Nearly an entire day had been wasted because of Ayden's mistake. By the time they reached the area where the shortcut emerged from open field, the sun had nearly set. Ayden looked to his companions. No one spoke as all were exhausted from running all day. The horse carrying their supplies had finally had enough; it had bolted in the fog and had not returned to them. They would have to do some hunting yet if they wanted supper.
Nya approached and, in her own tongue, asked, "Would you like me to send Endia to hunt? She is well rested."
The bird cooed as its bright eyes focused on Ayden. So it's a female and its name is Endia. He nodded wearily and Nya released her bird into the air. As Endia reached a certain height, she vanished. Startled, Ayden looked at Nya.
"She becomes invisible when she gets high enough. You were worried she might be spotted?" Nya asked with a crooked smile.
Ayden smiled back and said, "Well, yes, I was. I mean, that's not exactly a common looking bird. In fact, I thought she was the reason Devel had found us."
"Devel found us because Sabina wanted him to find us. She may not realize this, but it is so. She is so desperate to be cured that she unwittingly willed him to us."
Ayden was surprised at Nya's accusation. "Do you really believe that?" he asked. If that was the case, maybe Sabina really was too much of a danger to have on this mission.
"I do. But I do not hold that against Sabina. She cannot, at this time, help herself. She is not ready to face her destiny, or to accept it," Da'ewyn answered. "The most I can do is be there for her and help her when she allows me to help her."
Ayden looked into Nya's gentle eyes. His fatigue was playing with his emotions. He resisted the urge to reach out and take Nya's hand, longing for the comfort that accompanies touch. Instead, he cast his eyes to the ground. "If it weren't for me, she wouldn't be this way. I wish I could help her more."
"You have helped her. She may have resisted coming along with you on this journey, but she has found comfort in knowing that you are near--and so have I. You are a great defender. I have faith in you," Nya smiled and turned away. What was it about her that was so familiar and comforting?
After Ayden had put some food in his belly, he rested by a small but warm fire. He watched as Sabina and Da'ewyn passed each other and nodded in a civil fashion. He wasn't sure why or how they'd suddenly become on more friendly terms, but he wasn't about to complain.
Volos and Ayden tried to decide who should take first watch for the night. Everyone was exhausted and first watch would be torture. "Endia can do eet," Nya said in her strained English. Then in her own tongue, she explained, "She will not need sleep for many, many hours after her sleep in the fog."
Sabina translated to the others what Nya had said. No one argued. Nya stroked Endia's chest and the bird sang a lilting lullaby. As Ayden drifted away, he could almost swear he heard words coming from the bird's music. But his half-asleep mind must've already begun to dream--birds couldn't speak words.
Ayden woke just before dawn. He sat up and looked around to make sure all was well. Volos was sitting off by himself, gazing at the fading stars.
Walking over to him, Ayden sat and turned his attention to the spot in the sky upon which Volos seemed focused. The starts were winking down at them, as if blinking tiredly, ready to sleep for the day.
"I was thinking about Nyxia," Volos said quietly.
"You think she's okay? We kind of lost her in that fog," Ayden replied.
"That's what's bothering me, but for other reasons." Volos lowered his head and stared at his hands.
Ayden studied him for a moment. "You think she left us there on purpose?" Volos nodded. "But, haven't you known Nyxia for years? Why would she betray you?" he asked.
Volos sighed sadly. "Degus is a great manipulator. If she did get to Nyxia, she probably made whatever she offered seem much more appealing than what we had to offer. You have to remember, pixies are a bit on the selfish, vain side; if Degus offered her greater wealth and beauty, Nyxia wouldn't resist."
Ayden's heart sank. He wondered if Nyxia had been in the cave at the laughing hill; and she'd probably seen the map on Pax's back before they took the shortcut into the fog. She knew everything, which meant Degus knew everything.
Volos spoke again, "But we can't just assume that Nyxia is a spy. We have to give her a chance to explain herself next time we see her." Ayden wasn't convinced, but he wasn't going to disagree with Volos, either.
"But," he went on, "If Degus has been spying on us, and knows our every move, why hasn't she attacked? What is she waiting for?"
"If she knows anything, maybe she's waiting for us to lead her to the sword."
Ayden's stomach knotted. Volos could be right.
The sun peaked through the trunks of the trees as it rose above the horizon. The others had risen and were beginning their day. Ayden felt suddenly reckless and desperate. He had to get to that sword before Degus did. If she got to it first, there would be no hope for Shae Vale, or for Freya.
"Volos, since Degus knows everything already, why can't we wend? We could be there in an instant and be done with this whole mess," Ayden urged.
"We don't know for certain that she knows everything, and it's too risky wending if you haven't trained for it. You could end up in completely the wrong place," Volos answered calmly.
