by Selva, SK
The first snapped in half over his knee as the second had its limbs torn off, resembling a broken torso. One by one, each of the once proud training dummies fell, debris littering the training grounds.
Cheers from the students and spectators did nothing to distract Balaraj, his focus never wavering.
One more test.
Those who had come to watch excitedly quickly grew frightened as they saw Balaraj walking toward their stand, the ground almost vibrating with each of his steps. They scampered away as quickly as they could, and the stone stand stood empty.
Balaraj looked to his fist, a slight curve to his smile as he pulled back and struck the previously filled stand. The stone did not stand a chance, and the once storied seats were replaced with a dusty rubble.
This is power. I’ve never been this strong before.
“Clean this up,” he shouted to his students, which quickly evaporated their impressed smiles. “And be ready when I get back.”
Grumbling, they began to gather the wood and stone of what used to be their training ground. Other unicorns had come to see the commotion and were listening incredulously as those who were there filled them in. An impossible story to believe at first, but the broken battlegrounds were enough evidence.
Needing solitude, Balaraj strode into the forest, getting away from all the staring eyes. Trees that had been standing for hundreds of years surrounded him. It all felt so different. He had not felt this good in years, this powerful.
A nearby stream flowed gracefully. Realizing how parched he was, Balaraj bent down to cup a drink.
“I still look the same,” he said, his reflection looking back at him, “but why do I feel so different?”
“How different?” his reflection responded.
Balaraj jumped back. He looked around, ensuring that no one was around and playing tricks on him. His heart beating furiously, he looked in the stream again.
“Hello?” he said. “What are you?”
“I am you,” said his reflection gleefully, the voice eerily familiar yet foreign at the same time. It seemed to be speaking to him from inside his very soul.
“I don’t understand.”
“You see, the king needed someone he trusted to give this power to.”
“I don’t remember anything, though.”
“You were very brave,” said the reflection in the water. “You volunteered for the land. The king was ecstatic. He was hoping it would be you. He values you very highly.”
“The king values me?”
“Raja does not forget. You have served the land well since the demon tragedy. Only you would be worthy of this power.”
“Only me?”
“Of course, no one else. It is only us now, Balaraj. And now we need you more than ever.”
Balaraj was still shocked. What could this reflection possibly want?
“What would you need me for?”
“You were always correct about the demon child. He is a danger.”
The reflection had narrowed its eyes as it surveyed Balaraj with anger etched across his face.
“I knew it,” said Balaraj ecstatically. “We should have never allowed him here.”
“Oh, but we need him,” said the reflection. “If we can bring him back to the castle, we can restore balance to the land. We can live here longer.”
It was coming back to Balaraj as he slowly remembered.
“I would never have to go back?”
“Never,” said the reflection. “But we need the boy. You have to find him.”
Balaraj thought deeply. If he was going to find the two traitors, he would need the help of a tracker. Someone who could feel the land as deeply as he could.
“We need to go to Kurunji,” he said. “Hemadri and Karnan will know how to find them.”
“Can we trust them?” asked the reflection.
Balaraj was not sure anymore. Karnan had shown his sympathy toward Roshna’s cause, but they had long been allies in battles. He had called the emergency meeting for Balaraj. There was a certain trust a war grew between friends that nothing else could.
“For now,” said Balaraj.
He thought back to Marutam and the other unicorns.
“But what if the demon returns here?” he suddenly realized. “I need to protect my villagers.”
“We have the dragons if he returns here. We can rely on them, but the king only trusts you to bring the demon back. We need to do this. Not just for the land, but for Sonia.”
Balaraj felt a strong tug at his heart.
“You yearn for her,” said the reflection. “Let’s bring her memory justice.”
Balaraj knew his reflection was right. They needed to get to the demon as soon as they could. They could not wait. They needed to protect the land.
“Long live Ilemuria,” he said.
“Long live our land.”
Balaraj rose and started back toward the unicorn village, filled with purpose. His students were still cleaning up the debris when he returned.
“Where is Roshna?” he demanded.
“In her chambers,” said Vadish. “Shall we get her?”
“No,” said Balaraj, turning to all the unicorns that had gathered around.
“She told us if anyone finds the demon, they are to bring him to her so she can take him to the king herself,” said Maran.
“A fine way to take the glory for herself!” roared Balaraj. “I should have known. I’m on my way to Kurunji. We will need help from the other clans. We will find that creature. Who’s with me?”
A loud cheer filled the battlegrounds.
“Whoever aids me in this quest will forever be enshrined as heroes to Marutam. I will tell the king myself, and you will all share in the glory and praise.”
There were many volunteers. Balaraj’s newfound power had drawn more people to his cause.
“I thank you all for your support,” said Balaraj. “Jagan, Vadish, and Puli will follow me to Kurunji. Maran, you are in charge of the village until I return with the demon boy in chains.”
