An Unexpected Flight

We, all four of us travelers, seat ourselves in a banquet room in the Inn. We do not talk to each other. We make no sound. We all intently listen to the rain fall on Duwamish Bay, while we watch for the long-waited approach of Enchanteur. When I stare out the window closest to me, the rain pours with more force and red lightning dances in zigzags between the darkened gold clouds. The jeweled stars are still visible, although a low mist envelops the town. As lightning lightens the ground, I see a shadow out in the garden. Slowly, it approaches the window and I watch it carefully. Is it Enchanteur?

No, it’s Joey! Rainwater streams down his coat as he neighs softly. His green eyes are studying me seriously. When he spots me near the window, he bumps his nose slightly against the pane and turns his head as if I am to follow him.

I excuse myself from the banquet, although I have yet to see a morsel of food and I my stomach is growling with hunger pangs. As I reach the side door of the Inn, I realize I am dressed in my ball gown and high heels. Not exactly the kind of outfit to go flying in the air on the back of a horse.

I open the door an inch. “Joey. I need to change my clothes. I’ll hurry.”

“Bo! Really, really hurry. It’s important. I’ll get my blanket and meet you by that old shed. And don’t forget Enchanteur’s Bag.”

We meet outside in less than five minutes. I carry my emergency plastic poncho and wear my exploring clothes. My heavy traveling shoes are caked with mud, but they seem to fit better than usual. My toes aren’t pinched. I settle our outerwear around us. Joey’s blanket is mysteriously dry,and my bit of plastic somehow warms both of us. Once we are dressed, we huddle next to the shed. The eaves partially spare us from the wicked weather.

“We’ll stay here for a little while, Bo. No one will hear my tale. I spoke to a black Raven not fifteen minutes ago. He was gleaming with such magnificence, I could see the jeweled stars reflecting on his feathers. I knew he was a Messenger the moment I spied him. Did you know that Ravens and I share one of the magic languages?”

“I’m not surprised, Joey. What did the Raven say?”

“He passed on surprising news, a rather complicated story if I say so myself. I understood much of what he said, but he was speaking in an awful accent and I might have missed a bit.”

“Joey, I’m feeling testy. What was the message? Who was it from?”

“Anonymous, Bo. It was from Anonymous.”

“Tell me the whole message or I’ll notify Tillie that we aren’t compatible. Do you want me to demand a different steed?”

“No, Bo. We’re a team. I’ll tell you everything. A very large raven, double the size of most ravens, flew into the open door of the barn and landed on my back. He asked my mistress’s name and then gave me this message. “Leave immediately,” he said. “Prepare for a journey of great distance and difficulty. Do not travel above the rain clouds for it is not safe. Stay just above the trees for camouflage and keep your eyes alert. Travel only in dim light.”

“Anything else, Joey?”

“There are extra supplies stashed for us. They are in a bundle on the second branch of the fifth maple tree east of the crossroads between Duwamish and the trail through Casper Mountain. Or maybe it was the fifth branch of the third oak? I can’t be sure, but we as a team can find it. No problem.”

I try to keep my spirits from sinking, but I do wish Joey listened to instructions. He repeats himself. “We are a team. No problem.”

“So where is our destination?”

“Ah, that I remember clearly. I even carry a map the Raven supplied. We head through Casper Mountain pass until we reach the Murmuring Woods. There we search for the Faraway Tree. It is the tallest tree in the woods and shan’t be hard to locate. The two of us must climb the tree, (although climbing trees is not one of my better tricks,) until we come to an opening in a thick ring of clouds. There we will enter the Land of Fairy Tales and there our adventure will begin in earnest.”

“But, Joey. We’ve just reached Duwamish Bay. It seems a shame to leave without exploring and crossing on the ferry.”

“A mystery for you to ponder, Bo. Now one last command from the Raven. Fetch the medallion of the unicorn from Enchanteur’s bag. Look carefully at the unicorn.”

I gasp in alarm. “It has a remarkable resemblance to you, Joey. Is this an ancestor of yours on the medallion?”

“For now, that is a question I choose not to answer. Sorry, Bo. Looks like I do know more than once appeared. Now place the medallion over my neck and wrap us with your poncho to keep us dry. The trip will sorely test us. Climb on, Bo. I do believe the ending of the tale is worth the danger, or I would not allow you to come.”

I take a glance back at the hotel, as more travelers arrive for the feast. The banquet hall is lit like a Christmas Tree, and music floats through the air. “Oh, Joey! I was so looking forward to the banquet.” I nearly weep.

“Do not fret, Bo. There will be other banquets for you to attend.”

I look at Joey as he takes a running leap and then he slides between the raindrops and into the sky. I stare hard. Joey’s coat has turned the color of gold and he sports a spiraled horn and a billy-goat’s beard. His swishing tail is that of a lion. Joey sneaks a look at me and winks.

“Yep,” hoots Joey. “I couldn’t tell you first off, but I am a Golden Unicorn. I shall be at your service, and you shall be at mine.”

I try to clear my mind from incoming confusion. “Do I still call you Joey?”

“Bo, I must travel incognito. All who see me see a horse and all call me Joey. No one sees a golden unicorn, except the one who placed the medallion upon his neck. When our adventure is complete, I will grant you one wish for being the Assistant to The Golden Unicorn.”

I am flabbergasted, but I follow the instructions and soon we find the supplies. I gobble down four peanut butter sandwiches and two yellow pears. Joey eats what appears to be a bar of soap wrapped in hay. He tucks his remaining energy bars and a white flag under one wing, and promises me more food when we reach the mountain. He takes out a bladder flask and we drink slowly of red unicorn wine which warms me and heightens my awareness. Now I can understand the words Joey thinks to himself, so we need not speak aloud when in danger.

Joey consults a hand-drawn map and follows the tracks which eventually lead us to Casper Mountain’s pass. For once, Joey concentrates and pulls no pranks. I can’t believe I am flying on my Joey who now is transformed into a unicorn. As we fly over the tree tops, I lean into his soft mane, promising myself that I will close my eyes only briefly. Then I fall into a dreamless sleep.