Legends Born: Tahir Edition (History's Shadow)

by K. Dzr

  Chapter Thirteen

  D I S C O V E R Y

  With Tahir leading the way, the three adventurers traveled to Rhykell. They found the sprites already up and at their spritish games.

  “Hey! Over Here!” Meelix shouted when he saw them. “No sign of Jeverre yet, but it’s still early.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Tahir called out.

  “Maybe he forgot,” Roddy said.

  “He didn’t forget! He’s our friend.” Meelix gave Roddy a shove.

  “Well, where is he then?” Oraden asked.

  “He didn’t say exactly when he would be here. We have nothing else to do all day anyway; we can just play around until Jeverre gets here,” Tahir suggested.

  “Cooyah! Cooyah!” The sprites all cheered in agreement.

  “Let’s go swimming!”

  “Let’s play swamy!”

  “Let’s race!”

  “Look, Meelix!” Tahir pointed to several gnomes emerging from the east side of the woods. “Let’s see what they’re doing.”

  “No, no, no. The gnomes are boring, Tahir.” Sudlin explained. “Why do you think Meelix always plays with us?”

  “But I want to know more about them.”

  “What’s to know? All they think about is working. Is that what you want to do today?”

  “It couldn’t hurt for me to talk to them for a while. I’m living here now, so I should learn as much as I can about everything and everybody who lives here. Right, Oraden? That’s what Diamond told me.”

  “I guess so,” Oraden grumbled. “At least until ‘Jeverre’ shows up.”

  They all walked toward the group of burly little people.

  The gnomes carried lumber and a freshly slaughtered rabbit. They paid no attention to the sprites or their strange company.

  “Good morning Wan, Mog, Kewtan.”

  “Good morning, Meelix. I see you’ve done nothing productive this morning. As usual,” Wan grumbled.

  “Hello,” Tahir knelt down by the marching gnomes. “What are you doing?”

  “Work, work, work. That’s all they ever do,” Figg teased.

  “And all you sprites ever do is waste precious time playing and goofing off when you could be productive.” Wan scolded. “I am amazed you are able to survive. We trap food, hunt, build, and farm. You sprites play, sing, and dance, and then expect us to help you when trouble arises.”

  “At least we are not grumpy all the time. Talk about the waste of a precious day,” Bennie scoffed.

  “Have any of you ever seen a water dragon?” Oraden asked.

  “A water dragon?”

  The gnomes looked at each other with raised brows. Kewtan rubbed his coarse beard.

  “No, don’t believe so. Heard of dragons around these parts but never seen one. Why? Have you?”

  “No. But Tahir and these sprites think they saw one. They tricked me into coming here to meet him. I didn’t think he was real, but…”

  “He is real!” Tahir jumped to his feet. “You’ll see; he’ll be here soon!”

  “Where in the name of pixie did you find a water dragon?” Mog asked.

  “More like he found us,” Sudlin explained.

  The sprites recounted the previous day’s adventure that led to the discovery of Rhykell’s first known water dragon.

  Although the gnomes were usually too preoccupied with their work to listen to the sprites’ silly stories, occasionally the story was just too good to ignore. This was one such occasion. One by one, they abandoned their tasks to listen to the dramatic events unfold. The sprites were excellent storytellers: they acted out parts, recreated sounds, and embellished the tale with poetic expressions. Even Tahir, who had witnessed the events, was spellbound.

  “If you sprites don’t use magic, don’t you at least keep your weapons with you?” Wan folded his arms and flashed a disapproving look at each one of the sprites. “Why didn’t you shoot the hyenas with an arrow, or use a slingshot?”

  The sprites mumbled excuses and avoided eye contact with the fatherly figure.

  “We…uh…kind of lost them,” Bennie finally admitted.

  “Lost them? What is the point of having weapons if you aren’t prepared to use them? Especially while playing dangerous games with carnivores. And you Meelix!” Wan continued. “I shouldn’t be surprised if these sprites get you killed one of these days.”

  “Bah! Don’t be ridiculous,” Sudlin said with a wave of his hand. “You know we take good care of Meelix. Besides, he doesn’t have to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”

  Wan threw his arms up and stormed away, disgusted by the sprites’ irresponsibility.

  “Wait a minute,” Tahir said abruptly. “You guys use bow and arrows?”

  “Of course. We also use slingshots, traps, and spears to hunt rabbits, squirrels, jackalopes, fish, you name it.”

