The Revenge Page 19
“When do we leave?” asked Amarah.
“Not for a few days. I need a rest. And this is the best place I can think of for that.”
“It'll be just like old times,” said Amarah.
“Except for Father,” said Damien, his eyes cast downward.
“Except for Father,” repeated Amarah.
“Did you know he appeared to me in a dream?” said Damien.
“No,” said Amarah.
“It’s true. And if it hadn’t been for him, I would be a very different unicorn today. You know I’m thinking of becoming instructor to the foals like he was.”
“I’d be so proud if you did,” said Amarah.
“Then I’ll do it.”
They spent the next seven sunrises in the meadow enjoying nibbling on flowers, wading in the creek, and exploring. At the end of the week, Damien led the mares away to the new land, confident that all would go well.
Chapter 42
The Coat of Arms
It had been a wonderful summer gathering herbs with Aunt Agatha. She'd moved into the new cottage close to where Corabelle lived with her parents. Corabelle couldn't get over how Aunt Agatha seemed to have grown younger, her health renewed, especially now that she had regained her position in the village.
“I’ve never felt better in my life,” she'd declared. “It's the unicorn's touch. Twice lucky.”
They spent each day together at Aunt Agatha's cottage, preparing the roots and herbs they'd collected and dispensing them to the villagers.
When they finished their daily work, Corabelle played with the other children, notably Mia who was now her best friend again.
The happiest part of her summer, though, was the day the baron summoned her family to the castle on the hill. Corabelle led the way, dressed in her very best clothes, followed by Mama, Papa, and Aunt Agatha. When they came to the massive wooden door, it was Corabelle herself who knocked.
The doorman welcomed them with a mannerly smile. Without hesitation, he lowered the drawbridge, then directed them into the great hall as though they were important dignitaries.
The baron was already waiting for them when they arrived. Beside him, stood an old friar dressed in a brown tunic made of coarse fabric. A hood hung down, revealing his shaved head.
Corabelle gazed at him with curiosity. How calm and gentle his eyes were.
The baron stood up as they entered. “Corabelle, I'd like you to meet Brother Tobias. He's the young lad who sighted the unicorn so long ago.”
Corabelle's eyes rounded. She did a quick curtsy. “I'm so honoured to meet you.”
“The honour is mine, young miss,” said Brother Tobias. “Your tale has spread throughout the kingdom.”
“It has?”
He nodded. “When I heard the story, my greatest wish was to meet the girl who tamed the unicorn. And now, here I am.”
The baron led them to the long table in the dining room where they were served pastries of all sorts and the most delicate of teas while Brother Tobias told them of his encounter with the unicorn many years before.
“I was such an angry lad,” he said. “I disliked everyone and everything. And my sole purpose in life was to oppose all authority. I found great pleasure in it. That is until the lion attacked me.” His eyes grew distant at the memory. “I thought it was all over and that I would die that day. That’s when I realized how fleeting life was. And then, the unicorn appeared. I don’t know why it spared me. I was rotten through and through. But I guess it saw some good in me.” He blinked away tears. “After that, I changed. I figured if the unicorn saw fit to save my life, that I owed it. I never wanted to return to being the horrid boy I was. And of course, you know the rest. I entered the monastery.”
Corabelle shared her story beginning with her dream and the painting it inspired, all the way to her return with Red in tow.
Brother Tobias’ eyes lit up as she spoke. When she finished, he took her hand and said, “You and I are so lucky to have connected with unicorns. That makes us kindred spirits, you know.”
Corabelle’s lips turned up in a timid smile. “Thank you.”
“And that’s why I’ve summoned you both here,” said the baron. “You see, the king has requested both of your services.”
“Mine?” Corabelle pointed her finger at her chest.
“Yes. His Royal Highness heard about your painting and has asked that you fashion a new coat of arms for him—one with a lion and a unicorn.”
Corabelle's heart pounded.
“Do you think you can do it?” asked the baron.
The girl turned and shared a look with her parents.
Their eyes shone with pride as they nodded.
“Yes, I think I can.”
“Wonderful,” said the baron. “You'll start tomorrow morning working with Brother Tobias. He's exceptional at woodwork. And when you've completed the task, it will hang in the great hall of King James himself.”
Corabelle couldn't believe her ears. The designer of the king's coat of arms? Her?
They shook on it, then finished their tea and dainties, the baron himself escorting them to the door. As Corabelle turned to leave, he called, “You know you're a very talented young lady. And don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Corabelle smiled. “I won’t.”
After waving to the baron, she raced to catch up with her parents and Aunt Agatha, amazed at how a life in turmoil could turn itself around…with a little magic from a unicorn.
The End
Author’s Note
The idea of Damien came to me while visiting the British Museum in London, England where I observed a sculpture of the Atomic Apocalypse by the Linares family. In the display, a demon, brandishing a lance, was riding a red horse. From where I was standing, the lance resembled a single horn. And I thought, “Suppose a unicorn was born red, and because of this, was endlessly tormented by his peers despite his giftedness. Then one day, he simply had enough and turned on his own kind with devastating results. And thus, Damien was born!
Suzanne de Montigny wrote her first unicorn story at the age of twelve. Several years later, she discovered it in an old box in the basement, thus reigniting her love affair with these magical creatures. A teacher for over twenty years in Vancouver, B.C., she learned she could spin a good tale that kept kids and teachers asking for more.
Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy was the 2012 recipient of the Gold Global E-book Award for Best Fantasy/Alternate History. Her teen novel, A Town Bewitched was awarded first prize in the Dante Rossetti Award for Best Coming of Age Novel.
Suzanne lives in Burnaby, B.C. with the four loves of her life – her husband, two boys, and Buddy the dog.
Please visit Suzanne’s website at: http://www.suzannedemontigny.com
You can also find her on Facebook at: https://facebook.com/unicorngirl52
And can follow her on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/sfierymountain
And last but not least, here is her blog: http://suzannesthoughtsfortheday.blogspot.ca