Shadows of Lela

by Tessonja Odette

  I took a deep breath and released the feelings. I could still sense them, but I kept them at a distance. I can’t help them if I’m a mess.

  I slowly lifted my palm toward the brown unicorn, making a soft hushing sound. He turned away and stuck his horn through the slats of the cage, pressing it against the wall. A sharp grating sound rang through the cave as it tossed his head up and down. My stomach lurched as I realized what he was trying to do. “Stop!” I slammed my fist into the splintery wood of the cage. “You are hurting yourself!”

  The brown unicorn turned his maniacal gaze back to me just long enough for me to see fresh blood oozing from the base of his horn. The horn itself was left undamaged, yet he returned to his fruitless efforts.

  I spun around, searching the cave for what I needed, and saw an ax lying next to one of the cages further down. I ran to retrieve it, brought it to the unicorn’s cage, and began to hack at the ropes binding the wooden frame. Once I had the door ajar, I did the same to the white unicorn’s cage. I looked at the unicorn, no longer blinking sleepily. His ears twitched, and his muscles quivered. As he held my gaze, a shiver ran down my spine.

  Danger.

  “What?” It was almost as if the unicorn had spoken to me. I shook the idea out of my mind. “Don’t just stand there. Get out! Both of you!”

  I bent down to Maiya and slapped her lightly on the cheek. “Wake up. Please, wake up.” I put her arm over my shoulders and pulled her up by the torso.

  Her head lolled; she gasped and mumbled.

  “Don’t speak. I just need you to walk.” I pulled her forward, forcing her to take one weak step at a time. Sweat beaded at my forehead.

  I looked over my shoulder, gasping when I saw that neither unicorn had left its cage. The brown still ground his horn against the wall, while the white stared at me, motionless.

  “What’s wrong with you? Get out of here while you can!”

  Danger

  Again, I felt the word so strongly I thought I’d heard it out loud. Before I could make sense of it, I heard the thundering sound of feet coming from outside the cave. I bit back a cry as I looked around for somewhere to glamour myself, wondering if I had the power to hide Maiya as well. I looked back at the white unicorn that now stood outside his cage.

  Danger.

  “I know, I get it!” I said through clenched teeth. I turned to run—or hobble—toward the cave wall, when the white unicorn came to a halt before me and lowered his head.

  Mount. Safety.

  My eyes grew wide, yet I made no move to obey the words that somehow spoke to my mind. I hadn’t mounted a horse since I was a child. How was I supposed to mount a unicorn? And with Maiya too?

  The footsteps resounded on the solid stone of the cave entrance, and I knew I had no other choice. I hefted Maiya with all my might onto the unicorn’s back, and then flung myself up as well. The unicorn righted itself as Gringe, Jarod, and the other hunters found us.

  They paused when they saw us, but quickly recovered with a roar and a flash of swords. The men came at us. The unicorn backed away, but they were too fast. Inches away, steel flashed near my foot. The unicorn continued to back away, darting this way and that with nowhere to go; we were surrounded. A wave of steel swelled before us.

  A flash of brown flew in front of me. As if from nowhere, the brown unicorn was standing between us and the hunters, and the swords met his hide instead. But the brown fought back, thrashing his horned head at the hunters, giving us a chance to skirt around the fray to freedom.

  As we raced from the cave, I looked behind, just in time to see the brown fall beneath the hunters in a bloody heap.

  I wrapped my arms tightly around Maiya’s waist as we sped through the dark forest on the galloping unicorn. My head was pounding, and I could feel myself growing weak. I had used more of my power in one evening than I’d ever used in my entire life; it wasn’t surprising my strength was failing. My eyes slid out of focus, yet I held tight to the thought of home. It was my only comfort until even that slipped from my mind.

  * * *

  The sky was still dark when I opened my eyes. My legs were numb, yet I had somehow managed to stay righted on the unicorn’s back. My arms were still wrapped around Maiya’s waist. I looked around and saw that we had stopped in the middle of a large clearing.

