by Lena Austin
Lord Arion was smart enough to stay near the edge and simply call out, “Begin!”
Predictably, Durham charged, horn down.
Shadow danced out of the way, and tried not to laugh. However much it might incense Durham further, it wasted breath best used for fighting. He couldn’t laugh, but he could whistle through his horn. His jaunty tune enraged Durham.
There was a short clash of rearing bodies and flashing hooves. Durham nearly got a nasty bite in on Shadow’s neck, but a shove with a foreleg broke the deadlock.
Durham didn’t get away completely unscathed. His chest now bore a muddy imprint of Shadow’s hoof that would surely bruise. The black and white stallion took a moment to walk off the pain, while Shadow continued to whistle some little ditty his mother had sung.
Durham mind spoke privately, “Who is the pink filly I saw you looking at, Shadow? Your next little conquest, perhaps? Are you already tired of the filthy little Elf?”
Shadow was hard-pressed to keep to his plan of silence. He wanted desperately to answer. Instead, he forced his mind to a calm state, making his muscles fluid and ready for the slightest command.
Durham looked again at Chantrea. “I don’t recognize her. She must be one of the outcasts or loners. When I’m Herd Stallion, I’ll insist that all our people come back and share in herd life. They need to be with their own kind.” He danced in place and reared. A display move, it had no real value except to look pretty and aggressive all at once. “Pink isn’t my favorite color, but she’ll do as part of my harem. I don’t have to like them, after all.”
Durham’s rear became a crow-hop, and he danced on his back legs toward Shadow. Shadow laughed to himself, and pretended to turn to run. Durham bought the ploy, and received a vicious blow when Shadow leapt off the ground. Shadow delivered a wicked kick that landed on Durham’s withers, judging by the “Oomph!”
Shadow turned and shook his head. “No free will, Durham? No rights of the individual? What a shame.”
His younger brother was clearly injured and tiring fast. Shadow had to wonder if Durham had so bullied his compatriots that no one would spar and keep him in shape. And where was the magic? Durham hadn’t thrown a single spell.
“The needs of the herd outweigh the needs of an individual! Why don’t you understand that?” Durham charged again. It was a feint. Shadow saw Durham looking at Shadow’s hooves, not his chest. He doubled his shields, and the entrapment spell bounced off. The magical “rope” lay coiled at the edge of the circle. It would remain there until dispelled.
Magic it was, then. However, Shadow had an advantage. Cutting him off from the Valley did not negate the energies given him by Tanne. He checked the sun with a glance. Bright and clear. Perfect. Shadow allowed the energies of Herd Stallion to shine through again, turning his coat to silver. He became as reflective as the still lake, too luminescent to look at directly.
Durham was blinded, temporarily, by the glare. This time he came in low, his horn aiming for Shadow’s vulnerable chest. Shadow kept his own horn high, and whipped out one foreleg in a slashing move. Durham’s head snapped around, and he tripped, rolling on the ground.
Shadow was on him as soon as he finished rolling. With his horn pointed at Durham’s neck, Shadow used his public mind voice. “Do you yield? Or am I forced to kill you?”
Durham lay on the ground, panting. He didn’t answer.
Shadow pushed the point of his horn into Durham’s neck, just enough to draw blood. “Concede, Durham. You lose.”
“Damn you! I concede.”
Chapter Eleven
Shadow backed off immediately. Lord Arion announced the victory, and began to take down the shield. Cheers erupted, and he could see many beings waiting for the circle to come down. Yet, Durham did not rise.
“Get up, Durham. It’s over.” Shadow mind spoke privately and kindly. There was no sense in further hostility.
“I can’t. I have an injured back leg. Left side.”
“I’ll get you a healer as soon as the shield is down.” Shadow checked. The shield was nearly at knee height. “It won’t be long.”
“It would be better if you killed me, you know.” Durham’s private mind speech was laced with pain.
“I’m not killing my only brother, Durham. Besides, I have a job for you, if you’ll take it.” The shield was now at grass level. Still, the crowd waited politely.
