November 19, 2024 • 46 mins
(00:00:00) Welcome to Rest
(00:00:49) Introducing tonight's story
(00:02:34) Sleep Story - Mila & the Hidden Vale
Host: Jessika Gössl 🌙
Writer: Hollis Barkhaus✍️
Includes mentions of: Fantastical Creatures, Nature, Princess, Breakfast, Forest, Discovery, Bodies of water⭐
Welcome back my friend. Tonight we return to the Ember Isles, and join Princess Mila as she embarks on a special journey guided by a mysterious map that promises to reveal something long thought to exist only in legends.
Watch, listen and comment on this episode on the Rest YouTube channel!
Don’t forget to hit subscribe before you fall asleep.💤
New episodes are released weekly! Every Tuesday at 6PM (GMT).
Support us:
Now all that’s left for you to do is pick a story, settle in and drift to sleep 😴Sweet dreams and goodnight🌙
(00:00:49) Introducing tonight's story
(00:02:34) Sleep Story - Mila & the Hidden Vale
Host: Jessika Gössl 🌙
Writer: Hollis Barkhaus✍️
Includes mentions of: Fantastical Creatures, Nature, Princess, Breakfast, Forest, Discovery, Bodies of water⭐
Welcome back my friend. Tonight we return to the Ember Isles, and join Princess Mila as she embarks on a special journey guided by a mysterious map that promises to reveal something long thought to exist only in legends.
Watch, listen and comment on this episode on the Rest YouTube channel!
Don’t forget to hit subscribe before you fall asleep.💤
New episodes are released weekly! Every Tuesday at 6PM (GMT).
Support us:
- Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel
- Stay up to date with all our latest news on our Website and Instagram.
- Got a question or thoughts to share? contact us here.
Now all that’s left for you to do is pick a story, settle in and drift to sleep 😴Sweet dreams and goodnight🌙
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good evening and welcome to Rest, your sanctuary for peaceful
sleep and relaxation. Whether you're escaping daily stresses or seeking
a nightly companion, you're in the right place. My name
is Jessica, and I'll be your host this evening. Before
(00:27):
we begin, why don't you turn off your screens and
turn down your volume. Now that's done, let's unwind and
help you ease into a blessed rest. For tonight's sleep story,
(00:52):
we return to the Ember Isles, an enchanted kingdom filled
with ancient forests and bubbling streams, soaring mountains and hidden valleys,
winding roads and quiet glades. The land was ruled by
(01:15):
the kind and generous Queen Tatiana, whose crown would one
day pass to her daughter, Princess Mila. The young princess
was quick and clever, her spirit wild and untethered, and
(01:36):
when it came to getting into mischief, there was no
one better. We last left our heroes snuggled up in
her bed after uncovering the kingdom's most well guarded secret,
the existence and location of the last herd of unicorns.
(02:02):
Years had passed since that fateful discovery, but the excitement
and yearning to journey to the hidden sanctuary of the
unicorns had never faded from Mila's mind. Tonight, let's join
(02:23):
her far to the south well, beyond the familiar walls
and gardens of the castle. Miela yawned and sat up
in the small feather bed. As she opened her eyes,
(02:45):
she glanced through the delicate glass panes of the window
at the view from her room in the inn. All
of the ember aisles were beautiful in the months, but
White Orchard was especially so. In the spring, the wide
(03:09):
variety of fruit bearing trees turned the sprawling hillsides white
like the purest snow struck through with clusters of pink, violet,
and even pale blue. In summer, the leaves rustled in
(03:32):
the wind in every shade of green imaginable. But now
with the last of the fruit harvested, the changing canopies
set their hills ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows. Miela
(03:55):
admired the fiery vista as she pulled off a soft
gray dress and clasped her midnight blue cloak around her neck.
She pulled her gaze from the window and turned it
to the worn leather bound book on the polished wooden
(04:18):
surface of the desk. Guard it with your life, Princess
Mila's mother, Queen Tatiana, had said, when she had entrusted
her daughter with the volume, I will your grace, Miela
(04:40):
had said, bowing her head and curtsying as she held
the book to her chest. It was rare for Mila
to use formal titles with her mother, but the secret
hidden in the faded pages deserved the most solemn and
(05:03):
serious of vows. Miela opened the book and unfolded the
weathered map. She smoothed it out across the desk and
examined it for the hundredth time. Placing a finger on
(05:23):
her location in White Orchard, she traced the road to
the ancient forest that covered the southern mountains. There, she
would leave the road and follow a winding trail deep
into the conifers, guided by a series of landmarks. When
(05:49):
Meela's dark eyes landed on the tiny unicorn sketched at
the end of the path, she felt her heart beat
fast with anticipation. Then her stomach rumbled, drawing her from
her thoughts. Right Miela chuckled to herself, breakfast first, then unicorns.
(06:20):
After packing away her things, and checking the room for
any stray belongings. Meela left the cozy bedroom and descended
the stairs to the charming common room of the inn.
The proprietor himself greeted the princess with a warm smile,
(06:44):
before turning to a door behind him and opening it.
Meela's mouth watered as she smelled the enticing sense coming
from the kitchen. She took took a seat at a
table near the fireplace and examined the craftsmanship. The smooth
(07:09):
stones were all different sizes, varying in color from soft
reds and greens to pale grays and blues. Each had
come from the river a few miles away and had
(07:29):
been placed with the utmost care and precision. The wide
mantle was a single slab of applewood from a fallen
tree in the orchard. Breakfast Princess, the owner of the inset,
(07:50):
startling Meeler by his sudden appearance. With a soft laugh,
he set a heaping plate of food on the table,
followed by a steaming mark of apple cider. Meala's eyes
widened as she took in the veritable feast before her.
