The Child Watched as the Beast Prepared to Charge—Introducing Grassland’s Blitzhorn
Two figures crouched low in the tall grass, quietly cresting the hill to get a better view of the shadowy tree line across the valley. As they settled into position, the larger of the two set down his spear to lift the smaller one onto his powerful shoulders. He swept his fingers lightly toward his ears and eyes in silent communication that said “Listen, little one.”
The Ban’thari child ducked his head low by the side of his father’s face. His ears probed ever so slightly forward while his eyes narrowed to focus on the misty darkness at the edge of the forest. Long moments stretched on as the two remained still, vigilant in the dawn as the first hints of color began to spread across the tips of the grassy fields below. The gentle, constant wind lifted, a soft rustling in the trees signaling their quarry.
A powerful pair of horns emerged into the clearing, framing a long and noble face set with deep black eyes. The last hints of moonlight reflected in their watery surface, their dark pools hinting at dreams of the very forest whence it appeared. For a moment the great beast stood like a statue, surveying the lands before it with grace and equanimity.
A tapestry of shimmering colors covered its body—deep greens and vibrant blues that mimicked the shadows of the moon through the leaves. The sound of the wind changing direction drew the beast’s attention, its coat flickering with hints of purple and orange.
In the distance, a small flock of kite banshees swept across the sky, their ambient whistle breaking the stillness of the moment at last. The forest figure shook its entire body as if to cast off the night, splashing vibrant reds and blues in a dance around nearby leaves of grass.
Throwing back its head, the mighty blitzhorn reached its neck toward the rising sun and let out a great trumpeting call. Its sustained tone echoed far into the hills, heralding the dawn and welcoming the entire valley to arise and begin anew.
The child gasped audibly and almost slipped from his father’s back, dropping a small pouch noisily into the grass.
The blitzhorn heard the sound and looked to the hill, alarmed but ready. Rearing back, it lifted its four powerful front legs, kicking majestically for a moment before stamping down and crouching low.
For a moment, time seemed to slow as the child watched the beast gather itself, preparing for its charge.
In an instant of explosive release, a sound like the crack of lightning split the air. The blitzhorn bolted away from the woods, away from the figures on the hill and far across the grassy plains. The child had never seen anything move so fast.
He jumped from his father’s back and scrambled up the limbs of a nearby tree, desperate to catch another glimpse. Clumsily reaching the topmost branches, he looked out across the sea of green. A streak of vivid purple flashed in the distance, cutting through the grasslands before disappearing over the horizon.
The Ban’thari chief looked up at his son, who was lit up by an exhilarated grin that spanned the width of his face. They met each other’s eyes before turning their gaze back toward the rising sun, both drawing in a long breath in greeting of the new day.