itself was unremarkable, but the light purple strands that ran in hundreds of directions from her head were greatly intriguing.
“What exactly am I looking at?” Gus ended the session and peered expectantly up at the two ladies. Further examination wouldn’t aid in any discoveries. From what he could see, they were just links of some sort and the explanation would tell him everything he needed to know.
“We call it the bond,” Bridgett smiled knowingly.
“And only the Head-Maiden has it.” Fallon held her head up in what looked like a tease directed at Bridgett. “It allows me to see through the eyes of the unicorns, within a certain distance, and feel their most intense emotion at the time. We assume the unicorns give this gift to whomever they want to lead, or at least that is the way we have always structured ourselves.” She closed her eyes and smiled again. “They are just a bit down the path with Pebble right now. Should we go get him?”
Gus tried to maintain his composure, but their laughter told him he failed.
“All right, Gus,” Fallon instructed, “turn left instead of the way we came. They will be a short ways down the path.”
Bridgett let him out the door and he took off, scampering down the path as quickly as he could make his body move. There was a slight twinge of pain from the last failed hunt in his leg that slowed him down, yet his mind was focused on finding his son.
Gus heard Pebble’s giggle coming from down the path where it curved to the right, and he ventured into the wood to shorten the journey. He planned on giving Pebble an earful for running off without asking first.
Through the trees, he could make out four unicorns watching Pebble. The dog seemed to have felt neglected and was lying on his back, writhing back in forth to pet himself, sneezing occasionally at the dust stirred up from the motion. Relief flooded him at the sight, and then an idea struck him. He quickly activated his gift to see what he could. Slowing himself to a crawl, he approached as silently as he could.
The unicorns had not yet shielded themselves and excitement coursed through him in the approach. Gus could see colors dancing through the majestic creatures, but clarity wasn’t possible at that range and his age caused even his gift to blur on occasion. He moved as quietly as he could muster, inching himself ever closer. Even without the clarity, he could tell that there were several gifts within them, but the shapes and locations were still difficult to discern. The unicorns seemed to be bathed in magic, and he would need time to distinguish one gift from the other, time he desperately desired. The unicorns all turned in his direction at once, and suddenly their secrets were clouded once again.
Gus approached quickly, trying to look as natural about it as he could. Pebble sat on his rear, a teasing look on his face as Gus approached.
“That’s was rude,” he spoke in a mock lecturing tone.
“How dare you run off without asking, boy. Come with me, now!” Gus could hardly wait to have Pebble in a safer location, as he still didn’t trust the dog. The dog was excited once again at his presence, but seemed to acknowledge that he was being ignored and didn’t press the issue. Gus turned and led Pebble back up the path, grabbing his wand to help with the door to the room.
“Thank you’s for playin’ with me’s, Happy. You’s can come say’s hi anytime you’s want.”
“Come, boy!” Gus was frustrated by the lack of consideration Pebble seemed to show. “How am I ever going to teach you to become a Wand-Maker if I can’t get you to listen to the simplest instructions?” Gus mumbled to himself as Pebble said his goodbyes and scampered after his father. Pebble showed a great deal of talent when he did listen, which filled Gus with pride. If I could just get him to act that way all the time.
Gus turned again up the path, and this time Pebble followed. He couldn’t stop giggling as they walked, but Gus didn’t mind too much; just knowing Pebble was safe was calming his nerves.
Pebble smiled playfully, looking back at the group of unicorns and the dog. “I’s like Happy. His hairs is poofy.” Admiration filled his voice. Then a serious expression dawned as he spoke again. “You’s know, you’s supposed to ask before you’s