(08:16):
There were caramelized mushrooms, several pieces of bacon crisped to perfection,
roasted tomatoes covered in a tangy sauce, a pair of
sausages glistening with maple syrup, and a thick slice of
(08:38):
toast slathered with butter and apple jelly. This is too much,
Mela breathed, shaking her head with a laugh. Not for
a growing girl on a long adventure. The proprietor chuckled,
(09:00):
Now eat up, and don't forget to say goodbye before
you leave. Meela nodded and picked up a fork and
a knife and dug into her breakfast. Despite her skepticism,
(09:21):
she cleared her plate down to the last crumb and
drizzle of sauce. Each bite had been delicious and filled
her with warmth and contentment. After bidding farewell to the innkeeper,
(09:43):
Meela ventured out into the cool morning air. The bright
sun had all but burned off the evening fog, and
the fiery autumnal foliage glowed in its pale light. Although
it was early, the people of White Orchard were already
(10:09):
out amongst the trees, pruning dead limbs and clearing leaves
from the irrigation canals. Small flocks of fluffy white sheep
and herds of gray and black goats. Meandered the hillsides,
(10:30):
munching away at the tall grass amongst the groves of trees.
The road swept back and forth across the gentle slopes,
winding its way to the southern border of the orchards.
(10:51):
The vibrant canopy came to an end, and the ancient
mountain forest loomed. A wide stretch of grassland ran like
a golden river between the neat rows of carefully tended
trees and the wild pines beyond. Meela followed the road,
(11:18):
encompassing the edge of the orchards, searching for the first
landmark on her map. It wasn't long before she reached,
and she grinned when she spotted the covered bridge and
the small stream it spanned. Careful not to slip, Meela
(11:43):
followed a narrow path leading down to the creek. She
paused at the rocky bank and watched the colorful leaves
float by, carried by the crystal clear water. She followed
the current south toward the forest and once again came
(12:09):
to a halt, this time at the edge of the
towering trees. Taking a deep breath, Meela left the warmth
of the bright sunlight and entered the shadows of the forest.
(12:29):
The deeper she delved into the forest following the stream,
the taller the trees became. The dark pines gave way
to towering redwoods that made Meela's eyes grow wide. The
(12:51):
royal gardens in Dawnspire boasted trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and
countless other plants from all across the Ember aisles, but
they held nothing such as this. The ancient redwoods were
(13:15):
larger than any trees Mila had ever seen. Most were
taller than the towers of the royal castle, and some
had holes through their trunks through which wagons or even
small ships could have passed unscathed. It was at a
(13:39):
cluster of more than a dozen of such trees that
Mela parted ways with the cheerful creek. She passed through
one of the trunks and stood in the center of
the ring of redwoods, the Faircolonnade. Meela breathed as she
(14:04):
looked around, recalling the name from the map. The tiny
picture had not done it justice. Much like a fairy ring,
the redwoods grew in a circle, but each had at
least one massive arch through their middles. Appearing more like
(14:29):
something shaped of stone than a natural phenomenon. Some had
multiple passages through their thick trunks, giving them the appearance
of a strange wooden tower. Not all of the holes
were at ground level, and instead dotted the trees high above.
(14:56):
Moss spilled over the edges of the natural windows, from
which sprouted ferns and slender vines. It wasn't hard to
imagine this ring of trees as the ruins of some
sort of fairy castle. A part of Miela couldn't help
(15:20):
but wonder if that was truly the case. The forest
was the most ancient in all of the Ember Isles.
Who knew what might have once been? Miela let herself
linger within the walls of Bark for a while, longer,
(15:45):
trying to burn every detail into her memory. The sight
was almost captivating enough to make her forget the purpose
of her journey, almost but not quite, and soon she
(16:07):
was on her way. Without the bubbling of the creek
to break the silence, the forest was somber and reticent.
A thick layer of fallen needles covered the ground, absorbing
every sound, even those of Mela's footsteps as she walked. Yet,
(16:34):
despite the unnatural stillness, she felt very safe and comfortable,
like the forest was wrapping her in its embrace. Miela
continued on in the silence for several hours, taking in
(16:55):
the beauty around her, but when she came to the
next landmark, she could not help but giggle. It really
does look like a troll, she laughed, taking in the
stone formation. The body of the troll was a massive boulder,
(17:22):
larger than any house in White Orchard. The blanket of
moss draped over it almost looked like a lush, verdant cloak.
Two smaller boulders at the far end resembled feet, and
(17:42):
another pair, both split in half, formed the arms. The
head was another large rock, half the size of the body,
with two depressions marking the eyes and a deep split
(18:03):
creating the smile. The troll rock formation looked so lifelike
that Miela wouldn't have been surprised if it had sat
up and walked away. She would have liked to admire
it longer, but the daylight was beginning to fade. Meela
(18:29):
glanced up toward the gently swaying branches. The sun was
sliding closer toward the horizon, Its light striking the scattered clouds,
making them glow gold against the pale blue sky. It
(18:51):
will be dark soon, Meela thought, a slight frown tugging
at her mouth. But I must be getting close, she
added out loud in the stillness of the forest. Even
her quiet words felt too loud. As the later afternoon
(19:17):
stretched into evening, the sky turned brilliant shades of red
and orange and pink, before darkening to a deep blue.
Before Mela knew it, night had fallen, casting the forest
(19:40):
into darkness. The moon was full, but the thick red
wood canopy obscured all but the brightest rays. Mela paused
and looked around, straining to see the winding path before her.
