The Inept Adept & The Almost Last Unicorn

  Lac had looked at the pixie pillars on the way to the farthest fields. He could feel the magic and understood that the magic was fading. He could see an opaque curtain between the pillars on the edge of the field. Through this fading magical curtain the lushness of the area beyond the farm was evident though somewhat obscured by the magical screen.

  He was told the pillars had been in place for over a century. The farm had originally been intended to cut into the trade between the dwarves and Conestibleshire. Had the dwarves stayed in the mountains it might have proved to have been a bonanza for the first –Teners who settled and farmed there. The disappearance of the dwarves ended that dream.

  The pixie pillars had been the only thing to keep the pixies from destroying the crops and it had not come cheap. Yet, it hadn’t been too long after installation the dwarves stop mining. From the time the dwarves had vacated the Galwich Mountains the –Teners had stayed and farmed for their own sustenance.

  Even the bandit tariff had not been too onerous. The bandits came into the area around a score of years ago and demanded part of the harvest. As the fields were productive they had a surplus so it wasn’t too difficult for the –Tener clan. Until the magic in pixie pillars began to abate.

  Then a pixie or two would find a way in and wreak havoc. This wasn’t a major concern as the pixie pranks and destructiveness was minimal due to their small size. Yet it produced frustration. The frustration centered on the probable increase in pixie invasion as the magic in the pillars diminished. The –Tener clan had been living with this fear and frustration for several years.

  The outer fields had been the hardest hit as more and more pixies were able to bypass the magical obstruction. The three –Teners didn’t have the money to send for a magician especially with the bandits taking the surplus crops.

  Lac considered how best to fill or renew the pixie pillars. He wondered just what kind of magic was needed. It wasn’t just the use of magic it was using the magic for a very specific purpose. Obviously he had innate magic and he now knew he could use it and, surprisingly, use it rather effectively. The problem was the effective magic he had used was not the magic he had intended. At least so far. He wasn’t filled with a lot of confidence.

  ‘Do not despair Lac. I have faith in you.’

  That didn’t hurt. In fact, it helped. Lac rolled back his shoulders, looked at a pixie pillar and focused. He hunched, threw his hands out, palms parallel to the ground…

  The pixie pillar exploded.

  The opaque curtain disappeared.

  “Uh oh.”

  The lushness in the area beyond the farm was very evident now as well as the pixies inhabiting the area. Some were on the ground and some were flying around.

  The three –Teners looked on in horror as the pixies turned as one and noticed the magical curtain was no longer in force.

  To say the –Teners were peeved would be a gross understatement. As there were three of them their emotions ran the gamut of anger, confusion, disbelief, depression, extreme irritation, incredulity, and hopelessness in short bursts with one emotion rapidly following the other.

  Following this course of emotionalism would lead to? Hostility.

  “What have you done?” was the mildest comment Lac heard aimed at him. The words used to describe Lac’s lineage were vulgar even by the standards of a teamster.

  “Traitor and fool,” with a number of obscene epithets were heaped on him.

  Lac felt terrible. He tried to stammer an apology as the pixies rose and started to infiltrate the field. He was unable to utter any word of contrition.

  He was miserable and abjectly depressed. Yet, the vitriol hurled upon him by the three –Teners also made him angry.

  It wasn’t he that thought he could do what they had desired. He wasn’t a very good mage after all and he had been completely honest with them. He grew angrier. Even the people in Oakendusk never used such foul language. Lac wasn’t even sure of some of the names they were calling him. This enraged him all the more.

  Lac’s face set in an angry visage turned to face the three –Teners. They wouldn’t look at him for their focusing at the coming pixie swarm. This made Lac go from anger to rage.

  He threw his left hand, palm up, at the pixie invasion. “STOP.” Now the three –Teners would have to face him and his fury.

  They turned to him with jaws slack and down around their knees. Their eyes were bulged.

