by K. Dzr
* * * * *
King Robert knew Demetrius would be arriving in his kingdom sooner or later. Though usually grateful for his company, Robert dreaded this visit. He spent years trying to hide the truth about Destiny—from others and herself. He could see all his efforts falling apart. It was bad enough that she was spending so much time with Tahir. He was trouble enough with all of his stories and filling her head with fantasies of adventure and magic. As if being a Muslim alone wasn’t enough. No, he had to be a magical Muslim; galloping around town on a unicorn. He didn’t even seem to be aware of the growing tension between the two cultures. Francis was due back any day now; he was certain to throw a fit. Yes, the peaceful façade he spent so many years creating would assuredly come crashing down with this one visit.
As if on cue, Demetrius, Alexander and the others burst into the castle. They all but ignored the royal servants as Demetrius led them straight to room where the King sat.
The King and wizards greeted each other pleasantly and introduced Kraven as their new apprentice. After the initial polite small talk, King Robert dismissed them to clean up for the banquet. He still had much to ponder, and was not quite ready to deal with whatever trouble Demetrius was about to set before him.
Typically, Kraven would spend his time enjoying the luxuries of aristocracy, but this time his curiosity overpowered his lust for the finer things. As Demetrius and Alexander talked with Destiny and Tahir, Kraven slipped outside. There, he found Oraden grazing with the horses in the pasture.
He watched the unicorn, marveling at his graceful movements, the lightness of his footsteps and the way his horn glistened in the fading sunlight. Unlike the horns of cattle, or other horned creatures, including other unicorns, Oraden’s long horn reflected the hues of purple, orange and red from the setting sun. He willed himself over the fence and into the pasture beside the unicorn. Oraden was aware of him approaching the fence, but was not expecting him to appear beside him. Apparently neither were the horses; they neighed and stampeded to safety.
“Can’t you just walk like everyone else?” Oraden scolded; irritated that Kraven scared his companions away. Kraven chuckled and gave an insincere apology. He watched the unicorn graze and stroked his ebony fur.
“Tell me,” Kraven began, “are the stories about you true?”
“You heard about me?” Oraden lifted his head from the thick grass.
“Indeed. I heard you battled some hyenas to protect your friends. You’ve traveled far outside of the protection of Elysi alone as a colt and…” he paused before asking what he truly wanted to know. “I heard you can communicate with the fairies.”
“Oh, yes,” he answered proudly. “It’s all true. Tahir and I fought off five hyenas. They were big too, and vicious. We were scared, but we couldn’t run and leave Roddy and the sprites.”
“And what about the fairies?”
“Yes, I talk to them all the time. Usually they just sing to me about things that happened long ago.”
Kraven’s eyes lit up. He tried to conceal his excitement. The knowledge of the fairies; some of it lost for centuries, was right here at his fingertips. If he were able to earn this unicorn’s trust, without arousing Demetrius and Alexander’s suspicions, he could unlock secrets long forgotten.
“What sort of things?” he asked as casually as he could.
“They sing about different things; sometimes about different wizards like Demetrius and Alexander. Did you know Alexander was raised by Dracara instead of wolves?”
“No, I did not. What other things do they sing about?”
“They sing about places and wars, those stone pillars and a place called Atlantis.”
“Atlantis? What do they tell you about that?”
“They once called it The Great City. Some of their most beautiful songs are about Atlantis. Long ago when all the world was covered in ice…”
“Kraven!” Alexander thundered from beyond the fence; neither of them saw him approach. “It would be rude to keep the King waiting,”
“Yes, Teacher,” Kraven said, again hiding his emotions. “Perhaps you can tell me another time, Oraden.”
The two walked toward the fence where Alexander stood watching the horses. The wolf in man’s form thought of how easy it would be to sneak into the pasture, hide behind one of the trees before springing upon an unsuspecting mare. The thought made him lick his lips. He shifted his blue eyes from one of the grazing horses to Kraven.
“Hurry to Demetrius, he would like to speak to you before dinner,” Alexander ordered. Kraven bowed and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Alexander turned to the unicorn and ran his hand through Oraden’s mane.
“Be wary of Kraven’s questions, and of humans like him.” He reached into his pocket and retrieved a piece of sweet fruit, offering it to Oraden as he spoke. “Your gift is a unique one; one that puts you in danger, Black Unicorn. Wizards far more powerful than myself have gone to great lengths to keep the secrets of the fairies just that. Do not undo their work so casually.”
“Why is it such a secret?” Oraden asked.
“Not for 500 years have they had anyone to sing to, and not for 500 will they again. There are many things that most humans simply should not know, and magic that should not be used: these are their secrets. You will understand all in time, the fairies will see to that. Then, only you can decide what you will do with that knowledge.”
Oraden still didn’t understand why he must keep what he knew a secret, or why that would cause him to be in danger. Much of what the fairies told him didn’t even make sense: fragments of stories, tales of wizards that died centuries ago. Why should this information be so important? He did understand however, that Alexander lived long enough to witness some of the things the fairies sang of, and was commissioned by very powerful Dracara on an elaborate mission of the utmost importance. If the Elders of Fire trusted Alexander, so should he.
“I must go. King Robert waits.” He ran his fingers through Oraden’s thick mane once more before he disappeared, leaving the unicorn to his own thoughts.