  I shook Maiya until her eyelids fluttered and she lifted her head from the unicorn’s neck. “Where…”

  I hushed her and helped her slide to her feet. I followed suit and looked around; what I’d at first seen as an empty clearing, I now saw was once a camp. Debris littered the ground. Embers from freshly extinguished fires softly glowed. The smell of smoke and herbs and meat clung to the air.

  I let out a cry. We were home, but the Forest People were gone.

  “What is happening?” Maiya whimpered, trembling as she took in our abandoned camp. She wrapped her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder.

  I didn’t have the strength to raise a hand to pat her back or stroke her hair. I couldn’t offer a single consoling word. I couldn’t even cry with her. There was nothing left in me.

  The sound of footsteps shook me from my brooding. Maiya lifted her head and put her hand over her mouth to stifle her cries.

  “Cora. Maiya.” The voice was quiet, yet vaguely familiar. It called out again.

  Roije entered the clearing, arrow nocked and trained on us. His face softened when he saw us. He lowered his bow and ran to our side. “I cannot believe I’ve really found you. You won’t believe how worried everyone has been.”

  Maiya and I let out sighs of relief. Maiya fell to her knees; Roije bent down beside her and assessed her injuries.

  “What happened? Where did everyone go?” I asked.

  “Salinda received a vision. She urged everyone to pack their belongings and prepare to move camp. Many heeded her, and those who didn’t quickly responded when Luna and Ciela returned to camp. They were incoherent, trying to explain what had happened to the four of you. After that, we left camp with haste, as you can see. A few of us, including myself, remained behind to track you. How did you make it back?”

  “We rode,” I said.

  “On what?”

  “On a—” I looked to my side where the unicorn last stood, but he was gone. My shoulders slumped. I’d wanted to thank the heroic unicorn before we parted ways. I looked back at Roije. “On a horse. We stole one of the hunter’s horses. It ran away when we got here.”

  My eyes flashed toward Maiya; she made no indication that she knew otherwise.

  Roije seemed to accept my story as well. “Now that the two of you are safe, we can call off the search and rejoin our people.”

  As we walked through the moonlit trees, my eyes fell on the place I had stood just hours ago, shooting arrows into a log. My bow and quiver! I remembered my stash, and ran to retrieve them. Shouldering my bow felt like coming home to my own body. I sighed and took one last look at the old log. I could almost hear Salinda’s words. Your path is changing.

  No. I’m coming home.

  I turned away from the log and ran to catch up with Roije and Maiya, yet my feet felt heavier with every step.

  Coralaine.

  This time, it was another voice I heard. One that made my skin crawl. That’s when I remembered the conversation in the cave. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise, I knew I’d heard right; Jarod had spoken Morkai’s name. In my gut, I knew the name could belong to none other than the man who’d destroyed my childhood. Somehow, he was involved with the killing of the unicorns in the cave. It was more than sport; there was evil involved.

  I paused and looked over my shoulder. Back there is danger. Forward is home.

  “Is something wrong? We need to keep moving,” Roije called from ahead.

  I felt like my feet were planted in the dirt below. My head felt heavy as I forced it forward. I lifted a foot, and again felt as if I were weighed to the ground. A tear slid down my cheek. “I’m not going with you
.”

  Roije’s eyes went wide. “What are you talking about? I promised Salinda I would bring you back if I found you. I can get us back to our people.”

  I took a deep breath. “Tell Salinda she was right. I have found my path. She will understand.”

  Maiya whimpered and ran to me. “What are you talking about? You have to come with us!”

  I gathered her into my arms. “Maiya, I love you like my dearest sister, but I have to go. There’s something I must do.”

  “You’re talking crazy. What could you possibly do?”

  “I don’t have the answers. But you were right about my dream. It means something.”

  Maiya lowered her head and sobbed.

  “I’m so sorry I’m leaving you. But I’ll find you again, I promise.”

  Roije came to us and put a hand on Maiya’s shoulder. “We must keep moving,” he said gently.

  Maiya released me and nodded. “Stay safe, Cora. And come back soon.”

  “I will.”

