stepped back as I approached. " Mother! Get up, we have to get out of here!" I pushed at her with my head, trying to help her up.

No, Maledor." She weezed. It was the calmest she had sounded in years. "I have no strength left in me. Your Father took it with him...

Maqurin!" I snarled. How I hated the stallion for leaving my mother like this! "Mother, he isn't going to come back, you have to move on an forget--

I can't forget!" She whinnied. Her body was suddenly siezed by a coughing fit. She writhed in the dirt for a moment, fighting for breath. "He's all...I have...Left...Now..." She huffed between coughs.

No...Mother..." I said softly, proding her vainly with my hoof. "Get up...

It's too late now, Maledor." Sursuo growled. "That loner has taken everything she lived for, and now she hasn't the strength even to get up.

I stared at Natora, my mother, who had brought me into this world. Who had loved and nurtured me, raised me from and infant and tought me everything I know. It was hard to see her like this, and even harder to know that I would have to leave her to die. I gazed into her eyes, now cleared of all confusion and uncertainty. I knew what I had to do.

Natora, the herd honors your sacrifice. Pass peacefully into Heaven, and may you watch over us forever." I repeated the words that were traditionally told to a dying Uni by the Leader. "I'll never forget you, mother." I added, nuzzling her.

She smiled and closed her eyes. One last sigh escaped her lips, and she moved no more. A single tear left my eye and landed on her cheek.

Maledor, I hate to ruin the moment, but we have to go!" Rakin startled me, coming up from behind. Zali nodded urgently, his eyes fearful.

What-Who's leading the herd?!" I questioned, amazed that they would have left the herd on their own.

I put Patcho in charged." Zali answered offhoofedly.(peo: Hoofedly. Ha. IT IS SO A WORD!) "Everyone's waiting in the valley. Let's move!" With one last look at my mother, I was shunted away towards the valley, with Sursuo murmuring unheard words of comfort into my ear.

As we mounted the hill before the valley, I looked below and saw to my horror that the forest around the river had already been consumed by the fire and transformed into a flaming inferno. The sounds of screaming unis reached my ears, and I relized I had sent them to their death. In the valley, they could not escape fast enough.

Zaliraac, Rakin and I galloped into the chaos. "Where is everyone?!" I called. I heard my name shouted from many different directions,crys of desperation and accusation. It was my fault and they knew it.

Maledor, we must get out of here!" Rakin shouted over the roar of the flames.

No! I will not abandon my herd!" I flew through the burning underbrush, calling for the herd to gather to me. I couldn't even hear their screams anymore.

Maledor, it's too late to help them!" Zaliraac excalimed, barely keeping up with me. "His plan is already in action. We have to save ourselves!

His plan?"I asked, skidding to a hault. "Who's plan?

As if on cue, a dark shape burst out of the trees and slammed head on into Zaliraac. He screamed and fell back into the burning bushes. The black creature followed him and there was a sickening splattering sound.

Move, Maledor!" Rakin shrilled, pushing me away. We ran as fast as we could, not waiting to see if anything was following us.

The forest ended when the river started to climb the mountains to where it origanated. Rakin and I followed it until the last embers of the fire were far behind us. Finally, I collasped by a small pond formed by a rock damming up the river. "Wh...What...happened?" I panted. "What...Was that?

Rakin had climbed to the top of a ridge that allowed him to look out at our ruined homeland. "Rorric, my father." He snarled. "This is all his fault.

I rolled my eyes. "Rakin, you can't blame your father for everything." Like I do. I almost added. "This was my fault. I thought the river would slow the falmes, but I was wrong.

No, Maledor, you don't understand--" He began to say, then looked around sharply. "He's coming!

I looked to where he pointed with his horn and saw the same creature that had attacked Zaliraac racing towards us. Away from the confusion of the forest, I could get a better look at it. It looked almost like a Uni, but with huge bat wings, a thick dragon-like tail, long, sharp fangs and a deadly curved horn.