  “I’m sorry master mage,” Hortener said, “so very sorry. Please don’t hurt us. We didn’t know…we had no idea…how could we have known?” The farmers whine was grating to Lac and even more so was the confusion it created in him.

  Lac was momentarily stunned by the change in behavior. All he could do was stare at the three –Teners.

  “Please, don’t hurt us. We’ll give you anything ye want.”

  To Lac this made no sense but he still couldn’t find his voice.

  ‘Lac, take care of the pixies before your spell wears off then ask about the unicorn.’

  Chauncey’s voice woke Lac. He looked to the edge of the field. The pixies were quite motionless and suspended in mid-air. He walked closer to the pixies. It really was amazing. All he could think was did I really do this?

  ‘Yes. And you should use the time left of the spell to help these foolish farmers.’

  Lac breathed deeply. “Pixies,” and Lac thought you get more with honey than vinegar. “Pixies, my friends. I must ask you never to invade these fields. I beseech you to protect these fields…and if the bandits come back to…put a spell on them to forget about these farmers.”

  Lac looked back to the three –Teners. “Anything else?”

  All they could do was shake their collective heads.

  Lac was about to dismiss them when his stomach growled.

  “Hmm. My friends, magic me some cider and…” Lac was about to add a four course meal when the cider appeared. There were more mugs then Lac could count.

  “Oh, ah, you there with the pretty pink wings. Magic me a four course meal for the four of us.” His midday lunch and the gastronomical needs of the three –Teners were resolved.

  “My pixie friends go now and remember our friendship.” Before he could say goodbye they had vanished.

  Lac returned to the food which was sprawled on a large picnic blanket. He sat down and started to eat. He gestured to the three –Teners to sit and partake. And though his mouth was full he asked the old man, “now, tell us about the unicorn.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  To say Lac was unhappy would be to say a dragon has a few fairly sharp teeth. The more he heard about the bandits the less he liked them while the greater his fear was nurtured. That they may have Shastra only made matters worse.

  It didn’t really matter that Lac had used impressive magic. That in and of itself was not a confidence builder. He knew full well the magic he recently used was not on purpose. In fact, it caused a diminution of confidence.

  The more he ruminated on his feats the more he felt disheartened. He had no idea how to control his magic. It was so depressing; to have strong magic with no ability to wield it properly.

  Lac was very quiet as he and Chauncey went back to what had been a main road to seek the bandit encampment. Their direction was more westerly and it wasn’t that difficult finding the way.

  A half dozen horses and a small wagon will make the tracking rather easy. Not to mention the bandits felt no need to cover their tracks. But Lac wasn’t thinking about that. He was thinking how in the world are they going to rescue Shastra and the girl?

  The girl or actually a young adult was daughter to Hortener. Esme was her name he had been told.

  “How come everything I do comes out wrong?”

  ‘Why would you think that? You have done wonderful things. I am certain had your friends and family been aware of the magic you have performed your name would be extolled in verse.’

  “That was very kind of you Chauncey but my magic works in…ah…”
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  ‘Mysterious ways?’

  “To say the least.”

  “And how are we to rescue the girl?”

  ‘You’ll think of something.’

  Lac doubted it but remained silent. No sense in sabotaging Chauncey’s confidence in him. He could only shake his head. He had to have added and make the bandits forget about the farmers. Even being nice created drawbacks

  How could he have known the bandits took her for collateral? These farmers never mentioned that. Obviously if the bandits forgot about the farmers then they’d not know what to do with the girl…it just doesn’t end, does it?

  ‘What does not end?’

  “Oh, ah…I don’t know. It’s just…so frustrating. Having magic without the ability to control it.”

  ‘You are young yet and as I understand schools are the best places to learn about the craft of magic. You are not in school at present. I think on the whole you will learn a great deal and be very accomplished in time.’

  “I appreciate that Chauncey but I feel so…inadequate.”

  ‘Why?’