Puli looked as though all his dreams had come true. Trying to hide the pain that still coursed through his chest, he stood bravely at his teacher’s side. Several villagers stopped in their tracks, staring curiously at the stampeding mob heading toward the Yonder Gate.
No one had seen Roshna since she returned that morning, and the village had quickly fallen into disarray. The dragons themselves quickly quieted those that supported Roshna’s treatment of the demon boy, allowing those vocal against it to grow louder. It was clear that you were not allowed to speak if you did not agree with the dragons.
Thalia and Fara could only watch in horror as Balaraj and his army grew bigger, more and more joining his march when they realized what was happening. Fear attracted those to whom they felt could protect them.
As Balaraj left with a few of his students, Maran turned to those that had rallied behind them.
“Balaraj is the leader we deserve,” he roared, greeted by cheers of approval. “We will only be safe if he is the head of the unicorn clan. The demon boy is a danger, and he has personally gone to find him.”
Thalia’s knees clattered together as she surveyed the crowd. Those who had supported Roshna that very morning were now cheering at Maran’s words, unable to be brave much longer.
“Where is our leader right now?” yelled Maran to even more raucous support. “She has barricaded herself in her cozy embassy quarters while Balaraj and the dragons take charge. I ask you all, is that what we want in a leader?”
Another roar from the crowd shook the village. Thalia looked to the few unicorns she knew that still supported Roshna. The fear in their eyes told her everything she needed to know. They were too scared to speak up.
“And now she wants to bring the demon boy to the king herself? So she can take all the glory? It was Balaraj who saved us the demon tragedy all those years ago, and yet we praise Roshna?”
“As well you should!”
T
halia had marched onto the platform. She could not take it anymore. Fara beamed at her. The best support Thalia could give anyone was to show her true feelings when they were not there.
Thalia wanted nothing more than to wipe the arrogant smirk off Maran’s face.
“The magic teacher of course is here to tell us we’re all wrong. No wonder no one attends your classes anymore,” he mocked.
“You are wrong!” shouted Thalia. “Do not be blinded by fear of Veeran. Just because you are scared of the truth does not mean it is not real.”
“I am not afraid of anything,” said Maran, his smirk turning into a scowl.
Thalia looked to the villagers. “For forty years Roshna has been leading us justly, and we have kept our council seat. There is a great danger to our village right now, but it is not Veeran.”
“There is nothing more dangerous than the demon!”
“Yes, there is,” said Thalia, the entire crowd at her attention. “It is a village divided. Wherever the danger may be, we will not beat it if we are not together. Indeed, we will have already lost if we are broken as a clan. Marutam, I ask not that you support blindly out of fear. Support because of actions. Support because of history. Support because we have a leader that has shown her love for each and every one of you. No one in Ilemuria remembers a time where the unicorns were not revered, and that is because of Roshna.”
A stunned silence greeted her.
“If an evil is to come,” said Thalia, continuing bravely, “then we will rally behind our true leader. And Veeran will be a powerful ally.”
“You have your leader,” Maran spat. “And we have ours. You will all be begging for our protection. Come, warriors! Let’s train, not for the battle games, but for when Marutam needs us. We will not abandon our home.”
He walked away with as much dignity as he could muster. There were still those who followed, but a few stayed.
“I hope that was enough,” she told Fara, coming down from the platform, grateful for the praise some of the other villagers were showering upon her.
“It will be enough,” said Fara.
“How do you know?”
“Because I fear for our clan if it isn’t.”
CHAPTER 2 6
***
B alaraj powered through the gate, brushing through those that had been waiting on the other side. The guards did not even bother to stop him. Was it really only last night he had been here?
Encouraged by what his reflection had told him earlier, Balaraj had never felt so validated in his life. He had been right not just about the demon boy, but also about everything since the demon tragedy. The king did trust him, and Samara had chosen wrong. Once he captured the fugitive, not only would Marutam be his, but he would also be one of the highest ranking creatures in history.
I can feel a strange magic. The demon boy was here not too long ago. You were right, Balaraj. Well done.
Balaraj welcomed the voice speaking to him from inside. With them together always, they would be able to save the land.
“Where do we start?” asked Jagan.
“Spread out and ask the villagers if they have seen any sign of the demon boy,” instructed Balaraj. “There is someone I need to see.”
They scampered away, each wanting to fulfill their orders better than the others. Hemadri’s now familiar quarters beckoned to him. Balaraj did not have to traverse that far, since the portly troll leader was already trundling toward him, an ogre and orc flanking behind.
“My god, man,” said Hemadri as Balaraj approached. “Do you not think we can take care of our village ourselves?”
“Surely you could use all the help you can get,” said Balaraj.
The ogre brought his club down and eyed Balaraj with respect. Both he and the orc removed their battle armor, displaying intimidating figures.
“You are the one from the meeting that warned us about the demon. I have heard of your bravery and your story,” the ogre said, his voice resounding deep.
Balaraj ignored him.
They will slow us down. We need to find the demon quickly.
“Do you have any news?” asked Balaraj.
