"I can," nodded Kalina.
The black unicorn moved fully into the clearing. Get on my back. I am taking you to Monocornus to see the Shamora. You must explain these spells to him.
Yurl also stepped into the clearing and nudged the black unicorn aside. Do not let Kymia order you around. You shall ride on my back. I was the first one to talk to you.
Kalina chuckled, and Kymia snorted at Yurl. Steadying herself with a hand on the white unicorn’s mane, Kalina swung onto Yurl’s back.
Let me know if I go too fast.
"Yorra and I fly like the wind. I will not need to tell you to slow down."
* * *
Garth sat on the porch of Sidney's estate and gazed out at the Gulf of Ur. Edmond had taken Tedi and Natia into the city, and Sidney and Queen Romani had gone out for walk on his vast estate. Garth sat mindlessly squeezing his hands into fists over and over.
"I have never seen you like this," Morro said as he exited the house. "Despite everything you have been through, you have never showed such restlessness."
"Kalina is two days overdue," scowled Garth. "I should never have let her go."
"She is a capable woman," replied the elven thief. "I am sure there is a good reason for her delay. Are you still concerned about Karl's group?"
"Of course," sighed Garth, "They are rotting in a Zaroccan dungeon and may be put to death, and the next ship to Korocca is not for another week. I feel so helpless sitting around here."
"You need to get your mind off of things," stated Morro. "How about giving me some more instruction with the staff?"
"Your technique does need work," chuckled Garth, "but your speed more than makes up for your lack of skill. I haven't been hit so much with a staff in a long time. You are so quick that I can't follow your movements."
"Imagine if my hits actually hurt," laughed the elf.
"You will get there," promised the Knight of Alcea. "You are getting better every day. Come, let's see if I can anticipate your moves."
The men started sparring on the lawn below the porch and soon a number of ranch hands had gathered to watch. Sidney Mercado and Queen Romani returned from their walk, and they sat on the porch to watch the bout. By the time Tedi, Natia, and Edmond returned an hour later, the spar was over and the fighters were resting on the porch.
"I got some new clothes for Kalina," Natia said happily. "Has she returned yet?"
Garth shook his head, and Morro sighed as the mental diversion he had created for Garth suddenly vanished. Tedi and Edmond frowned at Natia, and she stepped back in surprise.
"What?" she said defensively. "Kalina can take care of herself without us keeping watch over her."
Garth got up to leave the porch and go inside when some of the ranch hands started shouting and pointing towards the road. He turned to gaze in the direction that they were pointing, and he saw a herd of horses coming around the bend.
"There is Kalina now," Natia said victoriously. "What a beautiful herd she has brought with her. Let's go greet them."
"Where could she find so many fine horses?" asked Edmond as Garth hurried down the hill. "They must have cost a fortune."
Garth passed Natia and rushed to the bottom of the hill just as Kalina was dismounting. She stood smiling at Garth as she waited for the obvious question. Instead of the question she was expecting, Garth simply embraced her.
"I have missed you," he said softly. "You must teach me to fly so I can travel with you the next time."
"Perhaps there is another solution," Kalina smiled. "Meet Yurl."
You must be Garth. I have heard much about you.
Garth blinked, and he broke his embrace with Kalina. The warrior stared into the eyes of the white unicorn.
Yurl? You are a unicorn?
Have you ever known a horse who could talk? I want you to meet Kymia. He will be paired with you.
Garth detected a bit of a giggle in Yurl's words and his spirits rose. A black stallion came forward and stood alongside the white mare. He bowed his head slightly, and a deep voice entered Garth's mind.
I am Kymia. I understand that you are a great warrior like me. Together may we bring havoc to our enemies.
Garth bowed and smiled. If you are willing, great steed, our enemies will fall before us.
The rest of the group crowded around waiting to hear an explanation for the untethered herd of horses, but Kalina said nothing. When the ranch hands approached to take care of the animals, Kalina spoke.