  “On occasion, we may have to use our weapons in self-defense.” His face wrinkled into a frown as he turned toward the sprites. “But not very often, and never within the boundaries of Elysi unless you lead predators here.”

  As Tahir and Mog discussed hunting methods, the others went back to work. Wan disappeared into their underground home, but resurfaced a few minutes later. He called a few sprites over to assist him, scolding them all the while. Tahir noticed the commotion, but was enthralled to learn how people so small could capture and kill such large game and defend themselves against ferocious predators.

  “Hey, Mog! Tahir! Come over here!” Figg shouted.

  Tahir and Mog jumped up and ran, expecting to see Jeverre.

  “What’s going on?” Tahir asked.

  “Look. Wan made this for you.” Figg pulled something from behind his back.

  “What is it?” He knelt down next to Figg to get a closer look.

  “It’s a slingshot,” Wan answered, snatching the weapon from Figg. “It is a weapon to fend off hyenas, or anything else for that matter.”

  Reeny, Sudlin, and Wan looked about for stones.

  “How does it work?” Tahir asked.

  “It’s very simple,” Wan explained as Reeny handed over a perfectly smooth stone.

  “You just put the rock in like so…” Wan placed it carefully in the slingshot and then handed it to Tahir. He pulled out his own slingshot to demonstrate. “Then you spin it like this.” His slingshot twirled faster and faster above his head. Tahir could hear the weapon whistle in the wind.

  “When you’re ready to fire, just aim…and…” Wan jerked his arm; the stone flew to strike a nearby tree.

  “Wow!”

  “Cooyah!”

  “Whoa!”

  “Excellent shot, Wan!”

  “Now you try it, Tahir,” Wan said. “Target the same tree I hit.”

  Tahir stood up and spun the slingshot. “Like this?” he asked, as it circled above his head.

  “Yes, that’s good. Now keep your eye on the target, and use your wrist to fling it.”

  Tahir fired the stone. It had incredible speed but missed the tree entirely.

  “That’s not bad for a first try. Next time make sure your arm and your eye are aiming for the same thing.” Wan explained. “Try it again.”

  “All right, I think I got it now.” Tahir eagerly accepted another stone from Wan. “Watch this.”

  He placed the stone in the slingshot and spun it. He eyed his target, and then checked the position of his hand. After a small adjustment, he focused on the target and fired. The blow knocked bark off and left a notch in the tree.

  “Wow! Perfect shot, Tahir!” Figg exclaimed.

  All the sprites cheered; even Oraden danced.

  “That was very good Tahir. You look to be a natural. With a little practice, it should come effortlessly.” Sudlin scampered up the tree to examine the point of impact. “I don’t think I have ever seen such force before. With that speed, you may be able to knock an enemy off his feet!”

  “It’s true! The gnomes are very good with slingshots, but
I have never seen them kill anything with one. But, I bet you could,” Bennie added. He rummaged through his pockets for snacks.

  “I think it’s just because I’m bigger,” Tahir said humbly.

  “Maybe so. In any case, now you will be able to defend yourself and these trifling sprites. Just keep practicing,” Wan said. “I’ve wasted enough valuable time here. I have so much to do.”

  “Thanks, Wan!” Tahir called to the retreating gnome. Wan never looked back.

  “Here, Tahir, try it again.” Bennie offered Tahir another stone.

  “No, I want a bigger one this time.” He looked around for larger stones. “This one should be just right. Stand back everyone.”

  He readied his slingshot, took aim and fired. Another direct hit! His friends cheered him on again. He couldn’t have been more pleased with himself. “Oraden, did you see that? I can’t believe it. It really is easy.”

  “That was great Tahir. You look like you’ve been doing it all of your life,” Oraden said with genuine interest.

  Tahir was ecstatic. He’d grown so accustomed to Oraden being impatient—and even rude with him, that it was twice as satisfying to see his friend show true excitement about his accomplishment. Even if Jeverre never showed up today, earning Oraden’s respect would mark this as one of his best days in Elysi.

  “So now what?” Roddy asked.

  “Well, we were supposed to meet a dragon, but I guess the plans have changed,” Oraden replied.

  “So what are we going to do now, sit around and watch Tahir throw rocks all day? What else do you guys do when you are gone so long?” Roddy asked, eager to start her first adventure.

  “Let’s see. What shall we do while we wait for Jeverre?” Tahir thought out loud, shoving the slingshot in his pocket.

  “Oh, I know. Let’s go swimming!”

  “I can go swimming by the meadow. Isn’t there something more interesting to do?” Roddy asked.

