by K. Dzr
* * * * *
By noon of the third day, they stood behind a palm tree on the edge of the village. The sight of so many humans caused Oraden some apprehension. Tahir, on the other hand, was exhilarated by being with his own kind after so many years in Elysi.
“Come on, Oraden. It’ll be alright.”
“How do you know? You don’t even know these people!”
“Because first of all, Demetrius wouldn’t have sent us here if it wasn’t safe. Second, I won’t let anything happen to you. And thirdly, it’s the only way to find Gavin.”
“You go find Gavin and I’ll wait here.” Oraden suggested.
“That’s stupid! What if someone comes around? You won’t be able to explain the situation to them.”
“I won’t have to. I won’t allow anyone to see me. Remember? Magnificent, magical steed?”
“Yeah, yeah. Fine. Have it your way. Just don’t go anywhere.”
“Where would I go?”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Tahir walked through the village. No one he spoke with seemed to care that a stranger wandered in. He came upon a woman teaching two girls the art of basket weaving.
“Excuse me, ma’am. I’m looking for a man named Gavin. Can you tell me where to find him?”
“I do not know that name. My husband may know. He’s behind the house; you may go back and ask him.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Tahir headed toward the back of the small hut. Everyone was giving him similar responses, directing him to someone else. He felt as if he’d already asked every man, woman and child in the village and should start asking the animals.
Then he noticed one small hut a bit away from the others. Out of it staggered a man bearing no resemblance to the native peoples. Like Kraven, he had pale skin and wispy hair. His face was red and his belly fell over his belt. The man spoke to his horse—a giant of a horse—while he brushed its coat. If this wasn’t Gavin, no one was.
“Hello! Are you Gavin?” Tahir called as he approached the stranger.
The man spun around and looked Tahir up and down with glassy, bloodshot eyes.
“Who are you?” the scent of wine strong on his breath.
“My name is Tahir.”
“Does Gavin know you?”
“No, we haven’t met yet.”
“Then how do you know of him?” The man swayed as though standing on a ship, the waves rocking him to and fro.
“I was sent to find him. Can you tell me where he is?”
“Who sent you?”
“A friend of his.”
“Gavin has no friends,” the man scoffed. “What is this friend’s name?”
“Demetrius,” Tahir answered, trying to hide his annoyance.
“Ah, yes. Old Demetrius. He sent you, huh?”
“He told me to come here and find a man named Gavin. Are you Gavin?”
“That I am, lad. What did you say your name is?”
“Tahir.”
“That’s right. Tahir.” the man slapped him on the back, hard enough to make him wince. “Alright then, Tahir, what am I to do for you?”
“Demetrius said you would train me and my friend in the techniques of a warrior.”
“Ha! He did, did he?” he grabbed Tahir and shook him, laughing and poking the boy’s bony chest. “You? A warrior? Demetrius has lost his bloody mind, he has!”
Tahir jerked free.
“Demetrius said I was going to be a great warrior one day, and you were to teach me and my friend.”
“Where is your friend?”
“Outside of the village; I will take you to him.” Tahir turned and gestured for the man to come. Gavin threw down his brush and followed, grumbling to himself as he went.
“Oraden?” Tahir called as they reached the outskirts of the village. “Where are you?”
“Over here,” Oraden answered.
“Blimey!” That’s a, a unicorn, isn’t it?” Gavin stumbled backwards as Oraden came into view.
“Yes, he is a unicorn, and his name is Oraden.”
“And this is the mate you mentioned?” Oraden allowed Gavin to stroke his coat. “Yes! He’s a real beauty! How did you find a creature like this?”
“Actually, he kind of found me. He took me to his home and I’ve been living with his family ever since.”
“And where is that? That magical hidden place?”
“You know about that?”
“I know about it, but never been. Wasn’t sure it was even a real place. Until now.”
“It’s real. That’s where we live.”
“Well, who am I to argue with Demetrius? I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll train you, and you will tell me about the goings-on in the magical woods, agreed?”
Tahir turned to Oraden. “What do you think?”
“Tahir, I can’t understand a word he’s saying.”
“He said he would train us, but in return he wants us, or me, to tell him stories about Elysi.”
“Well, as you said, Demetrius wouldn’t have sent us to him if he couldn’t be trusted.”
“Alright Gavin, it’s a deal.”
