The Deception

by Suzanne de Montigny

  Ulysees heard a kick and a grunt.

  “Ow,” cried Danae. “You don’t have to kick me. It’s true.”

  Ulysees stifled a giggle. “What is he then, Danae?”

  “Don’t,” whispered one of the mares.

  “You’ll be punished if you do. Remember Sampson,” warned Sarah, her voice quivering.

  Ulysees heard Danae’s tail swishing faster and faster.

  “What will Jaresh do?” Téo asked.

  “Take away his powers,” Sarah said, her voice hushed. “And if he can’t use them, he has no defense against the humans.”

  Ulysees gulped at her words. “But how would Jaresh know Danae did something wrong?”

  “Because Jaresh is everywhere,” replied Sarah, her voice unsteady. “He’s always watching us.”

  Ulysees’ coat twitched. His eyes darting, he searched the dark woods surrounding them. When an owl hooted, he huddled closer to Sarah. “Mother, I’m scared.”

  “You don’t need to be,” she said. “He’ll protect you just as long as you follow the Legacy of Azaria.”

  “You mean the Legacy of Icarus.” Danae gave his mane a vigorous shake and let out a loud huff.

  Hoof beats drummed the ground in the distance, silencing the unicorns. It was Icarus and Ramah.

  The herd huddled together in the dark as though not a word had been uttered during their absence.

  “Did I hear something about Jaresh?” Icarus’ voice menaced.

  “No,” Sarah said lightly. “We were just talking about flowers.”

  “Yeah,” said another mare. “Flowers.”

  “Purple ones to be exact.”

  “And dandelions.”

  Icarus’ fierce eyes glowed in the moonlight. The burning orbs traveled over the herd, weighing and measuring. No one moved nor spoke … until the stallion’s hoof beats were heard thumping toward the farthest reach of the hidden spot among the trees.

  Chapter 4

  The Training

  The foals followed Icarus and Ramah to the meadow each day, their heads hanging as they moved in the cold morning air, awaiting the drudgery and impatience of the stallion. And each day, Icarus drilled them endlessly until they were barely able to stay awake. Ulysees survived those days by remembering that when the shadows grew long and night came with all its vibrant sounds and smells, he’d be surrounded by the laughter and the warmth of the herd again.

  On the day after the dark moon, the Great Stallion led them again into the meadow. After they had formed their line, he announced, “Today, we’ll learn to camouflage.”

  Ulysees let out a despondent sigh.

  “Who can tell me what that is?” asked Icarus, a sharp edge to his voice.

  When no one else dared respond, Téo chanced an answer. “You disappear?”

  The stallion looked at Téo through narrowed eyes. “Show me.”

  The colt took nervous steps forward. “Umm … like this?” He crouched beside a white rock and squeezed himself into as small a ball as possible.

  “No!” Icarus shook his head with disgust. “You look like the perfect target for any human. Get up and go back to your spot!”

  Téo’s jaw clenched as he moved back beside Ulysees. “I hate him,” he whispered.

  “So do I,” Ulysees hissed back.

  “Camouflaging is not scrunching up beside something the same colour as you. What if there’s nothing white around?” Spit sprayed from Icarus’ mouth as he spoke.

  “Ahhh …” Ulysees ventured forth, his voice unsure. “Danae says you have to become the thing. He said that –”

  “Never mind what that old fool has to say! Just watch.” He took two steps forward and stopped. The stallion’s eyes glazed as he mumbled under his breath, “I become the boulder. The boulder and I are one. We…” As he uttered the words, Icarus faded from sight.

  The foals huddled together, their eyes round.

  “He’s gone!” said Téo.

  But before Ulysees could respond, Icarus reappeared.

  “You see? I didn’t try to imitate it like Téo did. Had a human been near, he could have lost his horn. Badly executed, Téo.” His eyes roved over the four foals. “Now who wants to show this imbecile how it’s done.”

  The foals clung together, silent, until Alannah took brave steps forward to where Téo had stood. “I’ll do it,” she said, decidedly

  “Alright, then,” said Icarus as though someone had finally come to their senses.

