by Kate Gordon
Lily assumed the cloud was a kind of shield, but she didn’t have time to think. The faster they could rescue Cosme, the less magic Brökk would have to use.
Abellona struck with bright lightning.
Lily flinched, but the bolt glanced off the milky cloud, deflected into the night sky.
“Thank God,” Chloe panted as they reached the group clustered around Cosme.
The cloud expanded to surround them all.
Oh, clever Brökk! The thought raced through Lily’s mind as she flung herself off Rainbow.
The next bolt from Abellona ricocheted away just as harmlessly. The shield is working!
An angry cry from above sounded as Chloe and Sasha landed beside her, the ponies left to fend for themselves. She had to trust they could dodge Abellona’s bolts as successfully as the others had managed or stay close by under the shield.
Poor Cosme was badly burned.
“How do we carry him?” Chloe crouched down by Cosme’s head to pat him. “Thank goodness he’s one of the smallest.”
“You take his shoulders and neck, Chlo,” Lily puffed. “Sasha, take his rump. I’ll lift in the middle and hope I don’t hurt his burn too much.”
“Better a bit hurt, than captured,” Sasha said as she put one arm under the foal’s flank, the other around his long legs. “Okay, one, two, three!”
They lifted and stood for a second as Chloe adjusted her hold so Cosme’s head was comfortable.
“Oof,” Lily panted. “He might be one of the smallest, but he’s plenty solid.”
Sasha grunted as she shifted her hold. “Okay, we’re walking.”
“Come on, ponies.” Lily clicked her tongue. Sigvard, the mare and the ponies stayed within the cloud as they trudged step by terrifying step across the lumpy gravel riverbank.
Chloe flinched every time Abellona struck the shield. “I’m trying to ignore the witch chucking fire bolts at us, but it’s not easy!”
“Let’s hope Brökk can maintain this spell until we reach the trees.” Lily would have crossed her fingers if she could.
Sigvard and the others walked in a semi-circle right behind them to keep the shield as small as possible. Rainbow’s breath was hot on her neck, and she was glad to have him near.
Each metre of their journey seemed to take forever. Thank goodness Cosme stayed still and didn’t struggle, but Lily’s shoulders ached with the foal’s weight. Her arms were under his tummy, meaning her face was close to his burnt back. She felt sick from the smell of charred flesh, but that wasn’t going to stop her now.
She watched the milky cloud in front of them, how it stretched all the way back to Brökk at the edge of the trees. It seemed to hold steady.
Until a particularly bright fire bolt sizzled into the edge of the cloud.
“The shield! It’s fractured!” Lily couldn’t point. “On the left.”
Sasha cursed under her breath. “Can you guys go any faster?”
“Not really,” Chloe panted.
“That’s okay. Just keep going, step by step.” Lily watched the fractured point of the shield. “It’s not growing, the broken bit. It’s sort of moving ahead of us as we get closer.”
“You’re doing well,” Sigvard said from Sasha’s shoulder. “Not far now.”
Abellona struck again with a red-tinged bolt.
The milky glow of the shield faded away to nothing. A chilling laugh drifted out of the sky, and Lily saw Abellona circle Galen for another strike.
Chapter Fourteen
“Oh, no!” Chloe gasped. “I’ll try to run. Come on!”
Stumbling in the heavy gravel and joggling poor Cosme, they ran. Sigvard and the ponies spread out to protect them as best they could.
Lily had her eyes fixed on the safety of the trees. It was horrible, trying to run without being able to see where her feet were going. And the burnt flesh smell. The witch overhead, poised to strike.
Lily gasped for breath, then stumbled, letting go of Cosme as she tried to regain her balance.
Sasha swore loudly as she and Chloe sagged, nearly dropping the foal.
Puffing, Lily took her share of Cosme’s weight again. “Sorry!”
In front, Rainbow trotted beside Sigvard, constantly weaving to try and upset Abellona’s aim.
But it didn’t work. Rainbow squealed as a streak of fire carved across his rump just as he and Sigvard reached the trees.
Lily gasped as the fire bolt turned into a sudden ball of flame, engulfing the tree closest to Rainbow.