(20:04):
She slipped her satchel from her shoulder and set it
on the ground. She fished out a candle and a
box of matches and placed them near her feet. Then
she pulled out a soft velvet pouch which contained a
(20:27):
small brass lantern. She opened the glass door, put the
candle inside, then struck a match against a rock. It
fled to life with a flash that stung Mila's eyes.
(20:48):
She touched the tiny flame to the wick of the
beeswax candle, then dropped the match to the ground and
snuffed it out with her shoe. The night air was cool,
and though Meela could not see her breath, a slight
(21:10):
chill traveled through her body. After closing the door to
the lantern, Miela pulled her cloak around her and drew
up the hood. Then she picked up the light and
continued on her journey. She lit another candle when the
(21:35):
glow of her lantern began to wane, then another, and another,
burning through the delicate sticks of beeswax. As she followed
the trail through the forest. Although she was alone, she
(21:56):
felt no fear. The sound of the night. The crickets, owls,
and rustling branches filled the air around her, calm and comforting,
like a soothing blanket in the darkness. At last, the
(22:23):
sound of flowing water met Meela's ears, and she soon
emerged on the bank of a small creek meandering between
the towering trees. She followed it upstream, enjoying how the
moonlight sparkled on its surface. When Meela heard a dull roar,
(22:50):
she realized she must be nearing a waterfall, and she grinned,
knowing she had reached the final landmark. On her map,
But as she grew closer to the falls, a heavy
mist began to settle over the forest, weakening the light
(23:16):
of the lantern. She shielded the candle with her hand,
feeling its wavering warmth on her palm. In the dim
light and heavy mist, the path grew almost impossible to discern.
(23:37):
Meela peered through the obscured darkness, letting the sound of
the falling water guide her way. I must be almost there,
Miela said, with a somewhat worried frown. As the passing
minutes seemed to stretch into hours, With the spray of
(24:03):
the waterfall masking what little sky the great redwoods allowed
her to see, she had no idea how much time
had passed. As the candle grew dimmer and dimmer, reaching
(24:25):
its end, Meela began to panic. She had no more
to spare, and if she lost the light, she would
be cast into total darkness. It's so hard to see.
(24:46):
Mela's words turned into a gasp when her foot struck
a protruding root. She stumbled forward, but could not catch herself.
As she fell, the lantern, her only source of light
(25:07):
slipped from her grasp. She lunged for it, but was
too late and could only watch as it crashed to
the ground and rolled into the water with a hiss.
Miela pushed herself to her knees and sat back on
(25:31):
her heels. Without her lantern, the sounds of the night
and the darkness around her suddenly felt frightening. Overwhelmed by despair,
she slumped forward onto her hands, tears dripping down her
(25:55):
cheeks as she began to cry. Miela didn't know how
long she knelt beside the water, consumed by her sadness,
but all of a sudden, a soft light flickered somewhere
(26:15):
beyond her eyelids. Slowly she opened them to find a
single firefly sitting perched upon her nose. Hello, she said,
through her tears, can you help me? As if in answer,
(26:39):
the little firefly lifted from Mila's nose and disappeared into
the mist. I guess not, Miela murmured, the tears welling
up in her eyes again, But then, only moments after
(27:00):
the glow had vanished from sight, the firefly returned, accompanied
by two others. Miela slowly held out her hand as
the insects grew nearer, and watched in fascination as they
(27:20):
landed on her palm. A moment later, another appeared out
of the mist and joined its brethren, Then another, and another,
and another, soon covering Mela's entire arm up to her shoulder.
(27:46):
When what must have been the last firefly landed upon
her sleeve, They took off in unison and began to
swirl around her like a playful wisp of glowing magic.
They brushed against her back and circled her arms, seeming
(28:11):
to urge her to stand. With a tearful, wondrous laugh,
Meela rose to her feet. As she did, the pols
sating stream of light moved forward, pausing a few feet away,
(28:33):
as if beckoning her to follow them. Meela took a step,
and they moved a little farther. They were leading her.
Deciding to trust these unexpected friends, Miela followed the fireflies
(28:55):
all the way to the plunge pool of the waterfall.
They brought her right to the edge, then divided into
smaller groups and landed on the water surface in irregular,
almost circular shapes. Oh Meela gasped in amazement when she
(29:22):
realized that the insects had not landed on the water
but on a series of stones level with the rippling surface.
With every step Meela took, the fireflies took flight and
landed on more stones farther ahead, marking the path forward.
(29:50):
They led her right to the waterfall, then behind it
to a shelf of stone hidden behind the fall. Just
beyond the safety of the ledge, the water crashed down
like a torrential rain. The fireflies, who had been waiting
(30:15):
just ahead, beckoned Meala forward once more. As they rounded
a bend into a secret tunnel and guided the princess
through the darkness, the swarm began to break up once more.
(30:35):
One by one, the insects landed on the ceiling, where
they illuminated the rocky surface like a blanket of twinkling stars.
Meala followed the wondrous, sparkling path and emerged from the
(30:58):
cave into a narrow canyon lined with fragrant, flowering vines.
Here the sky was clear, revealing a moon that shone
almost as brightly as the sun. The fireflies left the tunnel,
(31:20):
swirled around Mila as if to say goodbye, and vanished
into the night, all except for one who landed on
her nose. Thank you, Miela said in a soft, kind voice.
(31:42):
I would have been lost without you. She couldn't be sure,
but Miela thought it looked like the firefly bowed its
head as it perched on her nose. It linked good
for a moment longer, its abdomen gently pulsing with light.
