Shadow of the Unicorn: Legacy
The Shadow of the Unicorn, Book 1
By Suzanne de Montigny
Digital ISBNs:
EPUB 9781771459204
Kindle 9781771459211
Web/PDF 9781771459228
Print ISBN 9781771459235
Copyright 2015 by Suzanne de Montigny
Cover Art by Michelle Lee
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book
Dedication
To the four loves of my life: my husband, my two boys, and Buddy our bichon frisé.
Author’s Note
Half of the author’s proceeds from The Shadow of the Unicorn series, will be donated to the Third World Eye Care Society, a group of eye specialists who travel to third world countries delivering thousands of pairs of glasses, and performing eye surgery for free.
Chapter One
The Valley
Azaria strained his skinny legs and pushed his way up the mountain, his white fur glistening with sweat. He puffed hard, drawing in as much air as he could. His father, Polaris, led the way. The unicorn colt admired his father’s strong muscles, and the long, spiral ivory horn that crowned his head. He wished he could climb the slope as easily as him, his breath calm as though he were on flat land, instead of groaning and gasping for air.
“Let’s stop for a rest,” said Polaris.
“All right, if you want to,” said Azaria, his legs trembling. “I don’t really need a break. I’m perfectly fine.” The colt collapsed onto his haunches and gulped for more air. He caught a glimpse of a smile when his father turned his face. “What’s so funny?” he asked, leaning his head to one side.
“Oh, nothing,” said Polaris, straightening his mouth.
The two unicorns rested in the shade of the tall mountain trees. Bird songs echoed in the forest. The aroma of the ferns tickled Azaria’s nose, and he sneezed hard between heavy breaths.
“Bless you,” said Polaris.
The colt sneezed again.
“Bless you again,” he said. His gaze turned to the snow-covered peaks and the valley below.
Azaria followed his father’s eyes, and then asked the question that burned inside him. “So why did you bring me here, Father? Just to see the view?”
His father chuckled, and then grew serious. “No. It’s because we’ve been summoned.”
“Summoned?’
“Yes,” said Polaris.
“You mean by that thing that scared the mares this morning?” His heart raced at the memory of the strange, little animal that dashed into the herd, wheezing. About the size of a fox, it looked like no other lizard he’d ever seen – sharp teeth, claws, and even feathers.
“I wasn’t scared at all,” Azaria babbled between breaths. “After all, it was just a funny-looking lizard ... right?” He tilted his head and watched his father, hopeful.
Polaris grinned. “No. He was a messenger – from the dinosaurs.”
“The dinosaurs?” The colt’s eyes grew wide. “You mean like the Rexus?”
Azaria had heard stories about these giant, flesh-eating creatures that shook the ground as they walked, their long tails sweeping behind them. One of them even devoured a unicorn many years before he was born.
“No, not the Rexus.” Polaris said. “Saul, the Great Chief. He’s asked that we leave tomorrow. Says it’s urgent. Apparently there’re strange things going on over there.”
“What’s been happening?” The colt frowned.
“I don’t know yet, but I’m taking you with me.”
“What?” Azaria’s ears pricked forward.
“I’m taking you with me.” Polaris repeated. “You’re six moons old now, and it’s time you learned as much as you can about our valley and what lies beyond.”
Azaria’s eyes bulged. “But why me?”
“Because you may be leader someday.” Polaris smiled.
“Me? Leader of the unicorns?”
“Yes.”
Azaria looked far below at the white unicorns gathered in the valley. Tingles ran down his spine at the thought of becoming the Great Stallion.
“Look at how many there are – hundreds,” said Polaris, his voice filled with pride.
Azaria squinted at the creatures glistening on the plain, white specks dotting the lush, green banks of the river.
“There’s no other creature as striking,” Polaris said, rising to his full height. “Now look over there.” He pointed his horn to the sunrise end of the valley. “That’s Zeus’ herd.” Then he pointed to where the sun set. “And that’s Solomon’s.”
“There are three herds?” asked Azaria.
Polaris nodded. “And you see that tall mountain?”
Azaria stretched his neck, spying the snow-capped peak in the far distance. “Yeah, I see it.”
“That’s where the dinosaurs dwell. We’re going there tomorrow.”
Azaria’s tail twitched back and forth as visions of magnificent beasts filled his mind … until fear gripped him. “But Father, what if we get eaten by a Rexus?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll stay as far away from them as we can. The valley’s wide, and they only occupy certain areas.”
The colt heaved a sigh of relief, and then furrowed his brows. “Father, why do the Rexus eat other dinosaurs – and unicorns?”
“That’s just how it is. They eat meat. Just like the lions eat zebra.” He lowered his head and broke off a mouthful of grass.
Azaria shuddered. “Zebras? Gross! That’s like eating dead unicorns.”
“Mm-hm.” Polaris mumbled while he chewed.
Azaria continued. “Okay, but if the lions like zebra, then wouldn’t they like unicorn too?”
The stallion swallowed his mouthful of grass, and then answered. “No. They’re afraid of us. They learned long ago a lion is no match for a unicorn. If they attack us, we can kill them with the tips of our horns.”
