Yuma strode along the lakeshore admiring the spider webs glistening with pearls of spray. Unlike the flat nets used to trap insects, these were three-dimensional in the shapes of animals and plants more intricate than anything he had ever carved. One web, as high as his knees, emulated a hare, the spider a glowing topaz at its eye. Every day Yuma discovered new wonders. A unicorn! Chaytan would never believe him. He’d even doubted his own sanity when he saw her emerge from the lake in all her glorious colours.
Gemstone had told him the black stallion called him Squirrel, the same coming-of-age name that his clan had given him. She claimed that was no co-incidence, and that the goddess had sent him as a messenger. He didn’t know about that, but how amazing that horses had names for people! And the horse was Fleet of Foot; the name matched his agility and speed well.
Although he had no need to hunt, Yuma wanted more flint to renew his arrowheads and tools. At some time he would have to leave. The threat foreseen by the chestnut mare worried him for his family at Waterfalls, or White Water Cliffs, as the horses called it. Again, it never occurred to him horses named their territories. How little people knew about the herds they cared for.
He chuckled at the thought of telling Winona, his sister, about their home from a horse’s perspective. Always so serious, she would think he was making up another of his tales. When they walked together, she gathered herbs for healing and cooking while he collected interesting pieces of wood. In response to his description of the animals he carved, or the shapes he envisaged in cloud formations, she’d give him a lecture on how to prepare and use various infusions and poultices.
His mood sobered. Wolves could threaten the Waterfalls clan since the horses lost their lead stallion. The herd no longer gave warnings so people could light defensive fires and keep watch. Winona might need all the salves she could make. How she’d love this place. Gathering and drying herbs, he had found everything he knew, and more, close to the lake. With Gemstone explaining the properties of each, his bag bulged with ribwort for wounds, celandine for pain, and sundew for coughs.
Not finding any flints, Yuma hiked inland, his eye drawn to a solitary maple standing in splendour against the blue sky. He hadn’t ventured this far before. The giant tree’s leaves shone with the colours of all seasons. Nothing grew under its massive spreading limbs, the ground twinkling with stones. Crouching, he scooped up a handful and trickled them through his fingers. He gasped—emerald, amethyst, and sapphire among diamond, turquoise, and ruby. He had never seen such an abundance of colour. A few of these would make an ideal replacement for the venomous fangs. Studying the stones closer, he became even more amazed. They were all the same shape—flattened discs like fish scales, some as small as his fingernails, others the size of his palm.
A giggle overhead made him look up. He leapt back and fell on his rear, dropping the stones. Were there tiny creatures in the branches? No, of course not. It must have been an optical illusion from the multi-coloured leaves. He scooped up another handful of stones to examine. Once again, tinkling laughter greeted him. Taking care to keep his balance as well as his hold on the stones, he lifted his head. His jaw dropped. Dozens of winged creatures chattered and laughed at him.
One of the larger ones dropped to the ground and pointed his snout towards Yuma. “Do you like our scales? You can keep one if you like.”
Yuma shook his head in wonder. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise they were yours. I’m Yuma Squirrel of Waterfalls.”
“Yes, I know. I’m Tatuk. I’ve been keeping an eye on you.”
“I haven’t seen you before. Have you been here for long?” Yuma couldn’t quite get used to the idea of talking to a flying lizard of rainbow colours. It had taken him long enough to accept the unicorn really existed and could communicate with him.
Tatuk fluttered his wings and perched on a branch near Yuma’s head. “I’ve been with you since you and Fleet crossed into Gem’s territory. I felt the veil pierced and went to see who entered without consent.”
Yuma was flummoxed. “What veil?”
Tatuk explained about the protective border around Shimmering Lake. “We dragons tell Gem when creatures seek assistance, and she allows them through. For those she doesn’t want, we sow delusions in their minds so they turn back of their own accord. That’s what we did with the wolves chasing you. I don’t know how you came in without permission, but we’ve never had a human visit before. Maybe it was because you were in danger.”
Sitting on a fallen branch, Yuma struggled to take in the information. “Why haven’t I seen you before?”
“Only those with the goddess’s power, or someone touching one of our scales, can see and talk with dragons.”
Testing the theory, Yuma placed the gems in his hand on the ground. All the dragons disappeared. When he picked up a single clear stone, they reappeared. “May I really have one? I don’t want to take your treasures.”