“I should ask you the same question,” said Hemadri. “What brings you here?”
“I have my reasons, but that is not the most pressing matter. How much have you searched?”
“We have done most of the main village,” said the ogre. “One of the street vendors mentioned he saw a hooded creature walking through the market with a unicorn. We believe that to be the demon boy’s traitor friend.”
“In what direction?” asked Balaraj.
“Toward the library.”
“That’s enough, Drok,” Hemadri said..
“But the demon boy is a danger not just to this village, but to the whole land,” he said. “Surely, we should all be working together.”
“We have worked together to build Kurunji to its current grandeur over so many years while the unicorns kept to their own village,” the orc said, finally speaking. “Why do we need help?”
I grow weary of these two. Balaraj, we need to continue searching.
“I will allow it,” said Hemadri. “His clan is on the council.”
The grumbles between the orc and ogre were noticeable. Even though they had their own storied history, it was clear that your clan would not be taken seriously without a council seat.
“The library is near the centaur area, the northernmost part of here?” questioned Balaraj.
Hemadri nodded grumpily.
“Have we informed Karnan? He should be on the lookout.”
“I have not received a response from my stones. Not a single centaur hair.”
I do not trust this centaur. Quick, we must go to the library.
“Then maybe we should ask in person,” said Balaraj.
His three students had quickly returned, each trying to step in front of the other.
“Anything to report?” he asked.
“Some of the guards said two hooded figures came in around the time they might have escaped, but that’s not uncommon,” said Vadish.
Determined, Balaraj hastened his pace. Hemadri had gathered a few of his trolls to accompany them, struggling to keep up, since their stubby legs could not match the strides of the other creatures.
“Immediately upon my return I organized a search party. I enlisted the help of the other clans to help guard the entrance to Kurunji. Surely, though, why would he want to come here in the first place?” said Hemadri.
“I cannot fathom why,” said Balaraj, “but I know he was here. Karnan has to know.”
“My finest men are guarding the gates. They should be training for the Vlatta Potti. I was worried when the king began speaking, but thank Ilemuria he kept the games. We should not want all our training to go to waste.”
Balaraj let Hemadri ramble. He was too focused on his task to pay him any attention.
“And all this talk from Karnan about his scales not being balanced. Bollocks, I say. My scales are perfectly fine. The other clans have not seen anything strange. I do not feel any different with the magic the land is lending me. Even the king’s own scales are balanced. His must be broken. Old as they are.”
“We’re almost here,” Balaraj interrupted, the library in his sights.
The centaurs raised their guard, hands on their bows, as the strange group stormed into their area. It was surprisingly quiet. The few creatures that were at the library were leaving, frightened and uneasy.
“Word has got out about the demon and has caused the entire land so much unrest,” noted Hemadri. “What was Roshna thinking?”
“Perhaps she’s shown us who should really lead the unicorn clan and be on the council,” said Balaraj.
“I may be ranting my friend, but Roshna has built the unicorn tribe to be one of the most powerful we have ever seen. One mistake does not erase her entire tenure.”
“The one mistake is the most dangerous one made in the history of our land.”
/> Hemadri laughed. “I do say, old man, you would do well to open up one of those history books. We are at the library, after all.”
I grow weary of this one.
Balaraj’s muscles tensed as the presence in his body grew hungrier. They were close.
The demon boy was here. I can sense it.
Karnan’s chambers came into view, Balaraj’s heart pounding faster with each step.
“Karnan!” he thundered, pounding on his front door. “A word!”
A crowd of centaurs surrounded them, but he did not care. There was only one he wanted to see. The seconds passed, but he waited.
His ears picked up the sound of crunching leaves, a dark shadow emerging from the forest, visible only by the few lit torches. Karnan stepped out, looking calm despite Balaraj’s fury.
“What were you doing there?” asked Balaraj.
“Training.”
He lies.
“The demon is still on the loose and was spotted in our town, Karnan,” Hemadri tried to reason. “Why are you wasting your time training and not answering my messages? I have my best men looking for him, and your men are galloping about like it’s any other day.”
“Our tribe has our ways,” said Karnan.
“Your loyalties are not to the centaur clan exclusively,” said Balaraj. “You are to serve the king and Ilemuria.”
“Why do you think those two are so different?”
Low snarls escaped the orc and ogre as their fangs bared, drool dripping in anger. Karnan usually commanded respect, but being on the side with greater numbers, it was easier to go with the crowd.
“Where’s the demon boy?” asked Balaraj. “I will not inquire again.”
Karnan’s brow furrowed. “That is one of the last answers I would know. What makes you think I would have such information?”
“The boy was spotted here. He was on his way to the library with Aaryav, another traitor. You are close to Roshna. If they came here, they were looking for you!”
“If you reach any further, you might hurt your back, old man,” said Karnan. “I have not seen Veeran nor Aaryav. A fine lad that unicorn boy is, I’ve heard. You’ve trained him well.”