Chapter Three: The Search

Hooks was swinging through the trees like Tarzan, making his way through the forest towards the meadow. It was here, in the wilderness, that he really felt comfortable. While he loved every minute he spent in the house with Luke and the guys, his shyness was something he could never properly overcome. Still, he loved AL very much and he, like the others, did not like to see her angry and he would do anything to help her.

The little critter swung from tree to tree, using his hooked arms and legs and hooked prehensile tail. Traveling like this, he made it to the meadow within fifteen minutes or so. The unicorns were milling about, grazing, playing or napping in the sun. He scanned the area, looking for of Medicus, but there was no sign of the 18-hand stallion.

He sighed and dropped to the ground, then proceeded to trot through the grass to the herds of equines in front of him. He couldn’t move very fast due to the shape and design of his arms and legs, but he could move well enough.

Hooks made his way towards the closest unicorn, which happened to be the twin fillies Ulan and Banji. They were, in horse terms, paints, except for the fact that their big areas of color were two shades of blue. Additionally, Ulan had a pair of insect-like wings and a piece of her right ear missing.

Hooks took a breath and said, “Hi, girls.”

The twins looked down at the critter. As they weren’t old enough speak aloud yet, nor did Hooks understand their language, they spoke telepathically.

Hi, Hooks! they chorused simultaneously. As twins, they were psychically linked to each other. What’s up?

“Have you seen Medicus?”

Nope! Want to play tag?

“Er, no…” he said. “Where’s your mom?”

Over by the stream! Without warning, the twins scooped him up, placed him on Ulan’s back and they cantered off toward the stream in the distance. Drinking from it was a pretty gray mare with a solid black horn.

Hooks clung onto Ulan for dear life until she and Banji came to a halt in front of the mare. When she stopped, he breathed a sigh of relief and slid from Ulan’s back. He was all for riding a unicorn, but not at top speed.

“Hi, Blackhorn,” he said breathlessly. “Have you seen Medicus?”

The mare thought a moment, then said, “I think he’s collecting supplies today.” She was speaking English for Hooks’ benefit. “I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

“The guys have an idea on how to get Lisa to stop being angry and they need Medicus to do it.”

The twins blinked and Blackhorn nodded. They’d heard about AL’s temper lately. “I see,” said Blackhorn. “Well, we could spread the word around and see if it spreads to him, which it probably will, knowing things around here.”

We’ll help! We’ll help! chorused the twins as they galloped off.

Blackhorn shook her head at her kids. “Hop on. Let’s get to work.”

End chapter three.

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