Tatuk giggled and flew a merry dance through the leaves. “I’ve said you can.”
Fascinated by the rainbow creatures, Yuma burst with questions. “Where do you come from?”
The dragon dropped to the ground and nestled into a pile of gems. “Dragons were originally seahorses. Before the goddess returned to the spirit world, she created aquadragons and dragons to be friends with unicorns.”
Yuma pinched himself. It hurt. Deciding he must accept the extraordinary in a unicorn’s territory, he asked the dragon where to find flints.
“Follow me!” Tatuk took off, flying at head height as he guided Yuma along a rough path, the dragon’s bright colours dazzling as he flitted from side to side.
Yuma marvelled at the badgers and martens lazing with voles and muskrats. A jackrabbit played tag with a wolverine and a hare entwined with a fox in the sun. Crystal waters burbled down the hillsides while slower rivers meandered along the flats, pike and trout swimming together where the waterways merged. Narrow tracks zigzagged through a carpet of flowers, thick cushions of moss grew on rocks, and straggles of lichen hung from trees.
Even a cave they entered teemed with life behind a screen of ferns—bats and newts, salamanders and crickets, all shared the space in harmony. Tatuk perched on a ledge and chattered directions. “Follow the tunnel and you’ll find jade, much better than flint. You can carve it with the diamond scale.”
Yuma collected a range of green stones hard enough to use as arrow tips and carried them out to the light. He settled against the smooth cliff wall and whittled with his diamond, delighted at how easily the jade carved. He created a range of tools and ornaments, losing all sense of time until the sun moved from his face. The little dragon had gone, only the scale in Yuma’s hand evidence that Tatuk really existed.
Content and mellow, Yuma headed back to the lake for a swim. The surface glinted as before, but with a difference. A vast difference! With the diamond in his hand, he stared in wonder at the flocks of dragons flitting above the water. So many! They zoomed and chased each other in play, splashing their feet through the water and performing acrobatics unlike anything a bird or bat could do. All of them sparkled like rainbows; the only difference between them the colours of their legs—solid green, red, or purple.
After watching the spectacle for a while, Yuma located Fleet and Gemstone dozing under a tree. He headed in their direction to share his exciting discovery. From their close proximity, he sensed a change in their relationship. Fleet no longer looked submissive, coming alert at his approach with ears pricked and tail held high. Gemstone radiated contentment, her coat glistening emerald. Perhaps the diamond scale enhanced his perception of her too.
She greeted him as he came closer. “Tatuk tells me you’ve found the jade caves.”
“I’ve made a good store of items, probably more than I can carry.”
Fleet leapt sideways and stared at him. “I can understand you! Can you follow what I’m saying?”
Yuma was thrilled to understand Fleet. “Yes, Tatuk gave me one of his discarded scales.” When he’d seen the dragons over the lake, he dreamed the diamond scale might enable him to understand the horse, like he could the unicorn. “What a difference this will make, my beauty.”
Fleet threw up his head. “I’m not your beauty, Squirrel. Horses don’t belong to people. If anything, you belong to me.”
“I didn’t mean to imply ownership, merely admiration.” Yuma held up his hands in apology. “While we’re talking of names, I’d prefer you called me Yuma. Squirrel is my maturity name that identifies me to strangers, not what my friends use.”
Gemstone bowed her head to acknowledge his point. “We still have much to learn about your kind. I’m surprised, yet delighted, that Tatuk offered you one of his scales. But it isn’t the scale enabling you to understand Fleet. That only gifts you the ability to see and talk with dragons. Fleet has come into his own powers.”
Yuma caught the glance that passed between them. He placed the scale at his feet to test this new discovery. “You have powers like a unicorn?”
Fleet arched his neck. “It seems so.”
Yuma grinned. “I thought I saw a difference in you. I can guess how you gained that.”
Gemstone twitched her upper lip. “What this means is Fleet is a warmblood, a horse with unicorn ancestry.”
At first, the notion surprised Yuma. Then he considered how strong and determined Fleet was. Another young stallion wouldn’t have taken on the task Fleet had. “That’s wonderful.”
He picked up Tatuk’s scale, untied the thong holding back his hair, and wrapped it around the rare gift. “I’ll treasure this anyway. The dragons are beyond anything the bards sing about in even their wildest fantasies. Even unicorns!”
