Page 16 of Legends of Sorcery
Arion’s anger flared. How could anyone mutilate another creature in that way? Not just any creature, one created to magically protect the kingdom. He had to walk away and just breathe. Questions were flying through his head; questions he knew he wouldn’t find answers for.
“Arion?” Garron asked. “Why would someone take the unicorn’s horn?”
“It’s called the alicorn and it contains the highest concentration of magic that the druids once gave the royal horses to create the unicorns for the magical protection of Gavalon.”
“Wait, that’s the story Valaria told you,” he challenged.
Arion nodded. “But I went back and did some research in the archives and her story wasn’t that different from what the ancient scrolls say. There were speculations written on the powers contained n the alicorn, but no concrete evidence saying whether the magic contained there would sustain after the animal was dead or not.”
“So there’s a chance it’s just a worthless horn with no powers at all,” Garron said.
Arion nodded. “We can hope, because I don’t want to even think of the possible alternative.”
They shared a look that left Arion with an unsettled stomach.
“You mean you’ve actually looked through the old scrolls?” Kyler said seemingly oblivious to the dread hanging in the air around them. “That’s so cool!”
Ignoring his excitement, Arion turned to Garron and Jeffrid. “I can’t just leave him here like this. Can the two of you run to the royal stables and get some shovels? We can at least give him a proper burial.”
“Yeah. It’s not far from here,” Garron said. “Come on Jeffrid.”
When they left, Arion sank to his knees next to the dead unicorn. He ran his hand over his mane. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you from this,” he said aloud. As he let his hand roam across him, he quickly realized the alicorn wasn’t the only thing the murderer stole from the creature. Arion found the majority of the blood came from a gapping hole in his chest. He had a suspicion, but to be certain, he held his breath and shoved his hand into the cavity beyond the hole and confirmed whoever did this had also taken the unicorn’s heart. Why?
Arion fought not to cry. He knew Kyler was watching him closely, but it was such a gruesome and emotional scene that he was struggling to control his emotions. He needed to get the mutilated beast buried and check back in with Zallon.
Arion sighed. Zallon may want to see it for himself first just to make certain he hadn’t missed anything important.
“Kyler, I need you to do something very important. Do you think you’re up for it?” Arion asked.
“Yes, of course,” he readily agreed.
“I need you to return to the Hall of Magic quickly and tell Zallon of what has happened here. He may wish to visit to examine the unicorn himself before I bury him. I’ll stay here and wait for Garron to return with the shovels. We’ll prepare the burial grave and wait until you return with Zallon or approval from him to proceed.”
“You’d trust me with something this important?” Kyler asked.
“Of course. I know you’re up for it.”
Kyler stood a little taller. “You can count on me, Arion. I’ll return as quickly as possible. I won’t let you down.”
Without another word, he turned and ran off.
Arion took the time to himself to look around the crime scene and make mental notes for any clues as to who could have done something so heinous.
When Garron and Jeffrid finally returned they were not alone. Two guards accompanied them. After hearing the story of why they required the shovels, the guards had insisted on coming to see the site for themselves.
The guard that had given Arion grief when he had come by the stables was the first on the scene. He took in the sight and promptly ran to throw up in the woods.
“I’ve never seen anything so gruesome in my entire life,” the other said reverently.
“I sent Kyler to get Zallon just to make sure he didn’t need to check anything I missed. The unicorn’s heart and alicorn are both missing, but he otherwise seems intact. We’re going to start digging the grave as you do your investigation. I still have doses of potion to administer to the other, uh, sick unicorns,” Arion said shifting his eyes towards Jeffrid to let the guards know he was not aware of the dark magic that plagued the unicorns.
The guard nodded solemnly. “We’ll help you dig as soon as we finish our investigation.”
“Thank you,” Arion said. Without another word he took one of the shovels from Garron and walked a short distance away from the crime scene to begin the grueling process of digging a hole big enough to bury a large unicorn.
It wasn’t long before sweat dripped down his forehead stinging his eyes. His muscles burned with each scoop, but he didn’t falter for even a second as the others took turns giving each other breaks.
“I’ll give it a go, Arion. You need to take a break,” Garron said.