  Roije removed his dark-brown hunting cloak and draped it over my shoulders. Even though it was large on me, its length and heavy weight provided comforting warmth. “I don’t know what you are doing,” Roije said, “but I trust your spirit is guiding you.”

  “Thank you.” I brushed the tears from my cheeks and took one last look at their faces; the last faces of home I would see before I turned toward the unknown. It took all my strength to close my eyes, turn away, and walk in the opposite direction. I didn’t look behind me until I was sure Roije and Maiya were out of sight. They were gone. I was alone.

  But then I wasn’t.

  Feeling a quiet presence beside me, I lifted my head saw the white unicorn. My heart softened, my shoulders relaxed. The unicorn walked so close, I knew I could touch him. I reached out a tentative hand and placed it on his mud-splattered, white coat. A calm warmth flooded me. “I’m glad you came back. I wanted to thank you for helping us.”

  You helped me.

  My eyes widened. So, it wasn’t just in the cave. We really could understand each other. I opened my mind, my senses, and could feel the gentle spirit, the love, the gratitude, and the loyalty of the unicorn. I wondered where his home was, where he would go next.

  Once again, my mind heard the feelings-turned-to-thoughts-turned-to-words, I stay with you.

  My heart leapt, and I felt a smile stretch across my face as I walked alongside my new companion, knowing nothing would ever be the same again.

  9

  Goodbyes

  Teryn

  What have I gotten myself into? I asked myself, as I packed the one bag of belongings and survival necessities Helios was allowing me to take. Do I really need to do this? Do I really need Helios? Do I really want Mareleau that bad?

  It was too late for second guessing. I breathed a heavy sigh and finished packing. With feet that dragged as if made from lead, I made my way to my Chambermaster, handed him my over-stuffed bag, and ordered my horse to be ready before third bell. I took a wistful look around my room, and my eyes lingered on my already-made bed. According to Helios’ plan, I wouldn’t be sleeping in a bed again until after we completed the Quest.

  Perhaps I should have slept in longer.

  My thoughts were interrupted by a message that my father was expecting me in the Royal Study. I took one last look at my comforting, familiar chambers before turning my back on them, and heard the mournful sound of my doors closing behind me.

  “My boy!” my father exclaimed as I entered the Royal Study. He pushed away the stack of papers he was signing as a young cup-bearer pulled out a seat for me at the king’s desk. Father ordered a goblet of wine to be filled for me. “I know it’s barely morning, but we must share one final goblet for luck.”

  “I’ll need all the luck I can get.” I forced a smile and then took a drink.

  Father waved his hand dismissively. “Come, now, I know you’ll do fine. You’ve always been an excellent hunter. If these unicorns truly exist, I know you’ll find them. And if not, surely Mareleau will tire of such a silly flight of fancy, and call you boys home.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” I said without feeling.

  “However, I’m astonished she has forbidden you to travel with guards.” Father ran his fingers over his dark, short-cropped beard. “Are you sure I can’t send some of my guards to tail you at a distance? Or any men of the Royal Force? The Red Force would be best, but the Black Force could remain unseen. Or how about your brother? He’s trained with the Black. Besides, you could use a companion.”

  I shuddered at his advice. Take Larylis with me to win the heart of the woman he thinks he loves? Our last conversation came to mind, sending waves of dread through me. I shook my head. “Don’t worry, Father, I have it all figured out. I won’t be hunting alone. I’ll be hiring a team of assistants in secret once I’m away. I just don’t want word to get back to Mareleau that I’m employing help, in case she uses it as grounds to disqualify me.”

  My father nodded, accepting my tale. Helios had prepared me with numerous well-constructed lies in order to keep the alliance a secret, as well as pacify worried or suspicious minds.

  “That does make me feel better,” Father said. “Still, I must warn you to be careful. I know this seems to you like a lighthearted adventure—”

  Oh, how wrong you are, Father.

  “—But some places in Lela are…less safe than Mena. I pray you stay close to home, if you can help it.”

  “I’m only traveling to Kero, Father.” That, at least, was true. From what little I’d been told about our plan, I knew that we would be traveling to northern Kero where rumors of unicorn sightings circulated most frequently.