Gemstone stepped closer and nuzzled his shoulder. “Take care not to lose it.”
Yuma hung the precious scale around his neck and stroked Fleet’s neck. “Thank you for allowing me to accompany you here. I’m honoured and overawed. I’m also thrilled you have found such a beautiful and interesting mate. I wish I could do the same.”
Seeing the loneliness in Yuma’s eyes, Gemstone understood that beauty and riches were meaningless unless shared. Nothing she could do would assist the man find a lifemate. And the handsome black stallion intrigued her. Why had he come to her for help rather than seek it from first-generation unicorns? All she could offer was friendship. “You may both call me Gem.”
Tatuk alighted on her crest. “The new fox is causing trouble. The den she’s preparing for whelping belongs to another vixen.”
Dreading the troubles to come as more animals sought sanctuary, Gem bid farewell to Fleet and Yuma. She cantered after the dragon, glad of the excuse to remove herself from the horse’s company. The surprise at his newfound ability to communicate his thoughts troubled her, both for the implications of his heritage and the loss of her privacy. After their initial coupling, he had become intense, desiring her again. She had rebutted him, reminding him he was in her territory; she was no mare to push around.
As Tatuk had said, two vixens snapped and snarled at each other in front of the hollow. Gem whinnied. “Stop it, both of you. I won’t have discord in my land. If you can’t live together in harmony, you’ll have to leave. As much as I’d hate to banish you to the cold winter, I will if you don’t stop this nonsense.”
The original owner of the den grovelled and begged forgiveness. One of her ears had been torn and dripped blood. The new arrival crouched low and apologised.
After wielding her horn and healing the injured fox in a sparkle of emerald stardust, Gem addressed the newcomer. “I’ll help you create a den under the adjacent oak. That way you’ll have someone to help raise your litter and teach them manners.”
Using her horn and hooves while the foxes dug with their paws, she carved a shelter for the vixen between two massive roots. The smell of damp earth mingled with the moss and leaves they used to line the nest for the new family. As she departed, Gem could hear the vixens swapping stories about the horrors they had experienced at home. Although happy they would become friends, her concern for the future grew from their news.
With a heavy heart, she climbed to the ledge where she communicated with Echo.
He answered immediately, sharing her worry regarding Fleet’s ancestry. Tell me again who his parents were.
Gem passed on the names of Fleet’s sire and dam. He believes Sapphire’s dam might have been called Mist and came from west of White Water Cliffs, though he’s not sure. Other than that, she shared nothing more about her ancestry with him.
Echo was silent for a few moments. Mist? I had a daughter by a horse mare with that name. It might be possible. Warmbloods live much longer than normal horses. That would make Fleet my great-grandson.
His response confirmed Gem’s suspicions. Would that be enough to allow him to pierce the veil? He’d only be a noncorn with an eighth hotblood.
It must be, and why we must take Sapphire’s vision seriously. You must contact Moonglow and seek a prophecy.
Worried what reception she might get from the First Unicorn, Gem hesitated. Will she speak with me?
I don’t see why not. Call her now. No, wait; you’d better have Fleet with you in case she has questions. I doubt his power will be enough for him to talk with her at Tern Island.
Gem breathed deeply to calm herself. Fleet stood shoulder to shoulder with her on the ledge, his excitement at contacting another unicorn in contrast to her nervousness.
Waiting longer would achieve nothing. She directed her thoughts out to Moonglow. Can you hear me? It’s Gemstone, Diamond and Echo’s daughter.
Gemstone! I never thought to hear from you. Diamond says… Oh, never mind. Tempest tells me… What was it? You have a warmblood companion? How nice. Or maybe not. I never did hold much with the company of horses.
Relieved Moonglow sounded welcoming, albeit muddled, Gem related Fleet’s arrival and his dam’s vision. Echo suggested I contact you for a prophecy. Can you help?
Wait. If one comes, you’ll know. A strong warmblood? How fascinating. But troubles? I don’t know about that. Everything’s fine here. Hang on.
Gem’s mind went silent, as if all her thoughts drained away. None of her senses pierced the void, not the whisper of the wind, or hard stone beneath her hooves, or the warmth of Fleet’s body touching hers.
She waited, not daring to move, her eyes clamped shut.
