by Paula Boer
The mare blew through her nostrils and swung her rump towards Fleet. “I’m not afraid of meeting your lover, or any other magical creature. If I could pass into her territory I would. Don’t you think I’ve tried everything I can? I haven’t suffered this journey to wait here while you cavort at Shimmering Lake. I’ll do anything to keep my foal safe.”
Stung by the harsh words, Fleet backed off. He found fresh grazing in a small clearing away from the others and chewed without tasting what he ate.
A flash of colour flew close to his face.
He shied, and then relaxed when he recognised the jewelled dragon.
Tatuk hovered, whistling through his quivering snout in panic. “Come quick! Gem is dying!”
Chapter 23
Gem lay in anguish under her favourite tree, the branches barren, rattling as they clashed together in the wind. Her coat bore large bare patches, and scabs on her joints bled when she moved. Closing her eyes to the torment of the plants and creatures around her, she settled her head on the hard ground, the soft carpet of moss and leaves consumed by her charges long ago. The receding waters of the lake chopped into slate as a storm brewed. Since the winter solstice, the clouds sparred like the equines of her nightmares without bringing rain.
She had struggled to patrol her territory, the weight of concern a heavy burden. Experiencing the death of a unicorn was something she hoped to never feel again. Who had gone to the spirit world to be with the goddess? She only wished it could be her. She sank back and let sorrow engulf her. Too many had died. She could do no more. Perhaps she should summon her last reserves and throw herself off the jade cliffs. She groaned and sank into a heavy slumber.
An insistent tugging on her mane woke her from a dream of soaring with the goddess. Tatuk. Was her faithful dragon dying too? She opened her eyes and blinked—his scales glistened with renewed vigour. “What’s happened?”
Tatuk flapped and fluttered around her head. “Fleet is here.”
Sighing, Gem rested her head and stretched out her legs. “It’s too late for me. Let me join the goddess.”
A horse snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’ll beat the foulness. Don’t give up.”
Gem couldn’t find the energy to rise. “Prince Fleet of Foot of Dark Woods, please, do everyone a favour and strike this awful horn from my head. Let my blood feed the land as recompense for my corruption. Forgive me for harming Equinora. I tried my best.”
Fleet stamped his hoof, kicking dust in her face. “It’s not you! Shadow is behind the terrors, you know that. You must be strong and fight.”
Gem flinched at a sharp nip on her neck. The onslaught of bites continued. She staggered to her feet. “Punish me if you must, but help me reach the cliffs so I can end my sorry life.”
Fleet backed off. “I don’t want to hurt you. I need you. Equinora needs you. Can’t you absorb the energy from this gale? There’s a lot to be done.”
“What do you mean? How can I regain strength from the wind?”
Fleet described what Aureana had shown him about sharing the energy running through all nature. “When I learnt how to draw on the power, I assumed that was how you created this paradise. Don’t tell me you’ve been using your own resources. No wonder you’re almost dead.”
This new information was too much for Gem. “You forget I left my dam when my horn emerged. I hadn’t been taught any more than you. Shimmering Lake just grew more beautiful every day. The dragons said it came from me, but I didn’t know how.”
As Fleet described how to draw life from the elements, Gem followed his directions. Nothing worked. Drained of the will to live, she staggered towards the path leading to the hills.
Fleet cut in front of her and shoved her around. He drove her back to the lake. “Remember how you send love to Tatuk? Do that now, but listen to the beauty of the birdsong, inhale the power of the breeze, and smell the flowers near the fresh water. Channel the energy through your body rather than giving your own strength.”
Gem followed his instructions. A tingle prickled her nostrils and vibrations strummed her ears.
Tatuk pulsed with brightness.
Her coat quivered, the hairs twitching from her neck to her tail in warm ripples. The stronger she became, the more power she could draw until her body hummed with energy. “It’s a miracle! The goddess has sent me new life.”
She trotted down to the foreshore, the grass growing in her wake, the shrubs thickening with leaves. Marsh violets and water speedwell bloomed. She bounded into the water. The lake’s surface calmed and the clouds dissipated. Dragons swarmed down to the surface and skimmed their feet in rainbow showers. Swans, heads bobbing, trumpeted and splashed with outstretched wings. The “yak yak yak” of the magpies drowned out Tatuk’s giggles as colour and wellbeing returned to Shimmering Lake.