"Brush, water, and feed them," she instructed, "but they are not to be restrained. Let them loose in the corral." Turning to the others before the questions started flying, she continued, "Let's go inside and talk. I am famished and could use a meal if that is not a bother."
"I will see to it," vowed Edmond as he turned and ran for the house.
The rest of the group knew that Kalina would not speak until she was ready. They walked behind Garth and Kalina as they climbed the hill. When they reached the porch, Sidney and Queen Romani rose to greet Kalina, but Edmond must have told them to hold their questions because neither of them said anything other than a welcoming greeting. Everyone filed inside to the dining room and sat down.
"For those of you who have not yet figured it out," Kalina began, "those are unicorns that I brought with me. I was not sure if such knowledge should be extended to the ranch hands, so I didn't want to speak of it outside."
"Unicorns?" questioned Queen Romani. "They looked like horses."
"They use magic to conceal their horns," explained Kalina. "It is a useful spell when traveling among people. I have spoken to Looran, the Shamora of the tribe at Monocornus. He has given his blessing for the unicorns to join in the battle against the Federation. He has reservations about trusting elves. I can't say as I blame him because some of the unicorns of the Monocornus tribe were brought from the other land as slaves of the elves."
"I have heard stories of my people owning unicorns," stated Morro, "but I never knew them to be magical creatures."
"No one owns unicorns," scowled Garth. "The Dielderal enslaved unicorns and treated them very poorly. That is one crime of your people that I find hard to absolve."
"Why?" balked Morro. "Just because they have a horn? You treat horses as property."
"They are intelligent creatures, Morro," Kalina said softly. "They speak within your mind. I know that you have never mistreated a unicorn, but the unicorns have a herd memory. Even those who were never held in bondage know the pain and terror the Dielderal have caused the herd. I am late in returning because I needed to explain that in our battle against the Federation, we are allied with the elves. The Shamora withheld his permission for any unicorns to accompany us unless we also waged war against the elves. It took a lot of explaining to make them understand that the Dielderal were prisoners themselves. Although I was eventually successful, there is still a great deal of mistrust of the elves. You are going to have to work hard to overcome those feelings."
"Me?" frowned Morro. "I have never even seen a unicorn in my life."
"You are Dielderal," stated Natia. "While I was not with Garth and Kalina on their journey to the land of the Dielderal long ago, I have heard the stories. We would not treat horses the way your people treated the unicorns."
"They were starved and slaughtered for food," Garth scowled, almost unable to contain his rage as the memories flooded back into his mind. As unfair as it may be, you are the Dielderal to these unicorns. It will be up to you to make amends for your people."
"The mistrust that the unicorns have must be erased," stated Kalina. "While nothing can undo what has happened in the past, a new beginning can be declared. That new beginning depends upon you, Prince Rigal, and his men. Can you rise to that challenge?"
Morro felt everyone's eyes upon him. The weight of the situation slowly registered, and the elf nodded solemnly. "How does one talk to them?"
You focus your attention on one of them, and speak the words in your mind like this.
Morr
o's eyes grew wide as he jerked his head towards Kalina and stared at her.
"It is that simple," smiled Kalina. "They can also hear you if you speak out loud, but they cannot answer you verbally. You will hear their voices in your mind."
Queen Romani, Sidney, and Edmond looked at each other with questioning glances. They had not heard Kalina's unspoken words, but none of them wanted to interrupt what was going on.
"I will go and greet them," offered Morro. "I will try my best to make amends for my people."
"I will go with him," volunteered Natia.
Morro and Natia left the room, and Garth sighed as his tenseness eased. Kalina smiled and patted his leg comfortingly.
"I did meet with Colonel Pfaff," Kalina said. "There is much to report about the happenings in Vinafor, but the general tone is a good one. He continues to gather patriots to stand ready for your call to arms."
"I look forward to hearing all of that," smiled the queen, "but there is no need to do so immediately. I think Garth has more disturbing news to share with you."
Kalina raised her eyebrows in surprise and turned to look at Garth. She had felt the tenseness in him, but she thought it was solely because of her delayed return.
