Unicorns' Opal (41 page)

Chaco, however, did not stop. With his horn showing proudly, Chaco carried Arik forward to the base of the Rock of Ages. There Larastrides, the Shamora of the unicorns, met him. Arik dismounted and stared at the motley green and brown stone that resembled a small hill. There was a spiral path that wound up the side of the stone and Arik could not help thinking that the path resembled the spiral of a unicorn’s horn.

Deliverer of Golden Horn, have you brought that which is required?

Yes, Shamora, I have.

We will wait yet a time for all of my people to gather. None should miss this momentous occasion. Refresh yourself and those who have valiantly traveled with you.

Arik returned to the Rangers and suggested a meal break. The Rangers had already dismounted and were eager for some food. Arik removed his sheath and fastened the Sword of Heavens to his strap.

“I did not realize that there were so many unicorns,” marveled Alex as he gazed at the assembled host. “I thought we had seen them all the last time we had met Larastrides.”

“There are even more,” responded Arik. “Larastrides waits for them to assemble before he accepts the Golden Horn. I guess this is a special occasion for them.”

“It will be as special as the Crown of Light was to the fairies,” suggested Prince Midge. “I suppose their Rock of Ages is as important as our Father Tree.”

“I believe you are correct, Prince Midge,” nodded Jenneva as she watched the gathering unicorns close the last gap in the circle. “We are about to witness one of the great events in history I believe.”

“Why has the circle stopped so far from the Rock of Ages?” inquired Tedi. “Larastrides stands right next to it.”

“I assume that everyone wants to be able to see the top,” speculated Alex. “I am happy to follow the lead of the unicorns in this matter. They must know what is going to happen.”

Chaco approached Arik and summoned him back to the Rock of Ages a few hundred paces away. Chaco left Arik standing in front of Larastrides and returned to the Rangers to stand alongside Kaz.

The time has come. May I see the Golden Horn please?

Arik removed the Golden Horn from his pack and unwrapped it. He held it out to Larastrides, unsure of how the unicorn could accept it.

Mount me and bring the Golden Horn.

Arik nodded and swung up on Larastrides back. Larastrides strode proudly up the spiral path and Arik gazed out over the assembled unicorns as they wound around the large stone. As they reached the top of the Rock of Ages, Arik saw a large opal sitting on the ground. His excitement grew as he realized what he was looking at.

Dismount, Deliverer of Golden Horn, and bare your breast. Present me with that which you were tasked to find.

Arik slid off of Larastrides back and walked around to face him. He shyly removed his tunic and tucked it in his belt. He gazed quickly as the shimmering rainbow of unicorns below and saw them all watching intently. He unwrapped the Golden Horn and held it towards Larastrides with both hands. Larastrides snorted and stared at the Golden Horn. As the Shamora’s eyes locked on the Golden Horn, Larastrides slowly lifted his head and Arik felt the weight of the Golden horn rising off of his outstretched palms. The Golden Horn rose magically and the Shamora turned his head slightly and lowered the artifact to the ground next to the opal. The Golden Horn landed gently with its tip pointing towards the sky. Instantly, thousands of voices filled Arik's mind.

  The Opal fair and pure of white

  Small comfort it can bring to them

  To help fend off the darkest night

  The Unicorns shall keep the gem

  Until the day they are set free

  By he who is still not yet born

  Flying Lizard his breast must be

  Deliverer of Golden Horn

  All who lived and survived ordeal

  From service he cannot be torn

  To bleed and die for him with zeal

  Deliverer of Gold Horn

Larastrides lowered his head and pointed his horn at Arik’s chest. Arik blushed with embarrassment and gazed away. As he did, he saw that every unicorn’s head was bowed with the horn pointing at him. He turned slowly around in a circle and saw the thousands of horns pointed at him.

This should not be an occasion of embarrassment, Deliverer. We are a proud people and your heart should be filled with pride to lead us. You have the fealty of the unicorns as the Deliverer. Lead us wisely.

I shall strive to do right for the unicorn people and I accept your fealty with pride. I have grown strong in my bond with Chaco and request that he be allowed to continue with me as I journey to complete the Sword of Heavens.

Deliverer, you are wise beyond your years. Know that Chaco has already requested this assignment and stands proudly by your side. May you ride him into gallant battle and defeat our foes, for your foes are now ours. Prepare to accept the Holy Opal.

Arik stretched out his palms towards Larastrides and watched as the Shamora locked his gaze upon the Opal. The Unicorns’ Opal rose from the ground and Larastrides gently lowered it into Arik’s waiting palm. Arik pulled the Sword of Heavens from its sheath, which he had donned before meeting with the Shamora. He placed the point of the Sword of Heavens on the ground and placed the Unicorns’ Opal in the hole it belonged in. The Opal snapped into place and glowed brightly.

As had happened with the fairies, the Sword of Heavens started to rise. Rather than fight it, Arik raised the Sword of Heavens high over his head with both hands. With the Sword of Heavens pointing straight up, a brilliant streak of lightning erupted from it. All eyes rose to watch the surge of lightning streak into the dark clouds overhead. It met the clouds with an explosive force that tore a hole through the Darkness. A bright blue sky appeared through the hole and the Darkness peeled away from it.

Arik stood staring at the blue sky as the waves of Darkness receded like ripples in a pond. Off to the west, the blue sky gave way to beautiful clouds of red and yellow and orange. Arik realized that he was seeing another beautiful sunset and he promised himself that he would stay up late and gaze at the stars.

THE END

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