(32:08):
Then at last it took flight, spiraling high above her
until it disappeared in the bright light of the moon,
letting out a contented sigh. Miela continued on her journey
(32:31):
through the canyon. Finally, the rocky, vine covered cliffs gave way,
and she emerged at the edge of a meadow at
the top of a broad forested valley. All around it
(32:51):
were jagged, snow capped mountains that seemed to almost scrape
the starry sky. Within their protective embrace, an autumnal canopy
of maples, birches, ashes, and hickories glowed like gold in
(33:16):
the light of the moon. Snow fed waterfalls cascaded down
the mountainsides, covering the edges of the valley in a
faint mist as they filled the pools at their bases.
Streams wound their way through the forests and down the
(33:41):
gentle hills, flowing into a crescent shaped lake in the
heart of the valley. Mehela gazed around her in wonder
and awe Stunned by the pristine, untouched, natural beauty. She
(34:04):
took a moment to sit with the significance of the moment.
When was the last time a human had stepped foot
in this sacred place, this hidden veil? A thought arose,
(34:25):
unbidden from an anxious place in her heart. What if
she had come this far and didn't find the unicorns?
What if they hadn't survived despite all the effort to
protect them. Shoving those thoughts to the very back of
(34:51):
her mind, Miela began to walk down the hillside. Small
stands of trees dotted the meadow like little gold islands
in the sea of tall amber grass, which rippled like water.
(35:13):
She ran her hands across the tops as she waded
through it toward the lake. At the base of the valley.
The meadow gave way to a narrow, pebbled beach that
ringed the still crystal clear water. Miela walked right to
(35:37):
the edge and stopped just before the tips of her
shoes touched the glass like surface. To her surprise, the
air was warmer near the water and she was able
to remove her cloak, She laid it out across the
(35:59):
malty cut stones and sat down. Now, what, Miela asked
herself as she pulled her knees to her chest and
rested her chin upon them. I suppose I could rest
here for the night and go looking for the unicorns
(36:22):
in the morning, she said with a sigh. As Miela
sat there resting beside the lake, her mind began to wonder,
much like it did during her lessons at the castle.
She wondered what her mother had told everyone about where
(36:46):
she had gone. The Ember isles were a safe place,
even for young girls to journey by themselves, but it
would still seem strange that the princess had left unoccupied.
Meela was pulled from her thoughts when she heard faint
(37:10):
rustling behind her and the sound of pebbles being disturbed.
She turned around and froze when she saw eyes staring
back at her from within the tall grass. Ever so slowly,
(37:32):
a young foal emerged into the moonlight. Miela pushed down
a twinge of disappointment when she noticed the lack of horn,
but despite that this was no ordinary horse, the foal's
(37:54):
coat was as golden as the grass behind her, save
for the splashes of black and white, like dappled moonlight
across her haunches. She had a shimmering, silky mane that
(38:15):
fell across both sides of her neck, matching the thick,
lush tail hanging behind her. You're beautiful, Mila whispered. Unable
to help herself, she turned her body to face the foal,
(38:37):
but remained kneeling so as not to startle her. The
curious little horse stepped forward, her dark eyes darting back
and forth while her ears twitched toward Mila. Her hoofs,
(38:59):
like per thicked slices of ivory, rustled the stones of
the beach as she took another step. Meela held out
her hand and let out a giggle when the foal
pressed her nose into her outstretched palm. Both the young
(39:24):
girl and horse seemed to relax at the touch, and
soon the fall was pressing her face against Mela's chest
and leaning into her touch. You're so soft, Mela cooed,
(39:47):
running her hands through the young horse's silvery mane and
across its coat. You make the bunnies in the garden
back home feel like steel wool. She added with a chuckle.
(40:07):
Meela brushed aside the foal's forelock, searching for any trace
of a horn, just in case. Are you sure you're
not a unicorn? She asked. I've never seen any horse
that looks like you. Then again, you've probably never seen
(40:33):
anything like me before, either, she chuckled, before adding, I'd
like to give you a name, how about Luna. The
little fowl looked at the princess with curious, playful eyes
(40:54):
and nuzzled into the crook of her arm. It is Meela, grinned.
It's very nice to meet you. I'm Meela. Just then,
a cloud passed over the moon, blocking its radiant light
(41:17):
for several long moments and casting their hidden veil into shadows.
Luna lifted her head and stared off toward the nearby forest.
Miela followed her gaze, but couldn't see anything in the darkness.
(41:41):
Luna neighed and began to prance in place, prompting Miela
to rise to her feet, one hand resting on the
foal's back. A moment later, a nay echo through the night,
(42:02):
and as the sky cleared once more, Meala's breath caught
in her throat. There, standing in the moonlight was a unicorn.
As the ethereal mare walked along the water's edge, her
(42:26):
hoofs barely made a sound on the pebbled beach. The
mare was the most beautiful thing Meela had ever seen.
She had a silver coat that shimmered like silk, with
(42:46):
a mane and tail as black as the shadows beneath
the trees. The horn protruding from her head gleamed like
the purest crystal and seemed to glow from within with
(43:07):
a pale light. Miela could only stare at the magnificent
creature as Lunar left her side and trotted toward the mare,
who must have been her mother. You are a unicorn,
(43:29):
Mila breathed, Her heart pounded as the pair of unicorns
began to walk toward her. The mayor stopped before the princess,
towering over her as it watched her with eyes that
(43:49):
were a shade of purple so dark they almost looked black.