With a roar of rage, Rakin lowered his horn to skewer it when it tried to ram him, but it pulled up sharply and knocked him over with a gust of wind from it's wings. It then pounced on Rakin and sank its fangs deep into his leg. Rakin screamed and writhed for a moment, then grew stiff and still. I stood routed to the spot, watching my friend twitch and listning, horrified, to the slurping sound the thing was making.

Suddenly what was happening struck me and I charged at the creature with all the intent to kill it. It dissepeared right into thin air, and I skidded to a hault before Rakin.

Rakin! My friend, are you alright?" I asked, rolling him onto his side. His eyes were large and lifless, his mouth opened in a silent scream. Each of Rakin's legs had snapped, and the way he landed when he was knocked over had broken his neck. Rakin still bled from the gash on his leg, even though his heart had stopped long before.

They die so easially, don't they?" A familliar voice said from behind me. I spun and was faced with the cruel red eyes of Rorric. At least, I think it was him. He looked like...

You...You're a vampire?!"I asked incredously.

No really? How obvious was it, dim wit?" He jeered. "My son and your little friend have known for years. It took you this long to figure it out?" Without waiting for my reply, he swung around and bashed me in the head with his strong spiked tail. I stummbled back, dazed, but shook my head quickly to clear the stars from my eyes. When I looked up again, he was already charging again, his hooked horn ready to slice me in half. But I already knew his strategy. At the last second I dodged, expecting him to overrun me so I could attack from behind. To my surprise, instead he jumped into the air and created a dizzing whilwind with his gigantic wings. I was bowled over and he landed on top of me.

You should have killed me when you had the chance!" He sneered. His fangs flashed and I knew they were about to clamp down on my neck to snap it.

Just then, my instincts kicked in, and I lashed out with my back legs, throwing him over my head and over the nearby cliff. I stood shakily and looked over the edge and, convinced that he was gone, turned and started back towards Rakin again.

But this battle was far from over. Rorric's wings had saved him, and he flew up behind me. He slammed me into a wall, where my head knocked into a wall and my vision went blurry. I could see his outline looming up over me, ready to finish the job. Just before I blacked out, another dark shape rammed into Rorric and red filled my vision. Then everything faded away and I passed out.

I slowly roused myself, each of my senses waking one at a time. When I was fully awake, I opened my eyes and lifted my head to take in my surroundings. I was in a large clearing with a lake in the center, where the river must flow down from. grass had managed to grow tall and lush up here, along with a few rare wildflowers. The mountain formed a tall wall around the clearing, with the only exit being where the river left. Was this truely the origin of the river, or had Rorric killed me? Could this be Heaven?

Oh, you're awake." Standing near the lake was and unfamilliar gray uni with red strips and deep, crimson red eyes. He came closer, and I studied him closer. We were built very much the same, with thick, strong legs and a surdy body. He had a long horn like mine, curved slightly at the end, and the same huge eagle wings. The more I looked at him, the more I thought about how much he looked like me, despite our different colorations.

He smiled, his tired eyes lighting up for a moment. "You've grown up well, Maledor.

The relization hit me suddenly. "Father?

He nodded. At first I was overjoyed at the fact that I was finally meeting my sire. Then I remembered what he had done to my mother, and all the strife that he'd caused since his dissepearance.

Why did you abandon us?"I snarled.

Maqurin shrugged. "You got along quite well without me up to this point." He repiled calmly. "Why I left seems irrelevant.

I don't need you! I never did." I snapped. "It was Mother who couldn't live without you. She died waiting for you!

Oh, did she?" He asked sadly. "How tragic. I'm sorry.

How could he act so calm about this? It was as if he didn't really care about my Mother. "I thought you loved her.

I don't love anything." Maqurin snorted. He turned his cold crimson eyes on me again. "Remember that.

I took a step back, his piercing gaze a bit unnerving. I was ashamed to know that those same eyes belonged to me too.

I decided to change the subject. "What happened to Rorric?" I asked.

I killed him. If you want proof, you can find what's left of him further down the mountain with his son.

I want to bury Rakin.

Feh, don't bother. He was a vampire too, you know. Like father like son.

I don't care what he was!" I screamed at him. "He wasn't like Rorric! And I'm not like you!

Maqurin stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You're funny, shrimp! You're just like me. Strong, brave, talented...

