The Deception

by Suzanne de Montigny

  Ulysees flung about in time to witness another human leap onto Téo’s back. Emitting a fierce battle cry, Ulysees lunged, but before he could reach his friend, Téo thrust out his hind legs with such force, the human was catapulted through the air, landing with a loud thud.

  “Where’s the other one?” shouted Ulysees. “I saw three.”

  “I don’t know,” yelled Téo.

  A blood curdling scream filled the air.

  The hairs of Ulysees’ neck rose.

  “Alannah?” he called.

  Icarus’ savage neigh rose above the din – the command to follow. The terrified unicorns stampeded after him. Their hooves thundered as they ran through the still dark forest, manes flying, eyes wild with fright. They fled blindly, their breath ragged and coats drenched with sweat. They galloped, crazed, until dawn crept in, and the thin rays of the sun licked the dew-covered grass. With the promise of day, Icarus slowed the herd to a halt. Their muscles trembled, and their breath steamed in the cool morning air as they puffed and snorted.

  Trotting from one unicorn to the other, Icarus counted their numbers, his gait agitated as he scanned. Ulysees followed his gaze, his legs still trembling. Someone was missing.

  “Alannah!” Lilia called. “She’s gone!”

  The unicorns burst into cries of terror.

  “It was one of the humans. They captured her,” whinnied a mare.

  “We’ll never find her again,” neighed another.

  Ulysees’ heart pounded. It couldn’t be Alannah. She had to be here. Darting in and out through the herd, he searched for her.

  “Alannah! Where are you?” he called several times, his frantic words echoing in the chill morning air, so desperate to hear the sound of the musical voice that would reassure him. She didn’t answer. He circled the herd again, calling, searching without finding, until he finally shook his head in agony. What a fool he’d been. All those times when they had been so close, he had never realized how much she meant to him. If only he had looked for her when she screamed instead of fleeing with the others. Throwing up his hind legs, he thrashed about in anguish, and then stopped, trembling.

  He had to think.

  His breath heaving, he forced himself to calm down while he formed a plan in his mind. When he was certain of his ideas, he approached Icarus. “There’s a canyon. No one can see it until they’re almost there. We found it on one of our treks. Let’s take the herd there to hide.”

  Icarus eyed Ulysees with his usual suspicion. “Show me.”

  Taking Icarus’ place at the head of the herd, he broke into a trot. The mares and stallions fell in step behind him. They arrived at the canyon a short while later, disheveled and uprooted. As promised, it was well-concealed. Inside, there were plenty of grasses for the herd to feed on and a small brook. The sun had risen higher, chasing away the night shadows and the horror of the intruders.

  When Ulysees saw the mares and foals settled, he turned once again to Icarus, his mind made up. “I’m going back for Alannah, and I’m taking Téo with me.”

  The stallion frowned, his fierce eyes meeting Ulysees’. He took a swift breath as if to say something, and then stopped. Glancing at the herd one more time, he nodded. “Alright, then, but be careful.”

  Chapter 25

  The Lepers

  Ulysees and Téo doubled back to the turquoise lake. When its shimmering waters came into view, they spotted Darius, pacing back and forth on the rocky shore.

  “Finally,” Darius said, moving forward to meet them. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Ulysees rushed forward. “Oh, Darius ... it’s Alannah …” His voice broke.

  “I know.” Darius’ eyes were kind. “Drachen and his brothers – they came and stole her just before dawn?”

  Ulysees nodded.

  Darius shook his head and tsked. “I didn’t think they’d come this soon.”

  “What?” cried Ulysees. “You knew they were coming, and you never said anything? Instead, you tried to convince us that humans were to be trusted?” His voice quivered with rage.

  The dinosaur pressed his lips together and let out a sigh. “Not all humans, Ulysees. Remember what I said?”

  Ulysees shook his head, his brows furrowed.

  “It’s in the eyes.”

  Emotion welled up within Ulysees. “But I couldn’t see their eyes in the dark. Oh, Darius! What if they kill her like they did Polaris – for her horn?”