Miela looked back, feeling as if the unicorn were looking
straight into her soul. Then, slowly, the unicorn bowed its
(44:12):
head until the tip of its horn touched Miela's chest,
right over her heart. There was a tiny flash of
light and warmth spread through her body. As the unicorn
(44:33):
pulled away, Miela could suddenly hear its thoughts echo in
her mind as if they were her own. They were wordless,
a mix of emotions and urges, yet they made perfect
(44:56):
sense to the young princess. Thank you, was all Meela
could whisper as the majestic creature looked at her once more.
Protect us, the unicorn seemed to say, all of us
(45:20):
stags and unicorns, fireflies and fairies, tadpoles and sea monsters,
ravens and dragons, protect us and keep us safe. I will,
(45:45):
Meela promised, a tear rolling down her cheek at the
gift she had been given and the responsibility entrusted to her.
And with that, the beautiful mare turned away, urging Lunar
(46:08):
along with it, and together they walked the edge of
the lake and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Have a blessed rest, sweet dreams, good night,
Good evening and welcome to Rest, your sanctuary for peaceful
sleep and relaxation. Whether you're escaping daily stresses or seeking
a nightly companion, you're in the right place. My name
is Jessica, and I'll be your host this evening. Before
(00:27):
we begin, why don't you turn off your screens and
turn down your volume. Now that's done, let's unwind and
help you ease into a blessed rest. For tonight's sleep story,
(00:52):
we return to the Ember Isles, an enchanted kingdom filled
with ancient forests and bubbling streams, soaring mountains and hidden valleys,
winding roads and quiet glades. The land was ruled by
(01:15):
the kind and generous Queen Tatiana, whose crown would one
day pass to her daughter, Princess Mila. The young princess
was quick and clever, her spirit wild and untethered, and
(01:36):
when it came to getting into mischief, there was no
one better. We last left our heroes snuggled up in
her bed after uncovering the kingdom's most well guarded secret,
the existence and location of the last herd of unicorns.
(02:02):
Years had passed since that fateful discovery, but the excitement
and yearning to journey to the hidden sanctuary of the
unicorns had never faded from Mila's mind. Tonight, let's join
(02:23):
her far to the south well, beyond the familiar walls
and gardens of the castle. Miela yawned and sat up
in the small feather bed. As she opened her eyes,
(02:45):
she glanced through the delicate glass panes of the window
at the view from her room in the inn. All
of the ember aisles were beautiful in the months, but
White Orchard was especially so. In the spring, the wide
(03:09):
variety of fruit bearing trees turned the sprawling hillsides white
like the purest snow struck through with clusters of pink, violet,
and even pale blue. In summer, the leaves rustled in
(03:32):
the wind in every shade of green imaginable. But now
with the last of the fruit harvested, the changing canopies
set their hills ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows. Miela
(03:55):
admired the fiery vista as she pulled off a soft
gray dress and clasped her midnight blue cloak around her neck.
She pulled her gaze from the window and turned it
to the worn leather bound book on the polished wooden
(04:18):
surface of the desk. Guard it with your life, Princess
Mila's mother, Queen Tatiana, had said, when she had entrusted
her daughter with the volume, I will your grace, Miela
(04:40):
had said, bowing her head and curtsying as she held
the book to her chest. It was rare for Mila
to use formal titles with her mother, but the secret
hidden in the faded pages deserved the most solemn and
(05:03):
serious of vows. Miela opened the book and unfolded the
weathered map. She smoothed it out across the desk and
examined it for the hundredth time. Placing a finger on
(05:23):
her location in White Orchard, she traced the road to
the ancient forest that covered the southern mountains. There, she
would leave the road and follow a winding trail deep
into the conifers, guided by a series of landmarks. When
(05:49):
Meela's dark eyes landed on the tiny unicorn sketched at
the end of the path, she felt her heart beat
fast with anticipation. Then her stomach rumbled, drawing her from
her thoughts. Right Miela chuckled to herself, breakfast first, then unicorns.
(06:20):
After packing away her things, and checking the room for
any stray belongings. Meela left the cozy bedroom and descended
the stairs to the charming common room of the inn.
The proprietor himself greeted the princess with a warm smile,
(06:44):
before turning to a door behind him and opening it.
Meela's mouth watered as she smelled the enticing sense coming
from the kitchen. She took took a seat at a
table near the fireplace and examined the craftsmanship. The smooth
(07:09):
stones were all different sizes, varying in color from soft
reds and greens to pale grays and blues. Each had
come from the river a few miles away and had
(07:29):
been placed with the utmost care and precision. The wide
mantle was a single slab of applewood from a fallen
tree in the orchard. Breakfast Princess, the owner of the inset,
(07:50):
startling Meeler by his sudden appearance. With a soft laugh,
he set a heaping plate of food on the table,
followed by a steaming mark of apple cider. Meala's eyes
widened as she took in the veritable feast before her.
(08:16):
There were caramelized mushrooms, several pieces of bacon crisped to perfection,
roasted tomatoes covered in a tangy sauce, a pair of
sausages glistening with maple syrup, and a thick slice of
(08:38):
toast slathered with butter and apple jelly. This is too much,
Mela breathed, shaking her head with a laugh. Not for
a growing girl on a long adventure. The proprietor chuckled,
(09:00):
Now eat up, and don't forget to say goodbye before
you leave. Meela nodded and picked up a fork and
a knife and dug into her breakfast. Despite her skepticism,
(09:21):
she cleared her plate down to the last crumb and
drizzle of sauce. Each bite had been delicious and filled
her with warmth and contentment. After bidding farewell to the innkeeper,
(09:43):
Meela ventured out into the cool morning air. The bright
sun had all but burned off the evening fog, and
the fiery autumnal foliage glowed in its pale light. Although
it was early, the people of White Orchard were already
(10:09):
out amongst the trees, pruning dead limbs and clearing leaves
from the irrigation canals. Small flocks of fluffy white sheep
and herds of gray and black goats. Meandered the hillsides,
(10:30):
munching away at the tall grass amongst the groves of trees.
