“Thank you for greeting us, Your Majesty,” Stavius answered with a bow. The others followed his example.
“Yes, I am Stavius, and Janus is safely on another journey. I do not, however, know the news of which you speak, for Janus and I were successful in our mission.”
Versera giggled, “Listen to him. He sounds so formal.”
Stavius glared at her before continuing, “These are my fellow Prophecy Heroes, our guide, Ops, and our friends Saiph and her three daughters. I attest to their friendship and loyalty.”
Ajdahl stared at each of them before responding, “I am pleased to learn that you and Janus are both well. I am curious to hear your story.”
Then he turned to and instructed the kneeling and trembling guard beside him.
“These are friends of Equous, but they must remain here until I inform the queen and your captain. I will return shortly. Do not abandon your post.”
Then Ajdahl galloped off without another word.
Nariana muttered, “Well, he’s not very pleasant.”
Elisa added, “I thought unicorns were supposed to have, um, you know, horns.”
The guard answered, “Only the mares. Wait! You can speak with us?”
Versera laughed and replied, “Sure, and so can the dragons, who Stavius so rudely neglected to introduce. I’m Versera. This is Nariana and Elisa. And the dragons are named Saiph, Nari, Sera, and Mintaka.”
Saiph said, “We are very pleased to meet you,” and the centaur nearly fainted.
A moment later, he said, “I apologize. I have never met a human or a dragon before, and I have never witnessed our king behaving that way before either.”
Nariana said, “Well, it is kind of a dreary day. Perhaps he’s just in a grumpy mood.”
The rain had stopped, and the sky brightened, but the ground was nothing but mud.
The guard’s eyes widened as he corrected her. “Oh no, His Majesty is rarely so verbose and accommodating. I have never heard him speak so kindly nor offer to do something as menial as fetching the captain. And, I am certain he has never willingly offered to go to the palace to speak with the queen.”
Elisa chuckled and said, “But if he’s your king, isn’t the queen, his wife?”
The guard answered, “Precisely! He would never willingly meet with her unless it was a crisis. Who are you guys?”
Stavius heard hooves pounding before he could answer. It was a booming sound, not as light and rapid as when Ajdahl arrived. Bernice was trotting toward them as fast as her bovine legs could carry her.
Bernice swept Stavius up into her arms, lifting him high off the ground and pressing him into her hairy chest. He thought she was going to break his spine, but she finally set him down and turned toward the others.
“It is so wonderful to see all of you again. I thought you were all lost and was astounded when King Ajdahl told me you were here. I am certain that Queen Esthara will invite you in, although probably not your dragons.”
“Aww,” said Mintaka. “I want to see unicorns!”
Nari angrily added, “And we are not their dragons. We are people too, you know!”
Bernice was taken aback and apologized, “I am so sorry to offend you and did not realize we could communicate. My interaction with dragons is limited, and I have never met a mighty eagon before. Perhaps the queen will permit you to enter Equous, but I doubt it. You are friends of Stavius, and I am certain that you are honorable and trustworthy. But our rules were laid down hundreds of years ago, and it is unlikely she will waive them.”
The three dragon girls immediately began complaining about the unfairness of the rules. They were making such a ruckus that no one heard Ajdahl’s return.
“Enough!” he shouted. “Our laws are quite clear on the matter. No dragons may ever enter Equous.”
He softened his voice and added, “However, there is a powerful, magic spring a few miles to the east where you should be able to nest and rest. I am sure that it is not as refreshing as your cave, but it should be sufficient to restore your energy. Also, there is plenty of game in the area, so you should not be hungry.
“Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. Please understand that this has nothing to do with our impression or our respect for you personally. This is simply the enforcement of an ancient law that has helped protect our region for centuries.”
Saiph bowed her head to him and said, “We understand and will abide by your law. Thank you for directing us toward a place where we can rest. Will you please notify us when our friends’ visit is concluded?”