“What would that be?”
“Stud stallion. If you think I’m preserving our color line by myself, you’re mad.”
“What?” The shock in Durham’s mind shout was close to deafening.
“I’ll tell you later. Once Brolly has had a chance at your leg.”
“Damn right we have something to talk about. Why didn’t you tell me before that you knew we’d have to continue our line? We might have spared ourselves this whole thing.” He glanced at Chantrea. “That is, if you are giving up interspecies relationships.”
Brolly, still wan and pale, ran over. “Feed me power, will you, Shad?” He knelt by Durham. “Which leg, pal?”
“Ouch! Back left. How’d you know?”
“You think I haven’t watched Shad and the others tumble like you did? Hold still a minute. Don’t fight me.”
“I’ve had enough fighting.” There was something tired in Durham’s mind voice.
Shadow turned to the beings that still celebrated. Feeding Brolly the needed energy was effortless, now. Instead of the throng mobbing him as he’d expected, they grew silent and respectful. As he watched, they parted and formed an aisle.
First came the Council, who all processed forward and bowed before stepping aside. Shadow tried not to reveal his embarrassment at this display of respect.
Next up the aisle padded the white tiger along with the pink Unicorn. Chantrea’s green eyes winked at him, and he gave her a loving mental caress before focusing on the blue eyes of the huge predator before him.
Shadow dipped his horn respectfully. “Lady MoonTyger, I presume?”
MoonTyger nodded politely in acknowledgement. “So I am. It appears the need for me to corroborate the translation of my scroll is moot.”
She turned to Durham, who stood shakily on his feet with Brolly. “I will expect an apology from you later.”
Durham hung his head. “You will have it.”
Shadow eyed his humbled brother sharply. This did not sound like his antagonist at all.
Durham winked and flashed a quick private thought. “We will talk later, and I will explain. Right now, you have some duties ahead of you. I’ll be around. You’ve won, for now. I’ll play the game of the defeated, with grace.”
Surprisingly, Durham changed form to human. Then he and Brolly strolled off together. Durham still limped, which may have explained why Brolly held on so tightly. Then again, perhaps not. Shadow chuckled. “Well, well.”
Shadow took one last moment to nuzzle Chantrea before trotting forward to claim his place as Herd Stallion. Chantrea trotted right beside him, her long tail flagging beautifully. It was all he could do to keep his mind on business and convene the Council.
There was no need to confirm his victory and right to be Herd Stallion, but each councilor took a moment to congratulate him before all turned expectant eyes to MoonTyger.
Regally as any cat, MoonTyger stepped forward, commanding respect simply by being whom and what she was. “I have heard that you wish confirmation of the document my colleague Chantrea translated for you. I am the author of that document. I myself have witnessed the migration of the Kirinn, who are your ancestor race. For a millennium, I recorded it. I can assure you that there are more abdications to worthy successors than fights.”
Councilor Le-An stood. “Forgive me, Lady. Who are you and where do you come from? This was not explained well to me.”
MoonTyger eyed Le-An for a moment. “I am MoonTyger, historian for the Enchanted Forest, many leagues’ journey from here in the East. Did you think you were the only haven for magical creatures?”<
br />
The stunned silence that greeted her pronouncement was profound.
Le-An cleared her throat. “Uh, well, yes, actually, we did.”
“It is time you knew. We have preferred our isolation up to now, but that is at an end. Permit me, then, to introduce you.” MoonTyger’s form changed to that of a human woman in her prime, with long black hair, golden skin, and eyes as slanted as an Elf’s. Her clothing was full, long, and richly colored. She pulled a slender curved sword from its sheath on her back, and drew a huge circle in the air in front of her.
Shadow was amazed to see a forest appear within the circle, lush with plant life, and clearly surrounded by mist-covered mountains in the distance.
Creatures lounged or moved about in the distant forest, until they noticed the spell. Some, Shadow could not identify or describe. Others bore a striking resemblance to MoonTyger, with golden skin, black hair, and Elven eyes. A cloud with eyes floated into the spell area.
