Unicorns' Opal (12 page)

Alex patted his approval to Kaz and informed Tedi to proceed to the next clearing. Fifteen minutes later, Tedi saw an appropriate clearing and called a halt to the procession. The other Rangers looked wonderingly at the unicorn horns sported by Kaz and Yorra and started to ask what was going on. Alex signaled for silence and the questions ceased, but everyone grew suddenly tense as they sensed danger as the reason for the horns and the command to be silent. Everyone dismounted but each Ranger stayed close to his or her mount, weapons ready for anything.

“
Okay, Kaz, what do we do now?
” asked Alex.

Kaz snorted and tilted his huge, black head sideways. “
I am not sure. Perhaps I should venture out and see if it is my people and what their reception is likely to be.
”

Alex laid his hand firmly on Kaz’s back. “
Not without me by your side. A lot might have changed since the Collapse. They may no longer recognize you as Shamta. You are too dear to me for you to go alone.”

Kaz did not get a chance to answer Alex as the bushes rustled around the clearing. The Rangers tensed and held their weapons tightly as the noise increased. The warriors turned and spun as each new noise came from a different direction and they strained to catch a glimpse of who or what had them surrounded.

The tenseness grew as the noises continued, but nothing appeared out of the bushes. For several minutes the stalemate continued and Alex started to worry about one of his Rangers snapping off an arrow into the bushes and escalating the situation.

“Everyone lower your weapons,” ordered Alex. “Sheath your swords and put your arrows away. Do it now!”

The Rangers looked at him with a fair degree of uncertainty, but one by one they complied with Alex’s order. The rustling continued while the Rangers stood unarmed in the center of the clearing. Suddenly, the rustling increased and the bushes parted around the entire clearing. The Rangers stared dumbfounded with their mouths hanging open as they watched the creatures enter the clearing.

The clearing flashed with the colors of the rainbow as the unicorns parted the bushes and surrounded the Rangers. Their horns were lowered menacing as they approached slowly. Kaz moved forward and affected a bow before a large gray unicorn.

Greetings, Shamora

Kaz, my son, I had given up hope of seeing you again. You have been gone much too long. Who are these humans and why have you brought them here?

Father, the older ones are Alexander and Jenneva. They are the ones who saved my life years ago. The others are the Children of the Prophecy and they have come to speak with you. They are not a threat to you. May we meet in a friendlier atmosphere? I fear they are not aware of our speech capabilities and I am sure they are rather anxious right now.

You do not talk to them, yet you do not consider them a threat. Why is this?

Years of caution, Father. The Mage taught us to hide our horns so that we can pose as horses. We speak only to Alexander and Jenneva.

It shall make this meeting awkward then. Have the group follow you. We shall allow them to camp while you and I talk.

Kaz snorted and nodded.
Follow me Alex. Make sure that nobody acts aggressively.

“We follow Kaz,” Alex announced. “We are accepted as guests and you shall behave accordingly.”

Kaz led the Rangers as they followed the Shamora through the bushes. The other unicorns flanked the group as they proceeded across a field to the edge of a small grove of trees.

Make camp here, Alex. I will speak with the Shamora for a while.

Alex nodded to Kaz and ordered the Rangers to set up camp as the two unicorns entered the grove.

The Shamora halted and turned to face Kaz.
What is it they wish to speak about?

Kaz hesitated as he tried to gauge how his father would accept his words.
To fulfill the Ancient Prophecy, they require the Opal.

Impossible. Too long we have been without its aid. Friends or foes, I will not harm my people by giving up the Opal. You have been gone since it has returned. You do not comprehend its significance for our people. Take your friends and leave before I change my mind and have them destroyed. You bring shame to our family by not remembering our own prophecy.

Kaz shook his head and his long mane swayed back and forth.
I would never bring shame to you, Father. I remember the prophecy well. If it were not for the prophecy, I would not be here now. I believe one of the Children is the Deliverer.

The Shamora snorted.
A human? I cannot believe such nonsense. The Deliverer will be one of us. You have lived with them too long. It makes you comfortable being around them. Perhaps you should stay here when they leave. Relearn your own culture and not that of the humans.

