Chapter 18
Three Magical Creatures
Echo and Shimmer stood simultaneously, their senses alert. Shimmer’s nostrils dilated as she breathed in deeply. Through her horse, Echo could smell everything from the fallen pine needles to small game hiding in burrows and bushes along the forest floor. She gasped when the shadow of a large figure moved slowly through the trees. It barely made a sound as it picked its way through thick undergrowth. Echo was ready to draw her daggers when an image from Shimmer’s mind stopped her. Shimmer wasn’t afraid. In fact, she was very still, as if in awe.
Echo watched as the trees seemed to bend apart, allowing the figure to emerge like a black ghost. Her eyes widened and she stood frozen as Shimmer nickered softly and then lowered her head in a graceful bow. A magnificent black unicorn gazed at them.
Standing in the presence of Palmaero was an experience Echo couldn’t fully comprehend. The prince of the unicorns was beyond breath-taking. A creature rarely seen by anyone, he was as majestic and regal as a king; his flowing mane cascaded over his neck, across his withers, and down his leg like a royal cloak, nearly touching the ground. His coat was the deepest black, but reflected the pre-dawn light like polished obsidian. Knowing from her lessons that the touch of Palmaero’s horn could have terrific effects, both good and bad, Echo followed Shimmer’s example and went to her knees, bowing.
A voice sounded as if in her head. It was deep and gentle. “Please, do not bow to me. I am merely a messenger and a guide. Arise, for I have come to offer council.”
Shimmer and Echo rose and gazed at the unicorn. Echo couldn’t even begin to fathom what Palmaero would wish to tell them. She wanted to ask, but found herself speechless.
“You will travel this great rock, for you will be needed along the pathway. However, I urge you to reconsider seeking the Fate. She is cunning and will use your desires to strengthen her own power. Only one with a pure gift to offer can receive a boon from a Fate. Consider my words, Echo Mareau.”
Echo moved her mouth open and shut as if to speak, but her voice remained hidden in her throat. How could he know what she was doing? How did he know her name? She thought that she saw him smile! The moment flashed away and Palmaero spoke again, “I know many things, young ones. And I understand many things. I urge you one last time, do not seek the Fate. I have given council. Do with it what you choose.”
His glassy black eyes bore into Echo’s for a moment. The light of morning revealed the scene around them, though the risen sun was still hidden behind the enormous shadow of the mountain. Palmaero’s voice joined the morning bird song. “I must go now. Our young friend, Ayden, will soon require my assistance. Farewell Echo, and farewell, Shimmer. May peace be your companion.”
The unicorn prince turned, his mane and tail floating around him. The trees bowed, parting as if stepping aside. Once Palmaero passed through, the trees came together again so that, if Echo hadn’t seen him, she would never have known the unicorn had been there.
Shimmer looked at Echo. They felt each other’s awe over who they’d just met--and what he’d said. Echo had second thoughts about her quest. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. But she quickly put that thought, along with Palmaero’s warning, aside. It’s the only way to save Brecker. She pleaded in her heart for Shimmer to continue with her. The horse pushed against her chest with her muzzle and Echo knew Shimmer would follow her anywhere. Her loyalty was powerfully touching.
“Well, we may as well get going. I’m sure the elves know where we’ve gone by now. Let’s try to stay ahead of them,” Echo said out loud. She mounted Shimmer and they made their way further into the trees.
After twelve hours of climbing, stopping only long enough for quick rests, food, and water, Echo figured they were only half way up the mountain. She was beginning to understand what her dad had meant about the Dragon’s Tooth seeming bigger as one climbed it. The trees and rock stretched endlessly before them--a steep and rugged path into the clouds.
By the end of the second day, Echo was too tired to see straight. Shimmer was weary, but still alert. Shoving aside paranoid feelings aroused by darkness, Echo put her faith in her friend as they settled in for the night. Allowing Shimmer’s rhythmic breathing to rock her, Echo fell fast asleep.
The next morning, Echo was rested and ready to move. Shimmer shared her enthusiasm, and the pair of them made better time than the past two days. They traveled at a hectic pace, but Echo’s training and Shimmer’s instincts took in enough of their surroundings for them to be able to find their way back down the mountain on their return journey.
Through their combined senses, Echo and Shimmer felt the presence of many creatures, familiar and unfamiliar. Some scents frightened them both--strange scents carrying energy that left Echo unsettled and wary. She knew peculiar beings lived on the mountain. Beings of legend and folklore--like the wolfix. She shivered as her mind flashed to a drawing she’d seen in the elvish library of a wolfix. The artist was so skilled the winged, wolf-like creature seemed to leap off the page. Some said they were guardians of treasure, others believed they guarded the gateway to an evil place where monsters were imprisoned. Either way, she wasn’t eager to find one.
Echo hadn’t brought much food along, but her dad had spoken truth about the abundance of wild food along the trail. Berries of many varieties colored the underbrush of the forest. She also knew how to find edible roots, something Dorian had taught her and something she thought she’d never have to use. After all, Thildin was brimming with food.
