Chapter 120 Riders New and Old
In the Greenwood.
Six unicorns were perfectly aligned. Facing them was a group of twenty men. Each knight had been chosen by Rodrigo and his captains.
Rodrigo: If one of them approaches you, do not move. If it touches your chest with its horn, look it directly in the eyes. If it stomps the ground with its hooves in front of you, it is a test. If you show fear, it could kill you. If you have any doubts, leave now.
Four men stepped back and moved away from the line. The captain of the Blue Knights lifted his right foot and struck the ground twice with great force.
Some of the unicorns reared up and struck the ground with their large hooves. Others charged quickly with their horns pointed towards the men and then stopped. Two men shifted nervously.
Rodrigo: You two. Walk backward without touching your weapons or lowering your gaze.
The men did as he told them. When they were several steps away, they fled toward the people who were watching from a safe distance.
Emiliano whispered to Gunther: Four of them have already chosen riders. Two others are deciding right now.
Gunther: How can you know that?
Emiliano: They communicate more through movements than through sounds. But it is a combination of both. The two females are taking more time to choose. I think that is common for them. Like the Pegasi, they consider how the rider could help during their year-long pregnancy.
Some unicorns approached particular men. They touched their chests with their horns for a few seconds. When each unicorn had chosen its rider, the captain announced it and told the man the name of the Unicorn.
Esteban was surprised when a unicorn approached him. The young animal gently rested its horn against his chest. It was smaller than adult unicorns, but already the size of a large horse. When it turned and showed its side, the count understood that he would be its new rider.
Rodrigo: His name is Indigo Strike.
Peador was standing in front of a large unicorn whose horn was touching his chest with gentle pressure. Unlike the other men, his head was at the same height as that of the Unicorn. The female raised her horn and took a step forward until she playfully brushed her head and neck against his gigantic body.
Rodrigo: Lord Peador, she has accepted you. Her name is Bloody Beryl. Three of her children serve in our forces.
The last unicorn to choose a rider was a young maiden. Finally, she approached Captain Pedro. She used her nose to give him a gentle nudge on the face.
The captain: And the young woman chooses Captain Handsome. Her name is Sapphire Shield.
Many people laughed, and the captain of the royal guard smiled and blushed. The knights spent the morning learning the difference between riding a Unicorn and a horse. They were used to guiding their mounts, but Unicorns do not wear bridles or reins. They can sense the subtle movements of a rider and adapt to them.
After a few falls, they began to learn to work with the Unicorn instead of fighting against it. When Pedro was ready for the unicorn to run, everyone watched as it moved at great speed, with the two swords flying on either side with lethal intent.
Gunther said what most people were thinking: Goddess help anyone who gets in their way.
In the air, above the Greenwood.
Grey Wing had flown more slowly than usual to protect her injured wing. She took advantage of the wind to glide whenever possible. She changed altitude several times to find more favorable winds.
Grey Wing: My rider, I see many bipeds heading towards the forest from the east. They are armed and many ride on pigs.
Nestor laughed: Horses.
Grey Wing: I see many horses riding on pigs.
Néstor laughed even louder: Fine, find a clearing to land in. They need to know soon.
She circled around twice until they heard voices shouting: Pegasus!
She flew in a long, wide trajectory to reduce her speed and land with less pressure on her wings. Many people were waiting for them.
In the clearing.
Some young pages and maids ran alongside the Pegasus as it slowed down. Their smiles instilled more hope in the hearts of many adults. Finally, a group surrounded her and the little man.
Manuelo: Welcome, sir.
Nestor: There are twelve bags of food tied to the saddle. It is dried meat and fruit. She took everything she could.
Manuelo: Pages, squires, take the bags and store the food in the cabin.
Nestor: I need to speak with the count. An army is heading this way.
Manuelo: Fine, Yegor, guide this man to your master.
The young man with sad eyes pointed at the man and walked quickly through the forest.
Grey Wing lay down in a comfortable spot and rested. Many young bipeds and some adults watched her. After a few minutes, some of them offered her parts of their apples. The Pegasus ate them happily and allowed them to pet her neck and head.
In a cabin.
Esteban: Master Rider, thank you for the food. That will be a great help to us.
Nestor: My beautiful Grey and I will be staying here tonight. She saw an armed group heading this way. I do not know if it is an attack or not, but it does not look good.
The Count: Rodrigo, prepare a welcome for them. I will join you as soon as I can.
The knight nodded and left with an angry expression on his face.
Néstor: Tomorrow we will be able to fly to Puerto Blanco. Another Pegasus will arrive flying with news and, if possible, with supplies. We will have information about Aurelio, the castle, and Colinas Gemelas. Part of the fleet should arrive in the ports tomorrow. Heinrich the madman is in command of the ships.
Peador: Very good! We will have two armies, on both sides of Valero.
Esteban: Calm down. Many things still have to happen before an attack. They have everything in greater quantities. Now we need to find food for a huge Pegasus.
Nestor: No, she can hunt for her own food.
Maite: Yes. I remember when the Pegasi used to hunt near the islands. They can catch large fish easily.
Nestor: Of course!
Esteban: What?
The rider smiled: I need to talk to my beautiful, feathered wife. I have an idea.
The man ran out of the cabin as if he were half his age.
Maite laughed: The riders are a little strange.
Esteban: Yes, but I think they are going to save our kingdom.