Gem emerged and shook her glowing mane, her coat glimmering emerald, and her sores healed. “I feel wonderful! Thank you.”
“You’re beautiful. Don’t ever think you’re bad.” Fleet stepped forward and nuzzled her neck. “Let’s explore and help your territory recover.”
They sprang into a gallop, covering the ground with ease, their escort of dragons sparkling with love. As they careened through copses and meadows, trees and shrubs burst into leaf, and grasses thrust seed heads high. The faster Gem sprinted, the stronger she became. The more she revelled in the effects of the healing powers, the greater the improvement in her territory. The animals who had slunk in hunger now scurried around gathering food.
At the far side of the lake, she veered towards the shore and plunged in, diving among the eelgrass beds. She swam down to the dim channels of the lakebed, effervescence streaming from her tail as she paddled among submerged timbers. Flashes of turquoise shot by her head before a small procession of baby aquadragons rode her wake, escorting her to shore—her friends had hatched a brood before their demise.
Fleet delighted in watching Gem cavort with the aquadragons. He had been shocked when Tatuk had found him near the boundary and told him Gem was dying. Fearing he wouldn’t be in time to help, he’d galloped hard, abandoning Tress, Yuma, and Laila. Now, with Gem’s recovery, the need to help Tress and save Equinora pressed on his mind. “Yuma needs more jade to fight the bloodwolves and scorcheels. He’s remained on the border with Princess Silken Tresses of Flowering Valley who’s desperate for your help, but she can’t cross the barrier.”
Gem exited the water and trotted back and forth, her tail slung over her back and her head high. “I don’t permit mares into my territory, no matter their status or problems. Fetch Yuma, but hurry back. I want to hear all about your travels.”
“Don’t you find it hard to have a noncorn nearby? I’ve discovered a lot more about my ancestry. I’m nearly a full hotblood.” Fleet avoided explaining Shadow was his grandsire.
Gem sidled close. “You’ve grown into a magnificent stallion and learnt to shield your thoughts. You’re welcome to live in my territory. There are many creatures to care for, and I could do with help.”
Finding it hard to tear himself away from Gem, Fleet recounted some of what had occurred. Being with her was bliss, but he had a duty to fulfil. He stopped.
Gem nuzzled him. “Go on. Tell me who died. I must know.”
Fleet choked. “Jasper. I can’t talk about that now.”
Gem whickered in sympathy. “I never knew him. I’ve never met my sire either, but I feel for you.” She paused. “Tell me how the ceremony on Tern Island worked.”
Fleet fidgeted. “That story will have to wait. I must fetch Yuma.”
“No, please, I’ve waited all my life to learn. Don’t deny me now you’re here.” Gem sidled up and raised her tail, swinging her rump invitingly towards him.
Why shouldn’t he stay? The other unicorns and the horse herds could help people destroy Shadow’s beasts. He’d done enough. It would be won
derful to remain here with Gem. The sun warmed him as the last of the clouds dispersed. With Shimmering Lake returning to its former glory, it was hard to think of the troubles outside the thriving hills. As they rested under her tree, he regaled her with all he’d done since leaving Shimmering Lake.
Tatuk landed on Gem’s neck and clawed her mane. “This is no time for tales. With your new strength and Fleet’s help, you can reopen the veil. There are still animals trying to escape the horrors.”
The dragon was right. Fleet couldn’t abandon Tress, especially in her current condition. “I’ll fetch Yuma. Please let Tress in, too. She’s very sick, and heavily in foal.”
Gem blew her nose in a glittering spray. “Alright. As you taught me to summon Equinora’s power, I’ll heal your mare, but I won’t share you. First I must visit the guardian dragons and open the barrier.”
She cantered off up the beach. Her voice carried back on the breeze. “Choose a life with me. There’s room for us both.”
Fleet galloped along the riverbank, keen to fetch Yuma and Tress and end his mission. Once healed, Tress could head back to Wolfbane. Yuma could take the jade back to Oakvale with Laila. He would stay here with Gem and spend his days grazing, mating, and cavorting with the dragons. By aiding the creatures in the sanctuary, he would be helping Equinora on its recovery while others fought the last of Shadow’s beasts.