As Echo and Shimmer rested and ate lunch on the third day of their journey, Echo pondered something she hadn’t considered before she’d recklessly left the comforts of home. Where, exactly, does the Fate live? She’d re-read the scroll at least a thousand times, looking for some clue as to the exact coordinates of the Fate’s hide-away. She found nothing. She knew the Fate had to be near the top of the mountain because it said, “On the frozen edge of a Dragon’s Tooth…” But what part of the frozen edge? Was there a cave or some sort of clue up there? Was she at the very top? Echo doubted a wooden arrow would be pointing to the Fate’s doorway. How was she supposed to find her? Palmaero’s warning constantly tapped at her subconscious mind. But she wouldn’t allow it to fully surface, scared she’d take heed and abandon her quest to help Brecker.
It might’ve been her imagination, having just thought her brother’s name, but Echo jolted when she heard a sharp whistle--Brecker’s whistle calling Midnight Sun! Shimmer came to attention, but Echo wasn’t sure if her horse had actually heard the sound or if her own emotions caused Shimmer’s reaction. Without meaning to, she relayed images of Brecker astride Midnight Sun, mercilessly chasing them down. Shimmer pranced nervously.
Shadows seemed to multiply around them. Even the smallest shadow was suddenly dark and clear as Echo scanned the area with her eyes and strained her ears for any more sound. The scent of pine pervaded her sense of smell. She longed for Keebo’s presence as she frantically searched the thousands of pine trunks that surrounded them.
Every sound seemed highlighted. Every rustle of leaves, every padded footfall of every little creature came through Echo and Shimmer’s senses with amplified clarity. A buzzing sound caused her to jerk her head around and draw her weapons. Certain they were about to be attacked, she sidled up to Shimmer.
Two pixies zipped through the area. Their whistling language shot through the air as they passed by the terrified horse and rider. The pixies conversed as they fluttered through the air like dragonflies, completely oblivious to the fear they’d just caused. They disappeared into the trees, their sound fading with their forms.
Echo shakily returned her weapons. She leaned her head against Shimmer’s neck, relieved. “Sorry, Friend. I didn’t mean to get so scared!”
Shimmer shook her mane and snorted, scolding Echo. “I said I was sorry!” Echo snapped. Then, she apologized again. Shimmer simply walked away
. Echo sighed and followed close behind, waiting patiently for Shimmer to calm down and forgive her.
Echo was angry with herself, too, for freaking out so easily. Her fear clouded her judgment. If she’d stayed calm, she would’ve known immediately that the sound she’d heard was pixie language and not her brother.
After nearly an hour, Shimmer finally slowed, allowing Echo beside her. The horse nudged her playfully against the arm, causing her to stumble. She giggled, happy to have her friend back. She shoved Shimmer back, but she lost her balance again as she bounced off of Shimmer’s solid form. The horse gently grabbed Echo’s sleeve with her mouth and helped steady her. “Thanks,” Echo said. They continued walking side by side with Echo’s hand resting on Shimmer’s withers.
The trees grew thicker as they made their way further up the mountain. The sunlight fought to push its way through the smothering branches. Echo mounted Shimmer and both companions’ senses came to full alert. The forest felt strange.
Echo forced herself to stay calm. She didn’t want to overreact to anything again. Shimmer’s ears swiveled on her head like a pair of insect antennae and her nostrils remained widened, taking in every scent. Although Echo remained somewhat calm, she couldn’t stop the creeping sensation she usually experienced when she was watched or followed; it crawled up her neck like a spider, causing goose bumps to erupt on her scalp.
Shimmer began to trot. Echo’s heart kept time with her horse’s hoof beats. The little bit of light that she was relying on to keep her sane vanished as a cloud passed under the sun. A low moaning caused Echo’s heart to drop to her stomach. She swore she heard the whisper of her name within the sound. She took a deep breath. It’s the wind. It’s just the wind. Her resolve to keep from panicking was vanishing as quickly as the sunlight. Shimmer wasn’t faring much better. She, too, was trying her best to stay calm, but Echo could sense through her horse that, this time, something was definitely not right.
The moaning grew louder. Shimmer increased her speed, but only to a canter as the trees forced her to keep a slower pace. Then, Echo saw them. Disembodied shadows. Moving, living, breathing shadows! They emerged from behind the trees and other foliage--three of them--shaped like men with eyes burning bright orange in the dim light. Doons!
Echo and Shimmer screamed. Ignoring the prison of trees, Shimmer shot forward, nearly unseating Echo. She clung to the horse’s mane until her knuckles were white. She lowered her body as close to Shimmer as she could to help her horse move faster. Panic dominated their emotions.
The low moans followed them as branches sliced their bodies. Shimmer skidded to a stop just before slamming into a tree. She pivoted and ran a new direction, nearly hitting several more trees in her haste. Echo could feel the doons. Her skin crawled as they pursued, gaining ground as they slid easily through the shaded forest.
Echo and Shimmer both spotted a clearing. Sunlight poured into it like gold. A new determination helped bay their fear as they turned toward the light and pressed on. Echo knew they had to put more space between them and the doons or the foul creatures would ride into the lit area on their shadow. She sent encouraging thoughts to Shimmer in attempt to fuel the horse’s efforts. Shimmer burst forward, now slipping through the trees as if she’d run through this forest a million times. Echo resisted the urge to look back and focused on the light ahead.