Father, you have lived under the Darkness for some years now. Have you heard of the opening in the Darkness to the west?

It has been reported. I am sure it is just a freak occurrence. It will be gone soon. Only the Opal can sustain us. Why must your long-overdue homecoming be marred by this? Send the humans away.

It is no freak occurrence. It is the work of the Ancient Prophecy. I know because I was there when it happened. The Sword of Heavens caused the Darkness to part and roll away. It can do that here as well. The Opal is required and our prophecy states that the Deliverer will retrieve its replacement. I have seen the mark myself. Have I been gone so long that you no longer trust my judgment?

The Shamora pawed at the ground as he became lost in thought.
Bring him to me. Wait. Bring Alex and Jenneva as well. Let the Children believe it is her magic that allows for communication between us.

Kaz nodded and left the grove. He gazed out over the field as he approached the campsite of the humans. Surrounding the Rangers at a distance was a ring of unicorns, alert and serious. Kaz recognized many of his people and inquiring glances spoke of their desire to speak to him, but they all remained firm in their task of watching the humans. Kaz knew that until the Shamora announced that the visitors were really guests, the sentries would remain alert.

Alex looked questioningly at Kaz as the unicorn approached.
You look worried, my friend.

I am. My father does not believe in my judgment any longer. I fear he will not recognize the truth when he gazes upon it. Bring Jenneva and Arik. We are to meet alone with him. Pretend that it is Jenneva’s magic that allows us to communicate.

Alex nodded and called Arik to join him and Jenneva. “We are to meet the Shamora of the unicorns,” Alex stated. “Jenneva shall aid with the communications. Beware of your thoughts, Arik. To think is to communicate.”

Arik sported a puzzled frown, but he followed Alex and Jenneva as they followed Kaz. Within moments the group was assembled before the Shamora.

Rangers, may I present, Larastrides, Shamora of the Unicorns. Father, it is my pleasure to present Alexander, Jenneva, and Arik.

The Rangers bowed low to the Shamora.

I am glad to finally have the opportunity to meet those who saved my son’s life. I am grateful for your act of kindness. I am also thankful that you have finally decided to return him to us. He has been missed here. Arik, what do you have to say for yourself?

Arik heard the words within his mind and questioningly looked from face to face. He was not sure why he had been told to accompany the group and could not make sense of the Shamora’s question.

He does not know, Father. Arik, bare your breast.

Arik was not sure what was going on and he was still uncomfortable showing the rash to others, but he could feel the tension in the grove and it made him nervous. Slowly, he removed his shirt. The Shamora snorted loudly and approached until Arik could feel the unicorn’s breath upon his chest. The Shamora’s horn touched the rash lightly and Arik flinched and jumped back several paces. He stood staring at the sharp edges and point of the unicorn’s horn and pictured the damage those horns had inflicted on the yaki.

The Shamora raised his head and his large eyes stared into Arik’s.
I am sorry, Arik. I did not mean to frighten you. I had to be sure.

  
The Opal fair and pure of white

  
Small comfort it can bring to them

  
To help fend off the darkest night

  
The Unicorns shall keep the gem

  
Until the day they are set free

  
By he who is still not yet born

  
Flying Lizard his breast must be

  
Deliverer of Golden Horn

You are well received here, Arik. You shall find the Golden Horn and bring it to us. When you have completed this task, we will discuss the Holy Opal.

Arik stood staring at the Shamora, his mouth hanging open. Jenneva took one look at Arik and addressed The Shamora.

What is the Golden Horn? Where can it be found?

The Shamora shook his head slowly.
I do not know where it is or how it can be found. It has been lost in the sands of time. Our prophecy states that Arik shall deliver it and I shall leave that task up to him. As for what it is, it is a horn much like mine, but solid gold. It is an ancient artifact given to my people by the gods ages ago. It has been lost to us for more years than can be counted. Make your camp, humans. You shall enjoy the hospitality of my people for as long as you wish. You are free to leave whenever you wish. We can talk more later, but now I must learn of what my son has been doing for so many years.

