MIsts of Darkness-Book Two of the Mist Trilogy

By M.J. Evans

Having braved the evil powers in the Dark Kingdom and rescued a lost soul in Behind the Mist, Nick and Jazz proved themselves worthy to become members of the Legion of the Unicorn, the guardian angels to the animals on earth. In a ceremony passed down through the ages, Jazz is endowed with a glowing horn and a new name: Lazari. Nick becomes his partner as the first unicorn rider.
However, the celebration is short-lived as word reaches Celestia of an ominous dark mist that descended upon the Churchill Downs race track in Kentucky. When the mist dissipated, several horses had vanished. The unicorns knew immediately that this was the work of Hasbadana, the ruler of the Dark Kingdom.
Again and again, the mist of darkness descends upon horse venues around the world. Appealing to those that have been abused or neglected by their human owners, many horses answer Hasbadana’s call to help him conquer the earth. Urijah, the lord of Celestia, and his Council of the Twelve Ancients watch anxiously, never knowing where Hasbadana and his mist of darkness will strike next.
Will Nick, Lazari and the Legion of the Unicorn be able to stop him?
In the continuation of the Mist trilogy, M.J. Evans’s masterful storytelling exudes spellbinding images and heartrending emotion. Mists of Darkness enthralls from the first page to the last, even as it leaves you eagerly awaiting book three.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.J. Evans
• Release date: Nov 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9780976616849

M.J. Evans

M.J. Evans is a graduate of Oregon State University and a lifelong equestrian. She is a former teacher at the secondary school level. She and her husband are the parents of five children and live in Colorado with their three horses and a Standard Poodle.Ms. Evans loves to get emails from her readers! See the "Contact the Author" tab on the "Behind the Mist" website.

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Mists of Darkness

Book Two of the Mist Trilogy

By M.J. Evans

Copyright © 2012 by M.J. Evans

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author.

For all the wonderful friends,

old and new,

who have enjoyed the first book of the Mist Trilogy

and, thereby, made the publication of this book possible.

Thank you.

"And that they may recover themselves

out of the snare of the devil,

who are taken captive by him

at his will."

2 Timothy 2:26

(KJV)

****

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Ceremony

Chapter 2 The First Mist of Darkness

Chapter 3 The Report

Chapter 4 Assignment

Chapter 5 Rolex

Chapter 6 Reporting to the Council

Chapter 7 The Pendleton Round-Up

Chapter 8 Gidoni’s Story

Chapter 9 Urijah

Chapter 10 The Next Assignment

Chapter 11 The Black Hills

Chapter 12 The Insurrection Begins

Chapter 13 Deadwood

Chapter 14 Hostages

Chapter 15 Conquest

Chapter 16 Restoring Deadwood

Chapter 17 The Festival

Chapter 18 Healing

Chapter 19 Homecoming

In the Dark Kingdom

The Mist Concludes

About the Author

****

Chapter 1: The Ceremony

The sun had set, yet light filled the forest of Celestia. Every tree sparkled as though they were decorated with blinking white lights. Each flower had forgone its nightly ceremony of closing its petals and instead, was opened to its widest expanse, glowing with all the reds, yellows, oranges, purples, and blues of the many petals’ hues. Overhead, the night sky sparkled just as brightly, as if every star wanted to join in the celebration.

Nearly all of the unicorns and fairies in Celestia were gathered in the schooling meadow, each holding a part of the garland of lighted flowers encircling the meadow. Only the fairies and unicorns that were on assignment caring for the animals on earth were absent. The ten carved columns, each supporting a sculpture of an animal, were also decorated with garlands and swags of flowers and each glowed with light from within. Atop each column, the sculptures held baskets of shimmering, multicolored petals that they tossed into the air with their stone hooves and paws. The petals floated softly to the ground, creating a carpet of sparkling color around the base of each pillar.

In the center of the meadow, spanning the creek that bisected the circular clearing, a platform stage had been erected. The surface of the stage was an iridescent slab of smooth quartz. Along the sides of the stage was a mosaic made with colored glass tiles depicting many different animals. The design appeared to be lit from behind like a stained glass window in a great cathedral.

A feeling of anticipation filled the air and was reflected in the excited conversations going on between fairies and unicorns. Installing new members into the Legion of the Unicorn was a rare event in Celestia and one that everyone looked forward to. Tonight’s ceremony was especially unique as this was the first time that a human would be inducted into this most prestigious of all animal organizations.

