“So what did you find?” Icarus gave his entire coat an irritated twitch.
A look of uncertainty passed between the two yearlings.
Ulysees’ stomach fluttered, but he ventured forward. “We discovered something you could never imagine.”
“What?” asked Icarus as though they were nothing but a nuisance.
Ulysees took a deep breath before blurting out. “We found Jaresh.”
Icarus’ head shot up. “What?” His eyes shifted over the herd, searching for Ramah. “That’s impossible.”
Ulysees’ legs trembled, but he stood his ground. “It’s true. Only his name’s not Jaresh – it’s Darius. Our herd has been pronouncing it wrong all these years.”
The stallion froze as though a long ago memory nudged his brain. He grunted, then shook his mane. “Where?”
“There’s a lake about a half-day’s walk from here. He lives there,” said Ulysees. “He says he’s been waiting for us for over sixty years.” Fighting to control the shaking in his legs, Ulysees waited for Icarus’ reaction.
Icarus motioned Ramah over. “What does he look like?”
Ulysees’ legs shook harder. “He’s huge,” he said, accenting the word.
“He’s as tall as the trees,” said Téo. “And he has a long, long neck.”
“And a really long tail,” added Ulysees.
The stallion stood motionless, his eyes casting a suspicious glare. “This is … a new development.” He turned and glanced at the other unicorns, and then lowered his voice. “Can you take me to see him?”
“Yes,” said Ulysees, his voice hopeful. “He wants to meet the herd.”
“The entire herd?” Icarus frowned.
“Yes. Did you know it was him who taught Azaria our three skills?”
Icarus’ eyebrows twitched.
“And that he was the one who foresaw the fireball and the coming of the humans?” said Téo.
The stallion’s gaze grew distant, as though searching his memory.
“And …” Ulysees paused, “Darius says he can’t take away our powers.”
Icarus recoiled at his last words, his eyeballs bulging. “What do you mean he can’t take them away?”
“He doesn’t have the ability to do that.” Ulysees’ breath quickened.
The stallion’s ears flattened, and his face turned ugly as he stood his full height. “That’s preposterous! This can’t possibly be Jaresh. He’s just claiming to be.”
“No,” insisted Ulysees, bracing himself for the retaliation. “He’s not. You haven’t met him, and if you did, you would realize we’re telling the truth.”
Icarus bared his teeth. “Truth, my eye. There is only one truth, and it lies in the Legacy of Azaria.”
“No, really. I swear. Why would I make up a story like that? Ask Téo. He was there too.”
Icarus stared down the other yearling, the fire in his eyes burning hot. “Téo?”
“It’s true.” Téo nodded hard.
“Come and meet him. You’ll see we’re not lying,” said Ulysees.
The stallion exploded. “No! You shall never mention this to anyone ever again, you hear? If you do, I won’t let you out on anymore missions. You’ll be treated the same as one of the new foals. Now go!” He lunged forward.
The yearlings dodged the bite and receded into the shadows of the forest.
“I knew he wouldn’t believe us,” said Téo.
“Oh, I think he does,” said Ulysees. “He knows he could lose his power over the herd if anyone else finds out.”
“So what do we do now?”
“We’ve got to keep our promise to Danae. He said to search for the truth, and as far as I’m concerned, the truth starts here.”
They stared at Icarus in the distance. The stallion shouted orders at the mares, diving and nipping while the herd scattered in terror.
“He’s taking it out on the others because of us,” said Téo.
“I know. So how can we spread the news? Look how frightened they are.”
“We need to start small. Let’s tell the fillies first, then our dams,” said Téo.
“Alright.” Ulysees turned and gave Icarus one last look. Frowning, he shook his head in disgust.
Chapter 21
The Curious Structure
It had been days, even weeks that the men had been wandering in the wilderness. Smelling of stinky armpits and sweaty feet, they journeyed, grunting and groaning, their muscles aching. They caught the odd hare they could snare and even ate small rats to fulfill their need for fresh meat.
