Page 26 of Legends of Sorcery
She smiled back at him. “Well, let’s help the others now.”
As the female was still just as protective of her young as the male had been over all of them, they tried the same pattern of Arion calming her while Valaria assisted in administering the dose with great success.
Soon the little family of four were happily eating on what little grass they could find amongst the rocks. Valaria had tears in her eyes.
“We did it! We saved an entire family,” she said proudly. “It kind of makes all the royal pomp and circumstance seem so stupid.”
“It’s not,” Arion assured her. “We all have a place in this world and each of our path is unique, but no less important. The royal family, you, Valaria, are a leader for our people. I know the requirements for that often weigh heavy on you and feel like a burden, but they aren’t. Still it’s no more important that Taneth giving his life to protect you and the kingdom, or the innkeeper who works hard to support and welcome travelers, or even the cook who fixed our breakfast this morning. Each of us plays a role to keep the world moving forward. Play yours proudly, your highness,” he said bowing to her for the first time.
“See, he gets it. I knew I liked him,” Taneth said as Valaria rolled her eyes. “There’s several more of your unicorns throughout this area. Let’s get moving. I’d like to have you both home before nightfall.”
They found twenty-seven more in total. All of the unicorns were receptive to the boil serum and started to eat. It still wasn’t a cure, but it would hopefully bide them enough time to find one.
“I think we’ve found all we’re going to here,” Arion finally admitted. The terrain made it harder to spot them and difficult to travel over.
Taneth nodded and motioned for them to follow him as he guided them through a path between the rocks using the sun’s position to point them in the right direction. They were hot and tired falling silent on their journey home.
A noise ahead put Taneth on full alert. He signaled for them to get down hoping they would abide or even understand what he was trying to tell them. Much to his relief, when he glanced back, Arion had pushed the princess into a crevice between the rocks and covered her with his body. Taneth nodded at him instructed them both to stay.
Scouting ahead for the object of the noise, he walked with careful footing so as not to alert any trouble. Voices grew louder as did the snorting of a horse. As he reached a small clearing in the large rocks, he saw it wasn’t a horse, but a group of unicorns cornered and scared.
A wagon often used to transport prisoners sat nearby. With whips and chains five large men were attempting to drag the sick unicorns into the cage. One was already inside taking up much of the floor space.
“They won’t all fit,” one of the men argued.
“Shut up. We’ll just shove in as many as we can. Do you have any idea how much we can get in trade for those horns?” the largest of the five asked.
A burley man with a weathered face spoke next. “Vathe, why can’t we just cut off the horn then. We could get them all that way.”
“I told you, Tor, he wants to see it’s authentic first. Plus, you know the strongest of them he likes to train for the fight ring.”
“None of these looks like fighting material,” Tor said in disgust.
Taneth pulled his sword from its sheath.
“What was that?” the guy closest to him asked.
They all turned to look just as Taneth stepped out from behind the rock. “The unicorns are sacred to Gavalon and you have no right to harm them,” he said a booming voice.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Vathe asked.
“I am Taneth a knight of Gavalon and your worst nightmare.”
The five men looked at each other and laughed. “Five to one. You really think you have a chance?” Tor asked.
Taneth grinned, readied his blade, and launched at them. Before they knew what was happening, he had three knocked unconscious.
Arion and Valaria dared to get a closer look. He feared Taneth may need an assist while simultaneously hoping that was not the case.
“Stay back,” Arion whispered to her as he peeked around the boulder just in time to watch Taneth square off with two large ugly men with swords. Even two to one it didn’t look like he was even breaking a sweat. Arion fault the urge to cheer him on.
A piercing scream from behind him caused Arion to leap into action. Another man had snuck up behind them and he had Valaria hefted over his shoulder as she kicked and fought.
“Let her go,” Arion said surprising even himself with the lethal sound of his voice.
When the man swung around and knocked Valaria’s head against the rocks, Arion saw red. A strange feeling bubbled up inside as he pulled his sword by the hilt and swung it easily in the man’s direction.
“Careful there or you’re hurt the pretty lady,” the stranger warned.
