Unicorns' Opal (14 page)

“When is the last time you checked it?” asked Alex.

“In Sordoa,” frowned Jenneva. “I should have checked it more frequently, but she is never out of our sight.”

“Melbin, Tagaret, Kantor, and when she ran off with the yakis,” mused Alex. “Those are the only times I can think of when she was away from us. I think we can rule out the night she spent with the yakis.”

“Melbin doesn’t make any sense either,” added Jenneva. “She spent most of her time in captivity and magic is not well accepted there.”

“I think the only time she had alone in Tagaret was in the dungeon,” nodded Alex. “That means she has had it since Kantor.”

“Yes,” agreed Jenneva. “She went into town that one day.”

“And her attitude changed shortly after that,” recalled Alex. “I wonder if she knows the spell is there. Can she detect it with her abilities?”

“I am not sure,” admitted Jenneva. “It is not something that jumps out at you. You must be looking for it. I am not sure what made me check the cloak last night other than the close proximity to her in the cramped cave.”

“Well I am glad you checked,” stated Alex. “I think you need to check regularly from now on. What about Tedi’s necklace and Arik’s ring?”

“Arik no longer wears the ring, so it is useless to us now,” frowned Jenneva. “I will check the necklace tonight somehow.”

Alex stiffened as he heard the hoot of an owl. It was a signal the Rangers used to gain attention from the others. The hoots continued for several minutes, each time getting closer to the cave. Alex heard a rider approaching and drew his sword. His eyes peered into the forest in the general direction of the hoots and he saw a flash of gray as it passed between two trees. He relaxed slightly as he recognized Tanya riding towards him on a gray horse. When he heard her hoot one more time, he felt at ease. Tanya rode to the base of the hill and jumped off the horse.

“I could not find my horse,” grinned Tanya, “but I did find a replacement. She is a much finer steed anyway.”

The others returned swiftly to the hillside and marveled at Tanya’s luck in finding a horse.

“I guess the gods are aligned against you, Arik,” chuckled Fredrik. “You shall have to ride alone now.”

“It is very fortunate that you were able to find a horse that has managed to evade the yaki in these parts,” Jenneva stated.

“Very fortunate indeed,” responded Tedi.

“We have wasted enough time,” declared Alex. “Let us get back to our journey.

“I think I shall call her Frea,” grinned Tanya.

Niki emerged from the cave and the Rangers packed up their belongings and rode up the small incline and regained the trail they had left the previous day. The day was gloomy and the trail still wet in places, but the journey was far easier than the day before.

Late in the day Tedi halted at the top of a small rise. He swiftly dismounted and held his hand up to get the others to stop. Alex dismounted and hurried to Tedi’s side. He gazed into the small valley below and saw several goblins dart from one side of the track to the other.

“Do you know how many of them are down there?” Alex questioned softly.

“I would guess at least twenty,” Tedi replied. “I can’t be sure, but that was not the first group I saw. There are others. They seem to be tracking something. Wait.”

Tedi tilted his head as he tried to hear what was going on below.

“I hear humans,” Tedi declared. “They have seen the goblins and are calling others to rally a defense.”

The other Rangers had dismounted and were now crowded around Tedi and Alex. Alex sighed and turned to address them.

“There are goblins below that appear to be attacking some humans,” he explained. “We are going to attack the goblins, but we must be cautious. We are not sure of their strength or position. We also do not know who the humans are, so the unicorns must remain as horses unless our lives are threatened. Arik and Tanya will travel the ridge to our right. Have your bows ready to strike. Proceed until you can see where the humans are defending. Do not fire until you see my attack.”

Arik and Tanya both nodded and Alex continued, “Tedi, you will come with me. We will be the swordsmen. Fredrik, you stay behind us with your bow ready. Be constantly aware of what is behind you, as we do not know if we have seen the last of the goblins yet. Niki, you remain with Jenneva and give whatever support she requests. Let’s move out quietly.”

Tedi mounted his horse and waited for Alex to come alongside him before starting down the hillside. Arik and Tanya split off to the right. The shouts of the humans could be clearly heard now and Alex was tempted to rush to the rescue. He fought the urge to charge ahead as he remembered that the safety of the Children was of primary importance. They reached the valley floor and Alex turned to the right with Tedi right behind him. Within moments, they spotted the rear of the goblin squad and Alex looked up to the right to see if Arik and Tanya were in position. He nodded slightly and smiled grimly as he saw the two Rangers dismounted and ready.