To add to their hardship were the antics of Xavier. Drachen was more exhausted from keeping him in line than anything else. Breaking into sudden canters, or digging in his heals and refusing to move were a constant problem – until Drachen resorted to the whip. It worked, but at the end of the day, the hatred in the animal’s eyes disquieted him.
It was on one of Xavier’s bad days, an exhausted Drachen called for a break. After a few minutes of rest, he bent down to examine the ground. “Look!” he cried. “Another set o’ tracks!” He motioned the men forward.
The brothers stooped and scrutinized the path too, scratching their heads.
“That means she found ’er sons,” said Drachen.
Kayden and Ike raised bushy, tangled eyebrows at each other.
“We gotta be careful they don’t see us,” said Ike.
“I agree,” said Drachen.
They trudged through the forest, brambles scraping their bare arms and mosquitoes piercing their already pierced flesh. When would it ever end? Perhaps Kayden was right, and they should give up and resume their lives where they had left off. For a moment, Drachen imagined it all: going back home to an empty shack, cooking his own bland meals, and talking out loud to himself. He shook his head. He was sick of talking out loud to himself. He needed a wife, and that would take gold. No, it wasn’t worth living alone on a small plot of land with a couple of animals. Besides, they were so close – they had seen Ali.
As the men forced their way through the woods, Drachen heard a faint sound in the distance. At first it brushed past his ears almost undetected, like the buzz of an insect. The second time, Drachen pulled up his horse and shushed his brothers. The men stopped, their brows raised in question. The sound came again, like someone shouting orders far off in the distance. Their eyes shifting back and forth, they listened.
“Tie the horses!” ordered Drachen.
For once, his brothers didn’t argue. They knotted the reins and followed him on quiet feet through the brush. When they saw the forest grow thinner, they knew they were close.
“Stay here,” Drachen said. “I’m gonna go have a look alone.”
With calculated steps, he picked his way to the edge of the clearing and peered into the opening. His pulse quickened at what he saw. Men hammered pegs into a giant structure surrounded by scaffolding. The noises of their mallets echoed as they moved along the building.
“Ya gotta see this,” said Drachen in hushed tones as he waved a frantic arm to his brothers.
Their movements swift, Kayden and Ike joined him, their chins dropping at the scene that lay before them.
Drachen shoved them back with sweaty arms. “Careful or they’ll see ya.”
“Ow!” cried Ike, giving him a swift kick.
Tensing his muscles, Drachen took the assault if only to keep his brother quiet.
“What are they buildin’ way out here?” asked Kayden.
“Darned if I know,” said Drachen.
His eyes searched the clearing for clues. A small hamlet of houses lay in one corner while pens holding dozens and dozens of every type of creature imaginable filled the rest of the space. “Wha’do they want with all those animals?” He did a quick scan for unicorns, but found none.
“I don’t know,” said Kayden. “Most folks keep cattle an’ horses.” He pointed to a hutch. “But I think those might be rabbits.” He rubbed his bulging stomach. “Supper tonight, men
?” His tongue licked his cracked lips.
“Looks good to me,” said Ike. “We could sneak in after dark an’ –”
“Get caught?” finished Drachen. “We go near those rabbits, it could wreck our whole plan. I say we watch fer a while.”
Drachen observed the scene for a long time. Excitement coursed through his body as he thought out his strategy. There were at least nine men, not to mention their wives and children, and that very old man who seemed to be in charge. He strained his eyes, trying to make out his features.
Tall, with long grey hair that fell to his back, the old man’s shoulders were stooped, yet he carried himself with pride … and something else … was it honour?
An old woman offered him food. Drachen’s heart quickened when he recognized her. It was Adiva, Ali’s mother. He pushed his face farther out of the brush to see better.
The bearded man took the plate, and then flinched as though sensing their presence. His piercing eyes swept the bushes where they hid. Drachen scarcely breathed. The old man continued to scan, his eyes halting on the very brush where they huddled. Drachen ducked.
