Chapter X
What Next?
Groggily, Nelyn awoke on the muddy riverbank under the starlit sky. A dagger lay beside her. She looked about her finding no sign of her horse. Slowly, she stood up. Nelyn staggered forward a few steps and collapsed back on the soft sand exhausted. She sank into the moist earth barely able to hold herself up.
Soft pats in the sand caught her attention. Nelyn twisted around. Behind her stood a unicorn of the most brilliant silver color she had ever seen. Its horn glowed brilliantly providing the only light in the dark expanse. On closer inspection Nelyn noticed that its tip had been broken off. Absentmindedly, Nelyn’s hand went to the necklace she wore. Could it be?
“Will you take me back?” whispered Nelyn.
The unicorn bowed its head and knelt on the ground beside her.
Mustering what strength she had, Nelyn climbed onto the unicorn’s back. “I need to get back to Tesnayr’s camp.” The unicorn’s silence unnerved her. In all the stories she had herd as a child, they spoke, but this one merely bowed its head in response. “Can you not speak?”
“I knew your mother.”
The strong male voice of the unicorn surprised her. So did his statement about her mother. “My moth—how—“ Nelyn stopped, confused.
“That bit of unicorn horn you wear, I once gave it to your mother.”
“What does that—“
“For saving my life. It is powerful. Guard it, like you guard your heart.”
Nelyn shook her head. She had no idea what the unicorn was talking about and it made no sense to her. “Is this a dream?” She hoped it was.
“It would be easier if I said yes,” replied the unicorn. “But it is not. The horn you wear is a gift. Draw strength from it. Use it to heal.”
“I’m confused.”
“It will make sense in time,” said the unicorn, “Where do you wish to go?”
“Tesnayr’s camp,” said Nelyn, “In the Perili Mountains.”
Nelyn leaned forward accepting the gentle movements of the unicorn’s steps before she passed out. She no longer cared if this was a dream or real. The unicorn gently walked through the night taking extra care to not lose his passenger.
Nigilin sat by Tesnayr’s bed and mopped the sweat off of his brow. Feverish, Tesnayr shook from alternating chills and delirium. Nigilin shook his head. He had seen Tesnayr like this before and he pulled through, but Nigilin doubted it would happen again. “Hang in there, Tesnayr,” he whispered, “The world still needs you.”
Arnin walked in. “How is he?”
“The same,” replied Nigilin. “Have you found them?”
“No. There has been no sign of Sarwyn or Serein.”
“What of Nelyn?”
Arnin shook his head in answer.
“How is Jarown handling the news?”
Arnin sighed. “As well as can be expected. He is helping Turyn search for the two fairies. I didn’t dare refuse his offer of assistance.”
“Arnin, there is something you should know. I don’t know what to do. I have applied everything I can think of. His fever has only increased and his wounds have shown no signs of healing. It is as though he has given up.”
“It sounds like we need a miracle,” said Arnin.
“Yes, we do.” Sadness filled Nigilin’s voice. With each passing minute, he felt as though he was losing a son.
Arnin clamped the man on the shoulder and left the tent.
A pop sounded behind Nigilin. He turned to find Sarwyn and Serein standing beside him. “Where have you been?” demanded Nigilin.
“We apologize for our absence, but we have important news. King Telinin of Belyndril has been exiled from his own kingdom by the orcs. He now resides in MurDair and plans to cross the mountains into Hemíl,” answered Serein.
Nigilin rose to his feet, doing his best to keep his temper in check. “While you have been gone, Captain Tesnayr was taken prisoner by the orcs. One of our own betrayed him. We managed to rescue him, but for three days now he has lain on that bed unchanged. We needed your help long ago and—,” he stopped midsentence and sagged down on the bedside exhausted.
Sarwyn strolled over to Tesnayr and examined him. “Sister,” she called and Serein joined her. They conducted a thorough examination with grim expressions. Whispering rapidly to each other in their own language, they ignored all else, much to Nigilin’s annoyance as he tried to listen in on their conversation. He cleared his throat to signal that he was still in the tent. The two sisters turned around.
“It is not good,” said Sarwyn. “He has been poisoned, but by what I cannot say.”
Serein chimed in. “Apparently the orcs were determined to keep him from surviving should he ever escape. By tomorrow’s dawn he will be dead.”
“Is there anything you can do?” asked Nigilin.
“No,” replied the fairies together.
“No?” Nigilin rubbed his hand over his forehead in frustration. “You are fairies. Some of the most powerful creatures on this earth and you can’t save him?” His temper rose with the pitch of his voice.
“Even we cannot stave off death,” said Sarwyn. “Some things are beyond our powers.”
“Then what can I do?” asked Nigilin. The thought of losing Tesnayr tore at his heart. He saved him once, came to view him as a son, and now was forced to watch him die.
“Pray,” said Serein.
