Chapter 3 A New Adventure

An excerpt from The White Lion Unicorn Series Book 1: A Colony of Tiny Nekos

Silver Moon had breakfast laid out for everyone. Both White Lion and Black Wolf were still sleeping. She munched on her breakfast as she did more research on Elsewhere and the Silver Mists. That’s when she found the references to the labyrinth. She stopped eating and kept reading.

“Hey, you’re up early.” Black Wolf yawned.

Silver Moon looked up at him. “Oh? Yeah, I guess I am.”

He sat down and ate his breakfast. “You found something interesting?”

“Yeah. Apparently, there is a labyrinth near the Silver Mists and Elsewhere.”

“Oh? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Neither have I, but it’s huge and apparently it was hard for people to avoid. That is, it was. I think it’s easier to avoid now.”

“Because of something the Guardians did?”

“No, it’s easier to avoid because of the transportation network on Platinum.”

“Oh?”

“Most people would use the transportation system— even if they are driving their own vehicles. Those routes take everyone around the labyrinth. The Guardians have notes that people just built them that way without always know why. In some places it looks like you take the long way around, but that’s how the routes are. No one even flies over it.”

Black Wolf’s eyes got big and round.

“Yeah, I know it’s odd that many people avoid it and don’t know why.”

“What is so special about the labyrinth?”

“I don’t know. But the Guardians say it has high psi readings. They weren’t entirely sure and they are still studying it to this day.”

“Psi readings?”

“The energy which is associated with magic.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, not everyone can practice magic and those who do say it’s not an exact science. It may not work the way most people think.”

“Okay.” He paused to finish eating. “Are you going to check it out?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure I can get to it.”

“That could be a problem.” His phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket. It was another text message. There was no mistaking this time. There were more details and none of them were good. He replied and then put the phone away. He looked at Silver Moon, but said nothing.

She looked at him and knew he wasn’t going to tell her. She was beginning to think his promises to her were meaningless. Had he changed his mind about her? She knew she wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, but why was he interested in her in the first place?

What would she have to sacrifice to keep him? Or would he just leave her and her son?

White Lion yawned and stretched. “Hi, mama!”

“Hi, little one. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I had wonderful dreams about us having a new and exciting adventure!”

Silver Moon smiled. “Well, I was doing some research and I was about to plan our route now.”

The tiny neko jumped up and climbed onto his chair next to his mama. “Okay, where are we now?”

“Right here.” Silver Moon pointed to the image on her tablet. “We want to go there.” She moved her finger to the Silver Mists and Elsewhere.

“Oh! Then we can go this way or that way.”

“Yes, we could. Let’s see what’s along those routes.” Silver Moon pulled up landmarks and restaurants for White Lion to look at.

He began eating his breakfast as he watched what was along the routes. “That one looks more interesting.”

“Okay, that’s the way we’ll go.”

Black Wolf finished his breakfast as he stared at the screen. That was when he realized the only way for him to get back was to transform into a wolf and run the other way. He hoped he wouldn’t have to go through the labyrinth. For what he had just seen of the notes the Guardians had made and what she had said about it, it didn’t sound pleasant.

He sighed as he looked at both Silver Moon and White Lion. It wouldn’t be much longer before the werewolf would have to leave. He still didn’t know what to tell her or her son. But he knew there really wasn’t a choice. He knew they would come looking for him if he refused to show up.

That was not something he could face. It was the one thing he feared more than anything else. More than even Silver Moon’s wrath. He was too afraid to tell her. He wasn’t sure what to say. Besides it would just instigate a fight. Something he didn’t want at all, especially in front of the tiny neko.

But what else could he do now? Things were escalating and he would have to leave soon. There was no way out for the werewolf and he knew it.

White Lion finished his breakfast and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and clean up. He grabbed a clean outfit and changed out of his pajamas into it. Then he came out and sat down on his bean bag chair. His mama was in the driver’s seat and the trolley was moving. The tiny neko yawned and looked out the windows.

Black Wolf remained at the table and watched the neko. What was it about the half cat half human boy that Silver Moon liked so well? Why did Black Wolf have such a hard time determining the kid’s age? Silver Moon didn’t seem to care how old he was at all. She doted on him, but yet didn’t seem to spoil him at all.

Lately, the neko was bothering the werewolf, who didn’t understand why. Actually so was the elf, but the werewolf wasn’t about to admit that. He wasn’t sure he was fitting into this family unit at all. Perhaps it would be better if he left. Then he wouldn’t be able to drag them down with him.

He made his decision and it started to stick from that moment.

*********************

Leon rowed his gondola to a monastery on one of the islands. He had the whole day off and he wanted to see his best friend, who was a monk. As Leon rowed, he thought of his future Guardian partner. It was foggy, but he wasn’t worried. The sun was shinning through the fog. It gave a magical quality to the surroundings. Many people were known to get lost in Elsewhere, but this elf knew his way blindfolded.

Soon he was approaching a pier. He set his oar down and secured his gondola to the dock. He jumped onto the pier and walked into the church. He looked around and saw his best friend talking with someone. Leon approached them quietly. He stood nearby and waited until they were done. His best friend blessed the person and she walked out of the church.

“Hi, Leon.”

“Hi, Loren.”

“What brings you here?”

“Remember when we were summoning someone who would become my Guardian partner?”

“Yes.”

“I know what she looks like now.”

“Oh? Is she pretty?”

“Yes.”

“Careful, my friend.”

They walked into the monastery. They went into Loren’s cell. He packed up his meager things.

“She’s a writer.”

“Then she’s a good match for you.”

“Yes. She has dark hair, fair skin, green eyes, and pointed ears.”

Loren smiled at his friend and shook his head. He finished packing and took the bag as they left the monastery.

“But she’s troubled.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, but she is.”

“When will she be here?”

“I don’t know. She seems to be stuck. She works a lot from what I can see of her.”

“Anything else?”

“She was aware someone was watching her.”

“So she can see. That would be good for you.”

“Yeah.”

They walked out of the cell and into the church. Soon they were outside at the dock. Loren sat down in the gondola as Leon jumped onto the back and untied the knots. He dropped the rope into the gondola and picked up the oar.

“So we need to help her find her way here and to you.”

“Yes.”

“I hope she likes you as much as you like her.”