“I think he saw us!”
Scrambling, he shot back up the trail to where the horses waited, his brothers in hot pursuit. Grabbing his mare, he delivered a sharp slap to its rump. The horse bolted, nearly dragging him.
They ran, leading their horses until the fall of darkness slowed their steps, and they were sure no one had followed them. Then they set up camp. Drachen stoked the fire, deep in thought while his brothers gathered edible roots and searched for rodents they could sink their teeth into. He cringed at the memory of the old man. Who was he? There was something familiar about him. Then it came to him.
It had been tough trying to feed his younger brothers after Mama left. They were always hungry, yet no one would hire Drachen once when they discovered what happened to her. Their clothes became threadbare and their limbs thinner until the day Drachen had no choice but to steal. At first it had been a few apples when the fruit vendor wasn’t watching, or a sausage or two at the market when the butcher bent over – small things to curb their hunger. Then the day came when Ali caught him stealing the gold from the merchant’s pocket.
Anger welled up inside Drachen how no one had cared. Alone, he cleaned his wound that day, returning empty-handed to his brothers. Alone he cried, despondent and hopeless until his chest hurt and his eyes burned. And when all seemed lost, he came to a decision.
He waited until morning, when most people lay sound asleep, wrapped in furs, lying on their straw mats, and took the path that led to the colony. Early birds called quietly, and squirrels chattered. The sun poked through thick leaves, lighting tiny patches of the forest floor. It was cold, and Drachen’s feet soon grew numb from the dewy grass, but he didn’t care. He would find Mama and beg her to come back. They’d hide that white patch of skin from the town. They’d say it had all been a mistake. Life was just too hard without her.
He had walked a fair distance when the sound of voices from behind startled him. Scrambling, he dove into the bushes.
He waited, peering through waxy leaves until the people passed by. It was Ali and the old man – carrying baskets of food. Staying hidden in the underbrush, Drachen followed them until the sound of bells tinkling warned him the leper colony was near. He watched the couple wander into the settlement, and then crept closer.
It was horrible – the walking dead! People with mutilated faces and patchy skin, missing fingers and toes, their hands clawed – and sores, so many sores. Yet the old man and Ali laid the baskets down, smiling and speaking to the lepers as though they were normal, everyday folk, laughing, and even joking with them.
A thin woman took charge, handing out food to the sick who waited patiently. Her face was veiled in blue – Mama’s blue! It was her! She reached for a basket, exposing her arm. Drachen drew in a sharp breath. The dull white wound had changed to an angry, raw red. When she leaned over to pass some dried meat to a child, her veil slipped off, revealing cheeks riveted with welts. Drachen reeled.
He turned and fled, terrified. How could he speak to her like this? He couldn’t even look at her. She could never come back to live with them now.
He ran all the way back to town, sobbing, and buried himself in their shack, trembling, until his brothers came home. Guilty he had no food for them, he rose from his hiding spot ready to meet their complaints. But it hadn’t been necessary. His brothers pulled fruit after vegetable after sausage from their cloaks – they had learned to steal too.
Drachen gazed into the fire and shook his head at the memory. What he couldn’t understand was, if Ali and her kin had the horn, why didn’t they use it to heal the lepers? Why only bring them food? Unless they were planning to use it for themselves. He clenched his fists at their selfishness.
Turning to his brothers, he said, “I saw Adiva. That means they’ve got the horn, but there’s too many men fer us three to handle.”
Kayden and Ike nodded in agreement.
“So the way I see it,” said Drachen, “the only way to get that horn is to surprise ’em late at night when everyone’s sleepin’. We’ll slip in after the candles are snuffed, and then gag ’em so they don’t scream. I’ll take Adiva, and you two can get the old man. Then we’ll force ’er to tell us where she put the horn.”
“Yeah, but how’s she gonna talk if you got ’er gagged?” asked Kayden, letting out a sarcastic chuckle.
