"Of course there's a way," said Illyria. "We have only to find it.”
"If we ride three days to the west, I know of a shipping port where it is only an hour across. They are sure to have boats there," Zanara-Ki suggested.
Illyria looked worried. "That would increase the chances of Ankzar overtaking us, but I suppose it is our only choice." She jumped back onto Quiet Storm and was about to continue the drive when Darian caught her arm.
"Look," he said, pointing to the sky. Overhead soared twelve giant golden eagles.
"Laric,” said Illyria, stretching one arm skyward longingly. The eagles slowly circled to the ground, and with a soft glowing light they transformed into men. Laric stepped forward, his red cape swinging dashingly over his shoulders,
llyria dismounted and ran to him. They embraced, and then Laric held Illyria out in front of him. He studied her tenderly, disheveled as she was, her exquisite dress torn and dirty, her face streaked with black eyeliner and swear, her hair wild and tangled around her shoulders. "I can see you've had a time of it, my lady,'' he said gently.
Illyria tossed her head back proudly and laughed. "That is certainly true." Then her face grew soft, and she allowed her exhaustion to show. "And I am overjoyed to see you, my love.
But how did you find us here?"
"When Nanine and Myno informed me of your quest, we set out directly to join you," Laric explained. "The Hickorites told us of this cove, and I sent Nanine back to arrange transport and troops.
''So I see,'' said Illyria with a smile.
Sheila squinted as she followed Illyria's gaze. Out in the open sea she could make out a dot of red, then two dots. One by one the dots increased. By the time the twelfth dot appeared over the horizon, Sheila could see that the first dot was in fact a ship with billowing crimson-colored sails.
Sheila dismounted and waded into the water. Darian came alongside her. Silently they watched the ships come ever closer. Before long they could recognize Nanine at the helm of the first ship.
The next few hours were spent walking the herd of unicorns up the slippery gangplanks onto the ships. The sun was low when Nazir ran down to the water to warn Illyria that Ankzar's soldiers were on their way.
"Shall we stay and fight?" Laric asked Illyria.
The Unicorn Queen shook her head. "There would he nothing gained, and perhaps something lost. We have what we came for."
Laric considered her words a moment. "I agree. If they wish a fight, let them seek us on our own ground."
With that they boarded the ship. "Set sail for home!" Laric shouted, his arm wrapped happily around Illyria's waist."Now, tell us of your adventures," Myno urged Sheila as Nanine steered the ship into open waters.
"Illyria says it was your magic that saved the unicorns," Nanine joined in.
"What was Queelotoo like?" Dian asked.
"No more questions until I make sure Sheila is in no need of my care," Pelu said. "I see some fearsome bruises and cuts even from here."
"I promise to give you all the details," Sheila said with an exhausted smile. "This story will keep me busy for lots of campfires, that's for sure. But right now I'm too tired to tell it.”
"Go, go," Myno said, scooting her along, "before you fall down."
As soon as Pelu had tended her wounds, Sheila wandered over to an empty section near the side of the ship and leaned against it. Morning Star walked quietly to her side. "I guess you really did need me," Sheila said, draping her arm around the unicorn's neck. Morning Star rubbed Sheila's arm with her nose.
"She's not the only one," said Darian, coming up beside them. "I'm glad you're staying."
Sheila smiled at him softly. "Me, too," she said. In a strange way she was glad the choice had been taken from her, at least for the present.
Sheila and Darian stood there, savoring the peaceful sea. The sun was just rising, streaking the yellow-blue sky with red and gold.
"I can never get used to the way the sun comes up in this world," Sheila said. "I've never seen anything more beautiful.''
As Darian nodded and took her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, Sheila gazed dreamily up at the sky. She squeezed his hand, took a deep breath of the clean morning air—and couldn't help but wonder what this new day would bring in the strange land of the Unicorn Queen.
Back To Chapter Listings!
Chapter 1: Haunted Days, Sleepless Nights
Chapter 2: Transported
Chapter 3: Return to Campora
Chapter 4: Into the Wilderness
Chapter 5: Reunion
Chapter 6: The Unicorns' Lament
Chapter 7: Spellbound
Chapter 8: Stops Along the Way
Chapter 9: The Hickorites
Chapter 10: Across the Unknown Sea
Chapter 11: Queelotoo
Chapter 12: In Ankzar’s Prison
Chapter 13: The Words of Reemergence
Chapter 14: Simi's Revenge
Chapter 15: Sheila’s Magic
Email: Nikki