Yet he longed for his own territory and many offspring. What was the point of being king of a distant land, one he didn’t rule, with no chance of siring progeny here? The poison remained in his veins, even if the boundless source of energy helped him overcome his weakness. But it didn’t stop his nightmares. If anything, they were worse, filled with images of him fighting Shadow among boiling lava, bloodwolves tearing at his throat.
By the time Fleet met up with his fellow travellers, the veil had lifted. Tress hobbled towards him, her head low. Yuma and Laila walked on either side of her, encouraging her with handfuls of herbs and clover.
Yuma strode ahead when he saw Fleet. “You might have told us you were leaving. We’ve been worried.”
Fleet explained about Tatuk finding him and Gem being near death. “Things had become so dire Gem closed her sanctuary. She’s busy reopening the borders and encouraging creatures back. Many have died. It’ll take time for the land to fully recover.”
Yuma stroked Fleet’s neck and plucked a twig from his mane. “We’ve tried to encourage Tress to walk faster. Without being able to talk to her, it’s hard keeping her going at all.”
Fleet nuzzled the mare and explained Gem had agreed to help. “Can you go quicker? The nearer we get to the lake, the better you’ll feel.”
“I’ll go as fast as I can.” Tress’s sides heaved with the effort of talking. As Yuma and Laila mounted Fleet, she shuffled into a stumbling trot.
Worried Tress might not reach help in time, Fleet tried to send her love like Gem did with her charges. He didn’t see any difference in Tress’s movements. Sensing instead the poison flowing in her veins, he gave up the effort. For all his warm blood he didn’t know how to wield unicorn power. And of course he had no horn. He was foolish to think that, just because he could draw on Equinora’s energy, he could wield other powers.
By the time they reached Shimmering Lake, the territory had almost returned to its former glory. Gem dozed under her tree with Tatuk on her crest. The serene setting teased Fleet to forget the horrors still ravaging the land. At their approach, Gem stood proud with her opal horn and hooves dazzling in the sun and her coat flashing emerald. She tossed her mane and tail in a ruby fountain.
Tress gasped behind him. He had forgotten she’d never met a unicorn. He introduced her to Gem.
Tress bowed as low as her bad leg would permit. “Thank you for allowing me to visit your territory. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. But I’m no longer a princess from Flowering Valley. I’m Queen Silken Tresses of White Water Cliffs. I wish my friend Breeze was here to see you!”
Gem stepped forward and blew through distended nostrils. “You stink of the poison Fleet carried when I first met him. I can’t cure you of that.”
Worried he had forced Tress to come all this way for nothing, Fleet cajoled Gem. “Remember how you healed my rump with your horn? You can draw on even more power now. Can you straighten Tress’s leg?”
“Of course, but as soon as I have, she must leave. I’ll not have that darkness in my land. At least you can suppress the effects of the poison. Have you decided what you’ll do?”
Fleet had not expected to be asked to make a decision so soon. “I’ll go with Yuma to get the stones. We’ll return before sunset.”
Gem tossed her head and pawed the ground. “Take the woman, too. You take too many liberties bringing people here. I didn’t detect her because of Yuma.”
Laila stood beside Tress, stroking the mare’s neck. She approached Gem and bowed, and then held out both hands. “Lady Gemstone, I thank you for your help and am glad you’ve recovered from your illness. I’m Laila Otter, originally of Bloomsvale. I can’t tell you how awed I am at your presence, more magnificent than Yuma told me, more wonderful than the legends! And you’re not a myth!”
Gem snorted. “No, I’m real. Why are you here?”
Laila held out her hands. “I wish to become a healer, but have much to learn, and the healers of the clans won’t teach me. May I please stay and see how you work? In return I can gather plants or make salves.”
Gem walked a circle around the company, peering at each of them before answering Laila. “The goddess works in mysterious ways. I could certainly do with your help. There are many animals still sick. You may stay while Fleet and Yuma go to the caves.”