  “Most of the time we don’t plan things. They just happen.”

  “Oh, I understand now. I think that you just go off, hang around doing nothing in particular, and come back with a few made-up stories.”

  “Why would we do that?” Oraden asked.

  “To make the rest of us jealous.”

  “You are being ridiculous, Roddy. Since when do I care what others think anyway? I didn’t ask you to come here, remember? You asked me. You are more than welcome to go back to the meadow and graze with the other boring unicorns.”

  “I didn’t say I wanted to go back. I said I want an adventure. Tahir and these sprites promised a dragon. I see no dragon. So where’s the adventure?”

  “Well,” Sudlin added. “It does appear that we have nothing at all to do. Now why do you suppose that is?”

  “Want to go bother the hyenas again?”

  “NO!”

  “Want to ride some jackalopes?”

  “I can’t ride a jackalope, and neither can Oraden or Roddy,” Tahir said.

  “Let’s just take a walk and see what happens. That’s usually how our adventures begin.” Oraden said, matter-of-factly.

  “That’s right! We don’t plan adventures. That’s probably why Jeverre hasn’t shown up yet. We made a plan with him and plans never work out right.” Lugg said.

  “I say let’s get out of here,” Meelix suggested.

  “But what if Jeverre comes and we’re not here?” Tahir asked. “Maybe we should hang around a little longer. Give him a chance.”

  “If we’re walking along the riverbank, either he’ll see us or we will see him,” Bennie suggested, with a mouthful of seeds.

  “That sounds like a good idea to me,” Tahir agreed. “I can practice my slingshot while we walk. Are you coming Oraden?” He didn’t bother to ask Roddy; one stuck-up unicorn friend was enough for anybody.

  “Isn’t that what I suggested in the first place?”

  Roddy brought up the rear as they started along the riverbank. She was disappointed; this was nothing like the adventures Oraden spoke of on several occasions. She’d always suspected Oraden was making up his stories. Now, after spending most of the morning doing nothing, she was convinced that Oraden and Tahir were lost in their own delusional world. She didn’t want to waste the rest of the day walking along a riverbank, going nowhere in particular, looking for dragons and mers that didn’t exist.

  “I’m going home.”

  “I thought you wanted to see what we do all day,” Oraden replied.

  “I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen so far. If this is any indication of what the rest of the day is going to be like, I’d just as soon go back to grazing with the other ‘boring’ unicorns.”

  “Have it your way. I don’t have to prove anything to you. I thought you wanted to go on an adventure with us, but all you want is a report to go run off and tell my parents!” Oraden yelled.

  “Let her go,” Tahir said. “It’s better this way. She doesn’t have anything to tell anyway.”

  “Fine, run home. But if I hear that you have mentioned our plans to anyone, you will be very sorry.” Oraden snorted, turned and continued on his way.

  Roddy galloped away without another word.

  Along the way, Tahir picked up stones suitable for his slingshot. Some he put in his pocket and others he fired off into the river. He was concerned about hitting a small animal if he shot into the trees or bushes, so he continued to shoot into the water, claiming that Jeverre might show up and take notice of them. The unusual group walked along talking, laughing, telling stories, joking, and enjoying themselves. Before long, Tahir realized the landscape had changed dramatically.

  There were no trees. Only a scattering of plants clutched the parched ground. What had been a sandy-loam soil was now loose sand that shifted under his weight and billowed with the wind. Without the canopy of trees the sun was blistering hot. Tahir looked back at the oasis. It was as if stepping into another room. One held a beautifully dense forest and the other a scorched, barren land.

  “Have you guys been here before?”

  “Of course. There’s really nothing here though. We do need to watch out for crocodiles. Usually they stay in the water, but occasionally they come out to sun themselves,” Meelix explained.

  “It’s so strange…all those trees in the middle of the desert like that.” Tahir said.

  Oraden came to a sudden stop. He turned to look behind them. The rest of the company stopped and looked back, too.

  “What’s wrong, Oraden?” Bennie asked.

  Oraden ignored the inquisitive sprites and stepped over to Tahir.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said it looks strange to see trees right in the middle of the desert,” Tahir repeated.

  “You can see that?”

  “What? The trees? Of course I can see it. Can’t you?”

  “I can see it because I have magic. Only those who have magic can see Elysi from the outside.”

  “That means I have magic?” Tahir exclaimed. “I have magic! Isn’t that great Oraden?” Tahir jumped with excitement, and the sprites joined in too. Tahir ran to Sudlin and scooped him up in both hands. “Sudlin, do you see it? I have magic now! I can see Elysi.”