Loyalty." I cut in. "Loyalty and kindness. Those are the two qualities I have that you never will." With one last glare at him, I raced down the hill to where Rakin still lay where I'd left him. I said a prayer for him, then looked around at Rorric.

The former herd leader had been ripped to shreds. His wings had been torn from their sockets and lay in tatters across the outcropping. His body had been split in two, his top half impaled on a wooden stake. I shivered. I wouldn't wish such a fate on even Rorric, after all he'd done. Mercy was one more thing I was glad I had different from Maqurin.

Maqurin wandered back down to meet me. "Rorric started the fire that killed your herd. He poured oil into the river so that it would spred into the forest. What happened isn't your fault." He told me.

I glared at him."I don't need you to tell me that."I growled. "I told you, I don't need you at all. I hate you!" With that, I galloped away, leaving behind the last member of my family. Maqurin watched me leave until I was out of the mountains. I looked back one last time. He threw up his head and dissepeared behind a ridge. "Good riddance!" I screeched and continued my run. Within an hour, I had left behind everything I had ever knew, and was running into Oblivion.

I had never seen a human before. The place where I had grown up was protected by the mountains and the valley.I had followed the river all the way to where it met the ocean, and then ran along the coast until I found a city called Neopian Central. I entered causiously, trying to take in all the strange sights and smells all at once. The hard streets felt cold and unwelcoming under my tired hooves and the unfamiliar buildings and shops seemed to loom up around me, ready to come crashing down on my head. I longed for the wide open spaces of my homeland, but I knew all that was there now was a charred wasteland.

I found a small patch of grass around and tree, and started trying to graze. The grass was limp and tastless, but I was so hungry I didn't notice.

What are you doing?" Someone asked from behind me. I spun with a shrill whinny, rearing up to lash out with my front hooves. before me was a very frightened blue creature with a wild red mane down it's back and big green eyes. It was pampered and weak-looking.

Whoa, chill out man!" It exclaimed. "S'no reason to freak out on me. What's your problem?!

I stood rooted to the spot, staring back at the creature. Though I could understand its words, I knew I couldn't speak its language. I wondered if it could understand mine. "Who are you?" I asked.

She sighed in exasperation. "God in Heaven, he doesn't speak English.

EYRIEO!" Someone screamed from far away. The creature looked around, and said hurriedly, "You don't know me, you never saw me, and you're not coming with me." She dashed off. Once she dissepeared, another creature skidded to a halt before me. This one was cat-like, with wild white hair and covered in white fur. I snorted and it looked over at me. It's eyes were different colors.

Oh, hello there. I'm sorry, that Eyrie didn't cause you any trouble, did she?" It asked. I shook my head. It smiled and dissepeared after the.

I reached the end of the town as it grew dark. Beyond it streatched an expanse of hilly grassland for as far as I could see. Overjoyed at such a familliar sight, I raced up one of the hills. On top stood a strange structure the likes I had never seen, even in the town. Before I could get close enough to check it out, something rammed into my side, knocking the wind out of me. I stumbled back to regain my footing, and faced off against what had hit me. It looked like a ebony Uni with no horn or wings. it glared at me with intellegent golden eyes and a golden creasant shape glowed on its forehead.

What are you doing here?!" It snorted. Finally, someone was speaking my language.

The grasslands belong to everyone. Stop attacking me!" I answered. It snorted again and pawed angrily at the ground.

This land is peofun1's territory! Stay away!" It charged again, but something jumped in between us before it could. "Zwee, noska!" It cried, and the odd uni stopped in its tracks. The thing that had stopped it turned to face me, and I relized it was the same white furry creature from earlier.

Hey, I know you." It said. "You were in the city earlier. Don'tcha gotta home, buddy?" I shook my head sadly. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're welcome to stay with me for a while.

Master, no. I don't trust him." The black uni snarled.

Hoko, Zwee." It said sternly. "I'd be happy to help you." I took a wild guess and labled the Uni male and the thing female. "So, what'cher name, big guy?

I knew she wouldn't understand, but I told her anyway."Maledor.