Tress trembled at the close proximity of Gemstone. She had never imagined a unicorn would be so stunning, gleaming like the coloured stones on the bed of the shallow creek they had jumped on their way here. In comparison, she must look shocking with her swollen belly and dull coat. Although the woman had untangled her mane and tail, they hadn’t recovered their brilliant white. “Thank you for agreeing to heal me.”
Gemstone strutted around Tress. “You introduced yourself as a queen. I see little in you that’s regal.”
Determined not to cower, Tress stood erect and held her head high. “I’m sorry I present myself in this condition, but as you know, there’s much evil in Equinora at the moment.”
“I do not refer to your poor condition. Beauty doesn’t make a queen. Is your foal Fleet’s?”
“No. I was running with Wolfbane, formerly Head of Warriors of Oakvale, before Fleet won the kingship of White Water Cliffs in a mighty fight.” Tress couldn’t see the relevance of this conversation and had expected a unicorn to speak in magic riddles.
“Good. Fleet is mine and will remain here. You must return to this Wolfbane or your sire. You look too young to be a queen.”
Not surprised at Gemstone’s claim, Tress didn’t doubt Fleet would prefer a unicorn to a plain black mare. Until today she had always considered herself special, but how could she compete with such beauty and power? She dreaded the long trip south on her own. Would the people go with her? At least the man and his arrows could protect her and her foal from bloodwolves.
Gemstone laid the tip of her spiral horn on Tress’s shoulder. Colours flashed behind Tress’s eyes and dizziness overcame her. Stars filled her head and hot tingles ran down her leg. She toppled to the ground with a thud, her hooves twitching as if she galloped in a dream. Thrashing her legs, she scrambled to rise away from the sensation of drowning. A swarm of wasps stung her body and ants crawled over her skin. Gasping, Tress struggled to her feet, sweat dripping from her neck and chest.
Gemstone stood a short distance away. “I’m sorry if I hurt you. There was a lot of damage and the poison fought me. Your cold blood is more susceptible than Fleet’s warm blood. Let’s refresh ourselves.” She cantered to
the lake and plunged into the water.
Tress tested her healed leg with a single step. After limping for so long, her atrophied muscles pulled tight. Forcing herself to walk soundly, she struggled after Gemstone. By the time she reached the foreshore, her limbs moved with more grace. She quenched her thirst and waded fetlock-deep into the water. The warmth surprised and pleased her. This was nothing like crossing River Lifeflow. The firm bottom gave her confidence as she ventured further. As the water reached her chest, the gravel beneath her hooves slipped away; she was out of her depth. She panicked for a brief moment before relaxing; Gemstone wouldn’t have healed her to let her drown.
Keeping parallel to the shore, Tress stretched her legs and paddled. The more she swam, the more energy pumped in her veins. The buoyancy of the water relieved her of the foal’s drag on her belly. With ease, she followed Gemstone to deeper waters. As the unicorn disappeared beneath the surface, Tress’s panic returned. No way was she diving like that! She splashed her way back to shore, lifting her legs high, and scrambled up the bank, torrents of water pouring from her head and neck.
Far out in the lake, Gemstone surfaced and rolled as if scratching in a bed of sand.
Tress re-entered the water, swimming deeper than before, a sensation of peace flooding over her. She let the soothing silk cover her neck and ducked her head into the ripples, enjoying herself for the first time since leaving home.
When Gemstone returned to the beach, Tress hesitated to follow until the unicorn called her. She joined her where she conversed with the woman. “I wish I could talk with people like you and Fleet.”
Gemstone snorted. “You’re not a noncorn. I don’t know why Fleet bothered to bring you all this way.”
Tress wandered back to the lake, wishing Gemstone would be friendlier. She’d imagined all unicorns would be graceful and loving. But she shouldn’t have been surprised; Gem wanted Fleet. Not that Tress posed a threat. Peering at her reflection, all she could see was a heavily pregnant mare with a spine that would make a short-horned lizard proud. At least her mane had cleansed to its former snow-white. She didn’t want to return to Wolfbane alone. Would Streak still be able to send her after Breeze? Remembering what Wolfbane had said about Scar, her proposed king, that future didn’t look bright either. Then again, Wolfbane had lied about following Fleet.