  “Yes, yes I see it, too. Now put me down.”

  Tahir placed the little sprite back on the ground. “I’m so excited I don’t know what to do!”

  “Tahir?” Oraden interrupted his dancing.

  “Oraden, do you know what this means?” Tahir skipped toward Oraden waving his arms for emphasis. “It means that I finally fit in. I belong here. I’m not just a visitor in the magical forest anymore!”

  “Hey, that’s right,” Meelix said. “You are one of us now.”

  “Tahir?” Oraden called again. “What kind of magic do you have?”

  “Oh.” Tahir was caught by surprise. He hadn’t thought about the powers he might possess. “I, I don’t know. How do I find out?”

  “I don’t know. Do you feel any different?” Lugg as
ked.

  “How could he feel any different? He might have had magic all along,” Oraden answered for Tahir.

  “No, I haven’t. I would have known, don’t you think?”

  “Hmm, maybe.”

  “What kind of magic can other people do?” Tahir asked as an afterthought.

  “We don’t really know any other humans. But I can tell you that there are very powerful ones out there. Some good and some you want to stay as far away from as possible,” Meelix explained.

  “It doesn’t matter what anybody else can do anyway. We need to figure out what kind of magic you have.” Oraden said.

  “Let’s see. Oh, maybe I can breathe under water. You guys said I learned to swim really fast.”

  “Of course you did,” Bennie laughed. “You had a satchel of sprites and a water dragon teaching you.”

  “And don’t forget you nearly drowned a few minutes before that,” Meelix reminded him. “I wouldn’t try that if I were you.”

  “Maybe I can fly!” Tahir said. They all laughed at the thought of a human flying.

  “Go ahead, try it. Take a running jump and soar through the air!”

  “Alright, I will. Stand back; give me a little room.”

  “Take your time, we’re in no hurry,” Oraden said as he and the sprites took a few steps back.

  Tahir stood still; concentrating on taking his first flight. He cleared his mind, blocked out the giggles and murmurs, and then took off running as fast as he could. When he leaped into the air he stretched his body out, reaching for the sky. With his eyes closed, he willed himself higher and higher. He could feel himself flying…until he thudded to the ground.

  “You looked ridiculous!” Oraden laughed.

  Tahir coughed and spit out sand.

  “Try again!” someone called out through hysterical giggles.

  “Yeah, maybe you did something wrong that time. Go ahead, try again.”

  “Stop laughing at me!” Tahir picked himself up and wiped the dirt from his face. “I really think I can do this. I felt something…This time I’ll run a little farther before I jump.”

  Once again, everyone stood back to allow Tahir as much room as he needed.

  “I don’t think it works that way.” Lugg whispered to Oraden.

  “I don’t either,” Oraden whispered back. “It should come naturally.”

  Everyone stood back and watched Tahir take off running as if a hyena was after him. He lifted his arms to the sky and jumped with all his might. This time he managed to stay upright when he hit the ground.

  “I don’t think flying is your magic.” Oraden laughed. “Try something else.”

  Tahir was more than a little disappointed. He really wanted to be able to fly. “What else should I try?”

  “See if you can make fire.” Figg suggested.

  “That’s a good one. I’ll try it.”

  Everyone backed away. Even though none believed he’d be able to bring forth fire, no one wanted to be in the way in case he did. Tahir stood before them with his eyes tightly closed and his fists balled up at his sides. He started making strange grunting noises through his clenched teeth. Oraden and the sprites slowly backed farther away.

  “He’s trying too hard.” Oraden whispered to the group of little people.

  “He looks like he’s in pain.” Meelix said, trying to keep his voice down.

  “Yeah, I think he’s going to blow up. He’s turning red!” Sudlin added, trying to suppress his laughter.

  Tahir opened his eyes and exhaled deeply. “I guess I don’t have fire magic.”

  “It’s not supposed to be that hard, Tahir. Maybe whatever magic you have will come out of need like the unicorns.” Oraden consoled his friend.

  “I still need to know what it is. What other kind of magic is there?”

  “Lots, I guess. Some people can do all sorts of magic and others can only do one type.” Sudlin said, and then looked at Oraden for help. “Who knows what you can do? Right, Oraden?”

  “Yes, but I guess it couldn’t hurt for him to keep trying. If that’s what he wants to do.”

  “Do you want to keep trying, Tahir?” Figg asked.

  “I don’t know. You guys just want to laugh at me.”