The night air was suddenly pierced with a trumpet fanfare, though no trumpets were visible. All heads turned in the direction from which the sound came. A procession entered the meadow from the edge of the forest. The fairies holding the garland on that side of the meadow rose up into the air about ten feet to let the arrivals pass into the circle. Leading the procession was Urijah, the Lord of Celestia and the designated leader of the Legion of the Unicorn. Urijah was pure white with long white hair called feathers flowing around each large hoof. His thick mane fell in waves down his neck to his strong shoulders. His long forelock fell to one side of a magnificent, iridescent horn that projected nearly two feet out from his forehead. Buckled around his chest, a long robe covered his back and tail and extended several feet behind him. It was made of a shimmering, purple fabric that sparkled with its own light.

Behind Urijah, the Council of the Twelve Ancients, who served with Urijah as the governing body of the land behind the mist where the unicorns dwelled, paraded in, two by two. Urijah’s first counselor, Helam, entered as part of the front pairing. Helam was the unicorn charged with supervising all training of immortal horses that had been chosen to become unicorns. These were the horses that had proven themselves to be noble and great in their earth-life. The thirteen members of the ruling council of both Celestia and the entire Animal Kingdom stepped up onto the platform and arranged themselves in a semi-circle, with Urijah in the center and Helam on his right. The invisible trumpets sounded their fanfare again and all heads followed Urijah as he looked toward the opposite side of the meadow. Entering from the edge of the forest, Mastis, a magnificent, dapple-gray unicorn, stepped confidently forward.

Immediately on his heels came Jazz, a dark bay, nearly black, horse with a young boy riding him. A wreath of glowing flowers was around both their necks. Jazz tossed his head and his forelock and mane flopped from side to side.

The boy leaned forward until his chest pressed against the horse’s mane. Here is our big moment, whispered Nick. He draped an arm down either side of Jazz’s muscular neck and stroked the smooth, black hair with his hands.

Mastis turned and winked at them, his love for them evident in his eyes. Nick smiled back at Mastis. It was Mastis that had brought them to Celestia and healed their broken, now immortal, bodies. It was Mastis that had been their trainer to prepare them for this momentous occasion. He had taught them how to use the love within them to develop the skills and powers they needed, not only to save a young girl from the evil unicorn, Hasbadana, but also to become members of the Legion of the Unicorn and serve the animal kingdom from this time forward.

Behind Nick and Jazz, a lovely young woman, riding a sparkling, golden-palomino unicorn, entered from the edge of the woods. Bethany was the girl Nick and Jazz had rescued from the Dark Kingdom. She was now reunited with Shema, the horse-turned-unicorn that had brought her to Celestia upon their deaths. Urijah had given Shema the responsibility of training Bethany in the arts and powers of the unicorn.

Following Bethany and Shema, thirteen more unicorns entered the clearing. They were distinctly different from the rest of the unicorns that were present. While the other unicorns glowed with a light from within, these unicorns were dark. However, upon closer examination, one could see a twinkle of light in their eyes.

The first two were enormous Clydesdales. Mounted upon one of them were Tom and Jeannie, Nick’s parents, and upon the other, Nick’s sisters, Lynn and Nancy. Nick’s family members had left their earth life as a result of an accident and were now in the Human Kingdom. Bouncing along beside the Clydesdales was the family poodle, Belle.

The fairies lifted the lighted garland and let Mastis and Jazz, with Nick astride, enter the circle. Nick’s friends and family stopped just outside the circle of flowers and spaced themselves around so that all could see the ceremony.

You may approach the Council, instructed Urijah quietly. Silence filled the meadow and Mastis and Jazz stepped up to the front edge of the platform.

Jazz and Nicholas, you have proven yourselves worthy to be inducted into the Legion of the Unicorn. Your love for others has given you tremendous power to withstand evil, and the light within you has grown until it now extends beyond the confines of your bodies and touches all those who come under your influence. We, the unicorns and fairies of Celestia, along with Nicholas’ family, rejoice with you this night as we confer upon you all the rights, privileges and responsibilities inherent in being a unicorn. Urijah paused as he looked out over the audience and smiled.