"Karl's group has been captured by the Zaroccans," Garth stated. "They were taken as suspected spies. I got the report from Peanut not long after you left, and the boat to Korocca does not leave for another week. I fear the worst for them."
"Then we will go to Zarocca tonight," replied Kalina. "We now have the means to do so."
"What means?" asked Edmond.
"The unicorns can fly," answered Kalina.
"It will not be as simple as that," Garth continued as if Edmond had not even spoken. "The Zaroccan cities are unlike those of the Federation. They have huge castles that will be impossible to penetrate."
"Perhaps I can help," offered Edmond. "I have spent a good deal of time In Korocca and Zarocca since we last met. I have made a few friends that might be able to put us in a position to negotiate with the authorities. If we can convince them that Karl and the others are not spies, perhaps they will set them free."
"Or take us captive as well," interjected Tedi.
"Maybe I can help," suggested Sidney. "While I have not been to their countries in decades, my father was well respected there. In fact, I have been thinking of moving there with Queen Romani in case Tyronia follows the way of Vinafor."
"Vinafor had decent relations with both countries before the world shook," agreed the queen. "While we never had extensive dealings, we used to ship a good deal of wine to those countries, and we never had harsh words for one another."
"Perhaps letters from the two of you would suffice," replied Kalina. "We plan to get our people free no matter what the consequences. I do not think it would be wise for you to be with us. Things might progress far beyond the negotiating stage."
"You would actually attack them?" asked the queen.
"If they intend to kill my men," stated Garth, "we will not stand by and watch it happen. Kalina is right. This is something best handled by us alone."
"The queen and you should still write the letters," Edmond said to his father. "I will carry them with me and only expose them if they might be helpful."
"I must not have made myself clear," frowned Garth. "This mission may come to fighting. You should remain here with your father."
"You were quite clear, Garth Shado," smiled Edmond, "but I am going with you. I can easily separate myself from you if it is needed. At worst, I will not be in your way. At best, I might be able to help free your men without bloodshed."
"I only have enough unicorns for our people," declared Kalina. "Unless there is a death, someone would have to stay behind in Zarocca."
"Then I will stay behind," shrugged Edmond. "I still have not found the land that I was seeking over there. I will pick up where I left off and catch the boat home."
Kalina glanced at her husband, and Garth silently nodded.
"We are agreed then," Kalina said with an air of finality. "I suggest we all try to catch some sleep this afternoon. It would be best if we cross the Barrier at night to avoid being seen. Tedi, you and Garth might also want to head to the corral and meet your new companions. I need to speak with Queen Romani for a while."
Chapter 21
Home Front
The two young men sat on the dock in Trekum watching a young woman as she moved through the crowd. The woman appeared to be merely strolling along the wharf, but the men knew better.
"What is she doing, Lucky?" asked the clean-shaven man. "She could have had that old lady's pouch easily enough. I could have stolen it five times over already."
"Patience, Fesler," chuckled Lucky. "That old lady probably doesn't have enough in her pouch to buy a decent meal. Sinsy is particular about who she robs. Just hold your horses and watch."
"We could wait here all day," frowned Fesler. "I don't think she has the guts to do it."
"You have no idea how wrong you are," replied Lucky. "No one can clip them like Sinsy. She is the best."
"We'll see," retorted Fesler.
The young men continued to watch the young woman as she strolled up to one end of the wharf, turned around, and strolled down to the other end. She had made three complete passes when Fesler suddenly stiffened.
"Get her attention!" Fesler said anxiously. "We have to get out of here."
"Why?" asked Lucky.
"The law has arrived."
"It's only one soldier," scoffed Lucky. "It's not like we are being attacked."
"One soldier?" echoed Fesler. "That is not any ordinary soldier. That is Sergeant Musaraf. He is Governor Mobami's personal aide. Let's get out of here."
Fesler started to rise, but Lucky placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
"Don't bring attention to us like that," frowned Lucky. "Soldiers always tend to notice people who leave whenever they appear. It makes them suspicious. Just sit and wait."