The road swept back and forth across the gentle slopes,
winding its way to the southern border of the orchards.
(10:51):
The vibrant canopy came to an end, and the ancient
mountain forest loomed. A wide stretch of grassland ran like
a golden river between the neat rows of carefully tended
trees and the wild pines beyond. Meela followed the road,
(11:18):
encompassing the edge of the orchards, searching for the first
landmark on her map. It wasn't long before she reached,
and she grinned when she spotted the covered bridge and
the small stream it spanned. Careful not to slip, Meela
(11:43):
followed a narrow path leading down to the creek. She
paused at the rocky bank and watched the colorful leaves
float by, carried by the crystal clear water. She followed
the current south toward the forest and once again came
(12:09):
to a halt, this time at the edge of the
towering trees. Taking a deep breath, Meela left the warmth
of the bright sunlight and entered the shadows of the forest.
(12:29):
The deeper she delved into the forest following the stream,
the taller the trees became. The dark pines gave way
to towering redwoods that made Meela's eyes grow wide. The
(12:51):
royal gardens in Dawnspire boasted trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and
countless other plants from all across the Ember aisles, but
they held nothing such as this. The ancient redwoods were
(13:15):
larger than any trees Mila had ever seen. Most were
taller than the towers of the royal castle, and some
had holes through their trunks through which wagons or even
small ships could have passed unscathed. It was at a
(13:39):
cluster of more than a dozen of such trees that
Mela parted ways with the cheerful creek. She passed through
one of the trunks and stood in the center of
the ring of redwoods, the Faircolonnade. Meela breathed as she
(14:04):
looked around, recalling the name from the map. The tiny
picture had not done it justice. Much like a fairy ring,
the redwoods grew in a circle, but each had at
least one massive arch through their middles. Appearing more like
(14:29):
something shaped of stone than a natural phenomenon. Some had
multiple passages through their thick trunks, giving them the appearance
of a strange wooden tower. Not all of the holes
were at ground level, and instead dotted the trees high above.
(14:56):
Moss spilled over the edges of the natural windows, from
which sprouted ferns and slender vines. It wasn't hard to
imagine this ring of trees as the ruins of some
sort of fairy castle. A part of Miela couldn't help
(15:20):
but wonder if that was truly the case. The forest
was the most ancient in all of the Ember Isles.
Who knew what might have once been? Miela let herself
linger within the walls of Bark for a while, longer,
(15:45):
trying to burn every detail into her memory. The sight
was almost captivating enough to make her forget the purpose
of her journey, almost but not quite, and soon she
(16:07):
was on her way. Without the bubbling of the creek
to break the silence, the forest was somber and reticent.
A thick layer of fallen needles covered the ground, absorbing
every sound, even those of Mela's footsteps as she walked. Yet,
(16:34):
despite the unnatural stillness, she felt very safe and comfortable,
like the forest was wrapping her in its embrace. Miela
continued on in the silence for several hours, taking in
(16:55):
the beauty around her, but when she came to the
next landmark, she could not help but giggle. It really
does look like a troll, she laughed, taking in the
stone formation. The body of the troll was a massive boulder,
(17:22):
larger than any house in White Orchard. The blanket of
moss draped over it almost looked like a lush, verdant cloak.
Two smaller boulders at the far end resembled feet, and
(17:42):
another pair, both split in half, formed the arms. The
head was another large rock, half the size of the body,
with two depressions marking the eyes and a deep split
(18:03):
creating the smile. The troll rock formation looked so lifelike
that Miela wouldn't have been surprised if it had sat
up and walked away. She would have liked to admire
it longer, but the daylight was beginning to fade. Meela
(18:29):
glanced up toward the gently swaying branches. The sun was
sliding closer toward the horizon, Its light striking the scattered clouds,
making them glow gold against the pale blue sky. It
(18:51):
will be dark soon, Meela thought, a slight frown tugging
at her mouth. But I must be getting close, she
added out loud in the stillness of the forest. Even
her quiet words felt too loud. As the later afternoon
(19:17):
stretched into evening, the sky turned brilliant shades of red
and orange and pink, before darkening to a deep blue.
Before Mela knew it, night had fallen, casting the forest
(19:40):
into darkness. The moon was full, but the thick red
wood canopy obscured all but the brightest rays. Mela paused
and looked around, straining to see the winding path before her.
(20:04):
She slipped her satchel from her shoulder and set it
on the ground. She fished out a candle and a
box of matches and placed them near her feet. Then
she pulled out a soft velvet pouch which contained a
(20:27):
small brass lantern. She opened the glass door, put the
candle inside, then struck a match against a rock. It
fled to life with a flash that stung Mila's eyes.