Drachen’s face grew hot as his temper rose, but instead, he chose to swallow his anger. “Yer right. Hadn’t thought o’ that. I guess we’ll have ’er take it out ’erself.”
“And what if she don’t wanna?” asked Ike.
“Oh, she will,” replied Drachen. “After all, she’s just an old lady, hardly a match for us.”
The men snickered at his words, talking until the fire died to red, smoldering embers. Their journey was nearly over. He could feel it. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. All they had to do was surprise Adiva the following night, and the horn would be theirs.
Chapter 22
The Red Flowers
Ulysees and Téo guarded their secret for days, wearing innocent faces in the presence of Icarus while they laid other plans. Ulysees longed to find Darius again, but waited for just the right moment to leave. It finally came a few days later when Icarus regarded them with wary eyes.
“The mares need more flowers. Can I count on you to take the fillies, no funny business?”
Ulysees’ heart jumped at his words.
“I want you to stay close to home. There’s a patch of purple flowers not far from here,” Icarus said, a dangerous edge to his voice.
Keeping his nerves in check, Ulysees replied, “Purple flowers? No problem … but I noticed a new kind of flower a little farther on. Perhaps the mares would enjoy those.”
The stallion’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of new flower?”
Ulysees heard Téo approach and shot him a warning glance.
“Well … they’re red … and large. Téo tasted one and said it was the sweetest thing he’d ever had.” He fought to keep his face still as he lied.
The stallion regarded Téo with suspicion. “Is this true?”
For a brief moment, Téo’s eyes flashed with fear, and then understanding. “Yes.” He gave an exaggerated nod.
Ulysees’ stomach tightened as he waited for the stallion to respond. Had he bought the story?
Icarus looked away for a few moments, seeming to calculate, and then replied, “Alright, but this is a test. There better be red flowers and lots of them when you get back.”
“There will be,” said Ulysees, maintaining his calm façade.
The two yearlings sauntered away, aware the stallion was still watching. When they gauged themselves out of sight, Ulysees heaved a sigh of relief. “Phew, that was close. We’d better get going before he figures it out.”
“Yeah, I agree,” said Téo.
Eyeing Alannah and Lilia, he motioned the
m to follow. The young fillies abandoned their grazing and joined them. Ulysees looked back one last time and was met by the inquisitive eyes of the herd. Ignoring them, he broke into a trot.
The morning dew was cool on their hooves, and mist rose off the ground.
“Where are you taking us?” Lilia asked.
“You’re coming with us to collect red flowers – new ones,” said Téo, the corners of his mouth drawn up in a mischievous grin.
“Red flowers?” asked Alannah. “Where?”
“You’ll see when we get there,” said Ulysees. “We have to move fast. There’s not much time.”
“Okay, I’m in,” said Alannah.
“Me too,” replied Lilia.
They traveled through the woods, taking in the beauty that surrounded them. Squirrels chattered as they passed, and birds chirped strange new songs. The fillies followed faithfully, marveling at the sights before them. When the sun was mid-sky, Ulysees let out a low rumble to Téo. Téo answered back, and they slowed to a halt.
“Why are we stopping? I don’t see any red flowers,” Alannah said.
Her pretty, blue eyes almost drew Ulysees in. Feeling his face grow warm, he averted his gaze for a moment to regain his composure.
“Alannah and Lilia.” He took a deep breath. “The red flower thing is all a ruse. We brought you here to share the truth with you.”
“The truth?” Lilia tilted her head.
“Yes.” Téo nodded.
“We’re taking you to meet Jaresh,” said Ulysees, waiting to see the effect of his words.
The fillies’ mouths dropped. “Jaresh?” they cried at exactly the same moment.
Ulysees chuckled at their reaction. “Yes, only his name is really Darius, and he’s not at all what you think.”
He cleared his throat and began the story from the beginning. He told them about Danae and their promise to find the truth, and about Icarus and the assassination of the former Great Stallion. His eyes flashed with anger when he recounted Icarus’ invention of an imaginary being who could take away their powers.
The Deception Page 8