“Pray?”
“Yes,” interjected Sarwyn. “There are two creatures on this earth that can save him. One rarely makes his presence known and is believed to be more myth than real. But the other does exist. But, with the invasion of the orcs, they have disappeared and only come to those of pure heart.”
“And it helps if they are female,” added Serein.
“You are speaking of the unicorns,” said Nigilin. He knew of their existence, but had never seen one. It was said that the beasts spent most of their time deep in the forests of the mountains or in MurDair away from humans.
“There is a third option,” said Sarwyn.
“What is that?” asked Nigilin.
“To accept what has come to pass. All men die. Perhaps this is Tesnayr’s time.”
Nigilin refused to believe that. “No. I saved him once. We need him. If the heavens have an ounce of mercy they will grant him his life.” Nigilin stormed out of the tent. He needed some air.
At that moment, a huge commotion arose within the encampment. Murmurs rumbled through the gathering men as many looked on in awe and disbelief. Nigilin pushed his way through the crowd. When he reached the front, he saw a single unicorn with a woman on its back. “Nelyn!”
Arnin burst through the crowd with Jarown beside him, both joyful that she still lived.
The unicorn snorted as he stopped. Ignoring those around them, the magnificent creature knelt down allowing Nelyn to dismount.
“Remember what I told you. That horn will not heal everybody, but sometimes it can heal one who needs it most.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Nelyn.
“It’s not supposed to,” replied the unicorn. “And remember,” the unicorn pointed his horn at Nelyn’s heart filling her with his energy and strength, “Stay pure.”
The unicorn turned and trotted away. No one attempted to stop the animal. They just stared after the unicorn barely believing what they witnessed.
“How did you,” Nigilin began, but stopped. “Are you alright?” asked Nigilin.
Nelyn nodded in answer.
Jarown ran up to Nelyn and enveloped her in a giant hug squeezing the air out of her lungs. “I thought I lost you.”
“You nearly did,” replied Nelyn. She fiddled with her necklace and a thought occurred to her. “But now is not the time. Where is Captain Tesnayr?”
“Through here,” said Nigilin leading her into the tent where Tesnayr still lay unconscious.
Sarwyn and Serein sat by Tesnayr’s bedside looking helpless and upset. They looked up as Nelyn entered. Quickly, Nelyn
took the necklace from around her neck and placed the bit of unicorn horn in Tesnayr’s hand. I hope I understood him properly, she thought to herself.
The others watched in intense curiosity. They each wondered what she was doing.
“Please,” Nelyn whispered so quietly that no one else heard her words, “If I understood the unicorn correctly, please heal him. We need him.”
Nothing happened. Frustrated, Nelyn let her hands fall to her side. I’m sorry. Nelyn did not know what she apologized for; the words just entered her mind.
Suddenly, the bit of unicorn horn in Tesnayr’s hand glowed. A silver light surrounded him. It grew in intensity and brightness forcing everyone to look away. Slowly, the light faded. The necklace fell from Tesnayr’s hand clinking on the ground just as he inhaled deeply. Nelyn scooped it up and put it back around her neck.
“Why are you all standing here?” asked Tesnayr as he opened his eyes. “Don’t you all have work to do?”
Beaming, everyone looked from one to another.
“You’re back,” said Nigilin trying to disguise the delight in his voice.
“Of course I am,” said Tesnayr. “Where is the girl?”
It took a moment for Nigilin to remember whom Tesnayr spoke of. “She is safe. We are searching for a place she can stay.”
“We know of one,” said Sarwyn. “There is a family in these mountains not far from here. They are well protected. Serein and I can take her there.”
“Do it,” said Tesnayr.
The two fairies left.
Tesnayr began to sit up to which Nigilin immediately placed his hands on the man’s shoulders and pushed him back down. “You need to rest,” he said. “We are safe for the moment.”
Relenting, Tesnayr lay back on the bed and closed his eyes in slumber.
Jarown led Nelyn to another tent away from the center of the camp so that she could rest.
“I’m fine,” she argued.
Jarown gave his daughter a piercing glare indicating that he didn’t believe her. “Bed.”
“But—”
“Now.”
Knowing she was not going to win the argument, Nelyn took off her armor and allowed Jarown to tuck her in. Though the bed consisted of a bunch of furs piled together to provide some cushioning, it was comfortable and she instantly fell asleep. Admiring his daughter for a moment, Jarown left her to rest.
When Nelyn awoke fully refreshed she found Jarown sitting beside her. “How long?” she asked.
“A day and a night,” replied Jarown. “I had to beg Arnin to let me in here.”
“You weren’t—”
“Arnin cared for you all night and saw to it that none disturbed you. Not even me.”
“And you let him?” exclaimed Nelyn.
“It was no less than what I would have done.” A note of admiration filled Jarown’s voice.