"I have to get there faster than by walking!" Ayden shouted as he stood. The others stopped their activity and looked at him warily. He couldn't stop his heightened sense of urgency. Walking or even running was suddenly unacceptable to him.
The sound of whispering diverted Ayden's attention to the pathway. A shower of delicate, pale pink 'fool's snow'--blossoms from a twisted, white tree--unveiled with striking contrast the most beautiful black horse Ayden's eyes had ever touched. Its silky mane and tail nearly trailed to the ground; and its body, with a coat that shone so smooth, it almost looked purple, fit smoothly over well- defined muscles. Feathered fetlocks cascaded over polished hooves, giving the impression of speed and finesse
The others turned to see why Ayden was gawking. The horse was a majestic statue standing immobile, waiting.
Ayden was barely aware of moving forward in a trance-like way as strange whispers urged him toward the animal. He forgot Volos and the others as he walked toward the beautiful animal. The creature's gracefully curved neck held its sculpted head at attention. Delicate ears pointed forward, nearly touching at the tips, and soft brown eyes stared into Ayden's.
"Don't even think about it, Ayden. That's no horse!" Volos' voice seemed distant and meaningless.
"Whatever. Look, it's as gentle as a kitten," Ayden said absently as he reached out and stroked the horse's silky muzzle. "I could ride him; he looks fast. And I wouldn't even have to leave the path," Ayden continued without looking back to his companions. The strange whispering grew louder, convincing him that riding the horse was the only way to reach his destination in time.
"I might even get there by tonight," he said, and before anyone could stop him, he leapt onto the horse's back. He didn't need to listen to Volos. He didn't need to listen to anyone. He knew exactly what he was doing--he was saving Freya's life. "I'll meet you there, and I'll have the sword!" he yelled confidently before the horse reared and spun around.
Ayden grasped the horse's main and squeezed with his knees. His heart leapt as the horse took off full speed down the path. He could hear his companions screaming behind him, but their voices were soon swallowed in the sound of the rushing wind.
Faster and faster the horse ran. Ayden's eyes blurred and tears streamed from them as the long mane whipped his face. He tightened his grip as his body slipped back from the intense wind caused by the horse's astonishing speed.
Suddenly, the steed turned off-course, away from the path. "No!" Ayden yelled, but he had no control whatsoever as the horse sped through the trees. Branches sliced through the flesh on Ayden's face and hands and grabb
ed at his clothes, shredding the fabric. The horse turned its head ever so slightly, enough for Ayden to see that its eyes had turned from soft brown to blood red.
He didn't have time to ponder his newest and greatest mistake as the kelpie (for he knew now that was what he rode) sped toward a small lake. It's going to drown me! Ayden thought frantically, remembering Freya's stories of riders lost to the water after riding astride the demon horse. He had no choice. He'd have to jump. But at this speed, would he survive?
The ground was swallowed in the kelpie's lightning fast strides and the water grew closer with every beat of its fiery hooves. It's now or never! Ayden threw himself off the beast with a terrified yell. The world spun as his body bounced and flipped across the ground toward the water. He could hear his bones snapping and feel blood vessels burst as flesh and muscles smashed against rock and earth. He landed, still at high speed, atop a jagged limb of a broken tree. Ayden screamed in pain and horror as the sharpened points of the limb stabbed through his right shoulder and held him fast.
Ayden didn't dare move; he was afraid his neck might be broken. In any case, the limb protruding from his shoulder would have restricted any movement. His head swam as he took in short, painful breaths. From the corner of his eye, he saw an intimidating black form moving toward him. Ayden's eyes widened as he turned them toward the kelpie. Its eyes and nostrils showed bright red against its jet-black face as it walked purposefully toward him. Its ears were flattened against its head, and curled back lips revealed unnaturally sharpened teeth. The demon horse had been denied its prey and would not rest until Ayden was dead!
The kelpie reared over Ayden's broken body; he braced himself for the impact of deadly hooves. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the looming form of the kelpie as it descended on him. Those blood red eyes would be the last thing he'd see.
Without warning a second large, black figure appeared and slammed into the kelpie, knocking it away from Ayden. From the corner of his eye, Ayden could see the kelpie struggle to regain its balance; then, the blurred forms of the two black figures rose against each other as they screamed in rage. Ayden could feel himself fading, but he wanted to know what had just saved his life. Could it be another kelpie? Was there such a thing as a good kelpie?
The two figures reared and struck at each other with sharpened hooves time and again. The newer figure seemed to be gaining dominance from what Ayden could see. But then again, he couldn't see very clearly. Thank you, whatever you are. That was his last conscious thought before he dove into a black abyss.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Black Unicorn