“And now, Azaria, you have one final skill to learn. It’s the most difficult one of all,” said Darius.
“Oh, good! What is it?” Azaria asked, feeling very confident after mastering riding the wind and camouflaging.
“You must walk from here to that rock through the mud without making a sound or leaving any traces,” said Darius as he shifted around his weight, making himself comfortable.
“Not a problem.” Azaria grinned. He walked as quietly as he could, concentrating on the task and sure of success. But after only one step, he heard the unmistakable splitch-splotch of his hooves sucking up the mud. Looking back from the other side, his ears flattened, he cried, “They’re all there!”
“Ah, but not all of them,” Darius said, a hint of smile playing on his lips.
Azaria looked up, hopeful, but confused.
“Where are the prints of your shadow?” the dinosaur asked.
Azaria’s face returned to its former scowl. “Well, there aren’t any because my shadow’s not real.”
“But I distinctly saw it follow you as you went along.”
Azaria stared at Darius, utterly puzzled.
Darius continued. “Try again, Azaria, and this time, think as a shadow. Move as one. Be one. Shadows make no sound and leave no traces.”
The unicorn scrunched his brows in deep concentration. He imagined he was a shadow, grey and misty, that he was light and airy, and began the walk again, this time riding on the tips of his hooves. He took only a few steps when one of his hooves caught a stone, and he slipped, landing headlong into the mire. Struggling to rise, he lost his balance again, but forced himself up, grimacing at his muddy coat.
“Shadow, my eye!” he growled. “No one can be a shadow. Not even you. I bet you can’t do it either!”
Darius pursed his lips and lugged his gigantic body up. “Watch and listen,” he said. His large feet shaking the ground as he moved, Darius plodded to the edge of the mud, and placed one foot forward. When the other three followed, he transformed, floating, yet at the same time walking as though a spirit.
Azaria’s jaw hung. “How did you do that?”
“Simple. I was one with my shadow,” Darius said as though nothing unusual happened. “You weren’t. You were imitating what you perceive a shadow to be.”
“But ... I –”
“Try again,” said Darius.
“But –”
“Just try again!” Darius’s voice was firm.
Azaria let go. His eyes glazed, and he stepped into the mud, this time with his spirit. His body felt hollow and his mind was as silent as the stars. Feeling breathless as though he had lost matter, he began to glide. He moved with ease, stepping forward several steps, no sound – just he and his shadow. Elation filled him.
I’m doing it! I’m really doing it!
His heart beating fast, he quickened his pace only to hear the dreaded sound again – splitch-splotch. He hurried to the other side, spun about, and stared. There were a few hoof prints there, but most of them were missing.
“Darius? he cried, his voice booming with excitement. “I did it for a few steps, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.” The dinosaur smiled so wide all his large molars showed. “And now you must continue to practice this until you can do it instantly. And once you can, you will be ready to save your herd.”
Azaria gladly obeyed Darius, practicing for days. At the end of the week, he had mastered the near impossible skill. “I’m pretty good now, right?” he asked, his chest puffing out.
Darius lowered his head to Azaria’s height. “Yes, you’ve done well, but now it’s time for you to leave.”
Startled, Azaria took a step back. “What?” he asked.
“You must leave now,” Darius repeated.
“But, I don’t feel like I’m ready,” he said. “I know I haven’t always been polite, and that you were just trying to help, but I’ve been scared – really.”
“Azaria, you must leave now,” Darius repeated again, his voice growing urgent.
“But, what if Ishmael is too strong, and I go back to find them all dead?” Droplets of sweat beaded his forehead.
“Your enemy has already been defeated. Ishmael has human foes too. When you return, you’ll find your friends have been freed and reunited,” he said. “But you must leave now; otherwise you may be too late. The herds are very angry and there’ll be violence against the humans if you don’t stop them. And if the unicorns attack the humans, they’ll destroy your species. So go now. You’re needed.”
Azaria stood undecided for a moment, and then broke into a canter. He sped up a knoll, but paused momentarily to call to his friend. “Good-bye, Darius. I’ll be back soon, I hope.”
“Good-bye, my good friend,” Darius replied.