“You must be getting soft in your old age.” Nelyn blocked a playful smack from Jarown and laughed.
“Now, I’ll get you some food.”
“I will not have special treatment.”
“And I’ll not have my daughter push herself to the point of death. And neither will Arnin.”
“Arnin? He loathes me.”
Jarown smiled. “The same way you loathe him? I may be old, but I have not forgotten the ways of the young.”
“You could have fooled me.”
“When you have eaten there are things that need to be done. I’ll see you in about an hour.”
“Where did mother get this?” asked Nelyn holding up her necklace.
“I don’t rightly know. She came home with it one day saying that a unicorn had given it to her. No one believed her and thought that she had either found it or made it herself.
“But there are stories of unicorns giving certain gifts to humans. There is one tale that tells of a woman that saved a unicorn’s life. In return he gave her a piece of his horn. When she needed him most he would appear. Sort of a personal guardian.”
“It can’t be all true then,” said Nelyn.
“What makes you say that?”
“My mother is dead.”
“I doubt she is the one in the tale. But you must remember, Nelyn, there are laws that govern us all. Death comes for everyone eventually.”
“But this saved Tesnayr.” Nelyn pointed to her necklace.
“Don’t ask me to explain it, Nelyn,” said Jarown. “I don’t think there will ever be one. When your mother died she had something more important to think of. You.
“I found this years later. As it was once hers, it is now rightfully yours. Maybe this has some magical power. Maybe you do have a personal guardian. Or perhaps what recently happened was a bit of luck.”
“Perhaps,” Nelyn mumbled.
“Don’t spend much time dwelling on it. It will only drive you insane. Take it from an old man.”
Nelyn put her necklace back around her neck. “I miss her.”
Jarown nodded his head knowingly and patted her knee. “You take care of yourself.”
“You’re a good man, father.”
The air changed around Jarown as he stared at his feet and a sorrowful expression crossed his features. “No, I’m not,” he whispered and left.
Bewildered by his statement, Nelyn climbed out of bed and dressed in her usual attire of men’s armor. She had just finished when a voice spoke. “Though it is nice to you see up and about and back to your usual self, I must admit that the dress suited you better. At least, Arnin seemed to think so.”
Nelyn turned around. “Turyn! Don’t you ever knock?”
Turyn swished his tail and thought for a moment. “No. Knocking wastes precious moments better spent talking.”
Nelyn giggled. “What can I do for you?”
“Nothing. I only came to see how you were doing. By the way many of the men have begun singing a song about you and Tesnayr.”
“Me?”
Turyn jumped onto a shelf and positioned himself regally and sang the song.
What makes man fight when others run in fright?
It is courage he needs when others flee.
Strength and honor add to his valor.
Two warriors have we who’ve done marvelous deeds.
They know no fear whether far or near.
Our leader here is named Tesnayr.
He rose above the rest and faced many tests.
With knowledge to defeat our enemy
By his courage we follow today and tomorrow.
Nelyn is the other whose bravery is ne’er tethered.
Tho’ a woman she may be, she fights with fierce ferocity.
She is bound by her word and her deeds make her heard.
Her courage and loyalty are true and ne’er brewed.
Tesnayr and Nelyn are ours; we will follow them to the stars.
They know no fear whether far or near.
As soon as Turyn finished the last chorus his foot slipped and he fell off of the shelf crashing clumsily onto the ground. Nelyn roared with laughter.
“I meant to do that,” said Turyn, nursing his pride.
“I like you, Turyn.”
Turyn bowed. “Thank you. I like me too.”
Nelyn placed her foot in her boot only to find something was already in there. Carefully, she tipped it upside down and tapped it against a post. Out fell a half-eaten mouse.
“Turyn,” said Nelyn, “What is this doing in my boot?”
“That’s where I left my mouse!” Turyn quickly snatched the remains in his mouth and chewed on it greedily. “Want some?”
“No,” replied Nelyn, disgusted. “What was that thing doing in my boot?”
“I needed a place to store it,” replied the cat through bits of meat, “And your boot was convenient. Besides, you were sleeping and not using it at the time.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“Are you sure you don’t want some? It’s still fresh.”
Nelyn did her best not to retch from Turyn feas
ting happily on the day old remains of a mouse. “I’m not hungry.”
A messenger entered the tent urgently. “I beg your pardon, Lieutenant, but Captain Tesnayr has sent for you.”
“I’m on my way.”
The messenger left. Nelyn snatched the last of her weapons and stalked out. The sound of men singing greeted her ears as she exited her tent, chanting the same song that Turyn had sung for her. She blushed slightly embarrassed by such praise.
Soon, Nelyn joined Tesnayr, who had recovered fully, and the others: Jarown, Nigilin, Arnin, and of course the triplets. Despite Nigilin’s insistence that he get more rest, Tesnayr felt it more necessary to attend to other matters.