Maledor, huh?" She repeated, surprising me. "I see you don't speak English, so it's a good thing I speak horse. Or Uni, in your case. Welcome to my humble abode!

-----

Since then, I have lived in this crazy household with peofun1 and the rest of her pets. They certainly are an odd bunch, but if you can handle the constant insanity they are very sweet. Zwee, peo's horse, and I have become great friends, and peo has even gotten me a petpet.

Life is good without the responsibility of running a herd, but I still feel guilty about what happened. Not even all these new friends could ever fill the void left by the fire. Even so, I am determined to protect my family from whatever comes our way. I refuse to let anyone down again!

How very noble of you." You praise him, but he doesn't seem to hear.

Nothing I have is there more to tell you." He announces. "Yet rain continues to fall. Back further in this cave of mine are some books and albums. Mayhap they would hold your attention?

More pictures coming soon.

Natora::Mother

Natora was my mother and my insperation. She was a beautiful Cloud Uni with purple eyes and a dark blue horn. She had a kind heart, and loved every being that ever lived. She became mortally ill not long before I was forced to fight Rorric. She and my uncle had cared for me until then, but when she fell ill I needed to care for her. We think the pain of her mate, her true love, leaveing her had been eating away at her, and when she heard that I would have to fight the herd leader it was too much for her to handle. By the time the fire hit, she could only recognize me, and was meerly a fragile shell of what she once was. I'm almost glad the fire took her from her misery. I only wish I could have helped her before she got that bad. Mayhap then she would still be with us today...

Maqurin::Father

Father was a loner, a nomad, an outcast. He drifted from herd to herd, trying not to form attachments. But when he crossed paths with the Ashen Tree Herd, he allowed himself to fall in love with my mother, Natora. He stayed only three years before he left, devestating my mother. I was born six moons after that, but he was long gone. He is a striped Uni, mostly gray with red strips. We are built the same, with the same eyes, though he is blind in one eye. His blind eye is pink with a scar across it. I hate him more than anything, even though he saved my life. He says he doesn't love anything, but he cared enough to save me. I guess he didn't care to much for my mother. From the way he killed Rorric, I know he is also a merciless, cold-blooded killer. I've actually been thinking about him recently, wondering if I should serch him out. He had a strange tatoo on his shoulder; one that I've been seeing everywhere recently.
Oh yes, and he has this strange tatoo on his shoulder. I swear I've seen it before...

Uncle::Sursuo

Sursuo was my mother's brother, a plain blue Uni with no strange markings. He had a short horn and no wings, but was strong and a hard worker. His sense of humor never failed, and always had me laughing. His smile was contagious, and he was never without friends. He was born on an island, so he has strange ways and an accent. He was always in on every conversation and inside joke. Though he seemed so wonderful, he always kept his real feelings hidden away. He always knew the end the herd would come too, but he kept his anxiety to himself.

Zaliraac::Childhood Friend

Zaliraac and I have the same birthday, and we grew up together. He was always my closest friend, and I felt I could tell him anything and trust him with anything. Though he was quirky and a bit awkward when talking to Elders, he was always a hard working and always trying to do his best. Of course when I became Leader he was my right hoof Uni. I thought I could trust him, but he kept one secret from me: He knew that Rorric was a vampire. Zali was afraid to tell anyone because he didn't know what would happen to him. Even after Rorric was banished, he was still to uncertain to tell anyone. Perhaps if Zali had spoken up, we would all still be living happily on the plains. Or perhaps he would have died sooner. Zali was a black uni with a silver head. His hooves, mane, tail, and horn were also silver. His name means moonshine.

Rakin::Loyal Friend

Rakin was a fire uni, the son of Rorric. He also knew about his father's secret, but did not want to expose it probably because he would also expose himself. Rakin was only half vampire, so he chose not to use his terrible powers. Rakin hated his father as much as I hate mine. He was always on top of things, and kept the herd running smoothly when I didn't know what to do. He was loyal and trustworth, although a little sarcastic at times. His death was so tragic that the irony is even worse: He was killed by his father, who sucked his blood like a vampire. I didn't know vampires could take blood from other vampires. Rakin was a good friend who stuck by me until the end.

