The Secret of Shabaz

Book excerpt: Once upon a time, there was a brave and noble unicorn whose name was Shabaz. So wondrous was this beast, so loyal and devoted to his mistress, that he gave up his horn to a powerful magic to save her and her infant daughter from the evil and terrible Dark Lord, a necromancer. He travels through time with his precious cargo, and Birchspring, a warrior elf, to a place they believe will be safe. Two hundred years have passed. Tania, a servant lass, toils in the stable of the once mighty Castle Storm. An orphan, Tania has only her Grandfather Birchspring, and the tired old war horse she tends. Her life is hard and dull with drudgery. Until Tania hears that a new Dark Lord has risen, and threatens the centuries of peace the countryside has enjoyed. It is not all she learns. "Grandfather" Birchspring can no longer contain the secret of Tania’s heritage. The tired old war horse can no longer maintain his masquerade. Together, the three cannot sit idly by while the evil force that destroyed Tania’s mother returns to finish what he once started. Ill equipped, with only great heart and noble purpose, they ride to war. But it is more than battle they encounter. And it is only the force of love that will endure. Love, and the unicorn’s final, precious gift.