  Father’s eyes widened for a moment. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  His expression made my heart race. “What do you mean?”

  “There are things you just don’t understand, Teryn. Things I don’t even understand. Kero has become a reserved kingdom, for lack of a better word. Ever since King Dimetreus took the throne, things have been different.”

  I didn’t want to let the fear show on my face, but I had never heard him speak ill of our neighboring kingdom before. I remained quiet, hoping my father would elaborate.

  “It’s so sad what happened to King Jeru and Queen Tiliane,” Father said quietly, eyes unfocused. “I knew them well. They were both younger than your mother and I, and yet they died well before us. Every report coming from Kero since then has been nothing short of strange.”

  Although I knew about the tragic incidents that had befallen Kero and the Royal Family, I hadn’t given them much thought. When forced to consider it, Kero did seem like a distant and reserved kingdom. In terms of location, Mena was just as close to Kero as Sele. However, Sele felt like our true neighbor. We were kept constantly informed about Sele’s affairs as if they were our own, and were always invited to the celebrations and festivals at Verlot Palace. Kero, on the other hand, had never felt nearly as welcoming.

  “What exactly are you worried about?” I asked.

  “What concerns me most is King Dimetreus has yet to sign the Tri-Kingdom Peace Pact of Lela.” Father’s brow furrowed as he took a deep drink of wine. “Perhaps the Pact seems insignificant to him after centuries of peace, but as long as the Pact has existed, each new king has renewed it upon taking the throne. He has yet to follow suit. Ten years have passed since his coronation, and not one attempt has been made by him to solidify the Pact.”

  “What does that mean for Lela? Does he not agree to peace?”

  “Perhaps he does, but without his name on the Pact, we can’t be certain. Every effort we’ve made to meet with him has been thwarted by one justification or another. It could simply be that he sees the Pact as an archaic ritual that he will participate in when he sees fit. Or it could be that he doesn’t agree to peace.”

  I was speechless. How were there concerns for my kingdom I didn’t even know about? As crown prince, I shouldn’t be so ignorant.

&
nbsp; My father let out a sigh, and forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I know you will be safe. Just be careful.”

  “I will,” I said, yet I couldn’t shake the weight of his warning.

  Father sat upright, regaining his composure. “Besides, when you and Mareleau are married, our kingdoms will be unshakably united. No one would dare oppose us.”

  So, I had yet another reason why I could not lose. I had to make Mareleau mine.

  After exchanging our goodbyes, I left the Royal Study hoping my remaining farewells wouldn’t be so burdensome. If the sinking in my gut got any heavier, I wouldn’t be able to mount my horse.

  As I walked toward the stables, I saw a small retinue waiting for me. My mother ran to me and threw her arms around my neck, sobbing her worries and goodbyes. I didn’t think she would ever let me go until Larylis approached.

  “May I have a word with my brother?” he asked.

  My mother nodded, wiped her teary eyes, and reluctantly released me. I was left to face the unreadable Larylis. We walked a few paces away from listening ears and stood in awkward silence, neither of us meeting the eye of the other.

  Larylis spoke first. “You know how you promised me you would forfeit the Quest if I asked you to?”

  I nodded, my stomach tightening. When I gave that promise, I had expected him to answer me at once. Instead, he had stormed from my study and hadn’t said a word to me since. Would he really ask me to keep my promise after I’d already made it this far? I imagined forfeiting the Quest, giving up on the alliance, on Mareleau, on my dreams, and turning my back on two weeks of preparations, secrets, and inner turmoil. For one incomprehensible moment, I felt relief.

  Larylis met my eyes with a blank expression. “I’m not going to. You were right. Mareleau and I will never be together. At least with you, I know she will be loved and taken care of. You deserve her. Go get her.”

  I opened my mouth but could find no words. I hadn’t imagined Larylis would forgive me any time soon, much less give me his blessing. I felt my shoulders relax, and for the first time in two weeks, I felt I could breathe. “Do you really mean it?”