(20:48):
She touched the tiny flame to the wick of the
beeswax candle, then dropped the match to the ground and
snuffed it out with her shoe. The night air was cool,
and though Meela could not see her breath, a slight
(21:10):
chill traveled through her body. After closing the door to
the lantern, Miela pulled her cloak around her and drew
up the hood. Then she picked up the light and
continued on her journey. She lit another candle when the
(21:35):
glow of her lantern began to wane, then another, and another,
burning through the delicate sticks of beeswax. As she followed
the trail through the forest. Although she was alone, she
(21:56):
felt no fear. The sound of the night. The crickets, owls,
and rustling branches filled the air around her, calm and comforting,
like a soothing blanket in the darkness. At last, the
(22:23):
sound of flowing water met Meela's ears, and she soon
emerged on the bank of a small creek meandering between
the towering trees. She followed it upstream, enjoying how the
moonlight sparkled on its surface. When Meela heard a dull roar,
(22:50):
she realized she must be nearing a waterfall, and she grinned,
knowing she had reached the final landmark. On her map,
But as she grew closer to the falls, a heavy
mist began to settle over the forest, weakening the light
(23:16):
of the lantern. She shielded the candle with her hand,
feeling its wavering warmth on her palm. In the dim
light and heavy mist, the path grew almost impossible to discern.
(23:37):
Meela peered through the obscured darkness, letting the sound of
the falling water guide her way. I must be almost there,
Miela said, with a somewhat worried frown. As the passing
minutes seemed to stretch into hours, With the spray of
(24:03):
the waterfall masking what little sky the great redwoods allowed
her to see, she had no idea how much time
had passed. As the candle grew dimmer and dimmer, reaching
(24:25):
its end, Meela began to panic. She had no more
to spare, and if she lost the light, she would
be cast into total darkness. It's so hard to see.
(24:46):
Mela's words turned into a gasp when her foot struck
a protruding root. She stumbled forward, but could not catch herself.
As she fell, the lantern, her only source of light
(25:07):
slipped from her grasp. She lunged for it, but was
too late and could only watch as it crashed to
the ground and rolled into the water with a hiss.
Miela pushed herself to her knees and sat back on
(25:31):
her heels. Without her lantern, the sounds of the night
and the darkness around her suddenly felt frightening. Overwhelmed by despair,
she slumped forward onto her hands, tears dripping down her
(25:55):
cheeks as she began to cry. Miela didn't know how
long she knelt beside the water, consumed by her sadness,
but all of a sudden, a soft light flickered somewhere
(26:15):
beyond her eyelids. Slowly she opened them to find a
single firefly sitting perched upon her nose. Hello, she said,
through her tears, can you help me? As if in answer,
(26:39):
the little firefly lifted from Mila's nose and disappeared into
the mist. I guess not, Miela murmured, the tears welling
up in her eyes again, But then, only moments after
(27:00):
the glow had vanished from sight, the firefly returned, accompanied
by two others. Miela slowly held out her hand as
the insects grew nearer, and watched in fascination as they
(27:20):
landed on her palm. A moment later, another appeared out
of the mist and joined its brethren, Then another, and another,
and another, soon covering Mela's entire arm up to her shoulder.
(27:46):
When what must have been the last firefly landed upon
her sleeve, They took off in unison and began to
swirl around her like a playful wisp of glowing magic.
They brushed against her back and circled her arms, seeming
(28:11):
to urge her to stand. With a tearful, wondrous laugh,
Meela rose to her feet. As she did, the pols
sating stream of light moved forward, pausing a few feet away,
(28:33):
as if beckoning her to follow them. Meela took a step,
and they moved a little farther. They were leading her.
Deciding to trust these unexpected friends, Miela followed the fireflies
(28:55):
all the way to the plunge pool of the waterfall.
They brought her right to the edge, then divided into
smaller groups and landed on the water surface in irregular,
almost circular shapes. Oh Meela gasped in amazement when she
(29:22):
realized that the insects had not landed on the water
but on a series of stones level with the rippling surface.
With every step Meela took, the fireflies took flight and
landed on more stones farther ahead, marking the path forward.
(29:50):
They led her right to the waterfall, then behind it
to a shelf of stone hidden behind the fall. Just
beyond the safety of the ledge, the water crashed down
like a torrential rain. The fireflies, who had been waiting
(30:15):
just ahead, beckoned Meala forward once more. As they rounded
a bend into a secret tunnel and guided the princess
through the darkness, the swarm began to break up once more.
(30:35):
One by one, the insects landed on the ceiling, where
they illuminated the rocky surface like a blanket of twinkling stars.
Meala followed the wondrous, sparkling path and emerged from the
(30:58):
cave into a narrow canyon lined with fragrant, flowering vines.
Here the sky was clear, revealing a moon that shone
almost as brightly as the sun. The fireflies left the tunnel,
(31:20):
swirled around Mila as if to say goodbye, and vanished
into the night, all except for one who landed on
her nose. Thank you, Miela said in a soft, kind voice.
(31:42):
I would have been lost without you. She couldn't be sure,
but Miela thought it looked like the firefly bowed its
head as it perched on her nose. It linked good
for a moment longer, its abdomen gently pulsing with light.
(32:08):
Then at last it took flight, spiraling high above her
until it disappeared in the bright light of the moon,
letting out a contented sigh. Miela continued on her journey
(32:31):
through the canyon. Finally, the rocky, vine covered cliffs gave way,
and she emerged at the edge of a meadow at
the top of a broad forested valley. All around it
(32:51):
were jagged, snow capped mountains that seemed to almost scrape
the starry sky. Within their protective embrace, an autumnal canopy
of maples, birches, ashes, and hickories glowed like gold in
(33:16):
the light of the moon. Snow fed waterfalls cascaded down
the mountainsides, covering the edges of the valley in a
faint mist as they filled the pools at their bases.
Streams wound their way through the forests and down the
(33:41):
gentle hills, flowing into a crescent shaped lake in the
heart of the valley. Mehela gazed around her in wonder
and awe Stunned by the pristine, untouched, natural beauty. She
(34:04):
took a moment to sit with the significance of the moment.