“Go left!” Lily shouted as they swerved away from the burning tree. “Come on, Rainbow!”
They managed a few metres into the trees before Chloe sagged to the ground. “We did it!” She burst into tears. “I’ve never been so frightened in all my life.”
Sasha wrapped one arm around Chloe, her other hand gripping Lily’s. “We did do it. We saved Cosme from Abellona.”
Lily wiped sweat from her face. “I can’t believe it.” She turned to Brökk. “The shield worked. Thank you.”
“We’re not free yet,” the mage replied with a tired sigh as he pointed his spike towards the burning tree. A cloud appeared directly over it, then a downpour of rain put the fire out in seconds before the cloud puffed out of existence.
Lily grinned. “That’s a handy spell to know.”
“Especially as fire is her favourite way to flush unicorns or whoever she’s chasing out of hiding.”
Oh. Brökk’s bald statement wiped the smile from Lily’s face as Abellona’s fire bolts continued to rain down, though more slowly.
“Does she ever get tired?”
“She draws her strength from the creatures she has enslaved. We don’t know how long poor Galen will survive, the way she drives him such long distances while also sucking the limited magical powers of a pegasus.”
Lily crouched beside Cosme’s head, stroking his neck. She looked up at the unicorn king, standing silently nearby. He looked so stricken, like he didn’t have any fight left in him. It didn’t feel right. Surely Ambrosius wouldn’t have brought his herd to the other side of the world to just give in now?
“What are you going to do, Ambrosius?”
He replied with a question of his own. “Can you help Cosme? His mother, Zivena, is obviously worried.”
“Of course. I have some burn balm in Rainbow’s saddle bag.”
“I’ll get it for you, Lil.” Sasha had made sure the ponies were okay. “Shall I put some on Rainbow’s rump as well?”
“Oh, yes!” Lily jumped up. “My poor pony, I’m sorry!” She was so worried about the unicorns. Especially Ambrosius who was walking along the edge of the trees away from the herd. “Chloe, can you apply the balm to Cosme? I want to talk with Ambrosius for a minute.”
She scrambled after the unicorn king. After a few minutes he stopped, turning to look up at the sky.
Lily reached a hand out to Ambrosius, and he sniffed it, just like Rainbow or any horse would. “What’s wrong, Ambrosius?”
“What’s right?” he countered as she came close to hug his neck.
“What do you mean?” She stepped back to look him in the eye.
“Nothing is right, is it? We were meant to escape Abellona. To make a fresh start. To give the herd a chance to rebuild our strength, train new warriors for Sigvard’s guard. Then go back and free Celestina.”
“But you always thought she would follow you. Didn’t your plan include how to counter her?”
“I hoped we’d have more time. None of us realised Brökk would be so badly affected by bringing a chasm this far.”
Lily sighed. “I know, but Brökk is much better now, isn’t he?” She ran a hand down his silky cheek.
“Thankfully yes, but every bit of magic he uses seems to take longer to be replenished.”
Lily tilted her head, trying to understand. “Kind of like a well or pool of water. If you use some, you have to wait for more water to trickle in?”
“Something like that.” The unic
orn stepped forward to look up at the sky.
“So what now?” Lily also looked up. The brilliance of the Milky Way overhead was uninterrupted.
“She’ll be back. Soon probably. With her army. They’ll be near somewhere. We’ll fight. And we’ll see who’s the victor in the end.”
Chill fear swept through her at his words. He sounded so resigned. Like they’d lose, as they had previously.
Not if I can help it.
Lily took a steadying breath. “You haven’t come all the way to my country to give up now, you know.”
The unicorn looked at her. “Lily, I appreciate your words of encouragement, but we know our enemy, and you do not.”
Ideas bounced around in her head. “I know you know her. That’s what I’m counting on. Come on!” She scrambled up on a fallen log beside Ambrosius and clambered on his back. “Take me back to the others. Let’s come up with a plan. Isn’t attack the best form of defence?”
The unicorn carried her without comment, jumping gracefully over logs and weaving through the trees.