  A momentary fuse brightly burned, “why? Why? Haven’t you noticed that whenever I try to do magic something different comes out!” Lac was almost shouting. If that wasn’t an indication of his mood the wild gesticulating of his arms would be.

  ‘But magic does come out.’

  Lac sighed, the fuse had burned out, “Yes. But it’s not what I intended.”

  ‘How is that bad?’

  “Well, for starters it’s always something different from what I envision.”

  ‘Is that a bad thing?’

  “How can I pass the certification if I cannot control my magic?”

  ‘Is that more important then helping others?’

  “Well…ah…” he sighed again. It really wasn’t profitable to argue with a unicorn. They saw life differently. If he could not pass the test and become certified he’d have his magic stripped unless he became a postal rider.

  ‘It is my understanding that few humans or elves can do magic. Is this not so?’

  “It is true.”

  ‘Then I would think you would be proud to do any magic at all.’

  This made Lac pause. It was true one out of a five thousand humans could do magic and one out of one hundred with magical ability could pass the test and be certified. Yet, that was the crux of the matter to Lac. He wanted to pass the test and be a certified mage.

  ‘Why is it so important to have a certification?’

  “I want…” This definitely made Lac pause. In fact, so deep in thought he had stopped.

  ‘What is it you want?’ The unicorn stopped as well. Chauncey intuitively knew he needed Lac to be if not confident at least not dispirited. Although he was several centuries old he wasn’t that old for a unicorn therefore he was still youthful in how he perceived the world around him.

  He had avoided human settlements for a century or more and had only conversed with a magician once many, many years ago. Yet, his outlook on life although not be overly mature for a unicorn was more mature than a fifteen year old inept adept.

  But without knowing why it was the correct question. It was something Lac needed to understand if he was to gain control over his innate ability.

  “When I was young all the kids would play games like ‘Ogre and Elf’ or ‘Dragon, Dragon who’s got the Dragon.’ Then it was found I had some real magic within me. I thought…no, I fantasized, I could fight ogres and dragons and protect my village. All of a sudden I would be taken seriously. I would do many brave and important things.”

  ‘Then I believe you have accomplished your goal.’

  Lac’s brows knitted as he looked at Chauncey.

  ‘Your magic has helped me immeasurably. You forced the hobgoblins to flee. I may have been able to handle one or two but three might have proved too difficult. You have helped me get past the troll. You have saved the farmers from the pixies and maybe the bandits. These are things I deem important. You have not once thought of going back while being aware of dangers facing us as we travel forward. That in my estimation shows bravery.’

  ‘Although I have not known many humans I did once travel in the company of a magician. He was very accomplished yet I believe he would be proud of you.’

  Lac couldn’t resist and smiled despite his mood. Chauncey seemed to know just what to say to make him feel better.

  Chauncey could tell Lac’s self-recrimination was waning. ‘The farmers said there is a small pond where we might find sustenance and shelter. It should not be too far. Shall we journey there before darkness sets in?’

  Lac nodded and walked beside the unicorn. He placed his hand on the unicorn’s shoulder and patted it as any friend would. “Thank you Chauncey.”

  They found the path which led to the small pond. It was exactly as the farmers had said. Had Lac been able to fish he could have caught a trout or two. It was a very pleasant locale and the trees created a nice canopy for protection.

  After eating Lac laid down using the now full rucksack for a pillow. The farmers had also given him a blanket since the weather nearer the mountain might contain a chill in the early morning hours.

  “Chauncey?”

  ‘Yes.’

  “Do you remember the name of the magician you traveled with?”

  Unicorns had phenomenal memories. ‘Yes. His name was Barry Ding.’

  Lac smiled and shook his head. Chauncey let Lac rest peacefully. The unicorn knew it could be awhile before Lac would be that relaxed and at peace again.

  Before Lac fell asleep he smiled as he recalled what Chauncey had said. He never really had a best buddy and in some ways Chauncey treated him as a best friend or what Lac the fifteen year old young adult thought of as close friendship. The only problem Lac foresaw was that deep down he didn’t really believe Chauncey.