Ajdahl replied, “I will personally ensure that Bernice delivers the message to you. Our queen has commanded that the humans shall stay with the satyrs. She will have an audience with the five of you tomorrow morning. Bernice will guide the four females to the satyr village while I escort Stavius. He and I have much to discuss.”
Versera groaned, “Satyrs? I wanted to meet some unicorns.”
Bernice chuckled, “Don’t worry, child, you’ll like the satyrs. I’ll introduce you to some unicorn mares along the way, and we should pass a flock of pegasi as well, which I think you’ll enjoy.”
The dragons flew off to find the spring and build a nest while Bernice led the women toward the satyr village. Ajdahl snorted at the guard who was frozen in terrified attention and motioned to Stavius to climb on his back. Stavius chuckled at the stream of pee flowing from the nervous centaur guard as they rode off. Seeing a human riding a unicorn stallion bareback was something he had never seen before, nor was he likely to ever see it again.
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Ops and the girls were amazed by Equous thus far and had met several unicorn mares along their short journey. They could barely describe the joy, gentleness, and love they felt with the experience. They startled a flock of pegasi, who cantered and then took flight when they approached. And now they were entering the satyr village accompanied by an enthusiastic greeting. They were being swept toward a vast, ornate pavilion by the prancing herd of satyrs when Nariana stopped and screamed, “What the heck is that!?”
The others turned in the direction she was pointing and gasped. There, in front of the ornate pavilion, was a massive statue of a man lifting a beer stein. A monument to a man in a satyr village was strange in and of itself. However, the subject was entirely unexpected. They were staring at a thirty-foot-tall carving of Janus.
Chief Elder Sarvis strode up to the statue and placed his and on its base.
He announced, “This, glorious statue of great hero. You like?”
The girls were too busy trying to stifle their laughter to speak, so Ops replied, “The likeness is uncanny. I only wish he were here to see it.”
“Me too. It no good that he not live to see,” Sarvis sadly answered.
“Oh, Janus is fine. He’s just on a different journey. But don’t worry, we will be sure to inform him of the honor,” Versera said with the sincerest face she could muster.
“Janus lives!?” shouted Sarvis. “Today is glorious day! We must have party!”
The crowd approved of Chief Elder Sarvis’ proclamation to throw a party, as they always did. They immediately began chanting, “Janus! Janus!” as they scurried to the bar.
Ops asked the chief elder what Janus had done to warrant such a great honor.
Sarvis suspiciously studied the group. He could not believe that Janus’ friends did not know of his powers, but Elisa explained how Janus was very modest. Both Versera and Nariana began coughing and sputtering when she said this.
The chief elder beamed as he told his well-rehearsed story of how Janus had created a magical box that brought beer to the perfect temperature. Nariana was not as impressed with this as Sarvis and questioned why a single invention justified such a magnificent statue. Sarvis laughed and agreed that they also felt that way at first. He pointed to their original memorial to Janus. It was a nondescript plaque above the bar.
He explained, “We love cold beer but not realize Janus’ true genius unti
l winter. We forget about Janus’ beer chiller when weather get cold and just keep beer outside. Then get big storm and all beer freeze. It terrible thing but happens sometimes. Beer is ruined and makes for long winter. One day Staryan reach in chiller and pull out beer. We shocked. It still perfect temperature! Janus beer chiller keep beer at ideal temperature when hot or cold outside! You right. Janus modest. He never tell us this miracle. This when unanimous vote to make statue.”
Tears were flowing down Sarvis’ face by the time he finished and found a beer stein in his hand. He raised a toast, and another mighty cheer to Janus arose from the crowd.
“They certainly love their beer,” observed Stavius. Ajdahl had deposited him at the edge of town. The unicorn king had listened to Stavius’ story, and reason for visiting, but doubted Queen Esthara would agree to assist them. There was intense hatred between the two races. But he admitted that if anyone could make it happe
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n, it would be Stavius as he galloped off to the north.
