Arthur kept glancing over his shoulder as they rode, making sure that Thomas was still behind them. Imbecile or not, he was still Arthur's responsibility.
He's still a boy, Arthur thought bitterly, jumping his horse over a splintering log in their way. But somewhere along the line… he was forced to grow up much too soon.
Reigning in his horse, Arthur hung back until he was side by side with the physician's apprentice. Thomas glanced sideways at him, his expression clearly showing how he felt about the king's presence.
"You really don't care much for me." Arthur acknowledged. "Do you?"
"I never said such, Sire." Thomas slurred, his eyes red-rimmed from his nighttime adventure.
"You don't have to say so." Arthur said. "I can tell… you've never drank before; I can tell that much too."
"My father didn't approve of it." Thomas grumbled, rubbing an arm across his eyes.
"I see." Arthur hummed. The conversation lapsed into silence, until Merlin's voice sounded from up ahead.
"Arthur!"
Arthur perked up, kicking his heels to his stallion's side. The horse galloped ahead. Merlin had pulled in his steed on the ridge of a cliff. Arthur stopped beside him.
"What is it?" He asked the warlock. Arthur froze as his eyes came to rest on the land beyond them. In the sky was a dancing line the color of sunset…like a trail of fire had been set before them in the horizon.
"Wow!" Callum exclaimed from where he was riding behind Merlin. The boy's blue eyes were wide with wonder. "I've never seen anything like that!"
"It's magical." Merlin whispered.
"It's certainly beautiful." Arthur agreed.
"No," Merlin's mouth opened and closed. He looked like he had when he'd first told Arthur of his magic, terrified. "It's truly magic."
Oh, Arthur looked at the sky-fire with new interest.
"Sky trail." A breathless voice rasped out. Arthur shifted in his seat, looking back at Thomas. The young man was gaping at the sky, awe written on his face.
"Well…" Arthur cleared his throat. "It's of no matter to us."
"But-." Thomas stopped himself. The youth lowered his head, looking anywhere but at the sky fire. "I suppose not."
Thomas waited well into the depths of night, when all the others were snoring softly, believing him to be on watch, to make his move. Quiet as a creeping mouse, the young man began to make his way from the campsite. Thomas couldn't draw his eyes from the sky fire. Even in the pitch black, it still shone, brighter than ever, in the same glowing pattern.
Thomas could feel it, just as Merlin had felt it. For the sky trail was of the magic of the world, just as all those who wielded magic were.
I can hear it, Thomas thought. I can hear it calling to me.
The young warlock went to where Moonlight was tied to the low-hanging branch of an elm tree.
"Easy, sweetheart." Thomas cooed as the horse nickered nervously, unsure of what it was that was sneaking up on her in the night. "Only me, my girl."
Moonlight lurched forward, nuzzling his neck like a happy puppy would his master. Thomas ran his fingers through the fur on her cheekbone, smiling.
"Are you ready to run like the fury of Uther is behind you?" Thomas asked, his voice as quiet as the wind that licked the tips of the trees above. Moonlight pulled back and shook out her mane. For a little old mare, she was still as dignified a horse as you would ever find. She was loyal… Thomas's one true friend.
"We have to go." He informed the mare, hopping up on her back. Nearby, Arthur's white stallion stamped the ground anxiously. Thomas glared at him. What a beast… overbred and high-priced… a horse for a royal.
Thomas cast one more glance at the camp, his eyes lingering on the sleeping boy. Callum's back was pressed to Arthur… the king really was his idol… as of now, he'd rather die than betray him.
I need Morgana, Thomas thought. If anyone would know how to put an end to such a bond, it would be the greatest high priestess to ever roam the land.
Tapping his heels to Moonlight's flank, the young man urged his horse into a gallop. Like a shadow, the boy and his horse were engulfed by the wings of night.
For hours, Thomas followed the sky trail. He stopped when the land around him had become so shrouded in fog, he could no longer see the sky above his head. Thomas hopped down from Moonlight, squinting. He could make out something in the distance… a glow of sorts.