Another creature fascinated Shadow more than any other; a pure white being that walked on four legs, with a horn in the center of its forehead. Yet it was not equine. Its companion was a bright red dragon so sinuous and lithe, it was almost snake-like.
“Meet the beings of my home.” MoonTyger sheathed her sword while the creatures in the spell bowed.
Le-An, Lord Arion, Shadow, and High Priestess Jeanette all recovered enough to bow back, and got smiles in return.
The white being with the horn stepped forward. “Greetings to my cousins.” His mind voice was deep and resonant. He looked directly at Shadow and Chantrea. “I am a Kirinn.”
Shadow stepped forward and bowed again. “Greetings to you, cousin.” What was a Kirinn made of? They didn’t appear equine, yet he could see the horn. He knew, somehow deep in his bones, that there was a relation. But how?
The cloud with eyes moved forward as the Kirinn stepped back. “I too greet my cousins.” His eyes fell on Lady Jeannette. “I am a Gaki. I am what you would call a Vampire.”
Jeanette moved woodenly to stand before the Gaki. “I take it you… eat… blood too?”
The Gaki changed into a short, lithe young man very similar in coloration to MoonTyger. He stepped through the spell as if it were a gateway and took Jeanette’s hand. “I do. I have been elected Ambassador.” He bowed. “Shall we discuss this over a meal? I love to hunt.”
He took the stunned Jeanette by the arm, as courtly as any noble, and led her away.
Chantrea whispered irrepressibly in Shadow’s mind. “Oh, that charmer is going to be very popular. I can see why he was elected.”
It was everything Shadow could do not to laugh. He maintained his dignity while MoonTyger introduced the others. When MoonTyger showed signs of weariness from holding the portal open, Shadow respectfully suggested that the portal be closed for now until an Ambassador could be elected to cross to the Enchanted Forest. Both sides gratefully accepted this, and the gate was closed, with promises of visits next time.
Le-An suggested that the Council adjourn until the next day. “We have been truly smacked in the forehead today. Let’s take some time to assimilate this. I, for one, must decide which of a thousand questions to ask MoonTyger.”
MoonTyger, now back in her feline form, agreed. Council was closed, though no one left. An impromptu party began, with MoonTyger clearly the guest of honor. Food appeared, courtesy of the Elves and others.
It was a blessed relief to Shadow that his victory had been superseded by the revelations MoonTyger had revealed. These few moments when the denizens of the Valley’s interests were focused elsewhere were a cherished respite. Today, he was free of the confines of ruling. He’d take advantage of an opportunity that might not come his way again for some time.
Shadow whispered to Chantrea, “Let’s go find Durham and Brolly. I need to know more about his change of heart. It makes no sense.” They eased their way out of the Council meadow.
It wasn’t difficult to find Durham and Brolly, lounging in the shade of an oak in sight of the Council meadow.
Brolly hailed Shadow in private mind speech, as soon as they stepped out of the crowd. “Over here, Hayburner! We’ve been having a discussion. I assume you’d like to be in on this. Durham has been asking me a lot of questions about you and our family.” He heard Shadow’s unspoken question and laughed. “You thought I’d be that promiscuous? No, brother mine. He’s not my type, and I don’t have the right equipment to attract him.”
Shadow and Chantrea cantered over, and Shadow assumed his human form.
Chantrea demurred, and folded herself down to the ground. “It’s difficult for me to shape shift. I’ll stay like this, thanks.”
Shadow got right to the point. “Okay, Durham. That was quite a turnaround you did. Why?”
“All I have been told since birth was that I must continue our line. I didn’t think you had the balls for it. You were Talamar’s rejected offspring. I believed I was the better stallion. You proved me wrong today, brother.” It was the first time his use of the familial term was respectful, even friendly.
“I still don’t get it. Why the change of heart?”