Morning came early for the five travelers, even though none of them had partaken in the satyrs’ famous beer. They were exhausted from yesterday’s long journey and exciting new sights. Now they were unrested after the satyr’s late-night party. Versera was sniveling with the beginnings of a cold and grumbling about having to sleep on the ground. Nariana was still asleep, snoring like a drunken sailor. And, Ops was trying to stretch the kinks out of her back as she joined Versera in complaining about their sleeping arrangements.
Stavius chuckled as he watched the morning circus comprised of his friends. He was resting against the same tree he had been leaning on all night. His mind had been racing after his long conversation with Ajdahl, and he had barely slept. Stavius had shared the stories of his exploits and plans, and Ajdahl had explained how the unicorns might be able to assist them. Neither could envision a way to convince Esthara or Bernice to allow the mares to form an army and leave Equous to fight in a human conflict, though. They agreed that he had to use the right approach, but Stavius still had no idea how to do that after contemplating it for the entire night.
The young man casually suggested, “Feel free to sleep in this morning. There’s a basket of fruit here to eat when you’re ready. However, I’m leaving in five minutes for our audience with the queen. She’s even less tolerant of tardiness than Saturn.”
The girls jumped as though Stavius had blasted one of his thunderbolts.
“Miss meeting the unicorn queen? Never!” yelled Nariana as she threw off her covers and jumped up.
“Five minutes!?” screamed Versera. “I will never be able to be ready to meet royalty in five minutes!”
Ops laughed at the children before asking, “Wait. Where is Elisa?”
They had been sleeping under a large canopy strung between trees. Lightweight sheets draped from the edges to create a sort of pavilion, and glowing stones provided warmth beside their beds of grass. Elisa was not inside.
Stavius began to explain that Elisa had arisen at first light, but was interrupted by her return.
“Hurry up, guys! You have to see this!” she exclaimed as she swept aside one of the sheets and burst into the pavilion.
The four weary travelers followed her as she raced up the hill out of the shallow depression surrounding their abode. They were greeted with the most beautiful landscape any of them had ever seen.
The heroes stood on a small rise, gazing across a broad pasture of blue-green grass under a sapphire blue sky. The sun had just cleared the treetops and was causing the moisture from yesterday’s rains to glisten like diamonds on the grass. But the sights which caught their breaths were the flowers.
Thousands of blue, pink, yellow, and white hyacinths and winter aconite flowers were scattered in clusters throughout the rolling hills. It was as though spring had arrived this morning and magically unrolled a colorful carpet over the long winter’s mud.
Versera gazed at the small groups of unicorns prancing among the flowers as a flock of pegasi flew overhead and sighed, “I now know why they never want to leave this place.”
Nariana added, “And I understand why they keep people out. Imagine how the seven families would exploit this place.”
Stavius agreed, “Which is why we should not be late in meeting the queen. We are going to need her help to get the remaining talismans.”
Ops and the girls ceased their sightseeing and magically cleaned themselves. They transformed their clothes into flowing gowns. Then they walked toward the palace, munching fruit from the basket Stavius had brought.
“But how are you going to get queen Esthara to help us?” asked Ops. “Did Ajdahl have any suggestions?”
Stavius grunted, “Ajdahl has no idea of how to convince his wife, but he did provide some insights. He doubts the queen has any interest in a human prophecy, but she does have concerns about Septumcolis. He said that a war was fought long ago between unicorns and humans to end slavery. Afterward, Equous was founded, with its impenetrable walls and centaur guards. The two races have lived in peaceful separation for centuries. Esthara is concerned that the seven families have become too powerful and power-hungry.
“The centaurs deliver daily reports of Septumcolan soldiers roving around the area, and she suspects they are planning an invasion. Ajdahl thinks there is a chance the queen will agree to help after she learns of the slave camp. However, her objective would be to destroy the seven families, not to fulfill The Prophecy.”