Having to force his way across a muddy meadow, Thomas stomped toward the flickering light. Moonlight trailed behind him, her tail flicking against her back nervously. The mud gave way to short grass, like you'd see on the Camelot training grounds.
How? Thomas wondered, eyeing the growth below his feet. In a place as deserted and remote as this… how is everything so neat?
Magic. That was how. Thomas could feel it in the air around him. It choked him like smoke from a fire… only this was a wonderful thing to have fill your lungs. It brought peace… it brought an unspeakable calm.
Thomas closed his eyes, relishing in the harmony. When he opened them once more, he gaped in awe. The fog had vanished as quickly as it had covered the land.
The young man was standing in the mouth of a gaping valley. A valley that was green as new spring. Ivy spread across the rocky walls and wildflowers filled the place like pebbles in a river. A waterfall roared off in the distance, and a lake, colored in the deepest of blues, eagerly accepted the extra water.
At the entrance to the marvelous land, a group of golden-white horses stood. Horns glowing a dim blue.
Unicorns… Thomas smiled like a young boy being presented with a new toy. I found the Valley of Mist!
"Greetings." Thomas breathed, taking a cautious step toward the creatures. They didn't move, heads still mournfully bowed. Thomas frowned. He'd never seen a unicorn before…. But he'd heard they were mysterious beasts, who feared men like many feared the plague. Why were these animals so at ease with him?
Then, Thomas's eyes strayed to the ground before the unicorns, and he realized it had nothing to do with ease.
These unicorns were grieving.
For, in front of them, her eyes dull and listless… was an elderly unicorn. Her horn was glowing brighter than all the others.
"Oh…" Thomas swallowed, falling to his knees. "Oh…"
He didn't know what to say. There was nothing in the world that could be said to make this feel any less terrible. Thomas blinked tears from his eyes…
Never in his life had he seen such a heartbreaking sight. A unicorn should never be so still… stiff and covered in mud. It wasn't right.
"What happened, my friend?" Thomas whimpered, gently running his hand over the mare's head. He could feel warmth radiating from under her horn…
"Everytime the sky-fire burns," a deep voice sounded behind him. "Then this is to happen."
Thomas leapt to his feet and spun around, eyes wild. An old man stood behind him. He wore a cloak, and held a staff of wood. His eyes were sad as he stared down at the dying unicorn.
Thomas narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the stranger, but said nothing. He had a feeling that… that the man was no danger to him. The man smiled.
"My name is Anhora," the man spoke softly, like he was speaking to a startled fawn. "I am the Keeper of the Unicorns."
Thomas nodded slowly, his shoulders relaxing. He dipped his head in respect.
"I've heard of you." He said. "My mother told my stories of you when I was just a baby… " his eyes flitted back down to the unicorn. "What happened to her?"
"She was old and sick." Anhora confessed. "She's long been waiting for her time to cross over to the other world. But she could not, until today."
"Why?"
"The sky-fire is a bridge for the unicorns," the elderly man explained. "It is the heavens opening up to allow their spirits safe passage into the afterlife… it is said that past Keepers wait for them on the other side, ready to guide them to their new grazing grounds. You see that male?" Anhora pointed his staff towards one of the unicorns, a massive stallion who's eyes were closed and ears flat against his head. "He is her son, and the next leader of the herd. He will be the last unicorn to ever live… for the valley is no longer able to support the needs of this herd, and they will try to wander to a place filled with more magic… but no such place will ever again exist. They will all die out… and I will go when he is no longer able to withstand the earth's draw on his magic."
Thomas shook his head in denial.
"No…" he rasped, swallowing hard. "That can't happen."
"But it will, Thomas Oak." Anhora said simply. "And one day, magic itself will die out. When the hearts of men become hard, and magic comes not from spells and unicorns, but from fame and wealth in their eyes."