Fesler sat back down, but he was clearly nervous about the sergeant's presence. Sinsy also noticed the sergeant's presence and she turned around before the end of the wharf and began following him.
"Oh, curse it!" Fesler said softly through clenched teeth. "Is she a fool? She can't really be targeting him."
"The governor probably sent him out to pay some bills," smiled Lucky. "I swear Sinsy can smell gold."
"I'm getting out of here," Fesler said as he tried to rise again. "She will probably rat on us."
"Sit," hissed Lucky. "She is about to make her score, and I don't want you blowing it. As for talking, Sinsy would take the heat herself. She would never rat on anyone."
"If I go down because of her," warned Fesler as he sat back down, "you both will end up dead. I have friends in this city."
"So you keep on saying," Lucky replied as if he couldn't care less.
Sinsy casually moved up behind the sergeant as the officer walked along the wharf. She quickly glanced around before her hand streaked towards the officer. Lucky and Fesler saw the officer's tunic rise slightly and fall back down as if a gust of wind had lifted it. Sinsy immediately changed direction and headed towards the dock as if she had just remembered something. Fesler sighed with relief.
"Thank goodness she didn't press it," he said. "That is the wrong man to mess with."
Sinsy grinned as she approached the young men and sat down next to Lucky.
"Do you have any idea who that was you just tried to pinch?" asked Fesler.
"Sergeant Musaraf," grinned Sinsy. "He is the personal aide to Governor Mobami."
"You knew and yet you still tried to rob him?" Fesler asked with disbelief.
"Certainly I knew," chuckled Sinsy. "I met him early this morning when I was talking to my cousin. He mentioned that he had bills to pay for the governor later. And I didn't try to rob him," she added with a laugh. "I robbed him blind."
Sinsy opened her hand to reveal the large pouch with cut drawstrings. Sticking out of the sleeve of he
r tunic was the tip of a sharp blade and she pushed it back up her sleeve and then handed the pouch to Lucky.
"Pretty heavy," Lucky commented appreciatively. "Aren't you worried about him missing so much weight?"
Fesler sat with eyes as large as coins as he starred at the young woman.
"Soldiers are easy," smiled Sinsy. "The weight of their swords make the loss of a pouch insignificant. He won't even notice it is gone until he tries to make a payment to someone."
Lucky opened the pouch and peered inside. He whistled softly.
"I bet there is three hundred in here," he said softly as he tucked the pouch under his tunic.
"I can't believe you two," Fesler said with a shake of his head.
Lucky ignored Fesler and glanced at Sinsy. "Your cousin is in town? Which one?"
"The one from Tagaret," answered Sinsy.
"Isn't he a Red Sword?" asked Lucky.
"Yup," nodded Sinsy. "He was speaking to Sergeant Musaraf this morning. It seems that the king is coming to town. He has been sent down to coordinate security with the governor."
"King Arik?" asked Fesler as he suddenly became very attentive.
"Is there another king that I don't know about?" laughed Sinsy. "Maybe I should try to pinch his pouch. I bet he carries a lot with him."
"This is no time for jokes," Fesler said eagerly. "When is the king coming to town?"
"I didn't ask," shrugged Sinsy. "I was only there to say hello to my cousin, but I needn't have bothered. He was too busy to acknowledge a nobody like me. I guess he thinks being a soldier makes him important."
"Can you find out when the king is due?" asked Fesler.
"Why do you care?" scoffed Sinsy. "Do you think he is going to be handing out gold pieces to the first hundred starving people that come along?"
Fesler had been leaning towards Sinsy with eagerness, but he now leaned back and tried to act casual.
"What do you two think of this warrior king?" Fesler asked nonchalantly. "Can he really save the world?"
"I don't have two copper coins' worth of interest in him," Sinsy answered. "He hasn't done anything for me."
"Isn't that the truth," nodded Lucky. "Who cares who the king is? All those important people in their fancy clothes. None of them are going to do anything for us. We have to make our own way in the world."
Council of War Page 26