When was the last time a human had stepped foot
in this sacred place, this hidden veil? A thought arose,
(34:25):
unbidden from an anxious place in her heart. What if
she had come this far and didn't find the unicorns?
What if they hadn't survived despite all the effort to
protect them. Shoving those thoughts to the very back of
(34:51):
her mind, Miela began to walk down the hillside. Small
stands of trees dotted the meadow like little gold islands
in the sea of tall amber grass, which rippled like water.
(35:13):
She ran her hands across the tops as she waded
through it toward the lake. At the base of the valley.
The meadow gave way to a narrow, pebbled beach that
ringed the still crystal clear water. Miela walked right to
(35:37):
the edge and stopped just before the tips of her
shoes touched the glass like surface. To her surprise, the
air was warmer near the water and she was able
to remove her cloak, She laid it out across the
(35:59):
malty cut stones and sat down. Now, what, Miela asked
herself as she pulled her knees to her chest and
rested her chin upon them. I suppose I could rest
here for the night and go looking for the unicorns
(36:22):
in the morning, she said with a sigh. As Miela
sat there resting beside the lake, her mind began to wonder,
much like it did during her lessons at the castle.
She wondered what her mother had told everyone about where
(36:46):
she had gone. The Ember isles were a safe place,
even for young girls to journey by themselves, but it
would still seem strange that the princess had left unoccupied.
Meela was pulled from her thoughts when she heard faint
(37:10):
rustling behind her and the sound of pebbles being disturbed.
She turned around and froze when she saw eyes staring
back at her from within the tall grass. Ever so slowly,
(37:32):
a young foal emerged into the moonlight. Miela pushed down
a twinge of disappointment when she noticed the lack of horn,
but despite that this was no ordinary horse, the foal's
(37:54):
coat was as golden as the grass behind her, save
for the splashes of black and white, like dappled moonlight
across her haunches. She had a shimmering, silky mane that
(38:15):
fell across both sides of her neck, matching the thick,
lush tail hanging behind her. You're beautiful, Mila whispered. Unable
to help herself, she turned her body to face the foal,
(38:37):
but remained kneeling so as not to startle her. The
curious little horse stepped forward, her dark eyes darting back
and forth while her ears twitched toward Mila. Her hoofs,
(38:59):
like per thicked slices of ivory, rustled the stones of
the beach as she took another step. Meela held out
her hand and let out a giggle when the foal
pressed her nose into her outstretched palm. Both the young
(39:24):
girl and horse seemed to relax at the touch, and
soon the fall was pressing her face against Mela's chest
and leaning into her touch. You're so soft, Mela cooed,
(39:47):
running her hands through the young horse's silvery mane and
across its coat. You make the bunnies in the garden
back home feel like steel wool. She added with a chuckle.
(40:07):
Meela brushed aside the foal's forelock, searching for any trace
of a horn, just in case. Are you sure you're
not a unicorn? She asked. I've never seen any horse
that looks like you. Then again, you've probably never seen
(40:33):
anything like me before, either, she chuckled, before adding, I'd
like to give you a name, how about Luna. The
little fowl looked at the princess with curious, playful eyes
(40:54):
and nuzzled into the crook of her arm. It is Meela, grinned.
It's very nice to meet you. I'm Meela. Just then,
a cloud passed over the moon, blocking its radiant light
(41:17):
for several long moments and casting their hidden veil into shadows.
Luna lifted her head and stared off toward the nearby forest.
Miela followed her gaze, but couldn't see anything in the darkness.
(41:41):
Luna neighed and began to prance in place, prompting Miela
to rise to her feet, one hand resting on the
foal's back. A moment later, a nay echo through the night,
(42:02):
and as the sky cleared once more, Meala's breath caught
in her throat. There, standing in the moonlight was a unicorn.
As the ethereal mare walked along the water's edge, her
(42:26):
hoofs barely made a sound on the pebbled beach. The
mare was the most beautiful thing Meela had ever seen.
She had a silver coat that shimmered like silk, with
(42:46):
a mane and tail as black as the shadows beneath
the trees. The horn protruding from her head gleamed like
the purest crystal and seemed to glow from within with
(43:07):
a pale light. Miela could only stare at the magnificent
creature as Lunar left her side and trotted toward the mare,
who must have been her mother. You are a unicorn,
(43:29):
Mila breathed, Her heart pounded as the pair of unicorns
began to walk toward her. The mayor stopped before the princess,
towering over her as it watched her with eyes that
(43:49):
were a shade of purple so dark they almost looked black.
Miela looked back, feeling as if the unicorn were looking
straight into her soul. Then, slowly, the unicorn bowed its
(44:12):
head until the tip of its horn touched Miela's chest,
right over her heart. There was a tiny flash of
light and warmth spread through her body. As the unicorn
(44:33):
pulled away, Miela could suddenly hear its thoughts echo in
her mind as if they were her own. They were wordless,
a mix of emotions and urges, yet they made perfect
(44:56):
sense to the young princess. Thank you, was all Meela
could whisper as the majestic creature looked at her once more.
Protect us, the unicorn seemed to say, all of us
(45:20):
stags and unicorns, fireflies and fairies, tadpoles and sea monsters,
ravens and dragons, protect us and keep us safe. I will,
(45:45):
Meela promised, a tear rolling down her cheek at the
gift she had been given and the responsibility entrusted to her.
And with that, the beautiful mare turned away, urging Lunar
(46:08):
along with it, and together they walked the edge of
the lake and disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Have a blessed rest, sweet dreams, good night,
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