Durham sighed. “Look, you and I are the last of the black line. Other than Chirion, we are also the last of the white line, if you haven’t noticed. And I don’t think he counts, being a half… er, hybrid.” He stared off into the sky for a moment, and seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “I thought I’d be saddled with the responsibility for both lines. I thought you’d be just like Tanne and take a mate from some other race.”
Shadow laughed when Durham eyed Chantrea. “I did, brother. But she made a true shape shift. She’s all Unicorn. Didn’t Talamar ever teach you that? When you make a real shift, you are that race completely?”
“Yes, he did. However, I’m concerned. How can we be sure that any offspring are indeed purely that race? Are we mixing the races and losing our heritage?”
“And what of the other races, Durham? What about their heritage? Are they truly less important than we? What heritage are we losing? I can’t see that we’ll be lesser creatures.”
Durham blew out a breath. “Importance doesn’t enter into it. I’m concerned about what I have control over. I’m concerned about mixing with other species. What will happen when everyone is mixed?”
“New races form. That is what happens. Thus it says in our histories.” MoonTyger padded up and bowed. “Forgive me. I can hear even private speech, unless I choose not to.”
“Are you mixed, then, Lady?” Durham asked with careful courtesy, looking at her claws with interest. “And I do owe you an apology. I tender it now.”
“Of course I am. My great-grandmother was Kirinn with wandering feet. My great-grandfather was a Gryphon. I chose this form as what suits me best. I can be many things.” She eyed him as if he might be a tasty snack, then her eyes softened. “I accept your apology. Honor is restored.”
“Excuse me.” Chantrea stepped forward. “There is another reason MoonTyger remains.”
MoonTyger’s eyes were guileless. “Yes. I need to borrow a Unicorn adventurer. Do you have one?” She turned to Shadow, and tilted her head to one side.
Shadow considered this extraordinary request carefully. “We have a stallion who has, as you put it, wandering feet. He has spent more time out of our Valley than in it for most of his life. We can ask him. I do not order beings about. They must agree. Shall I call for him, if he is available?”
“Please. He must agree, for my quest will be a long journey. We have missing Kirinn from the Enchanted Forest. This is the reason we have ended our isolation. I will need one who is familiar with the world of humans to guide me. Can he do this?”
Shadow saw the dark green form of Jamir trotting up. “Why don’t you ask him?” He nodded toward his great-uncle.
After a short introduction, MoonTyger and Jamir took a walk, chatting amiably.
Shadow stood, and returned to Unicorn form. “So, Durham, what now? We still disagree.”
&n
bsp; Durham remained seated. “Let’s leave it as we ‘agree to disagree,’ shall we? I’ll do my part to further our line, and leave the governance to you. Let me make this perfectly clear, Shadow. You and your friends have not convinced me that inter-species mating is good. I am still the opposition, but I can’t further my cause if I’m dead in a challenge fight with you. Perhaps, in the fullness of time, I will be proven right to worry. I just pray it won’t be too late to protect the purity of the races.”
“Fair enough. At least that’s honest.” Shadow watched as Chantrea rose gracefully to her feet. “And now, I have a filly to chase.”
Chantrea batted green eyes at him. “Until I catch you, handsome.” She took off in a gallop.
Shadow took off after her, laughing.
Unicorn Valley 3: Healer’s Heart
What’s a simple Werewolf healer to do when a goddess who can swing both ways, and wants that in a mate, falls in love with him?
Lena Austin
Lena Austin is a “fallen” society wench with a checkered past. She’s been a licensed minister, hairdresser, realtor, radio DJ, exotic dancer, telephone service tech, live-steel medievalist swordswoman, BDSM Mistress, and investment property manager. Not necessarily in that order. She never finished that degree in archaeology, but did learn to scuba. After a life like that, gardening is pretty restful. Of herself, Lena writes, “I’m tall, presently red-haired, and I look like an unholy mating between an Amazon and a librarian.”
Visit Lena’s website at www.geocities.com/voiceomt2002/Lena-Austin.htm