“So only the Rexus are our enemies?” Azaria asked.
“That’s right.” Polaris rose from his resting spot and shook his coat.
“Then why do the dinosaurs live in the other valley?”
“Because there’s not enough food for us all. We chose to live apart long ago.” He took a few steps forward, heading down the path. “Come on. Let’s go. The sun’s going down. It’s time we joined the herd. Your mother’s waiting.”
Azaria scrambled up, his legs still shaky from the climb. They descended into the valley, picking their way down the steep slopes. The herd grazed peacefully in the late afternoon sun.
He loved this part of the valley where they lived. The grass was tender here, with sweet purple flowers that grew between the tall, green blades. Close by, a small brook meandered to the river. And near the creek, the large banyan tree stood where they all met and cooled themselves on hot days and gathered to sleep at night.
Azaria hurried past the two fillies, Cassi and Jemmi.
“Azaria, come on,” they called, giggling as he ran by like they usually did.
“Not now,” he said, picking up speed despite his fatigue. He spied his mother, Aurora, nearby. “Mother, have you seen Gaelan?”
Aurora raised her head, eyes shining as she gazed at her son. “No, but you’re a clever colt. You’ll find him. Just look around.”
Not always clever.
He remembered the sharp nip on his rump he’d earned after an ill-fated plan the other day.
Then it came – Azaria heard the loud
neigh he was waiting for.
“Looking for me?” Gaelan came bounding up to his friend. “What happened? What did you see?” He cantered in circles around Azaria, nearly tripping over his own hooves.
Azaria tried not to laugh. It wasn’t Gaelan’s fault he was clumsy. He just had really long legs. He shared his story about his day on the mountain.
“So that was a dinosaur this morning? Whoa!” Gaelan bounced as he chattered. “And he says something strange has been going on?”
“Yeah,” Azaria said. “And Father says he’s taking me there tomorrow.”
“Wow! Can I come too?”
“You never know. I could ask him.”
“Yes!” Gaelan kicked his back hooves out. “That’d be so wild! Hey, let’s play dinosaurs and unicorns. I’ll be the Rexus.”
“But I don’t want to be eaten.” Azaria scowled. “Unless I can kill you first.”
“But I don’t want to be killed.”
“Okay, you can eat me first, and then I can kill you,” said Azaria.
“Okay.”
The two colts played together until the shadows grew long and their eyes heavy. The sunset was bold that night. Bright oranges and golds filled the sky. Azaria curled up close to his dam under the banyan tree. He just couldn’t wait until the next day, but for now, he needed to sleep.
Chapter Two
The Dinosaurs
The rising sun stretched its golden tendrils across the earth, warming the cool land when Polaris whispered to Azaria the next morning, “Wake up. It’s time to go.”
Azaria grumbled and turned over, and then jerked his head up, struggling to his feet. “I nearly forgot. We’re going to see the dinosaurs!” He shook the dew off his coat. “Can we take Gaelan?”
Polaris closed one eye and pressed his lips together in thought. “Well…” he said, “alright. After all, he may be a leader someday too, plus it’d be good for you both to learn how to speak to these creatures. Let’s go get him.”
Father and colt crept on quiet hooves to where the other young unicorn slept, curled beneath his dam.
“Gaelan,” whispered Azaria as loud as he could, nearly hissing with excitement. “We’re going to the dinosaur’s valley!” The colt stirred a bit. Azaria nudged his friend with his nose and whispered louder, “And he says you can come too!”
The slumbering colt shot up and stumbled sideways. Shaking his mane and snorting, he turned to his dam, his eyes pleading, “Can I please, Mother?”
Elissa nodded, and the two colts bounded after Polaris, prancing and nickering softly so as not to wake the other foals.
The sun had journeyed slightly over the horizon, painting the sky a gentle hue and awakening the colors throughout the valley. Warm steam escaped the unicorns’ nostrils. Azaria shivered, but dared not complain for fear his father would decide him too young for the long trek. As the sun rose higher into the sky, its comforting warmth felt good on his back. After a while, he began to observe changes along the way.
“Gaelan, have you noticed there are a lot more ferns here? And look, pine trees,” said Azaria.
“Yeah. I wonder why,” said Gaelan, stretching his head up to take it all in.
“It’s dinosaur food,” said Polaris. “Nothing tastier to a dinosaur ... except if you’re a Rexus.”
Azaria quivered at his father’s words.
“And look, there aren’t many birds around here either. I don’t even hear one singing,” said Gaelan.
“How weird,” said Azaria.
They soon found out why when a loud shriek filled the air, and a small, terrified bird fled past their heads, screeching and batting its wings.
“Wha ...?” exclaimed Azaria.
Swooping down from a tall tree, a large, winged reptile pursued its tiny prey. The two colts bolted. Azaria scrambled into the brush, trembling while the triumphant creature captured the bird in his sharp claws and continued on its way. Breathing hard, Azaria waited.
“It’s okay, boys. You can come out now,” called Polaris. “It’s just a flying dinosaur. All it eats is birds.”
