You spend what seems several hours following faint trails and investigating the forest's plants and small wildlife. There doesn't appear to be anything larger here.
The leaf filtered light becomes warmer in tone as it flits through the trees, a mellow golden light that indicates sunset draws near. Night is coming.

With a start you realise that you have no idea how to refind the shore - the island is far larger than you first thought. You are just about to pick a direction at random to follow in the hope that it will take you back to the beach when there is a rustle and a Pinto unicorn steps from the shadows of a tree and looks at you. You hear nothing out loud but in your head you hear his voice, mellow and strong.
§Kah'lu'tohn, would you care to share my repast K'zarti, you appear to be in need of rest and nourishment..§

He turns and tosses his head in a friendly manner. § Come, I have food prepared for you. I am Llanos.§
Nodding wordlessly you follow the being further into forest along yet another path. Eventually he leads you into a opening in the forest where the tall trees part a little to allow more light in and a fine ground covering vegetation makes the ground soft and springy. There is a broad flat stone to one side of this area and on it you can make out a wicker basket.
§Help yourself.§

Cautiously looking in the basket you find a wedge of what appears to be cheese... though it is purple in colour, some strange but zestily flavoured blue berry like fruit and a few rolls of bread, the core of which are a pleasant mix of cooked herb and vegetables. While you eat Llanos asks you many questions about the happenings in the Tir and beyond, it would seem he rarely visits the mainland himself.
As you are polishing off the last of the bread and the light fades to a point just beyond twighlight the pinto unicorn heaves himself to his feet once more, he had been lying nearby as you spoke together, and fetches a patchwork quilt from beneath one of the low bushes nearby, pulling it over to you in his teeth.

§ Word has been sent to the Tir that you are here, it is best not to chance the channel at night, nocturnal ocean creatures are often abroad at this time of the year. I shall keep watch for you this night, though nothing of any harm is likely to near this place.§
He ducks his head in a sort of greeting-nod and his mane bobs forwards in it's chess-knight like crest. The sharp tip of his long, jade horn brushes a dry leaf on a tree, barely a touch, and the lower half of the leaf spirals down cleanly sliced off. You nod gratefully and fold half the quilt under you to insulate you from the ground, pulling the other over the top of you. The fabric smells strangely - not quite of horse or deer but also spicey as cinnamon with a dash of lavendar. You barely lay your head down when you have fallen asleep.

You wake slowly, your back against something warm, and blink a few time before you remember where you are and sit up. behind you, lying down and, moments ago, watching the forest meditatively, is Llanos. He flicks an ear in your direction and nods 'fair morning' to you. §Alas I cannot stay longer here to tarry and speak with you k'zarti. I have darba elsewhere that must be attended to. There is a fruit bush to the East end of this clearing for you to break your fast upon and the coast is shortly West of here.. Enjoy your travels around the isle but be careful, it is a little less 'tame' than the well trod paths of the Tir main-lands.§
With that the unicorn unfolds his legs and rises, gracefully walking out into the forest again and is swallowed up by the forest once more.
Birdsong and the whisper of the wind through ferns is the only noise.
Looking ruelfully at the scratches and bruises on your arms and legs from your travels around the isle already and sigh. 'less Tame than the rest of the Tir??!' Mahnon! How wild can this place get?
Well you've been shown the way back to the Beach or follow one of the many Paths into the Dark Forest around you.
One of these has a gust of salt breezes and the tang of the sea and another leading into thick underbrush.

Llanos is (c) to me. *Please* do NOT swipe4:32 PM 3/30/03