  Darius’ eyes softened. “Ulysees, her horn’s too small. All they have on their minds is gold, and the horn of one young unicorn won’t bring many pieces.” He shifted his weight. “What worries me far worse is that she’ll lose her strength if they keep her too long. She only has so much healing power.”

  Ulysees caught his breath. “Then tell us where to look. You’re a seer.”

  “Go back to the meadow where you met Xavier. You’ll find her there, but be careful. There’ll be many humans present, and it’ll be fraught with danger. You’ll have to use your three skills wisely.”

  “I will,” Ulysees said, preparing to leave. “But what about you, Darius? What’ll you do? If they came for us, they may find you too. You’re the last of your kind.”

  For a moment, fear flashed in Darius’ eyes, and then just as quickly disappeared. “Don’t worry about me. I’m old.”

  “What do you mean you’re old? What are you saying?”

  The corners of Darius’ mouth curved into a sad smile. “We all have a destiny. I’ve only survived as long as I have to help you. We were meant to meet, but my time is coming to an end as it should. But you, on the other hand, you need to live, and I’m scared you might not fulfill your life’s purpose.”

  “Why?” asked Ulysees.

  “Because you still believe a lot of what Icarus taught you. You haven’t learned to trust yet. You still don’t understand that not everyone is alike.”

  “How can I when all this has happened?” Ulysees’ heart burned with hatred for the humans. “We have to survive. It’s our legacy.”

  “I told you – it’s in the eyes.”

  Ulysees thought over Darius’ words, and then nodded. “Alright, I’ll try.”

  “Good. Now let’s begin planning how you’re going to save Alannah.”

  * * *

  A full moon later, Ulysees and Téo stood camouflaged in the forest, on the hill overlooking Drachen’s plot of land. They had found the sunlit meadow of their colthood and the hidden spot among the trees where they were born, and then followed the narrow trail that led to the fenced-in meadow.

  “So many humans,” said Téo, observing the scene below. “How can we ever save her?”

  “I don’t know,” said Ulysees.

  A huge crowd had gathered outside of the pen, their voices sounding strangely like the quacking of ducks.

  Ulysees stared at them with fascination. “They come in so many different sizes.”

  “And so many different hair colours,” said Téo. “Like horses.”

  A gust of wind blew up, carrying a foul stench. Ulysees wrinkled his nose in disgust. “They sure stink, though. I know the humans that attacked us smelled, but this is far worse.”

  “Must be the sick ones,” said Téo, pointing his horn toward the crowd.

  Ulysees’ gaze wandered further to the people who concealed their mottled faces behind cloths. Grotesque and disfigured, they were missing fingers, noses, and toes, and what skin they dared show was riddled with sores. He gasped.

  “It’s like they’re dead, yet still alive. How can that be?” His eyes roved over the crowd to where others huddled over sticks, and still others stared into nothingness.

  “It’s because they have no one to heal them,” said Téo, shaking his head.

  The crowd chanted, impatient. Their voices grew louder and louder until Drachen led Alannah into the fold. They broke into cheers. Some wept at her beauty, and others called to her, their ragged arms outstretched. Still others bestowed gold pieces upon Drachen, w
ho grinned wickedly as he measured its weight in his hands.

  Ulysees’ breathing quickened when Drachen allowed one of the living dead into the pen. The man limped toward Alannah, clutching his walking stick with what was left of his gnarled and festering hand. She backed away, snorting and puffing, her nostrils flared. She shook her head and tugged at the rope that dragged her forward. With a terrified cry, she reared, but Drachen was ready. Taking a long strap from his belt, he whipped her. Alannah screamed. Welts formed on her white coat.

  Alannah! shouted Ulysees in his mind.

  Drachen yanked the coarse rope again, and the diseased human approached her. He reached with his shaking, bleeding hand and touched her horn ever so slightly. She shuddered. The humans gasped. Then slowly … his face transformed. His raw, infected skin changed from an angry red to the healthy peach-coloured flesh of a newborn baby. Missing fingers grew back, and infected holes filled themselves with healthy tissue. The crowd roared, their exuberant cheers ringing in the air.