Hands wrapped in Ambrosius’s long, curly mane, Lily lost herself in the absolute delight of actually riding the unicorn.
Oh. My. God.
“Lily! You’re riding Ambrosius!” Sasha shrieked, bringing Lily back to reality.
The herd could be under attack any minute. “Sigvard, Brökk!” Lily called. “Mikaela!” She stayed on Ambrosius’s back as the others gathered round. The warmth from his body on her legs in the cool of the night was welcome.
“Ambrosius said something that sparked an idea. You know Abellona.” She looked around the group. “What are her weaknesses? What can we do that might weaken her? You said she draws magical power from other creatures like Galen. Can we stop that somehow?”
“You wouldn’t want to harm Galen though,” Chloe said.
“Of course not,” Lily agreed. “Is there some way to give Galen the strength to fight Abellona’s power over him? Would that be enough?”
Ambrosius lifted his head. “We need to free Xanthe,” he said quietly.
“Yes!” Sigvard replied in a hushed and excited tone. “If we free Xanthe, Galen will also be freed from Abellona's spell. He will then bring her to us.”
“Perfect!” Sasha reached up to high five Lily.
Lily felt a buzz of excitement. “So how do we find Xanthe?” Could this plan work?
Mikaela spoke, “I will search. Abellona will have a temporary camp nearby, somewhere between here and the chasm. Xanthe and her guards always travel with Abellona and Galen.”
“I will help you.” Guilio’s serious voice came from among the trees.
“How do you stop Abellona from attacking whoever goes to look for Xanthe?” Chloe asked.
“We create a distraction. We engage her in battle,” responded Sigvard, pawing the ground eagerly.
Lily shivered at the very thought. She knew they were battle-hardened warriors, but she hated the idea they might get hurt.
The ponies might get hurt too. Or us.
Another shiver ran down her body as cold fear crept around her neck and clutched at her throat.
“The thing is,” Ambrosius’s deep voice broke into her thoughts, “I do not know by what means Xanthe is kept captive, but I feel sure human hands are more use than a unicorn's spike for that job.”
Lily swallowed. “So you want us to go with Mikaela and Guilio?”
“I feel stealth is of vital importance, so just one of you. Angel’s colouring makes her too obvious...”
“I want to fight alongside Sigvard,” Sasha interrupted. “I must be able to help somehow.”
Lily slid off Ambrosius’s back, her legs feeling weak. “Which leaves me and Rainbow,” she whispered.
The unicorn king looked at her solemnly. “Will you do it? Everyone else will either be keeping the foals safe or fighting for our lives.”
She looked up into his eyes.
He was counting on her.
Her head nodded before she’d properly formed the thought of agreeing.
“Excellent.” Ambrosius rubbed his cheek on her shoulder and, absently, she patted him. “I ask that Mikaela and Guilio return here as soon as you have a clear direction.
I’ve got to free the imprisoned pegasus.
By myself.
She felt numb.
“Great plan,” Sigvard said. “Mikaela, Guilio, Lily. You’ll need a head start, so go as soon as possible. We won’t be able to hold her off for very long if she and her army are fighting at full strength.”
“I’m feeling strong, much stronger tonight,” Brökk interrupted. “Perhaps it’s because there’s more magic close by.”
“Excellent, Brökk,” said Ambrosius. “Just what I wanted to hear. Lily, stay with us as long as possible. It’s safer. As soon as Mikaela has fixed the position of Abellona’s camp, she can start back. Guilio will be faster so he can return, then accompany Lily back to that location.”
Oh boy...
Lily’s heart pounded and she tried to breath, but she couldn’t.
Sasha whacked her on the back. “Lily! You okay?”
“Arhh,” she gasped, then coughed. “Think so, but crazy frightened. Aren’t you?”
“Yes, but excited. We’re going to beat Abellona this time. I just know it.”
“Right.” Ambrosius spoke decisively. “To draw Abellona into battle, we will go back along the road towards the farm a short distance. The movement will catch her attention, but we should reach a very dense stand of trees near a large flat paddock before she mobilises her bewitched troops. Our mares and foals can be in the trees, and we have a clear view to the road and over the forest on the other side. Brökk can easily throw spells, and it’s only a small area of trees if he needs to shield. Mikaela, Guilio, do you know where I mean? Can you find it?”
