Free Unicorn Keep by Angelia Almos Page A

to?
    The barrier is tied to us. A human mage can break it. The unicorn colt said. There is a spot where the barrier is weak. A trail the mages don’t know of. The barrier is strongest where we can physically leave and weaker where nothing can actually climb from the valley.
    “The Keep?”
    The unicorn colt shook his head. The Keep itself is a physical barrier. We could attempt to climb the cliff and go through the castle, but they would erect a magical barrier before we could.
    “I still don’t know how I ’m supposed to help you.” And she wanted to help them. The tears still gathered in her eyes from the unicorns’ sorrow the mare had allowed her to feel.
    You will break the barrier for us.
    “But I’m not—”
    The mare spoke again. No, you are not a mage yet, but with our help you can become one. It will take some time. But what is a few months after hundreds of years of waiting. The danger will be to you. If the mages discover what we are doing they will kill you.
    Jiline shook her head trying to wrap her mind around everything she was learning. The killing part didn’t really register, it was the becoming a mage that she found hard to believe.
    The choice must be yours.
    The unicorn colt snorted in protest. The mare swung her horn at him.
    The choice is hers. You will not compel her. The mare swung her head back toward Jiline and blew softly over her face. The choice is yours. We will not force you or harm you if you choose to remain a keeper the rest of your life. Think until the quarter moon. Return then if you will help us.
     

 
    8. CHOICES
     
    Herrick hid in the alcove and watched the trainees file by. The large group split into two. He examined Madelen as she walked by. Dark circles under her eyes. He had no interest in attracting her or any of the trainees attention. His mother was right. He was pathetic. Madelen had passed the test. She was a non-magic. Yet, he still felt the draw. He scuffed his boots on the old stone floor once they had passed him and emerged into the hallway.
    He couldn’t explain what he felt toward her. The protective instincts when she went down into the valley had been more than casual interest as his mother insisted. He needed to put her out of his mind. It wasn’t like he had nothing to do but follow her around like a little puppy. He had his own training to see to.
    The mage level was at the top of the Keep and boasted several full windows that looked out over the valley. Not that it did them much good beyond the view. A flash of white here or there. The unicorns were not happy. As far as Herrick could tell, they were never happy.
    The keepers were having to stay on their toes to prevent any mishaps. He knocked sharply on his tutor’s door and waited.
    “Enter!” a voice boomed out.
    Herrick heeded his command and pushed the door open. Mage Lionel’s blue eyes were steady on Herrick as he entered.
    “I leave in a week’s time if you would like to accompany me,” Lionel said, setting out the workings of a complicated potion for Herrick to mix and execute.
    Herrick met Lionel’s gaze. His mother at work again? “My mother’s command?”
    Lionel didn’t look away, but his smile turned to a frown. “I spoke with your mother this morning and she felt it would be beneficial for you to not be confined to the Keep all winter. There is plenty of the world for you still to see, Herrick.”
    “I know there is. ” He carefully kept his emotions concealed. Something he had learned to do very early on and normally didn’t worry so much about. “I’m honored by your invitation to join you, Mage Lionel, but I plan on remaining at the Keep.”
    Lionel nodded. “It is your choice, but the invitation is open should you change your mind.”
    Herrick ground his teeth in irritation before stepping up to the table to identify the spell Lionel had laid out for him. He cataloged the ingredients, but his focus wasn’t really on his task and he turned back to Lionel.
    “Mage