He dropped his head and looked back at Nick and Jazz before continuing. This night, Jazz, you will become a unicorn and receive your new name. Nicholas, you will become his partner and his rider. You will be equal in power and influence as long as you continue to display the virtues all unicorns possess. Together, your power will double and you will be able to do great things to serve the animal kingdom on earth. Urijah paused for a moment as he smiled down at them, with tears of joy welling up in his eyes. Nick could feel his own eyes stinging and the muscles of his throat tighten. To his side, he could hear his mother, always the town crier, sniffling.

Well, my young ones, are you ready to begin the confirmation ceremony?

We are, said Nick and Jazz softly, while bowing their heads.

Mastis turned his head and smiled as he looked at Jazz and Nick. When he looked back at Urijah, the Lord of the land behind the mist nodded. Mastis immediately understood his signal. Lord Urijah and the Council of the Twelve Ancients, I would like to present to you, for your sustaining vote, these two candidates for induction into the Legion of the Unicorn. Their hearts are pure and they have proven themselves worthy and willing to fulfill all the responsibilities inherent in being a member of the Legion. It is their desire, at this time, to be accepted into this prestigious organization.

Helam stepped forward and spoke to Urijah. We, as the Council of the Twelve Ancients, unanimously support the nomination of Jazz and Nicholas to be accepted into the Legion of the Unicorn. Helam stepped back into line with the other Council members.

Urijah turned back to face Nick and Jazz. Let the record forevermore show that the voting was unanimous.

A loud cheer went up, all around the meadow, from the fairies and unicorns that had waited silently for this announcement. Nick’s father wrapped his arms tightly around his wife as she leaned back against him from where they sat on the broad back of the huge, dark unicorn. Lynn and Nancy cheered. Bethany leaned forward on Shema, draped her arms around the unicorn’s golden neck, buried her face in the long, white mane and laughed and cried, all at the same time. Shema turned her beautiful head and nuzzled Bethany’s foot.

It is now time to confer upon you all the virtues of the unicorn, said Urijah. Please come up onto the dais. Urijah waited while Jazz stepped up onto the platform and stood facing him. Nick sat erect on Jazz’s back. Urijah raised his voice. Let us begin with the bestowal of the virtues.

The trumpets sounded once again and suddenly each animal sculpture atop the ten lighted columns stopped tossing glittering petals into the air. Their stone bodies were immediately transformed into flesh and bone. The dog floated forward from the top of his column and landed softly on the stone surface of the platform. Wagging his tail, he stepped up to Jazz and Nick. I represent all dogs and it is my privilege to confer upon you the virtue of loyalty. May you be true and faithful to your duty and obligations and to the other members of the Legion of the Unicorn. May you be steadfast and immovable as you uphold your responsibilities to serve the animals on the earth. As the dog spoke, a shower of blue stars fell upon Nick and Jazz and melted into their bodies like snowflakes on a warm stone. The dog turned around and regained his place at the top the column.

Next, the cat sprang down from her perch and landed silently on the quartz surface in front of Jazz and Nick. She spoke with a purring sound punctuating her words. I r-r-r-represent all of the cats of the animal kingdom. I will confer-r-r-r upon you the vir-r-r-r-tue of cleanliness. May you always r-r-r-remain unsoiled, both inside and out. May you be fr-r-r-ree from the effects of e-e-e-evil and contaminating matter-r-r-r. May you r-r-r-remain pur-r-r-re and r-r-r-righteous at all times as you serr-r-rve the animals on the ear-r-r-rth. As the cat spoke, a shower of white stars fell upon Nick and Jazz. Before leaping back to the top of her column, she took a moment to clean her paws and silky sides.

Following the cat, the pig landed, not so quietly, at their feet. I represent the pig, he said in a gruff voice. I will confer upon you the virtue of intelligence. May you always have a quickness of understanding and the ability to convert knowledge into wisdom as you serve the animals on the earth. This time, a shower of red stars covered Nick and Jazz.

Next, the ox left his column. I represent the ox, said the large beast, slowly. I will confer upon you the virtue of work. May you always put forth your best mental and physical efforts in every task you face as you serve the animals on the earth. A shower of orange stars fell upon Nick and Jazz.

Before the ox even had time to return to his perch, the eagle had already landed at their feet. I represent the eagle. I will confer upon you the virtue of honesty. The majestic bird stopped and posed for a moment before continuing. May you always be genuine, fair and just in character and behavior. May you be free of deceit and be truthful in all you say and do as you serve the animals on the earth. A shower of golden stars, glistening as they fell, covered Nick and Jazz. With one downward stroke of his strong wings, the eagle returned to the top of his column.