  Standing very still, she began whispering, “I’m the boulder. I’m gray and speckled and I’ve been here for a long, long time …” For just a moment, she faded in and out.

  “Yes,” said Icarus, nodding and straightening out a slight twitch at the corners of his lips. “That’s better. Now who’s next?”

  Ulysees took a chance, and then Téo. By the end of the day, they were each able to camouflage for a few breaths – all except Lilia. Her head hung low when the mares came to retrieve their foals.

  “Oh, Mother,” Ulysees said, “Icarus keeps picking on Lilia because she can’t camouflage yet.” He stole a glance at the filly. “And she’s really trying.”

  Sarah sighed and shook her head. “I know, Ulysees. He is heartless, and you may find this hard to believe, but he used to be like the rest of us until …”

  “Until what?” asked Ulysees.

  “It’s a very long story,” she said, her voice changing to a whisper when the Great Stallion approached them. “I’ll tell you someday when we’re alone.”

  Icarus strutted past them. As usual, the mares and foals fell in behind the stallion, Lilia last of all, her tiny hooves dragging in the soil.

  Chapter 5

  The Hollow

  Many moons traveled the skies, the foals growing more accomplished each day. Ulysees and the others could now ride the wind with ease and camouflage for several breaths. Lilia still struggled to learn the skills, but eventually could camouflage for short periods of time. How the foals had cheered the morning she first disappeared for just an instant, and then reappeared, her smile so wide all her teeth showed while Icarus merely emitted a slight grunt of approval.

  Ulysees loathed the day the Great Stallion would teach them the final skill. He had heard the yearlings complain about how difficult it was to learn, and how brutal Icarus had been. He knew the day had arrived when the stallion led them to a muddy trail that ran a short distance from the meadow.

  His stone-like expression unmoving, Icarus addressed them, his cruel gaze sweeping over the foals and landing on Lilia. “You’re all ready now for the shadow-walk – all of you, not just three, but four of you.”

  Lilia lowered her eyes.

  He continued. “I want you to walk along this stretch of muddy ground without leaving a trace or making a sound. It’s not easy, but it must be mastered. Lilia, you’ll go first.”

  Lilia stared down at the trail, and then back at Icarus. Her voice shook. “But I don’t know how.”

  Icarus gave an impatient sigh. “It’s easy. You become your shadow. Anyone can do it,” he said, his voice sarcastic.

  Lilia’s bottom lip trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

  “Come on!” He thumped a hoof. “I don’t have all day.”

  Ulysees saw Téo’s eyes flash with anger.

  “Quickly, I said!”

  Trying to catch Téo’s attention, Ulysees shook his head, but before he could stop him, the enraged colt leapt to Lilia’s side.

  “Leave her alone!” he shouted.

  Ulysees’ muscles tensed, bracing himself for the worst.

  “What did you say?” Icarus’ voice was low.

  “I said, leave her alone!”

  Icarus’ eyeballs bulged, and steam escaped his nostrils. His gaze locked for several tense moments with Téo’s. Then he spoke, his voice filled with venom. “Alright then, why don’t you go?”

  Téo’s lips turned up in a sneer. “Okay, I will.” He shot a look of mischief at Ulysees, and then str
ode to where the strip began. He ventured only a few steps, then drove his hooves hard in the mud, leaving deep gouges.

  Icarus burned with anger. “Did you do that on purpose?”

  Téo stared back, his chin raised, his eyes blazing. “Yes, I did.”

  “Why you …” The stallion lunged at the colt, aiming a sharp nip at his rump.

  Téo dodged the bite and moved back several steps. He let out a victorious laugh. “Missed me.”

  Icarus’ nostrils flared. “You dare defy me?” When Téo’s expression of mockery remained unchanged, Icarus pawed the ground and charged again. “You’ll do as I say!”

  “No, I won’t!” Téo sang as he darted away from Icarus’ teeth again.

  Ulysees glanced at the fillies. They hung back, frozen in fear. “Téo stop!” he shouted. “This can’t possibly end well.”

  Téo let out a bray. “No way! I’m quite enjoying this.”

  Icarus swung around, his anger boiling over, and broke into a gallop.

  Téo danced out of the way again, grinning.

