CASTLE XISLE

Castle Xisle is our library home established long ago to protect the stories.
It is often shrouded by clouds and mist from the ocean, but can always be seen in relief at sunrise and sunset.
This was planned to give everyone a sense of security at first and last light.
A very long time ago, the Lady of the palace had an amazing encounter with the creature who would be the salvation of two magic races..

My first memory of the day was laying nestled in a rock hollow far above the sea. A hint of cobalt, at the edge of the sky bowl, bled like glaze dripping into the fire. A single white bird circled against the deep green of the forest below, and rising, disappeared into the bright sky. There was a hush to the waves that broke against the seawall.
I closed my eyes against the light.
It seemed only moments before a shadow fell across my face. Expecting clouds across the sun, I was dazzled by a pure white shape that seemed to grey the bright background. I sat up.
It was unusual for one of Father's ponies to follow me up this far.
The way is hard, and there is little grass on Lookout Rock.
She tossed her head. A flash of color woke me completely. This was not one of Father's mares after all. Centered on her forehead was a horn of perfect crystal, the light rainbowed into rock shadows like fireflies.
She held me hostage with eyes only slightly bluer than the waters that surround our island. She gestured with her horn again, kneeling down to allow me to scramble astride. Her mane fell across my hands, soft, like the fluff from a unicorn plant.
I grabbed a handful to steady my climb.
The opal sky turned suddenly slate. Cold and jagged bolts of lightning licked at the water on the horizon. A vicious wind came roaring, piling huge pillars of cloud before it. The unicorn turned and leaped toward the edge of the cliff.
I screamed like a babe unable to wake from night terrors. Her powerful shoulders contracted with mighty effort and we hurtled over the edge. Eyes closed, I murmered the blessing that would help me enter the life-beyond-this. I held my breath.
Eyes closed, I felt the mane under my clenched hands gather itself up and surround me.
Eyes closed, I lacked faith or I would have witnessed the great wings sprout and spread wide. I would have seen the soft hide turn cool and scaled as the rock lizards that play on the sand.
I would have seen her look, earthward, to watch animals and birds begin a massive flight towards higher ground. I would have seen her circle back toward the winter safety of castle walls carved from living rock.
Too long, too long...Air like death clawed at my back and sucked breath from my lungs. Hail thundered across the water hunting us. The sky split open and an icy wave of rain slapped breath back into me.
"Much too long..," I whispered to myself, and was answered by a deep rumble below me... a sound like a mother cat reassuring her kittens.
This was too much, I had to see what manner of creature was prolonging my passing from this world.
I turned my face out of the wind to see our beloved isle mapped below me. Father's pale horses flew below, a ribbon connecting us to the mountains. Here and there, small spots of color told me they carried the herders to safety as well. I saw menacing clouds torn apart by hail and wind and reshaped into monsters. Before me I saw with wonder, the strong curve of a lizard neck and wings, like massive jeweled sails, guiding us toward home.
In only an instant, the journey was spiraling to an end in the courtyard.
I heard Mother's voice raising with concern over the screams of children running toward the chapel doors. I had only a moment to slide down and duck under the creature's wing, before the storm took the mountains, and smashed against the resistance of castle walls.
Rivers of water overflowed the center fountain and smashed the stone dolphin with vicious force. I ran for the doors. I watched the canopy of her wings lift her up, over our roof and off through the rain, just before I was dragged inside.
I knew I would someday learn the rest of the story that had brought this powerful creature to us, and what she might require of me in return.

But that is another story.