“Okay. Let’s get a rope and tie him up with Bounty.”
“Oh, no, no, no, no. You don’t understand. I will never put a rope on Oraden! I told you, he’s my friend.”
“And how are we going to keep him from running away? Anything is liable to scare him and he may take off.”
“Oraden won’t run away. He’s just not used to being around people. We agreed that it must be safe here for us, otherwise Demetrius wouldn’t have sent us both.”
“You said…you agreed?”
“That’s right. I can talk to him and he can talk to me.”
“He’s a talking unicorn?” Gavin scratched his head and stared at Oraden. “Why hasn’t he said anything?”
“He can only talk to me. Or someone else with magic.”
“So, you have magic?”
“Yes, Sir. I have universal language.”
“So, you can’t turn people into pigs or start fires or fly around, right?”
“No, I can’t do anything like that. Just talk to animals and turn invisible.”
“Hmph. Well that’s not very useful. Alright then. We will keep this to ourselves. This is going to be interesting. People will stare, but they won’t bother us. They know better than to approach me. We’ll just stroll on through the village to my house. Ready?”
“Let me just explain to Oraden what the plan is.”
Tahir turned to Oraden and repeated the conversation.
“I’ve got a better plan,” Oraden said; then he turned invisible again. “Now we don’t have to worry about them staring.”
“He just vanished!” Gavin cried.
“He’s still here, he’s just invisible. Let’s go.”
Gavin led them into the village, checking often to make sure they were still there. Though he couldn’t see Oraden, if he paid attention he’d hear soft footsteps and see hoof prints in the sand.
Tahir and Oraden took in all the sights and sounds of the busy village and its occupants. Most people hurried about with their chores; women carried jars of water on their heads, children played, men mended fences and tended to livestock. It wasn’t very different from Tahir’s former home. That was such a long time ago; he was a warrior now, and an adventurer. The past must be left where it was.
“What do we do with your friend?” Gavin asked when they finally reached his small home. “Does he want to come in the house or stay out here? I personally think he should come in. You know, keep him out of sight?”
Tahir asked Oraden how he felt about being out in the open, or if he preferred to go inside with Gavin.
“I guess it makes sense for all of us to stay inside. But it looks so small and dark in there,” Oraden replied.
“It might be a little small, but once you get inside its not so dark. It’s like Demetrius’ house.”
“Tahir, are you sure this is the
right Gavin?”
Tahir winced with embarrassment, even though he knew Gavin couldn’t understand Oraden.
“Yes, I am sure. You remember what Demetrius said, don’t you?”
“I remember that we came here for one reason. Let’s do it and get out. I don’t like it here.”
“Okay, Oraden. Let’s go inside where no one will be able to see or hear us.”
Oraden walked to the back door and waited for one of them to open it. Tahir nodded at Gavin and the man shuffled ahead wearing a crazy grin.
Once inside, Gavin moved a large worktable into a corner to accommodate the unicorn. Tahir stepped to a wall and admired the swords, knives, bows and shields mounted there. Gavin scrambled to make the messy room more comfortable for his company.
“Where did you get all these?” Tahir asked.
“Didn’t Demetrius tell you?”
“He just told us we needed to spend some time with you so you could teach us what we needed to know to become warriors.”
“You keep saying ‘we.’ Am I supposed to teach the unicorn as well?”
“I’m sure that’s what Demetrius meant. He told us that we were both going to be heroic warriors.”
“I tell you boy, I’ve never trained a unicorn. Like I said, I’ve never even seen one before.”
“All you have to do is tell me what you want him to do. I’ll tell him and he’ll do it. That’s all.”
“You two will make an incredible team. You being able to talk to him, and him being able to understand. That’s just…incredible.” Gavin scratched his scraggly beard and thought about the endless possibilities for this remarkable duo. “Do you fancy a bite to eat?”
They ate and talked, with Tahir playing the role of interpreter. Gavin explained that he’d been born in England, had no royal blood but was an excellent swordsman and undefeated at fencing. His reputation landed him a job as instructor for King Robert’s knights. During this employment he met Demetrius and became friends with the King and Demetrius alike.