The turtle, his head and legs tucked tightly in his shell, floated forward and landed with a thump at their feet. His shell rocked back and forth on its underside. He slowly extended his head and four legs outside of his shell and stood up as tall as he was able. Lifting his head, he looked up at Nick and Jazz, who towered above him, and gave them a crooked smiled. Jazz arched his neck and lowered his head toward the turtle. When he started speaking, he carefully and unhurriedly pronounced each syllable of every word. I represent the turtle, as you can see, he said, as he smiled shyly. I will confer upon you the virtue of patience. May you be filled with peace and calmness as you endure hardship, provocation and pain. May you display tolerance and perseverance as you serve the animals on the earth. A shower of green stars fell upon Nick and Jazz. The turtle slowly turned, withdrew his head and legs and floated up into the air and back to his spot.

The turtle was immediately replaced by the cow. Looking Jazz in the eye, the cow smiled before she spoke. I represent the cow. I will confer upon you the virtue of kindness. May you have a gentle nature and always show generosity, friendliness and affection toward all others as you serve the animals on the earth. A seemingly infinite number of purple stars surrounded Nick and Jazz before landing upon them. With a nod of her head, the cow smiled again, turned and leapt to the top of her column.

With a single bound, the lion landed on all four paws in front of them. He stretched his front legs and paws out in front of him, extending and wiggling his black, curved claws. He yawned, revealing a mouth full of long, sharp teeth, and shook his thick, brown mane. He rolled his shoulders a few times before standing up. The beautiful animal looked up at them intently through his small brown eyes and spoke in a deep, gravelly voice. I represent the lion. I will confer upon you the virtue of courage. May you be able to dispel your fears and call upon love for all of your power. May you display bravery and have the boldness to act on your beliefs as you serve the animals on the earth. A shower of red stars fell upon Nick and Jazz. This time, Nick looked up and reveled in the warm feeling of the stars landing softly on his face.

With a heavy thud that made the stone stage shake, the elephant replaced the lion. The elephant bent one front leg and bowed before them, his trunk curling up into an S formation. Jazz returned the greeting by lowering himself onto one bended knee. Nick held onto a hunk of mane, to keep from sliding down Jazz’s neck, and nodded his head in acknowledgment. The elephant returned to a standing position and rested his trunk on one of his tusks before speaking. I represent the elephant. I will confer upon you the virtue of dependability. May others always be able to rely upon you as you display a sound and consistent character as you serve the animals on the earth. A shower of pink stars covered them before melting.

At last, a beautiful, chestnut-colored horse landed in front of them on the tips of his hooves. Tossing his mane out of his sparkling eyes, he winked at them and smiled. I am the representative of all horses. It is my privilege and solemn responsibility to confer upon you the virtue of love. Love is the greatest of all the virtues. It encompasses and expands all nine of the other virtues. But love is far more than an emotion. Love is the way you behave and the motivation behind that behavior. Love is the source of all of your power. It is my solemn wish for you that your love will increase as you serve all of the animals on the earth. The beautiful chestnut horse stopped speaking and looked up. Jazz and Nick followed his gaze upward. This time, instead of the shower of colored stars, a beam of light appeared directly over their heads and extended down until it completely engulfed them. The light was so bright that Nick and Jazz could not see anything outside of the white beam. Suddenly, Jazz, with Nick on his back, was lifted into the air and the garlands of flowers slipped from their necks, landing softly on the dais below them. Nick held tightly to Jazz’s mane and gripped his sides with his legs. He looked down and was surprised to see how high they were rising. Yet, he felt no fear. Rather, he was filled with a warm sense of security even as they rose higher and higher.

Once the two of them were hundreds of feet above the sparkling stage, the beam of light started slowly revolving, turning Jazz and Nick with it. Nick was so entranced by the entire experience that he could not even speak. He watched all that was happening with a sense of wonder and awe. A sudden flash of light, like a lightning strike, pierced the column and struck Jazz on the forehead, exactly in the center, where his double cowlicks twisted the hair in opposite directions.

Jazz, are you okay? said Nick, suddenly feeling concerned.

Slowly Jazz turned