Rampant



A while ago, I came across a recommendation to read "Rampant" by Diana Peterfreund.  I didn't know anything about the book, but my local library had it (although I'd have to wait a while), so I put it on hold. 

 

Then last week, after I'd forgotten all about it, I found it on the hold shelf when I was picking something else up.  (Yes, it was on hold for me, I didn't snatch someone else's book!)  Having forgotten that I'd requested it, I read the cover as I walked to the desk.  I was a little bewildered.  Flesh-eating unicorns?  Surely I wouldn't be interested in drivel like that ... who had recommended this book, anyway?

Wow.  Stop right there.  I was completely caught up within the first five pages.  By halfway through, I was telling my friends, and when I finished, I showed it off at book club.  Killer Unicorns!  Virgin Huntresses!  Wow, Peterfreund can sure cast a spell on her readers!!!

So, aside from sharing a book that I really enjoyed, I thought it would make a good prompt for the week: Let's put a twist on mystical creatures.

Ready, go!

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My response:

Phoebe was a flaming star of scarlett flying above the clouds, the sunlight gleaming golden on her feathers.  Her wings beat desperately against the high mountain winds as she spiraled upwards, to the top of the cliff.  A pair of travelers crossing the pass stopped and pointed, their weary march transforming into leaps and dancing at the sight of her.

Funny that they would count it lucky to see her; she, who was one of the two most unfortunate creatures to ever breath the air of Earth.

And all for a mistake.

They had won the battle.  The fighting was done.  Only a few, ragged soldiers spotted the battlefield as the victors climbed the hill to look over their domain.  Oberon and Tatiana laughed and sang, their voices lifting to the wind. 

Leonix strode across the field holding Phoebe by the hand.  She had given him her heart years ago, and now, at the end of this final battle, they were free of her family, free to marry.  Leonix grabbed a cart of wine from Phoebe's father's supplies and single-handedly towed it to the top of the hill.  He bowed before Oberon and thanked him for his assistance.  Then he held up the wineskin.

Oberon, smiling, gulped down half the wine, sucked in one last desperate breath, turned as green as the corpses of mountain trolls lying below, and then dropped down, equally as dead.

There ended Tatiana's generosity.  There she spoke her cruel curse.  There Phoebe and Leonix held each other for the first and only time.

For what could be worse than to live eternally, each death only followed by rebirth?  While Phoebe lived, Leonix slept, and only opon her death, did he live, while she in turn suffered dreamless sleep.

Phoebe reached out her claws, grasping at the ledge.  She tucked her wings in and hopped into the small cave.  This place was safe enough.  She'd been here before.  Agony throbbed through her body.  She recognized the pain of death ... but her heart sang with joy.  In just a few minutes, Leonix would be there.  Phoebe laid herself down on the hard rock, tired lungs struggling against her last breath.

And then he opened his eyes.  Phoebe could not see him, but his presence warmed her like the sun.  For the space of three heartbeats, they shared again the same air.  Phoebe reached out towards him, and Leonix reached back.  Their souls brushed past each other like satin sheets slipping away.  Phoebe shut her eyes.

A brilliant burst of flame filled the cave.  Phoebe's poor body burnt to cinders.

Leonix struggled to rise, shaking the ash from his feathers and stretching his wings as far as he could in the small space.  He opened his mouth and let out one low, mournful cry.  He had a lifetime until he saw her again.  He hopped to the opening, spread his wings, and took to the sky.