“I have no issue with that goal,” grumbled Nariana. “It’s high on my list too.”
“So, Ajdahl now thinks that she’ll help us?” Elisa asked. “That’s fantastic!” Hearing this news, while walking through a colorful meadow on this warm, sunny morning was making anything seem possible.
Stavius dampened her enthusiasm as he disagreed, “No, Ajdahl still doubts she will help us. She is the latest in a long line of rulers obsessed with defensive isolation. We would have to overcome centuries of belief to change her thinking. And, no, he says the queen would not comprehend the concept that the best defense might be a good offense, Nariana.”
Nariana bit hard into the apple she was carrying. That was what she had been about to suggest.
“So, what is your plan, Stavius?” asked Versera.
“I have no idea, and we’ve run out of time,” he admitted, as they arrived at the palace gate.
Chapter 20
Esthara’s Court
Elisa gasped when she saw the palace open before her, while Nariana and Versera silently mouthed “wow” and “OMG.” They were led down a long, wide aisle lined by tall trees with the most perfectly straight trunks any of them had ever seen. The grove’s canopies interlaced high above their heads to cast small images of the sun scattered across the grassy ground. The effect was elegant, formal, and yet natural.
Unicorns were idly standing throughout the palace. Some were obviously guards, stationed by the doors and the throne. Others seemed to be palace staff. A few appeared to be courtiers or other dignitaries. Most, however, seemed to be mares there to see the queen regarding various issues. These mares were waiting in small stalls like the one the young unicorn ushered them into.
The unicorn said, “Please wait here until you are summoned,” before whispering, “It is nice to see you again, Stavius.”
Stavius replied, “It is nice to be back and wonderful to see you again, Druvy. I hope we have a chance to talk before we leave.”
Druvy didn’t reply and quickly left with a playful tail swish.
Nariana hissed to Versera, “Stavius knows that unicorn’s name.”
Versera grumbled, “And she knows his. Are you really surprised, Nariana? Don’t you remember how they were playing games and eating crumpets while we were trapped in that cage?”
“Guys, it wasn’t like that,” complained Stavius, with a blush. There was a loud stomping, causing a hush to settle in the hall before he could continue, though. Queen Esthara was entering.
All five humans k
new that unicorns empathically projected emotional feelings. Still, they were nonetheless overcome with powerful sensations of love and awe.
Versera whispered, “She’s so beautiful.”
Nariana gushed, “And so regal. There is no doubt that she is royalty.”
Elisa observed, “She is cold and calculating.”
Both Versera and Nariana spun to look at Elisa in surprise. Ops whispered, “and very dangerous,” before they could speak.
The two girls stood slack-jawed and turned to hear Stavius’ opinion. But the boy never took his eyes off the queen, who appeared to be staring back at him. He simply observed, “Queen Esthara is all of those things, and we need her help.”
Nariana and Versera returned their gaze to the royal mare resting on the straw throne on the hill in front of them and tried to perceive what their compatriots saw. Five hours later, they understood and agreed.
Queen Esthara proceeded to conduct court business, while steadfastly ignoring them. She presided over cases of stolen apples, trampled bushes, and lawn defecations. She settled disagreements and heated disputes with an absolute finality that ensured there were never any appeals. She approved the wishes of a mare and stallion desiring to live together, and the mortified court gasped as one. Then she sentenced the two lovers to do so in the far range and never to return. Their slumped shoulders, drooping heads, and the second court gasp left no doubt that their banishment was a harsh sentence.
The bored humans’ spirits improved by midday when only one other stall was still occupied. Their hopes plummeted a moment later when the queen commanded the court to take an hour for lunch. Half of the stalls were refilled when they returned, and Nariana grumbled, “I can’t frigging believe this,” as she collapsed on the scattered straw in their stall.
“She’s making a point, Dear,” soothed Ops.
“What, that we’re not special and a last-minute addition? I get it. Point made. Now can we move on and get out of here?” groaned Nariana.
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