Aihlino::Oldest of the Old

Aihlino was the oldest horse of the herd. He had been blind since birth, but could see just as well with his senses and his mind as I can with my eyes. He took up the job as the judge for the herd, upholding the old traditions and making sure everyone followed the rules. He could admister punishments, but usually it was the Leader's desision. He was sort of like what you humans would call a 'Vice Principal'. His job aside, he was a sweetheart. It was in his nature to love and protect his herd, keeping them happy and safe. Despite his gentle nature, he would fight fiercely against anything he thought was unjust or wrong. Some older unis would tell storys of his aggressiveness on the battle field when he was a yong General, but when I knew him he was better at debating than fighting. I don't know what his painted color was; his coat had turned gray with age long before I was born.

Patcho::Celebrated General

Patcho was a black and white pinto uni with a short, thick, ivory horn. He was built like a tank: Big, strong and durable. He led us into whatever battles we had to fight, whether it was with lupes, kougras, or rival herds. He was gruff and short-tempered, though an amazing strategist. We never lost a fight with him in charge.

Rorric::Vampire Dictator

If you've taken the time to read my story, you should know exactly who he was. He took over during a time of crisis when his predecessor was killed during a battle with a rival Herd. We were at war with the Misty River Herd, and Rorric was our most powerful General. When the Leader was killed, he immediatly took charge and drove Misty River far away. Since then no one challanged his athourity. Until I showed up that is. I know he was behind all the strange accidents that nearly killed me in my childhood, and also covered up a lot of the deaths of foals he had killed. He also started the fire that whiped out my herd, and brutaly slaughtered Zaliraac and his own son Rakin. He was a huge fire uni with no wings except in his vampire form. In his vampire form, he grew gigantic bat wings, a long dragon's tail and big fangs. Rorric was mean and heartless, but no one dared stand up to him. He was mercilessly mutilated by my father, Maqruin, when he tried to kill me.

Eerkiu::Queen of the Damned

Eerkiu was always with Rorric. She was his mate, Rakin's mother. She was not a vampire, though she probably knew he was. She was snobby and self-centered. Much like human-bred Unis today. Eerikiu was a pink Uni, and was always showing off her unusually bright coat to anyone within earshot. I don't know why she loved Rorric so much, or why he put up with her. Sometimes I wish I had sent her off with Rorric when he was banished.

Shala::Devestated Mother

Shala was the mother of Takiya, one of Rorric's victims after I took control of the herd. She was a sharp tounged stripped Uni with an attitude problem. She never really liked me.

peo's art of me:

Instead, they tried to make him into a draft animal anyway. He was a very definant animal, and his cruel owners punished him for it. They stitched his mouth shut to stop his outbursts, and his bridle was so tight it left permenant scars.

The owners decided if he couldn't pull with his legs, he could do so with his wings. They ripped off his light-weight, flight-efficiant wings, and replaced them with strong, heavy metal wings. This only impeded his abilities more, and also nearly broke his back. Another deformity of his is the violent slop of his back because of the wings.

When peo found him abandoned in an alleyway, he was in such bad shape one couldn't even tell he was an Alabriss. His were crooked and mishapened, his back angled and akward, and his hair knotted and flea-infested. After much surgery and a long, difficult recovery, he became the loving creature he is today. The doctor even hollowed out his wings, so he can fly since walking is so painful.

He was mistrustful and spirited when we found him, but couldn't put up a fight for long. I fell in love with him when first I saw him. During the surgery and rehabillitation, peo and I were always right at his side. When he was finally healed and we broght him home, he wouldn't meet any other pet. Ever since, he's only trusted peo and I. he would defend the two of us to the death, and do it with pride. I'm impressed that even after all he's been through, he can still find it in his heart to trust anyone.

Though he is mute, we've been able to establish a telepathic bond with the help of peo's mysterious abilities. He told me his mother named him Tsuchi before she died. You wouldn't think it, but Tsuchi is a very bright individual. He has a photographic memory, and only has to see something once to remember it forever. At night when everyone is asleep, we stay up together, gazing at the stars and sharing knowledge. Philosophy is a passion we share.

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