Page 25 of Legends of Sorcery
Princess Valaria terrified him, but his friend Valaria with her defenses down left him vulnerable and wanting to do anything to please her and put a smile back on her face.
“I just needed some air this morning,” he said, not wanting to admit the truth.
“Is it because I laughed at you?” she asked. Before he could confirm or try to deny it, she started talking again. “I’m sorry. You just looked so cute trying to catch yourself when you tripped. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad for it.”
Arion knew he was overly sensitive about his clumsiness. Most boys went through that stage at puberty, but he had been a late bloomer shooting up more than eight inches in the last year. He was still adjusting to his new height and longer limbs. They often got in the way and caused problems for him. It was why he had started running in an attempt to get used to his new body that was not only still growing, but also filling out quickly.
Thankfully Taneth returned before he had a chance to respond to her.
“I spoke to the innkeeper and he said there had been no sightings of unicorns in Kilrest, but he had heard travelers mention seeing them along the river just north of here.”
“Let’s start there then,” Valaria said. As she rose to leave, Arion was again taken back by the sight of people bowing towards her. She smiled and nodded as she made her exit with Taneth and Arion following closely behind.
“I’ll never get used to that,” Arion muttered under his breath.
“Get used to what?” Taneth asked once they were outside on the cobblestone street.
“Of people gawking and bowing when I pass,” Valaria said matter-of-factly.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you bow before your princess,” Taneth challenged.
“And you won’t either,” Valaria said. “As my best friend, he’s exempted of such formalities.” Taneth raised an eyebrow of interest and she sighed. “You know I don’t have many friends, or any really. I like that he doesn’t care that I’m a princess and treats me the same as he does everyone else.”
She linked her arm through Arion’s as they walked away from Kilrest heading north towards the river.
Arion wasn’t sure how he felt about being called her best friend, but he didn’t have any friends either and she had quickly filled that missing part of his life. He hadn’t allowed himself to think about it, but she had somehow become his first true friend too.
Her saying it out loud seemed to have broken through some of the tension between them. They stayed with arms linked, laughing and talking as they continued their journey.
As they neared the river, the terrain became rockier making it harder to maneuver and more difficult to spot struggling unicorns.
“Over there,” Arion said, pointing towards a large boulder with a pure white animal lying on the ground. He slowed his approach so as not to scare the beast. “Hello,” he said speaking as if the unicorn could understand him. “Not feeling too well are you? I have a fix for that,” he said continuing to speak in a soothing voice.
The unicorn didn’t jolt or try to get away from him when he ran a hand over his mane. Slowly Arion set down his basket and took out a vial. The animal was so weak he didn’t even fight as Arion tilted his large head back and coaxed open his mouth. The boils weren’t just in his throat but coating his mouth too. Arion quickly poured the potion down his throat.
“Good boy,” he said, letting the unicorn nuzzle up against his face. “That’s going to make you feel better at least. You’ll be eating again in no time.”
“Arion there’s a whole family of them over here,” Valaria called a short distance away.
This time when he approached, the male tried to fight with the last bit of strength he had in attempt to protect his family. There was a female and two small colts lying next to him.
“It’s okay, boy. I’m not going to hurt them, or you,” Arion again spoke in a calming voice.
He held his hand out just beneath the horse’s nose and allowed him to sniff his. Once the unicorn started to calm, Arion gently stroked his muzzle feeling a warmth course down his arm and towards the creature causing the magical beast to relax and still.
“That’s better. Let’s get you and your feeling well,” Arion said. “Valaria, can you help with the potion please?”
“Me?” she asked, surprised he’d let her assist with such an important task.
Arion nodded, as she carefully removed a vial and slowly inched towards them. With his free hand, Arion got the unicorn to open his mouth as the princess poured the serum down his throat.
“Can I pet him?” she whispered.
Arion nodded, shifting to the side to allow her room, but never taking his hand off the beast.
“He’s beautiful,” she said solemnly before leaning down and kissing him on the nose.
Taneth laughed. “Careful princess. I don’t think your father would appreciate that whole family living in the castle as your pets.”
