You cannot turn back now. Each step carried Eliaren deeper and deeper into the abyss. Pale light reflected in each fresh dewdrop on each quivering leaf. A warm breeze drifted through the woods. Her skin tingled as she trudged through the undergrowth. The birds were getting into full song. She chuckled quietly beneath her breath. It was ironic how the birds always sang cheerfully, even on the gloomiest of days.

She was so caught up admiring her surroundings that she did not hear the great stallion approach. His sudden show caught her off guard. She quickly regained her composure as relief washed over her. So there were equines here after all. Except he was different. From his massive head protruded a glimmering spear of ice. One could almost feel pain just by looking at the spiral-wound horn. The maiden gasped softly, her jaw dropping a little at the sight of this spotted creature called Mauja. Where she was born, Unicorns were a being of legend. Never had she imagined that she would meet one face to face. Although he has seemingly come from nowhere, something about his presence instantly made her feel safe. Eliaren did not even know this brute. For all she knew, he could kill her right then and there, or worse. However, her instincts told her she could trust him. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty for being so easy. She knew better than to make hasty assumptions. For her own safety, she should have been on the alert, should not have let herself become distracted but it was too late.

"Greetings...Mauja. You're quite fascinating. It is a pleasure to meet you." The words rolled slowly, deliberately off of her tongue as she tasted the sound of his name. It was at the sound of the first word that the damsel realized she had not spoken to another horse in a long while. It felt strange, but also satisfying, to use her rusty vocals again. Eli held her ground more from scrutiny than disrespect, trying to make sense of a clearly unfamiliar situation. She had forgotten the comfort of companionship; grown lonely in her travels. "My name is Eliaren. You can refer to me as Eli if you wish. Are you from these parts?" Her scarlet gaze rested gently upon his flank. Helovia. So that's what this place was called. A fitting name for such a magnificent land. It was unlike any she had ever seen.

Making steady eye contact with Mauja now, she noticed a funny expression had crossed the unicorn's face. She frowned momentarily, trying to decipher his body language. Then the maiden remembered what she looked like. Her appearance was that of a soldier returning from war, bloody and broken. Eliaren felt bad that she had to look like such a disaster upon their first encounter. There was nothing that could be done about it now, and she decided it was best to let it go. She was too vain for even her own liking, yet her ego could not be helped. "Please disregard my shabby appearance. I've been on the road for a while."