"Do I really have to cross over the water?" Titaani whines, holding onto Tiny desperately. "I know Horatio said that someone always almost dies, but, um...the key word is almost, right? I think I'll just stay here."

(Correct - thanks for reminding me! The blindfolded spinner Nib gave Horatio a finely woven golden sack back in post 1503, with an illustration of a cave embroidered on one side. It turned out to be a bag of holding which can hold up to 500 pounds. So Horatio may well have accumulated a few hundred pounds of metal pots and pans and other items.)

Matilda ventures a guess that the rocking horse is likely buoyant (presuming its substance acts as regular wood would) but would likely not make for a practical water vehicle. 

Ben, Horatio, and Pud prepare to swim out to the rocky isle. Elkhorn and Squirt will join them. Titaani remains on the shore. What about Matilda? And Tiny? And the rocking horse?

Horatio will bring the rocking horse.

Matilda REALLY wants to see the unicorn again but she instead opts to keep her new sister company.

Tiny remains on shore with Titaani and Matilda. 

"Thanks for keeping me company," Titaani says to her sister. "I've never been a fan of swimming, or crossing over water. It's especially bad if the water is rapid, wild and fast moving..." She shivers a little at the thought. 

It's a long, but refreshing swim across the still waters of the lake for Ben, Horatio, Pud, and Elkhorn. Squirt the oil can flies overhead. ("Remember when we burned down Loomlurch? Remember that??") it repeats, flying in loop-de-loops above you.

Matilda, Titaani, and Tiny remain behind on the shore. Will has departed. The lake remains serene, full of flitting birds, buzzing insects, and jumping fish.

The forward group reaches the rocky islet without incident. The tree-covered islet is only about 30 by 40 feet in size. Perched atop its highest point, 30 feet above the surface of the water, an iron bowl sits, filled with coals.

Horatio is the last to arrive, having towed the wooden rocking horse behind him. It remains perfectly still, as if it were an ordinary inanimate wooden construct, and floats awkwardly on its side.

Ben:

Ben helps Horatio get the rocking horse onto shore of the small island.  “Let’s make him a bit more presentable before we summon her,” he suggests, standing up the construct and pulling off the yarn bindings.

Pud stands in awe of the beauty. He watches as Rizzo flutters and buzzes around above amongst the birds. He whispers under his breath “Wow. This place is…magical.”

As Ben and Horatio tidy up the rocking horse, Pud straightens his apron, makes sure his makeshift unicorn horn is still in place and tries to make himself presentable. He doesn’t quite understand what’s about to happen, but he senses the gravity of the situation. “Uh…guys. How do I look?”

Ben:

“I have a feeling the unicorn judges the heart more than the appearance, Pud, and anyone brave enough to stand up to Granny Nightshade and help rescue her mate will undoubtedly be beautiful in her eyes,” says Ben encouragingly.

Ben removes the wet yarn (and his hood) from the inert wooden rocking horse, while Pud tidies himself up.  Who wants (or is able) to light the beacon? 

Meanwhile, Matilda, Titaani, and Tiny remain behind on the shore with the creepy dollhouse.

All remains calm and serene on the lake.

Matilda keeps watch for any further assassins fairly certain the original won't be returning.

Perception- 27

Horatio starts working on the beacon. (Survival 8... Help please!)

Ben:

Ben will offer verbal help, but refrain from touching anything, given that every time he tries to make a fire these days, it doesn’t work…

“Backup, Horatio. I can’t make regular fire. But I can use my magic to light it up.”

Pud gives his friend some time to back up. Once he does, he grins and motions him to back up a little further. 

Pud pulls out his magical multi tool and with a flick of the wrist he casts flaming sphere on an empty spot of land and he then directs it to move over light the beacon. 

"I hope everything is going ok over there on the island," Titaani continues to Matilda. "They haven't lit the fire yet. Do you think I should send Tiny over to help them?"

With a little magical aid, the bowl of coals is quickly ignited and the beacon fire is lit upon the rocky isle in the middle of Wayward Pool.

A minute passes. Nothing changes. Fat dragonflies continue to hover and dance over the still waters.

But then the lakeshore mists part to reveal a white horse with a single gleaming horn on her brow. Lamorna the unicorn has appeared, not far from Titaani and Matilda, on the shores of the lake. She speaks telepathically to the two of you. (Those on the island can see her but cannot hear her.)

"Hello, my friends," she says, silently, to Matilda and Titaani. "I'm glad you are safe. What news have you learned?"

"Mrs Unicorn!" Titaani bows her head respectfully. "I have some good news, but I have some bad news as well. The good news is we found your husband! The bad news, is, well...um..."

She trails off, unsure of how to best break the news. 

" He's lost his horn.....also he's made of wood.....but I'm sure if we find the horn he'll be fine again.", Matilda said encouragingly.

Lamorna is quiet for a long moment, considering your words. 

"We must find the horn. Besides restoring Elidon, it may be needed to free Zybilna, and save Prismeer from these horrid hags," replies Lamorna, telepathically. 

"Go to Yon. Find Amidor. Amidor can lead you safely to the Palace of Heart’s Desire, where Zybikna is imprisoned. But beware Endelyn Moongrave, 'Creeping Lyn', the hag who rules Yon. She is the youngest of the three sisters, and is said to be able to predict the future. Her lair is a mountaintop theater, they say. Some say she is a theater..." 

Ben, Horatio, Pud, and the others hear and see nothing but a distant, silent unicorn on the waterfront, staring anxiously at Titaani and Matilda.

"We'll do our best to save Prismeer, and your husband," Titaani says bravely. "But could you please remind me where exactly Amidor is in Yon? Not imprisoned, right?"