  Drachen reached for the arm of a human with unseeing eyes and led him to Alannah. She grimaced with discomfort as the man ran his fingers on her spirals. His body seized for a moment, and then his face lit up as he pointed to the heavens.

  “I can see!” he cried. “I can see the sky, and the clouds!” He turned in circles, staring at everything as though it were all new. “I can see the leaves on the trees, and the birds, and …” He wiped his eyes. “Marta, my wife. You’re still so beautiful after all these years.”

  “Father, it’s me, Ruth. I’ve grown up. Mother’s over there.” The girl pointed to a woman greyed with age. The man turned and threw his arms about his wife. The crowd went wild.

  A woman carried her child to Alannah. His feet, like clubs, turned inward. The boy reached up, grabbed her horn, and yanked her head toward him. Alannah reeled backward, but the child hung on, laughing. Then he stopped as though something startled him. He stared down at his feet, his eyes round with astonishment. They were growing, changing. The mangled bones lengthened and straightened themselves. His mother let out a small shriek and lowered him to the ground. The boy took a hesitant step, and then turned to his mother, his eyes filled with joy. The crowd broke into wild applause.

  “Take my daughter,” cried a man.

  “No, my father first,” shouted a woman.

  The crowd pressed forward.

  “Stop!” shouted Drachen. “You haven’t paid me yet. You can’t have a turn until you’ve given me your gold.”

  They ignored him, pushing harder and harder. Drachen’s brothers sped to the mob, and shoved them back, shouting and cursing until slowly, the crowd grew calm again.

  The healing continued far into the afternoon. Alannah’s expression had fallen.

  “She's getting tired,” Ulysees said. “We’ve got to do something.”

  “I’m worried she might not make it,” said Téo.

  “She has to,” said Ulysees, his voice determined. “She just has to.”

  By the time Drachen sent the crowd home, Alannah was deflated. Her coat had lost its sheen, and her horn had turned a greyish-white. Her mane was tangled and matted, and her head hung.

  “We've got to get her out tonight, Téo – tonight!” said Ulysees.

  “You’re right. And then we need to whisk her as far away from the humans as possible so they never find us again. They could capture anyone, including my Lilia.”

  “I agree.”

  Ulysees and Téo waited in the woods well into the night until the last of the humans had slithered away, and then they stepped out of the trees.

  Chapter 26

  The Rescue

  “She’s in that false cave,” whispered Ulysees.

  “I see it,” said Téo.

  Raising their front hooves, they broke into the shadow-walk until they reached the spot in the fence they knew opened up. The moon shone so bright it illuminated the silvery colour of the wood, revealing the grain. Ulysees examined the gate, his eyes focused on the spot where he had seen Drachen slide through for the night.

  “It’s held together by one of those cords they tie the horses with,” he said.

  Téo moved closer. “I hope this doesn’t mean we can’t get in – like when Ishmael captured the unicorns.”

  “No,” said Ulysees. “Look. It’s not that tight. I think all we have to do is slip this part over the post.” He pushed his horn through the loop in the rope and worked it up, but as soon as he got the cord high enough to slide it over, the other end snagged, pulling it taut.

  Ulysees let out a huff. “This isn’t going to work.”

  “Wait,” said Téo. “I think we have to lift both sides at the same time.”

  Ulysees tilted his head in thought, then nodded. “Okay, let’s try it.”

  He slid the tip of his horn through the loop on his end, but when Téo tried to push his horn in, the rope was tighter than ever.

  “It’s no use,” said Téo. “Our horns are too thick.”

  Ulysees let out a sigh. He stared at the rope, his lips pressed firmly together. “I think I know what to do. I’ll pull my side up, slip my horn out, and then hold it in place. Then you can do the same on your side. From there, we’ll keep alternating.”

  Téo nodded. “Okay.”

  They began again, first Ulysees sliding the rope up a short length, and then Téo. They took turns, working their way to the top until … Ulysees heard a strange shuffling sound on the road.

  He dropped the cord, and swung his head around. “Someone’s coming!” he whispered. “Camouflage!”