“It wasn’t until Grace, Robert’s oldest daughter, came of age that it became necessary for me to leave. She was very beautiful, and I came to fancy her quite a bit; I’d find excuses to be around her. One day, after too much time and too many lagers at the tavern, I came back to the castle and forced a kiss from the young lass. She responded by slapping me. I realized then, that I could never have her; I was not of royal descent, had nothing to offer, and she was not interested in me. Certainly, the King would not approve. I promised Grace if she did not mention my inexcusable conduct, I would leave the castle with the King’s friendship intact. She agreed.”
“So you came here?” Tahir asked.
“No. I’d say I rather wound up here. I left the castle almost four years ago. I’ve been far too many places since then. But my travels are not important. We should sleep now. We will begin your lessons tonight while it is dark, so as not to draw attention to ourselves.”
“Oraden is much smaller than any horse I have ever seen a knight use, and you are quite small yourself, Tahir. But he is quick and agile; we must use that to our advantage. You won’t be able to muscle your way to victory as most knights can. You must win your fights with speed, finesse, strategy and technique. Still, to stand a chance against any knight, we’ll have to add some bulk to you both. That means a lot of food and hard labor.”
Tahir nodded and repeated the words to Oraden.
“Come on, we’ve no time to waste.”
Gavin rigged a heavy harness for Oraden’s small frame, so he could drag lumber around the hut.
“You won’t like this, but Gavin said we have to make you stronger,” Tahir explained. “If it’s too heavy…”
“I’m already strong!” Oraden snapped.
“I know. But don’t you want to be stronger? Look how big Gavin’s horse is.”
Oraden glanced at Bounty grazing nearby. The horse was a giant compared to Oraden. The unicorn snorted.
“Well, come on, then.”
Tahir placed the harness on Oraden and attached it to the bundle of lumber Gavin prepared.
“I’m not sure how much he can pull, but we can adjust it as necessary. Tell him to give it a try.”
Oraden pulled the load. It was difficult to get it moving; once he got it going it wasn’t much of a strain. Though awkward and uncomfortable, he could do it. As he circled the hut, Gavin instructed Tahir.
“Alright, let’s see what you can do with a sword.”
Tahir pulled out the sword spared from his village years ago. It was light and thin, and its curve made it easy to unsheathe while riding Oraden. By now he’d grown into it and practiced many a night while alone in his tree house. He swirled the sword around, fighting an imaginary enemy, showing Gavin his moves. Gavin watched for a moment then burst into laughter.
“What are you doing?” he slapped his knee and laughed until he had to wipe tears from his eyes.
“First, stop that, you look like a bloody idiot.” Gavin slapped the small sword out of Tahir’s hand. “Second, we need to get you a real sword.”
He handed Tahir a large, double-edged sword and instructed him as to the proper way to hold and use it. It was very long and perfectly straight, and it took much more effort to control.
“Stop swinging it around like a bloody fool!” Gavin grabbed his hand to correct its positioning. When he was satisfied with Tahir’s grip, they worked on his footwork, sidestepping, lunges, and pivots. Slowly and methodically he taught the boy blocks, attacks and evasions.
After a few hours of swordplay, Gavin allowed them a break and a small bite to eat.
“I hope you can handle a bow better than a sword.” Gavin laughed watching Tahir gobble down his snack.
“Yes, the sprites taught me.” he answered with a mouth full of bread. “We played games and had contests to see how well we could shoot while doing tricks.”
“Tricks? What sort of tricks?”
“Well, like while hanging upside down in a tree, or while jumping off a rock. Sometimes I would spin until I was dizzy and then try to hit a target.”
Gavin laughed, slapped his own thigh and stood with his hands on his hips. “Alright, let’s see what you can do. Enough rest. Tell Oraden we don’t want him to lose his speed. I want him to run free and fast.”
For weeks, every night, they sneaked out behind the hut. At first they worked individually. Oraden dragged and carried heavier loads each night. He ran the obstacle course Gavin set up in the desert: he practiced long jumps, was pushed to jump higher and higher, he ran up hills, through dense oases, dodging trees, turning first one way then the other while running as fast as he could. He was exhausted at the end of each day, but could feel himself getting stronger and faster. He liked to believe that he was getting bigger, and would one day match Bounty’s size and girth.
Tahir on the other hand, graduated to battling Gavin with wooden swords. When he let his guard down, or made a mistake, Gavin gave him a hard whack with the sword, leaving new bruises each night. But he was learning; he didn’t repeat his mistakes. He also practiced using his bow on moving objects. He tied targets on the fronds of palm trees to swing in the wind. Gavin would throw apples into the air as targets. Gavin would hide behind a small wall and repeatedly lift a target attached to a stick to test Tahir’s reflexes. Tahir hit each of the targets with ease.
