Hope

Knowing that I was entrusted to the promise of the task, I fiddled with my shoe and straightened my shoulders. It was my own fault; speeding toward the lure of adventure, my vanity flattered, I had refused to know what that adventure might be.
‘So, how do I get to this Tower of Dreams?’ I grunted, still indignant but contrite.
‘You follow me.’ The spun-silk unicorn stepped forward and, lowering his lovely neck, looked gently into my downcast eyes.
I felt foolish and stood, deciding to make a proper job of looking him in the eye. ‘What do they call you?’ I asked gruffly, comforted by his attention.
‘You can call me Benny.’ He nodded and smiled, his eyes twinkling. Like all unicorns he had the gift of humour in the oddest of moments. My heart lifting, I knew I would like this Benny.
I had full control of myself now. I felt the strength of my resolve return. The anger and the horror were fading and the power of my greatness was flooding me again. I turned to the unicorns. They were gone!
‘I detest it when they do that! Why don’t they ever just say goodbye, like everyone else?’ I had wanted to speak with Candela again. I felt rebuffed, my feelings hurt and brittle.
Benny was watching me closely, shaking his head.
‘They usually do, but you were busy, uh, having… a tantrum. And in any case, do you?’ he asked, a small frown creasing above his lovely velvet eyes. ‘I seem to remember