Jenneva nodded and turned to leave. Arik was still standing and staring at the Shamora with his shirt in his hand. She gently turned him around and nudged him towards the campsite. Arik shook his head and swiftly put his shirt on as they walked out of the grove.

“Why me?” quizzed Arik. “What is this thing on my chest?”

“Evidently,” answered Jenneva, “you are with us on this journey for a reason. There are similarities between the fairies and the unicorns and their prophecies. I wonder if any of this is the doing of the Mage. He has been around longer than history and tales say he created the Universes of the fairies and the unicorns. Could he have known way back then that this day would come?”

“I believe that the Mage was capable of anything,” interjected Alex. “Even if he were alive today though, he would not be able to help us solve this problem.”

“True,” frowned Jenneva. “His memory of the early centuries was long forgotten before the Collapse. How can we possibly find this Golden Horn though? It could be anywhere.”

“Or nowhere,” sighed Alex. “It could have been melted down ages ago. We must think of another way to get the Opal.”

“There will be no other way,” chirped Midge as he landed on Arik’s shoulder. “If the unicorns are like the fairies, they will all die before giving it up. They have nothing else to sustain their life under this Darkness.”

“You were eavesdropping?” questioned Jenneva.

“Not exactly,” frowned the Fairy Prince. “I was sleeping in Arik’s pocket. I fell out when he removed his shirt. He almost stepped on me.”

Arik halted and shook his head. “I am sorry, Midge,” he said softly. “I was not thinking. I completely forgot about you. I still cannot understand why this is happening to me.”

“Be glad that it is happening,” offered Alex. “Without you along, we would have no hope of getting the Opal. Perhaps it is the Sword of Heavens that caused your rash, knowing that one of us must carry it to fulfill the Ancient Prophecy. Whatever the cause, wear it proudly for you are helping to change the world.”

Tedi had a fire going as they reached the campsite and Tanya was preparing a meal. The ring of unicorns had dispersed and, while the herd was still nearby, it was obvious that the humans were no longer considered a threat. Some of the unicorns frolicked and danced about. Others peered curiously at the humans as they gathered around the campfire.

“How did it go?” quizzed Tanya.

“The mark on Arik’s chest means something here as well,” reported Jenneva. “We are to find the Golden Horn, a unicorn horn made of solid gold. We have no clues as to where to look. We can stay as guests or leave whenever we want. There is little else to tell. I am going to speak to some of the unicorns and see if they have mages or historians that I can quiz about this artifact. Do not wait upon me for the meal.”

Arik slumped down on the ground near the campfire as Jenneva strode off. Tanya asked Tedi to take over preparing the meal and then she sat next to Arik.

“They are beautiful creatures,” smiled Tanya as she gazed at the unicorns frolicking in the field. “Just about every color you could imagine and each one is unique. Do they talk?”

“They speak within your mind,” Arik answered inattentively.

“What do they sound like?” prompted Tanya.

Arik looked at Tanya and appeared to notice her for the first time. “Just like you or I would talk,” he answered. “They are quite intelligent. The Shamora touched his horn to my chest. He looked so beautiful, but all I could think of was how Alex’s unicorn had shredded the yaki with a similar horn. It scared me.”

“Did it hurt?” queried Tanya. “How did it feel?”

“No, it didn’t hurt,” admitted Arik. “It was gentle actually. Still I jumped away from him. I don’t know. I guess it was like a fingernail tracing the shape.”

“So they see you as the Bringer here too,” asked Tanya.

“They call me the Deliverer this time,” frowned Arik. “I feel so disfigured.”

“You should not,” smiled Tanya. “It is beautiful. Where do you think we should start looking for this horn?”

“We don’t have any idea about where to start looking,” sighed Arik. “The unicorns just assume that I will find it and have no further information about its location or history. It is hopeless.”

Tedi announced that the meal was ready and came to sit next to Arik. The Rangers ate in silence as they watched the colorful unicorns play.

“They are so carefree,” Tanya smiled as Alex lit his pipe. “It is as if they do not have a care in the world.”

“They are playful creatures,” nodded Alex, “but they can be deadly serious when they need to be.”