  They melted into the form of large stones that stood outside the fence, scarcely breathing. Ulysees listened as dragging feet moved toward them. When the figure came close enough for Ulysees to smell his breath, he opened one eye ever so slightly.

  The human stopped. Turning around, he sat down right on Ulysees’ face, breathing heavily as though the walk had strained him. Ulysees closed his nostrils.

  “I think it’s time to go home. Could have sworn I just saw two unicorns,” the human said. “And everyone knows there’s only one. Shouldn’t have drunk those spirits after the healing.”

  Ulysees kept still, holding his breath. His muscles strained at the weight of the human. Just when he thought he couldn’t stand it anymore, the creature pushed himself up and continued down the road, staggering and mumbling about how warm that rock was.

  Waiting until he was well out of sight, Ulysees let out an explosive breath and transformed back to his self. “That was too close for comfort.”

  “I’ll say,” said Téo, changing back into his usual form.

  They resumed tugging at the rope. After several more tries, it finally dropped to the ground.

  “Success!” said Ulysees in a high-pitched whisper. “Now let’s go get her.”

  Eyeing the false cave where Alannah was kept, they shadow-walked until they stood before the rough-hewn door.

  “Alannah,” Ulysees whispered.

  No sound came from within.

  “Alannah?” He pricked his ears forward. His heart quickened. “Maybe something’s happened to her. Maybe we’re too late.”

  “No, wait,” said Téo. “I hear rustling.”

  Ulysees moved closer, listening. “Alannah?”

  “Ulysees? Is that you?” the young mare called in the tiniest of voices.

  Letting out a huge sigh, Ulysees said, “Yes, and Téo too. We’ve come to get you.”

  Soft sobs erupted from inside the dwelling.

  Tenderness filled Ulysees’ heart. “Don’t cry, Alannah. We’ll get you out as soon as we can figure out how to open this gate.”

  “Please hurry,” she said, hiccoughing. “I can’t stand it anymore.”

  Ulysees and Téo stared at the gate. There was no cord here. Only a long piece of wood that spread across the door.

  “How do we get this off?” asked Téo.

  “I don’t know. It’s like it’s attached at both ends.” Ulysees pushe
d his horn in and tried to dislodge it, but the other side remained intact. “Maybe if we both push it up at the same time, it’ll come off.”

  “Let’s try,” said Téo, lowering his head.

  Together they raised each side of the plank. It grated against the stones of the dwelling.

  “Hurry,” said Alannah.

  “Almost there,” said Ulysees. “Just a bit more …”

  They lifted it a little higher, the scraping sound of the plank growing louder.

  “Please hurry.” Alannah’s voice was insistent.

  His heart near bursting, Ulysees pushed with all his might.

  “Wait …” cried Téo, “I’m not quite –”

  With a loud crash, the plank fell to the ground and clattered against the stone path.

  “Oh, no!” hissed Ulysees.

  Vicious barking erupted from the human’s dwelling.

  “Quick, open the door!” shouted Ulysees to Alannah.

  The door chafed against the ground as she slipped out.

  “Thieves! Thieves!” shouted Drachen, bursting from his dwelling. Dashing toward the shed, whip in hand, he stopped, his eyes wide with surprise. “Ike, Kayden, come quick! More unicorns! They’ve come for the little mare.”

  Shouting exploded from inside the dwelling.

  “Make a run for it!” ordered Ulysees.

  “I can’t,” said Alannah. “I’m too weak … the healing.”

  Ulysees turned and touched Alannah with his horn, just enough to restore her, but it was too late. Drachen had run and shut the gate.

  “We’re trapped!” said Téo.

  “Trapped?” A wave of shock swept through Ulysees. Icarus’ angry face flashed in his mind, his mother’s terror, and then Darius.

  See, Darius? Was I right or wrong about the humans?

  Anger surged through him. Laying his ears flat, he stood tall, his eyes flashing, and then caught a gust of wind, dropping right before Drachen.

  Drachen reeled, staring back and forth at the spot where Ulysees had stood. “How can that –”