Leaving the goblin’s right flank to the archers, Alex pointed to his left to indicate that Tedi should swing away from him. Alex then gave Kaz the signal to charge and headed straight into the middle of the goblin squad. The goblin archers had been kept to the rear of their attack and they were the first to feel the edge of Alex’s sword. Alex kept his senses alert as he cut into the group of goblin archers. He heard the screams from the right flank as Tanya and Arik unleashed their arrows. More screams to the left confirmed that Tedi had engaged the enemy as well. He felt confident that Jenneva was keeping a close eye on the potential Alcean heir as he slashed into the goblin horde.

It took only moments for the goblins to realize that they were under attack. The majority of the goblins turned their backs on the humans that had been their prey and engaged the Rangers. Many of them charged directly at Alex and he swiftly dismounted and ordered Kaz to the rear. Suddenly he heard an explosion to his left and a multitude of screams. One of the screams unmistakably belonged to Tedi. The humans ahead were shooting arrows of their own, but their capabilities were poor. The arrows were falling far short of the goblins.

Alex stood and greeted the charging goblins with his twirling blade as Fredrik’s arrows sailed overhead and picked off the stragglers. When the last of the goblins in the center were dead, Alex headed for Tedi. He heard Arik and Tanya descending the hillside behind him and saw Fredrik shadowing him from behind. Alex ran across a few wounded goblins and dispatched them without slowing down. He could tell from their wounds that they had been victims of a tree mine as long fragments of wood had pierced their bodies.

He found Tedi curled into a ball on the forest floor. A long splinter of wood was imbedded in his leg. Jenneva rushed up and bent down to inspect Tedi’s leg and Alex strode off towards the humans in search of stray goblins. He dispatched a few more wounded goblins before he spotted the humans.

“I think they are all dead,” Alex yelled. “Are any of you hurt?”

Two men came out from behind trees warily. Alex saw the fear in their faces and sheathed his sword after wiping it off. The men approached cautiously and finally stopped several paces away.

“Mighty glad you happened along,” the dark-haired man said. “My name is Charl and this is my brother Damon. We are obliged for your rescue.”

“My name is Alex,” Alex replied. “Are there just the two of you?”

“Just two of us now,” frowned Damon. “They got two of us before you arrived. Look, I don’t want to know your business in these parts, but you can have anything of ours you want. We will have no complaints.”

Alex smiled as he looked at the two men. “We are not bandits,” Alex assured them. “We want nothing of yours.”

Charl came forward and stuck out his hand to Alex. “Never can be too sure who you might meet up this way,” he said. “Mind you, if you were bandits, we would still be grateful.”

Alex shook the man’s hand and then greeted Damon who had also come forward. “It is wild country up here,” Alex nodded. “What are you doing up here in goblin country?”

“Trapping,” replied Damon. “Things are really getting scarce around Tice. We end up going farther north each season. Didn’t actually know that goblins were this close in. We are only a day's ride out of Tice.”

“What was that explosion we heard?” asked Charl. “Were you using magic?”

“I am afraid I don’t know any magic other than using this sword,” grinned Alex. “Maybe it was lightning.”

Charl looked up at the gray sky and shook his head.

“Or maybe the goblins were using magic,” Alex quickly added. “I am not sure what really happened, but one of my men was injured by it. Got a nasty piece of wood in his leg.”

“I hope you didn’t lose too many men,” Damon said sincerely. “I saw your sword skills and I must say that I have never seen such a fine display of ability. I doubt anyone in Tice will try to mess with you. If that is where you are heading that is.”

“Tice is our destination,” nodded Alex. “We are hoping to catch a ship out of there. Do they still operate?”

“They do now and then,” answered Charl. “Not a lot of shipping going on, but what we trap ends up going to Tagaret mostly. I think there is a ship leaving in a day or two. We were just getting set up to return to Tice ourselves. Maybe we can travel together.”

“We ride long each day, but you are welcome to join us,” offered Alex. “From your comments it sounds like Tice is not a friendly town.”