Restlessness grew among the men as they had camped for the last week. The cook had suffered some mildly devious pranks and Tesnayr knew who the culprits were. He also wished to convey the disturbing news he learned while he was Galbrok’s prisoner.
“I thank you all for what you have done for me,” began Tesnayr, “Now there are matters to be discussed. First off, our cook has complained again that some persons keep moving his pots, pans, and food around the camp. Precious time has been lost because he spends it searching for his things.”
Nedis smirked. “Quite funny though.”
“Usually walks right past it,” added Nylin.
“Never finds them he does,” chimed Nular.
Everyone, except Tesnayr, smiled. “You three,” he addressed the triplets, “Need to stop these antics. This is an army and we have no time for such foolishness. Have you ever had any real responsibility?”
The triplets shook their heads.
“Well, now is your chance. It will sadden me greatly if you fail. I am putting you three in charge of discipline.”
“Entertainment would suite them better,” commented Nigilin.
“Entertainment,” said Nylin.
“I like entertainment,” added Nular.
“Much more interesting than discipline,” chimed Nedis.
Tesnayr rubbed his temples. “Did anyone tell you that you are most annoying at times?”
The triplets gladly replied to this one after the other. “Often—”
“Even our mother—”
“—chased us with a plank of wood once—”
“—going to spank us she was—”
“—until we hid it from her.”
“Ah the memories.”
“Discipline,” said Tesnayr stopping their bantering. “You three are going to discipline this army and you will do it properly. If I am dissatisfied in any way I will teach the three of you the meaning of that word, personally. Dismissed”
Nedis, Nular, and Nylin stopped grinning. The dangerous tone in Tesnayr’s voice told them to not argue.
“Think maybe we should tone it down?” whispered Nedis to Nular.
“Yeah,” Nular whispered back.
“Galbrok has joined forces with men,” continued Tesnayr. “One particular man named Blynak. Their union seems to be a shaky one.
“This disturbs me, gentlemen. Never in all my life have I witnessed Galbrok aligning himself with so many men; especially those who are an obvious threat to him. But it appears the rumors we have been hearing for some time now are true.
“But there is another matter that coincides with this. Krulak was your man, Jarown, and he betrayed us to the orcs. Where does your loyalty lie?”
“How dare you,” exclaimed Nelyn. “He helped rescue you! You’ve no right—.”
Jarown cut her off. “He has every right,” he told Nelyn. “I know what you are thinking, Tesnayr. You are wondering if I assisted in your capture, if my participation in your rescue was a ploy to earn your trust. The answer to both of those is no. The truth is I know Blynak. He used me like he uses many others.”
“How well do you know him?” asked Tesnayr.
“Quite well,” said Jarown.
“Tell me everything.”
Jarown shifted his feet for a few moments before answering. He had been dreading this moment, but could find no way to avoid it. “Blynak is not a man to be trifled with. I served with him for a time and witnessed his cruelty first hand. In those days a brutal war had taken place in Belyndril.
“Blynak had amassed an army and attempted to overthrow the king of Belyndril. At first I joined the king’s army with my friend Selnik. We were like brothers. But, life had other ideas.
“At this time, I fell in love with Nelyn’s mother. We loved each other deeply, but her father chose Selnik to be her husband. In accordance with our customs, she married him. Bitterness swept over me and stained my friendship toward Selnik.
“Over the next four years the war dragged on and my resentment grew. Blynak wanted information. Information that Selnik had. Blynak has a unique ability of gathering important data and learned of my falling out with Selnik. So he sought me out and convinced me to tell him where to find Selnik.
“He promised that no one would be harmed, but it was another lie. He sent his men to convince Selnik to talk by holding his wife and child hostage. I tried to save them in the end, but arrived too late. They were both dead when I arrived.”
Jarown glanced at Nelyn. “Because of me your parents, your real parents, are dead. I held your father when he breathed his last. Yours was the last name upon his lips.
“I took you in to fulfill a promise to a dying man.”
Tears streaked Nelyn’s face as it contorted in rage. She had always thought of Jarown as her real father and she never knew the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death. “You are not my father?”
“No.”
“You killed my mother?”
“Yes.”
Nelyn marched up to Jarown and punched him in the face. Blood spurted from his nose running down his chin and dripping onto his shirt. “How could you!” she screamed. Two men seized her arms and held her back as she struggled to be free of their grasp. “You betrayed them! The woman you loved! Your only friend!”
“Get her out of here,” ordered Tesnayr.
“I have been living in a prison of guilt since that day,” said Jarown as Nelyn was dragged away. He placed his head in his hands.
“I hate you!” Nelyn’s shouts continued to be heard as men hauled her to the far end of the encampment.
Tesnayr placed his hand on Jarown’s shoulder. “I know this is difficult, but I need you to tell me everything you know about Blynak.”