  “No we don’t. We’re trying to help you.” Figg said, hoping to look sincere.

  “Come on, let’s just go; we’re looking for Jeverre remember?” Tahir said.

  “You’re not giving up are you?”

  “Of course not. I just have to think, that’s all. Oraden, what happens if a regular person traveling through the desert walks right into the invisible forest?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “That wouldn’t happen. I keep telling you only those with magic can enter the forest.”

  “I know, but if they can’t see it, they might walk through and not even know it.”

  “No they wouldn’t. Like I started to tell you before, the fairies and dryad are protecting it. If someone without magic walked toward the unseen forest, they would just drift away from it. They’d never walk through it by accident. They would never see, hear, or smell the forest at all. Their senses would be totally oblivious to the magic.”

  “Tahir, do you remember when you first came to Elysi?” Sudlin asked. “Could you see the surrounding forest then?”

  “I don’t know. I, I was… Oraden was riding me on his back. He was in a big hurry to get home before dark, so we were going pretty fast. I was too busy holding on and dodging tree branches to pay attention to where he was going.”

  “That doesn’t help much.” Sudlin scratched his head.

  “Help what?”

  “I’m just trying to figure out if you have always had magic or if you just got it today.”

  “I do remember that when we reached Elysi, I couldn’t see very much of anything. But after a while I began seeing more and more trees and flowers and the river and other animals. What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. Anyone welcomed into Elysi will eventually be able to appreciate its splendor. I suppose it doesn’t really matter when you got your magic. The important thing is that you have it now. We just have to figure out what it is.”

  Tahir thought again about the first day he came to Elysi; it seemed so long ago. Everything was so beautiful and new. He still thought of this place as beautiful, but he was beginning to take it for granted. Thinking about arriving here brought back the harsh memories of what caused the journey in the first place. He tried to keep those memories locked up. Tried not to think of home, his mother, his friends. He tried to keep the promise he made to himself that he would not cry again.

  “What’s wrong Tahir?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head to bring himself back to the present. “Let’s just forget about magic for now.”

  Tahir and his companions continued their journey. The sprites chatted amongst themselves while Tahir took the lead; choosing not to participate in their conversations. He wondered if this was the same river that ran on the outskirts of his village. He knew about the story of Moses turning the river into blood, but he never heard any stories about dragons or mers or magic for that matter. He supposed Diamond was right. He was a witness to magic. He has seen things he never knew existed, and realized that if men ever became aware of this magical forest, they surely would seize it and kill or enslave its occupants. Everything he cared about was destroyed or threatened by humans. It wasn’t right and it wasn’t fair. He decided at that moment that when he left for England, he would do everything in his power to protect magic and to educate other humans in the importance of co-existence with all creatures.

  Maybe I will grow up to become a great warrior fighting to protect magic and innocent creatures who…

  “Stop,” Oraden ordered in a hushed voice.

  Tahir snapped out of his dream state. “What is it, Oraden?”

  “Listen.”

  “What do you hear?” Meelix asked.

  Oraden stood with his ears and tail perked.
“I don’t know, but something is up ahead, on the other side of the dune.”

  The sprites were well aware of Oraden’s heightened auditory awareness. If he said he heard something, then something was there.

  “I don’t hear anything,” Tahir said.

  “Be quiet!” Sudlin whispered harshly.

  Oraden slowly backed away from the dune, never taking his eyes from it. “I have a bad feeling,” he whispered.

  The sprites followed Oraden’s lead.

  “We could go around another way.” Caan suggested. “I’m sure it hears us too.”

  Tahir’s dream of being a great warrior who protected magical creatures was suddenly not a dream of his future. He could start right now.

  “I know. You guys climb on Oraden and hold on tightly. If it’s anything dangerous Oraden can run to safety and I’ll fight it with my slingshot.” Tahir pulled his new weapon, along with a few rocks, from his tunic pocket.

  “What if Tahir gets into trouble?” Meelix asked as Tahir hurriedly assisted them in getting situated on Oraden’s back.

  “I’ll be alright. If all else fails, I can run almost as fast as Oraden. I’ll run right into the river. At least now I can swim. Most animals won’t chase prey into the water.”

  “The hyenas did.”

  “Why do you think that, Tahir?”

  “Everyone knows how to swim. Just because…”

  “Okay, okay,” Tahir cut them off. “It’s our best shot, just get on.”

  “Good fairies help us. Look!” Sudlin exclaimed.

  A hulking giant feline crouched above them at the ridge of the dune. Its ears were flattened and its fur bristled. It appeared to be about the same size as Oraden, and that alone made it far more dangerous than the hyenas.