  “Téo, please,” whinnied Lilia. “Stop it.”

  “No. I’m doing this for you,” he called back.

  “Ulysees, make him stop,” cried Alannah. “Quick before Icarus catches the wind. Téo’s no match for him.”

  With one swift move, Ulysees dove between Téo and Icarus. “Forget him. I’ll do it instead.”

  The stallion dropped his hooves and narrowed his eyes at Ulysees. “Alright, then.”

  His heart thudding, Ulysees marched to the edge of the strip. Fixing his eyes on his shadow, he concentrated for all he was worth and took a few steps, noting the marks he left. Breathing hard, he took more and more steps until he finally reached the other end and heaved a sigh of relief. When he looked back, most of his prints were there, but a few had graced over the mud, invisible and soundless.

  “Not good enough,” rumbled Icarus. “Do it again – become your shadow!”

  Ulysees tried again, despising Icarus with every breath, but with his hate also came determination … and less hoof prints.

  The stallion gave a curt nod. “One more time,” he ordered.

  The colt turned once more, his gait growing more expert with each length. Then, as he neared the edge of the strip, something caught his eye – a dark spot in the woods. His heart quickened. Taking care to hide his discovery from the stallion, he turned and glided past, watching from the corner of his vision.

  The stallion nodded again. “Okay, take a break.” He faced Alannah. “Your turn.”

  Ulysees slipped in beside Téo as she moved away. “There’s a path leading into the woods over there,” he whispered.

  Téo leaned closer. “Where?”

  “Over there.” He tipped his head in the direction of the hole.

  “You mean that dark patch?”

  “Yes,” said Ulysees. “It looks like it hasn’t been used for a long time.”

  “I wonder where it goes,” said Téo.

  “I don’t know,” replied Ulysees, but if we could only get away from Icarus, we might have a chance to explore it.”

  “Yeah, but how? You know old Lion Breath.” Téo cast a heated glance at the stallion. “He keeps his eyes on us all the time.”

  “I know, but let’s just keep watching, and the minute he’s not looking, we’ll slip away.”

  “Alright.”

  Their chance came a few days later on a perfect afternoon when summer burst from every corner of the forest. Cicadas chirped, and bees hovered over colourful flowers in the meadow while baby birds tried new wings.

  Ramah climbed the knoll that rose above the hidden spot among the trees and addressed the herd. “Unicorns, it’s a beautiful day. The foals have worked hard, and most of them are now able to shadow-walk. I say it’s time for a rest. Let’s all take a day to enjoy ourselves and do as we please.”

  The unicorns broke into joyful whinnies.

  “Why don’t we go to the meadow and graze all day?” said one of the mares.

  “Yeah!” said another. “Finally! A chance to eat dandelions!”

  “And maybe we’ll find some purple flowers,” said a young male.

  They bounded away, laughter filling the air, hooves clapping noisily against the ground, leaving Icarus behind grumbling about mares and their silly games. When they reached the meadow, they set about sampling the fine grasses and flowers the field had to offer while the younger unicorns ran about just for the sheer pleasure of it.

  Ulysees and Téo held back, their eyes flicking between the herd and the entrance to the trail.

  “This could be our chance,” said Ulysees, his voice low.

  “You may be right,” said Téo.

  Taking casual steps toward the hollow, they waited for the right moment. Ulysees glimpsed his mother’s back turned to him. Ramah was nowhere to be seen. Emboldened, he took a few mores steps.

  Then someone shouted. “Hey, everyone. Come and see. There’re apples in this tree.”

  “Apples?” a stallion whinnied.

  In a few breaths, the unicorns surrounded the tree on the edge of the meadow, their eyes peering up into the branches.

  “Now!” Ulysees spun around and threw his weight forward only to be stopped by a small voice.

  “Don’t, Ulysees.” It was Alannah.

  He froze, his front hooves in mid-air.

  “You know what Icarus would say. We’re not supposed to wander off. I’ve seen the path too, but we don’t know where it leads. It could be dangerous.”

  “Who cares what he thinks? We’ve lived more than six moons. Look, I even have a bump where my horn is starting to grow. And besides, we know the three survival skills.”