“Oh it is not too bad,” responded Damon. “We got our share of rowdies and braggarts and troublemakers, but most folks mind their own business. Still, I would keep the women and children under wraps if you know what I mean.”

Alex nodded. “I need to check on the rest of my party,” he stated. “Why don’t you get your gear ready while I see how they all are.”

Alex heard Tedi yell as he approached and saw Jenneva holding a long splinter of wood that was covered in blood. Niki was still on her horse, but she was unmoving and blue.

“What happened?” Alex asked.

“Our princess threw a tree mine,” growled Jenneva. “It was way too close to Tedi. He is very fortunate to be alive. It was sheer luck that the majority of splinters missed him or Sarac would have his victory now.”

“Where did she learn to throw a tree mine?” quizzed Alex.

“I taught her,” sighed Jenneva. “I have had little luck in teaching her anything useful. Why this particular spell stuck with her, I have no idea. I told her not to use any magic at all during this confrontation.”

“Do you think it was deliberate?” queried Alex. “I mean this is the second time she has hurt Tedi. Could it be intentional?”

Jenneva looked up at Alex with surprise and fear on her face. “I don’t know,” she said softly. “The thought had not really entered my mind, but I was quite clear that she was not to use any magic.”

“Do not teach her anymore offensive magic,” ordered Alex. “Her magic skills will not be used to kill Sarac. He will die by the Sword of Heavens. She is much too unstable to learn anything more that can harm people. What have you done to her?”

“She is frozen,” explained Jenneva. “I could think of no other way to stop her from using more magic.”

Alex waved Fredrik over and waited until he arrived.

“Fredrik, I want you to grab the reins of Niki’s horse,” instructed Alex. “Jenneva is going to release her spell and I suspect that Niki will try to throw a fit or ride out of here. We will be having two men from Tice riding with us for the rest of today and tomorrow. I would prefer they do not learn of our use of magic. Can you control her?”

“I think so,” responded Fredrik. “Will Tedi be all right?”

“He will be sore for several days,” answered Jenneva. “I managed to get all of the wood out and there does not appear to be any serious damage. I suspect by the time we reach Tagaret, he will be fine.”

Fredrik nodded and grabbed the reins of Niki’s horse. Jenneva lifted the freezing spell and Niki started screaming at Jenneva. Just as quickly, her verbal assault ended.

“She can hear you fine, Fredrik,” Jenneva scowled. “Talk some sense into her. I will release the spell when I am done with Tedi. For now, get her out of my sight.”

Fredrik nodded and led Niki back towards the trail the Rangers had been on. Tanya and Arik arrived at the same time as Damon and Charl.

“We found Tedi’s horse,” Tanya said. “Is he all right?”

“If you and Arik can get him onto his horse, I think he will be fine,” responded Jenneva.

“Have you collected your arrows?” Alex asked.

“Yes,” replied Arik. “We helped ourselves to some of the goblin’s arrows as well.”

“Good,” nodded Alex. “These men are from Tice and they will be traveling with us. They are called Damon and Charl. Why don’t you two get Tedi on his horse and lead the party along the trail. Jenneva and I will gather up Fredrik and Niki and catch up to you.”

Arik nodded and Alex led Jenneva away from the group to recover their steeds. Kaz and Yorra were waiting patiently. They mounted swiftly and rode until they saw Fredrik and Niki and led them back along the trail the way they had come until they were over the rise. Once over the rise, Alex halted the small group.

“Have you explained the situation to her?” Alex asked.

“I have,” replied Fredrik. “At least she has calmed down a bit.”

“Remove the gag,” Alex commanded.

Jenneva removed the spell on Niki and the girl’s mouth immediately opened. Alex held his hand up authoritatively and scowled.

“Before you speak,” he warned, “hear me first. Whether you tried to do ill or good, you almost killed Tedi, who may very well be the heir to the throne. You may not appreciate the way you were handled for throwing that tree mine, but consider this. If the heir dies, everything I have lived for is finished. Everything we all have dedicated our lives to is over. Whether or not you feel you were treated poorly does not matter to me in the least, because I would have acted more sternly than Jenneva did. In fact, should anyone kill the heir, I will spend the rest of my days tracking down that person and killing him myself. Am I making myself clear?”