  Tomorrow they would approach the bandits’ encampment. Chauncey was glad Lac couldn’t perceive his anxiety. Shastra had been captured by the bandits some twenty years ago.

  If she’s still alive she’ll be corralled or worse. They’d probably use her for her healing magic but the bandits could have traded her to goblins or worse. If she’s still alive…

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Following the trail made by the bandits was without difficulty. They approached the foothills without a problem. They could guess there probably was a small valley on the other side of the ridge they were facing. Lac studied the lay of the land and postulated that to continue to follow the bandit trail would lead them directly into the bandit lair.

  “Chauncey, I don’t know how difficult it would be for you but we have to go up to the ridgeline to see how the bandit encampment is laid out. I can go if you cannot.”

  The foothills and the mountains in general were well forested. Only the steepest slopes did not contain firs and evergreens. The slope of this hill was not too steep and had all manner of trees and brush.

  Chauncey had already determined the topography.

  ‘It is not a problem for me. Let us climb to the ridge.’

  Lac had been mistaken. It was more of a problem for him than for the unicorn. They reached the ridge. It wasn’t even that warm but Lac was perspiring heavily. Wouldn’t be from nervousness…right?

  Lac was disappointed. No, that’s not quite correct…Lac was horrified.

  After growing up in a lovely rural setting and now traveling through some wild but lush and beautiful country the scenery below was, plainly speaking, ugly. Lac was very disappointed. They had no right to treat the once lovely land so harshly.

  On the hillside below the ridge they were on, to the opposite hillside all the trees had been cut down. The shallow valley was cleared of trees as was the slope rising behind the valley. It was completely denuded.

  Of what there was left were weeds, some broken bushes and a lot of dirt. Come the rains the dirt would produce a nasty quagmire.

  Chauncey looked on in horror. He could see at a glance there was no decent fodder for
Shastra. If Shastra was here she must be very unwell and unhappy he thought.

  ‘How could anyone do such harm to this once beautiful valley?’

  Lac shook his head. He had no experience with people like this, people who seemed to enjoy destroying nature’s beauty. Of course, Lac had never known bandits either. No bandit would come near a village which boasted a fine magical academy.

  He wondered just what kind of mind would allow for this depravity. It was the first time in Lac’s life that he was confronted with an enigma and yet he understood it wasn’t as such an enigma. Yes, it was out of place in his conception of the world but it was not out of place in the world.

  Was it something inherent in some people? Or maybe it was that something important was missing from how they thought or reasoned.

  Lac heard Chauncey shudder and he turned to the unicorn. Tears were starting to form at the corners of his large brown eyes.

  ‘Lac, save my tears in the cup the farmers gave you.’

  Lac hurriedly unslung his rucksack and pulled out the rough hewn ceramic cup. Tears, large almost white tears, cascaded down the unicorns face. Lac tried his best to collect the tears. He filled the cup to the brim.

  After a while Chauncey stopped weeping. A number tears fell to the ground. As the unicorn tears were absorbed shoots of green and tender grass grew. Lac didn’t notice this as he was looking at Chauncey. He was concerned for his friend.

  “Are you okay Chauncey?”

  ‘I believe I will be.’

  “What should I do with this cup?”

  ‘Put it aside for a moment and let us ponder a strategy.’

  Lac dug out a little spot on the hillside and placed the cup in it. He and the unicorn now returned to look over the ridge and contemplated.

  It was obvious there would be no way to enter the area without being seen. There was absolutely no cover.

  “Maybe we should go down there at night?”

  Chauncey remained silent. What they were looking at was a poorly constructed, long clapboard structure which contained the kitchen and sleeping quarters of the bandits. It was much wider than its width and nestled against the slope in the back of the valley. It had two chimneys and both were emitting copious amounts of smoke. On the far side of the valley there was a corral and a small barn for the horses. An unhitched wagon was in front of the corral.