"I won't let that happen." Thomas assured him, his voice raising. "That's why I came here… you see, I'm going to find a way to open the gate between this life and the one after. I'm going to find a way to complete the plan destiny has laid out. I'm going to kill the last Pendragon… Magic will return with his death!"
Anhora said nothing, his bleary eyes glazed with an emotion Thomas simply didn't understand.
"Destiny certainly gets her way." He murmured. "But are you certain one path she has laid out is the only road she has given you the choice to walk?"
"What?" Thomas made a face. He'd never much been one for riddles. "My friend, we are on the same side. We are both of magic! You and me… them!" He jabbed a finger towards the unicorns. "We have all suffered at the hands of those who fear magic. I'm going to make us free again! And I'm willing to do anything to make that happen."
Anhora blinked slowly.
"Anything?" He whispered
"Anything." Thomas confirmed, his voice unwavering.
Anhora nodded his head once, towards the dying unicorn.
"As long as the horn glows," he said. "The unicorn's spirit has not completely left, even when the body has long since gone cold… do you know the power a unicorn's spirit holds, young one?"
"I'm…not sure I do." Thomas admitted.
"A unicorn can see the dead as easily as the living. A unicorn has magic strong enough to match even that of Emrys… and a unicorn's spirit can be wielded as easily as a sword." He narrowed his eyes. "For one willing to pay a very high price."
"What… price?" Thomas asked wearily.
"To wield such power." Anhora looked him dead in the eyes. "You must take the horn of the dying unicorn, and put it into your heart… the spirit will merge with you. But to do this… you will be denying the unicorn her rest, and she will never rest easily as one with you. She will fight to die as you will fight to live. And eventually, no mortal body can resist a unicorn… and you will live a year less with every spell you cast. You will not be able to resist the temptation of such power… and you will drain away your life force like water dripping through a crack." The Keeper dipped his head, letting out a sigh. "But you will get your wish. You will be able to see Morgana Pendragon as clearly as though she were at your side. You will be more powerful than you could ever dream."
Yes, Thomas gritted his teeth, feeling like he was being torn in two. But at such a cost…
But… was it really a cost? His life in exchange for the freedom of all his people? For his mother's death to finally be avenged? For Arthur's death?
Arthur? Thomas frowned. When did I start calling that coward, Arthur?
Do it. Thomas heard the voice again… the same one that had told him to follow the sky trail. Do it. It is your fate.
Thomas had never thought about dying before… he was so young… it had just never crossed his mind. Now, facing a life or death choice, he didn't know what to do… he'd never before felt so conflicted. His hands trembling, Thomas wrapped them gently around the unicorn's horn. He could feel the heat still there… her spirit slowly draining away.
"I don't want to die." Thomas shivered, tears filling his eyes. "There's so much I wanted to do… So much I never told my father… how I loved him… I never said that!"
"Yet," the Keeper turned his back to the teenager. "There's something that means more to you than this world."
"Yes." Thomas agreed, his voice hoarse. "There is… I made a promise to myself many years ago, as I listened to my mother's dying screams. I will give up everything for her to finally be avenged."
With a snarl, Thomas allowed his magic to flow through his veins, and he pulled.
With a pop and squirt of blood, the unicorn's horn came free. The other creatures cried out in anguish and shock. Thomas stumbled away from the body as the unicorns backed away from him, one hand wrapped around the bloody horn. It was still glowing.
I'm sorry, Thomas thought miserably. I really am…but you would understand if you knew what this man has done to our kind. You will get your peace soon, I promise… we both will.
So, with gritted teeth, Thomas rose the horn to his chest and, with a small whine, thrust it into his heart.
Anhora, who had been walking away from the heartbreaking scene, froze in his tracks as the boy's screams shook the land. Those were not the screams of the man who the Keeper knew Thomas was going to become. They were the pained cries of an aching child.
Oh, my friend. A single tear dripped from the old man's eyes. What have you done?