  “What is she?” Tahir asked, never turning his eyes from the creature.

  “I think she’s a he.”

  “Who cares? We have to figure out an escape!”

  “Think, think, think.” Tahir paused only for a moment. “I know. I’ll climb on facing backwards, so if she chases us I’ll be able to fire at her with my slingshot. Maybe it will slow her down enough for us to get away.”

  “Hurry up and do whatever you are going to do. Here she comes!”

  Tahir scrambled up and positioned himself so he could hold on to Oraden’s tail with his left hand, leaving his right free to use his slingshot.

  The monstrous cat growled long and low before releasing a roar that exposed a cavernous mouth full of dagger-sharp teeth. Muscular paws tensed and flexed, her massive claws sluicing through the sand as it crept toward them.

  Even from this distance, Tahir could not mistake the deadly intent in her ice-blue eyes.

  “Go, go, go, go!” Tahir nearly fell off as Oraden bolted into a full gallop.

  Riding backwards was far more difficult than he’d imagined; a constant struggle to hold on to his slingshot and maintain his position. Despite the danger, Tahir marveled at the magnificent creature. Her coat was the color of the desert, her powerful legs striding long and graceful, and her authority forcing the very air itself to part before her.

  Suddenly Tahir realized she wasn’t coming straight at them. She was charging down the dune at an angle, matching Oraden’s speed for a moment before accelerating. Her pursuit would not be from the rear; she was maneuvering to attack from the front. He would never get a good shot at her like this.

  Oraden also realized what the large cat was doing and pushed himself faster. His only hope was to make it to the river. He quickly made a sharp turn.

  For an instant, as Oraden made his turn, Tahir was in good position to fire off a stone. He hit her neck, but with no effect. He just couldn’t generate enough force to cause any damage. Between Oraden’s bouncing and his own panic it became a desperate struggle to pull the stone from his pocket and position it in the slingshot. He almost had it, but it slipped between his fingers and disappeared in the sand under Oraden’s hooves. He once again managed to retrieve and load another one. Clinging desperately to the base of Oraden’s tail, he whirled it above his head. She was rapidly gaining on them, but at least now she was behind them. Tahir fired the next stone. This one flew well above her head. He cursed himself and reached into his tunic.

  Oraden ran faster than he ever believed possible; but it wasn’t enough. He would never make it to the river. He could see his attacker out of the corner of his eye. She was so close; a few more seconds and she’d be upon them. He was forced to turn again, galloping parallel to the river back toward Elysi. He was afraid, not only for himself, but for his passengers as well. His heart pounded as hard and as fast as his hooves pounded upon the sand. His horn glowed bright yellow; then it changed to blue. The sprites screamed and clung desperately to his mane. The cat was even closer.

  Every turn Oraden made, the giant feline followed. No matter how fast he ran, it ran faster. Oraden’s mind was screaming. He he’d never been so terrified, never met a creature he couldn’t outrun. He could go no faster. His eyes were wide with terror and his nostrils flared with every breath. His horn glowed like the blue sky, so bright it stung the sprites’ eyes.

  Suddenly the cat let out a yelp and jumped away from the unicorn.

  Oraden could see the cat slowing down and the distance between them lengthening. But he never slowed his pace for even a second; he just kept running, thankful for the opportunity to gain some distance from her. The oasis appeared; he was headed straight for it. Then Tahir screamed. The cat must have gotten him; Oraden violently bucked and kicked.

  “Oraden! Go! Go! Go!” Tahir shouted, still clinging to his tail. “You’re invisible now! Go!”

  Oraden understood and regained his speed. The cat hesitated before deciding to give chase again. This time she targeted Tahir’s legs, but he kicked and dodged her attacks. He had a stone in his slingshot and instinctively whipped her with it. It hit her right between the eyes; she winced but kept coming. Tahir beat at her again and again every time she got close. Tiring of his beatings, she went for the sprites. But Tahir was ready for her. He checked to make sure the stone was still secured in the pouch, tightened his legs around Oraden, and let go of his tail. He leaned back, almost squashing the little sprites. He whacked her again on the top of her head. Oraden turned and rammed his shoulder into her, knocking her off balance and forcing her to trip over the unseen legs of the unicorn. She stumbled; Tahir belted her in the head one last time before she fell. She rolled over in the sand and jumped back on her feet, but did not pursue. She watched the curious sight disappear into the forest.

  A flock of noisy birds scattered into the sky.