Many thanks to Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr for their photo prompt, THE UNICORN CHALLENGE. 11/01/2024). No more than 250 words in length.

It was slow going, but once they’d gotten through the heavy new growth at forest’s edge, the journeywoman relaxed in the saddle and let Horse take the lead following the glacial stream. The further along they went, the broader the tree trunks, and the greater the space between them. She’d not slept well the night before and the slow, undulating climb had lulled her into a dream. Or perhaps it was a vision?

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Before her, a rocky mountaintop and cloudy sky filled a breathless space. Nestled within stood a two-story stone house, sectioned as if it had started out as a tower until a giant’s hand had broken and rearranged the pieces to form sides and back, like a child might with building blocks. It looked sturdy enough, with shiny insets to what must be windows, and a tall chimney of red brick. She marveled at the evergreen and lawn behind the house, at the tip of the deeply blue lake. What witchery was this? So much green thriving so far up.

Yet she felt in her gut that this was her destination, and someone who was no one waited inside.

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When Horse stumbled, she nearly lost her seat. Grabbing at the relic in her pocket, she caught herself. Horse whinnied, shook as if he threw off a vision of his own. The two continued under the darkening canopy, until she nearly fell from the saddle, exhausted. They set up camp in a quiet bend of the stream.

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(you can stop here at 248 words, But you might like the next little bit that follows)

Later, when she’d built a small fire and set a pot to boil, the journeywoman noticed a bump, the size of a small coin, in the center of Horse’s forehead, that hadn’t been there that morning. He rolled his head under her searching fingers, seeking a scratch. She complied. It was the least she could do to thank him for carrying her safely, thus far. 

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2024)

Link to the prior episode: https://valleyofthetrolls.blog/2024/10/16/midnight-sun-4/