Golden feathers there are five
Time and rock has healed
Strong and straight have stayed alive
Only the true can wield
Sensation returned to Gem, the shuffle of Fleet’s hooves loud on the loose stones, and the dryness of her tongue rasping against her teeth. What does it mean?
Did Diamond not tell you? Jasper saved Aureana’s feathers. They must have regained power. From contact with Equinora. Or maybe not. Who knows?
Her dam had told her of Dewdrop’s death, and the goddess being unable to revive her. But what did this mean for Equinora now? Before she could ask, her mind blanked again.
Hidden deep in peaks of white
Guarded by a bear
Transform red and black to right
Horse must venture there
Once again, sensation returned, leaving Gem dizzy. I still don’t understand what this means.
Your horse must get the Snowhaven feathers. Then go to Obsidian Caves and use them on Shadow.
Moonglow added no more to explain her words other than that prophecies came to her only in critical situations.
Gem passed on the conversation to Fleet, who had been unable to hear Moonglow. He said nothing as they headed back to the lake, giving Gem the chance to absorb the information.
Yuma rested against the base of her favourite tree, carving a hand-sized lump of jade. The figurine had Fleet’s muscled contours and thick mane and tail, as well as his heavy-boned head, unlike her own chiselled features. As much as she admired the artistry, the image troubled her. “Please don’t make a unicorn. We’d rather remain unnoticed.”
Yuma accepted her request. “There’s so much I have to learn. I’m glad my father sent me away, even if this journey isn’t quite what he had in mind.”
Gem touched his shoulder gently with her horn. “I’m glad you feel that way. Fleet must go to Snowhaven and Obsidian Caves to save the herds from annihilation. I hope you’ll go with him.”
“Of course! I’ll do anything I can to help. My people are under threat too. I should have returned to them ages ago, but I see now that my path lies elsewhere.” Yuma stood and untangled Fleet’s mane.
Fleet ignored him and pawed the air, squealing at Gem. “I’ve only just found you! I must stay. The riddles don’t say I have to be the one to go.”
Gem stamped her hoof. “This is not a request. You sought help from me. Moonglow’s prophecy is an instruction from the goddess. She said, ‘Your horse must get the Snowhaven feathers.’ Of course it means you.”
Fleet’s skin rippled as if swarmed by biting insects. “But the snows still ravage the lands outside Shimmering Lake. At least let me wait until spring. The prophecy didn’t say I had to go right away.”
Yuma interrupted their argument. “Where are Snowhaven and Obsidian Caves?”
“You’ll need to head east until you reach Lost Lands, a forest of bogs.” Gem described Obsidian Caves to the north within spires of volcanic rock. “They smell of rotten eggs. Snowhaven is further east. Their tips are covered in snow all year round.”
Yuma nodded. “I know where you mean. I’ve seen them only from afar. I don’t know anyone who’s ever been there. That’s wolf country.”
Gem agreed they were dangerous places. “Tatuk has offered to show you the way. He’ll also report to me on your progress.”
Fleet turned his back, his tail clamped tight to his buttocks. “I thought unicorns were supposed to protect the herds. Why does it have to be me to go?”
Gem struck with her foreleg, catching Fleet on the shoulder. “You have no choice. The goddess has spoken. That is how we help. Besides, I can’t have you remain here now you’ve opened your mind, especially as you can’t conceal your thoughts. Learn to do so quickly, else you may find others listening in.”
“What about the wolves on your boundary? How will we get past them?” Fleet paced around the tree, kicking up puffs of dust.
Gem sighed. “Tatuk will show you another pass, further to the north. They won’t be expecting anyone to leave that way. And if you do encounter wolves, you should be able to outrun them with your strength and stamina now your wounds have healed.”
“But the poison remains in my veins. I’m still plagued by nightmares.” He struck the ground with a hoof and snaked his head, his thick mane writhing like a tangle of black serpents. “What will you do with so many animals arriving, or if bloodwolves pierce your barrier? I should be here to defend you.”
Anger brewed within Gem. Why did horses always become so argumentative once they mated? “I’ll do what I always do—help in any way I can. The best way you can defend me is to stop Shadow from sending his beasts out.”
Her gaze lingered on Fleet, Yuma, and Tatuk in turn. “Moonglow agrees Sapphire’s vision is dire, and her prophecy tells you what you must do. There can be no delay. You must leave Shimmering Lake tomorrow.”