Synopsis

When Zylan and his band of poachers invade the realm and start hunting unicorns, gamekeeper Yonell and his twelve-year-old daughter Ayla are on the alert to protect them. However, in a skirmish with two of Zylan’s men, Yonell is captured along with Snowflake, the youngest unicorn in the family. The prisoners are strapped to horses and taken by Zylan and his band to their stronghold deep in the mountains to meet their fate.

Ayla is bereft, but Hollendur, the matriarchal leader of the unicorns who is also Snowflake’s mother, will have nothing with the young girl feeling sorry for herself. She implores Ayla to join her, her husband Anon, and the rest of the unicorn family in pursuit of the poachers by telling her that it is the only way to save her father. Ayla snaps out of her depression and readily agrees.

Meanwhile, Yonell has befriended Zylan’s son Arronde, a kind-hearted young man who loves animals and is aghast at the evil ways of his bully father. Together they care for the frightened Snowflake, and a bond forms between all three of them.

When Anon sees that the poachers are heading for the mountains, he concocts a plan. But will Ayla and the band of unicorns be in time to save Yonell and Snowflake? They must hurry to Marvel Wood to confront the thieves before it is too late.

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About the Author

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel, The Alien of Orchard Lake, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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