Once satisfied with Tahir and Oraden’s abilities independently, he had them work together. First, Gavin put Bounty’s saddle on Oraden; it was loose, but Gavin adjusted it as best he could. It looked awkward and disproportionate on the unicorn’s light frame, but it was the best he could come up with. As soon as Tahir mounted, the saddle slid to the side, throwing the boy to the ground. Oraden snorted and stamped his feet in laughter. Gavin made more adjustments and Tahir mounted again. But once again he found himself falling, bottom first on the ground. A few more tries later, they abandoned the saddle and Tahir mounted Oraden bareback. Without the protection of a saddle, he must mo
unt carefully to avoid injuring the unicorn with the weapons. He even practiced running jumps from behind and from either side.
Gavin had Tahir ride Oraden through maneuvers to get the unicorn used to carrying him as they fought their enemies. Then, Gavin set up targets in the desert for him to hit while riding at a full gallop. Eventually they took the sword fighting lessons atop Oraden’s back. It was awkward at first for both of them, but with each passing night it became easier and they became more comfortable with each other.
During the morning hours, Tahir dug holes, chopped trees, carried buckets of water and sacks filled with rocks. He did whatever Gavin thought would build his strength. He also continued to develop his sword technique. During the heat of the afternoon; they rested, ate, and discussed matters of being a knight and a steed.
Gavin taught Tahir how to behave in the presence of royalty: table manners, proper English, and the codes of chivalry. He instructed Oraden on the behavior of human beings, advised him not to be frightened by them, or at least not to show fear.
“A warrior never reveals his weakness,” he explained.
Although Oraden could not truly understand what Gavin was saying, he began to acknowledge basic commands and gestures; he learned to recognize his name and the names of certain other things that were important to him, such as ‘food’ and ‘rest’.
Tahir told Gavin story after story about Elysi and Rhykell. He didn’t want to talk about what brought him to Elysi, but conversation eventually turned to why he left his home at such an early age.
“It happened so fast. I heard screaming…then, nothing.”
“Do you know who attacked you?”
“No. We weren’t at war; it was a peaceful place. Traveling merchants came regularly, but they had no reason…as far as I know.”
“No. Merchants wouldn’t be able to orchestrate such an attack. Sounds like the work of the Crusaders, if you ask me. Their cause is noble, but a violent lot they are. I traveled with them a while, lending my sword on occasion. But they are a religious group, and their life wasn’t for me. They travel through these parts, fighting for the Holy Land. They may have seen you as a threat, might’ve been part of a bigger strategy, even. They are strong lad; you’ve got a lot of work to do if you plan on avenging your village.”
“No. Demetrius said not to let revenge into my heart. I must see to it that others don’t suffer the same fate as my village.”
“That sounds like Demetrius.” Gavin chuckled and took a swig from his drink. “In that case, you’ve got a lot of work to do.”
As soon as it was dark enough, Gavin led them outside as he did each night. The moon was full, and in its light he could see how much the youths had changed since they first arrived. Both were bigger, stronger, and faster. As a team they achieved every goal he set for them. They were becoming confident in their abilities, and showed no fear. Their training was complete. They would go through their drills one last night, and then they would return home.
He watched them with the same pride he felt for his students in England. But these two were different; they were eager to learn and accepted criticism without bitterness, unlike the spoiled royalty he was accustomed to. Because their training was given top priority, they excelled at a rapid pace. They didn’t, after all, have nobles to entertain, young ladies to court, or social and political matters to attend to. He was quite confident they were fit to compete in any contest in England. As the sky turned grey, Gavin commanded their attention.
“Alright lads, well done. You know all that you’re going to need. Practice will perfect your abilities, but I think you’re ready.” he paused and smiled. “It’s time to go home.”
Gavin decided to accompany them to Elysi. He was anxious to visit with Demetrius again, and even more importantly, he wanted to see the magical woods. With no intention of returning, Gavin packed his belongings, harnessed and saddled Bounty and said goodbye to no one. He’d only been in this village a few months before being sought out by his students. He primarily kept to himself, not bothering to make friends. That very night, they sneaked out and headed for Elysi.