Council of War (33 page)

The timing was close, and Kalina had just completed the transformation when the first unicorns appeared. Winnies of alarm ripped through the quiet air, and the unicorns turned and fled before Kalina could approach them. Disappointed and tired, Kalina only gave a brief thought to transforming back into an eagle. She was tired and groggy, and in the end she decided to sleep. She matted down the grass to create a bed and then cast a physical shield around herself. While she would be able to maintain the shield through her sleep, she would not be able to slip into a deep state sleep. Still, she thought, some sleep was better than none. She was too tired to continue the journey, and the sky was going dark.

When Kalina awoke, the sky was gray, but lightening. A soft tapping filled her mind, and she turned towards the noise. A black unicorn was trying to nudge her body with his horn, but he kept hitting the invisible shield. The other unicorns near the shield all leaped away when Kalina moved, but the big stallion stared at her with curiosity. Kalina used mind speech in an attempt to communicate.

Hello. I am called Jenneva. Who are you?

The stallion raised his head and looked right and left before returning his gaze to Kalina.

I mean you no harm. Two of my closest companions are unicorns.

The black unicorn backed away slowly, and the other unicorns turned and fled. Cautiously, the black unicorn turned and disappeared into the tall grass. Kalina frowned and sat up. She banished the physical shield, rose to her feet, and stretched. She could hear movement all around her, but she could not see any of the unicorns. She tried calling out again with her mind.

Will you not talk to me? I am your friend, not your enemy.

Several derisive snorts came from the grass, but no one responded to her call. She knew that unicorns understood verbal speech as well as mental speech, so she chose to speak out loud.

"I am not from this land. The unicorns I know are from Monoceros. Those unicorns are not afraid of me."

There were several snorts of alarm from the grass, immediately followed by a white mare poking her head into the little clearing that Kalina had made.

You are from Monoceros? Does it still exist?

"Very much so. Kaz and Yorra just took their babies there to meet their people. What is your name?"

I am Yurl. I know some who were born in Monoceros. They say that the elves enslaved them. Are you an elf?

The black stallion slowly moved alongside Yurl, and other unicorns stuck their heads through the grass to look at the stranger.

"I am a human. While it is true that elves once tried to enslave the unicorns of Monoceros, that is no longer true. The unicorns of Monoceros are free, and they are respected by humans, elves, and dwarves alike."

The black unicorn turned his head as if he were conversing with one of the herd. When he looked back at Kalina, a deep voice boomed in her mind.

Who leads the tribe from Monoceros?

"Larastrides is the Shamora. Kaz is the Shamta, and Yorra is Kaz's mate. Kaz and Yorra are my closest friends. They live with Alex and me."

Alex?

"My mate."

Why would unicorns choose to live with humans? Are they outcasts from their people?

"Hardly. As I said, Kaz is Shamta, and he is well respected by all in his tribe. Kaz and Yorra choose to live with us because there is a bond between us. We have spent many years with each other. How is it that you know of Monoceros?"

There are some among us who were taken along with the elves that enslaved them. They were brought to this land by ship, but they fled, and my tribe gave them shelter.

The lighter voice of Yurl entered Kalina's mind.

Where are Kaz and Yorra? Why are they not with you?

"A number of reasons. The Federation will soon attack the people of my land. We have traveled far to get here and spy on those enemies. We did not want to subject Kaz and Yorra to such a long sea trip. It seemed wiser to leave them in Alcea."

So you are afraid that they could not defend themselves?

"Certainly not. Both Kaz and Yorra are mighty warriors. For over twenty years Alex and I have ridden them into battle, and we have always been victorious. There are a large number of people in our group. The ship was too small to bring unicorns for all of them. We also did not know if we would ever return to Alcea, and they were newly made parents."

You care for them that much that you would exclude them from this mission because they might die? That does not speak highly of your chances for success.

"It turned out to be a wise decision. The ship we were to take home has been destroyed."

The deep voice boomed again.
It was wise. The humans and elves of this land do not know that we exist. You could never have traveled on a creature with a horn.

"Actually," smiled Kalina, "the unicorns of Monoceros know how to hide their horns. They also know how to fly. Those are spells that your people once knew ages ago. A dear friend of mine reintroduced those spells to the unicorns."

The black unicorn cocked his head and stared at Kalina.
You can show us how to fly?

"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.

Morro'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."