“Are you sure?” Gaelan asked.
“Yes. It’s not interested in either of you. You’re both too big.”
Azaria peeked through the leaves, his eyes wide, and then crept out. “A flying dinosaur? Is that all?” he said, acting nonchalant. “I wasn’t the slightest bit scared. I just thought I saw some good leaves in that bush. They’re really tasty, you know. Have you tried some?” He scanned the sky again, ready to spring should the winged creature return.
Polaris grinned. “No thanks. But keep watching.”
Gaelan cautiously emerged from the bush covered in brambles and mud, his tail between his legs. As they continued on their way, he skulked after them, avoiding their gaze.
Azaria waited for his friend to catch up. “It’s okay, Gaelan,” he whispered. “I was scared too.”
Peeking at his friend from the corner of his eye, Gaelan said, “Thanks.”
When the sun was at its highest point, they rounded a corner into the new valley. Azaria caught his breath. Waterfalls cascaded over cliffs of white stone, moistening the air with its mist. Carpets of fern painted the valley a lush green, while what seemed like thousands of flowers scented the air with delicate fragrances. But more breathtaking still, was the huge herd of horned dinosaurs that grazed on the emerald grass.
Azaria stared, his mouth gaping. These great beasts were splendid. They were huge, magnificent, and –
“They’re just like us!” he exclaimed.
“What do mean just like us?” Gaelan sidled up to his friend, keeping a wary eye on the creatures before him.
“Because look ... they eat grass and travel in herds like we do, and they have dams and babies too,” Azaria said.
“Oh yeah,” said Gaelan.
Azaria discovered they weren’t the only ones surprised. The young dinosaurs gazed at them with round eyes too, ducking behind their dams.
Chuckling, he said, “How can they be so frightened when they’re twice our size?”
“Because they’re just babies,” said Polaris.
“Aw, they’re so cute!” cried Gaelan.
Taking slow, deliberate steps, Azaria approached the young ones. They scattered from his path, making strange grunting noises. He exchanged smiles with Gaelan.
An older dinosaur with strong plates surrounding his face, and wisdom in his eyes stepped forward. The adult dinosaurs made way for the large beast.
“He must be the chief,” whispered Azaria, stealing behind his father.
Polaris’ lips twitched with amusement at the colts’ antics. “Now watch, boys. When you speak to a dinosaur, you must be very formal. Copy what I do.” As the chief approached, the stallion bowed low. “Saul,” he said, “it’s been a very long time. I’m honoured to be in your presence again.”
The dinosaur returned the bow with sincerity. “Ah, Polaris! It has been many months since we have seen one another. The honour is mine. I’m glad you came so quickly after my summons.”
“Yes, I knew it was important,” Polaris’ said, his gaze falling on the two colts. “And I brought someone to meet you. This is my son, Azaria, and his friend, Gaelan. I’m hoping they’ll be leaders one day.”
The noble dinosaur bowed to the wide-eyed colts. “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, oh future leaders.” He smiled. “Someday, we may negotiate great things together.”
Imitating Saul, Azaria bowed. Gaelan followed suit, stumbling a little. They watched Polaris for more cues.
Saul veered away, tipping his head in a forward direction. Azaria, with Gaelan in tow, stepped high after the old chief, trying to look as grown-up as possible.
Saul’s heavy legs thudded, shaking the earth as he led the unicorns through the valley. “There are many different kinds of dinosaurs, young colts,” he said. “See the tiny ones over there? They’re no larger than a jackal.”
Azaria recognized the messenger who’d appeare
d the morning before. Clearing his throat, he spoke in his most respectful voice, “Yes, they are very impressive, Chief Saul.”
“Whoa, look at that one,” Gaelan whispered. “What’s that thing on its head? And get a load of the sound it makes when it calls to the others!”
“Yeah. And those ones over there have three horns. Wonder what they need that many for?” asked Azaria.
“I don’t know, but it’d be kind of neat to have a couple more horns, though. Just think of all the damage we could do!”
Azaria’s eyes wandered to where dark, ominous caves stood in the mountain. “Honourable sir, does anything live there?” he asked, keeping his voice steady despite the shiver that ran up his spine.
Saul cast a wary eye in the direction of the caves. “No one ever goes there,” he said, his voice quiet. “And you’d be wise to stay away from them too. That’s where the Rexus live.”
They scurried past, keeping at a fast trot until they reached a grassy field at the edge of the forest where they came upon a new herd of dinosaurs.
“They’re gigantic!” exclaimed Azaria.
“Yes, they are. These are the largest of all the dinosaurs, but there is something ...” Saul turned to Polaris, wearing an expression of concern. “Polaris, I wonder what you would make of this?”
“What, Saul?” Polaris wrinkled his brow and moved a little closer to the chief.
Saul lowered his voice. “We have a young dinosaur within this herd that has a strange affliction. Perhaps you have seen something like this before.”
Azaria cocked his head to hear better.
“What sort of affliction?” asked Polaris, following Saul’s lead and speaking softly.
“Well, he tells us strange things. It’s most peculiar.” The chief frowned.
The Legacy Page 1