“Yes, Sire,” they both replied.
“Excellent, then be on your way. And good luck!” He raised his voice slightly. “Form up! Drink quickly at the river as we pass. Let’s move!”
The thunder of hooves and pounding of hearts drummed all thought from Lily’s mind as she raced Rainbow along the riverbank beside Sasha and Chloe.
They paused briefly for the ponies to drink, the herd’s mage drinking beside them.
Then on to the road, they swiftly reached the place Ambrosius intended for them to stand and fight the herd’s evil enemy.
Lily’s heart thumped as Ambrosius and Sigvard issued instructions. “Mares and foals into the trees. Young guards defending on the edge of the trees. Warriors, form up in front of the guard! Brökk, what do you think of this as a defensive position?”
Lily joined Sasha and Chloe with the warriors. Chloe’s face was deathly pale in the moonlight when Lily glanced at her friends.
Sasha’s eyes were bright as she looked around. “Magnificent, aren’t they?” she whispered to Lily over the restless movement of the warrior unicorns.
Lily nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.
They didn’t know when Abellona might strike.
She had no idea what or who made up Abellona’s enslaved army.
What creatures they would be facing.
Or how she was going to free Xanthe...
“Girls!” Ambrosius called. “Find a strong stick. You’re going to need some kind of weapon. But stay here with the younger guard in defence.”
“Oh, God,” Chloe whimpered. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You stay with me,” Sasha said. “I’ll look after you.”
They scrambled off the ponies and rummaged in the undergrowth.
“She comes!” Sigvard called, as he and many others consistently scanned the starlit skies above. “To the west.”
Lily’s heart thudded as she leapt onto Rainbow again, a jagged, broken-off manuka branch in her hand.
Galen, carrying his vile captor, soared into sight. Around them appeared dozens of flying creatures.
“Rocs,” said Ambrosius, who moved to stand bes
ide Lily. “Giant birds of prey.”
She shivered. They were huge, nearly as big as the pegasus.
“What are the others?” She spoke quietly in the awful silence, which fell as the herd watched their enemy approach.
“Zilants carrying giant fighting cats. And probably her combat dog squad.”
She gulped.
“What,” Sasha’s hushed voice trembled, “is a zilant?”
“A winged snake with the head of a dragon.”
“And you’ve fought these creatures before and survived?” Sasha looked at Ambrosius.
“We have,” he stated solemnly. “We haven’t won, but we have survived to fight another day.”
“Today we win!” Sasha whispered fiercely.
“Today we win!” Sigvard echoed his human friend in his booming voice.
“Today we win!” The herd shouted as one.
Abellona’s forces closed on the vast flat paddock before them.
“Hold your positions,” Ambrosius instructed.
“That’s right,” Brökk said. “Draw them in. As close as you dare so I can hit Abellona directly.”
Rainbow shifted nervously under Lily. “It’s alright, pony,” she said, running a soothing hand down his neck, her eyes locked on Galen and the figure on his back.
Abellona raised her arm, pointing her long staff directly at their group. A green glow swirled around her hands.
“Be ready,” Ambrosius said to Brökk.
A fire bolt exploded from the witch’s staff towards them.
Boom!
Brökk intercepted with a lightning-fast raincloud. The fire bolt sizzled out harmlessly before it reached them.
“Yay!” Sasha shouted.
Bang. Abellona fired again.
Boom. Brökk responded.
The unicorns stood steadfast in formation as Galen carried Abellona closer.
“Steady,” Ambrosius said to Brökk.
“I’ve got it,” the mage replied.
He judged the distance perfectly, sending a flash of white lightning from his ivory spike. The bolt smashed into Abellona’s shoulder.
Her magical staff plummeted to earth with a thud as she shrieked at her fighters. “Dive! Full attack!”
The zilants flew close to the ground, the giant fighting cats leaping down before the winged serpents swept up to join the rocs. As one, the cats ran full pelt at the herd.