  “But Icarus says –” Lilia joined her.

  “Old Lion Breath.” Téo spat the name. “I refuse to listen to him anymore. Especially the way he treats you, Lilia.”

  Ulysees glanced at the herd surrounding the apple tree. They were already backing away. “Come on, let’s go! There’s no time.”

  “But Ulysees,” Alannah whispered. “You –”

  “Never mind,” Ulysees said. “Just because you’re a filly, doesn’t mean you know everything.”

  “Ulysees …”

  It was too late. The colts had slipped through the hollow.

  Chapter 6

  Through the Woods

  Ulysees and Téo leapt, catching a gust of wind that carried them several lengths into the forest. When their hooves landed on the ground, they broke into a swift gallop, gleefully turning their heads back every few lengths to see if Icarus followed them.

  “You mustn’t go, you mustn’t go.” Téo mimicked Alannah.

  “Oh, no! Disobey Icarus. How could you?” Ulysees said in an extra high-pitched voice.

  “What do they know?”

  “Nothing. They're just fillies,” said Ulysees.

  “Well … Lilia’s pretty wise even though Lion Breath picks on her.”

  Ulysees raised his brows. “Hmmm,” he said, taking a side glance at his friend as they raced. “I think someone likes Lilia.”

  Téo stared straight ahead, his lips pressed together as though he hadn’t heard.

  Ulysees let out a chuckle. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  “Never mind,” said Téo. “Let’s go.”

  They ran just for the sheer joy of it, no wind-riding, no camouflaging, and definitely no shadow-walking.

  “Look at us – unicorns, and we’re not afraid,” called out Ulysees to the forest.

  “And imagine that, we haven’t been captured by humans yet.”

  “Oh, yes, the evil humans,” Ulysees scoffed. “I bet they don’t even exist.”

  “I know.” Téo snorted.

  Despite his bravado, a cold shiver ran down Ulysees’ spine. His mother had never lied to him before.

  They traveled on until the path narrowed, brambles and thorns scraping against their backs. Slowing, Ulysees scanned the woods around him. “I don’t think th
is trail’s been traveled on in years. I don’t see tracks anywhere, do you?”

  “Just the little forked kind the squirrels leave,” said Téo.

  Ulysees’ gaze met his friend’s, uncertain. “I wonder why. Maybe we should turn around. What if Alannah’s right?”

  Téo’s eyes combed their surroundings. “No. We’ve come all this way. Let’s keep going. Besides, we’ll be in trouble no matter what we do.”

  Icarus’ angry face scowled at Ulysees in his mind. “Yeah, you’re right,” he said.

  Deeper and deeper into the forest they flew, reveling at the strange and new sights until a strong, musky odour filled the air. Ulysees pulled up, his nose wrinkling at the smell. A twig snapped – a really big twig. Startled, he jumped back.

  “I think we should turn around,” he said.

  Téo’s eyes grew large for a moment. Then he turned his head and stared at something in the distance, squinting. “No wait. I see light. I think we’re near some kind of meadow.” He broke into a trot. Ulysees followed close behind.

  As they approached the bright spot at the end of the trail, they came to a wall of brush. Pushing through the tangled web of branches with their hooves, they made a hole large enough to pass through. When they reached the other side, they halted and stared in wonder at the beauty that lay before them.

  “It’s like the meadow back home, only bigger and sunnier,” exclaimed Ulysees.

  “Yeah. Look at all that grass, and so long. But those trees,” said Téo, “they look dead, like after the wind blows too strong. Why are they arranged like that – like they’re lying one on top of another?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s go have a look.”

  Taking cautious steps, they moved forward until they reached the fallen trees.

  “Smells like dead trees,” said Ulysees.

  “But where are the roots?” Téo sneezed at the moldy stench.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Wait ’til we tell the fillies about this. Can you imagine how mad Icarus will be?”

  “Who cares?” said Ulysees.

  They let out a thoughtless laugh, throwing their heads back and shaking their manes. Ulysees snorted and stamped his hooves mimicking the stallion. Again, they brayed with laughter … until out of the corner of his eye, Ulysees saw something move …