Chapter 51

Sara

I could not believe I had arrived, and I was finally walking on the ground of my ancestral land. Seeing all my fellow Peace Bringers gathered in one place made my heart swell, and I had to stop myself from shedding a tear. This was the moment I’d been waiting for this whole time.

The rumours of my arrival must have spread because soon, more and more Unicorns gathered. Were they here to welcome me, or were they simply curious about what I had to say? It did not matter. Once they heard the truth, I would once again be accepted into our companionship.

“And so you have arrived”

I turned as I heard his voice. It was Almerious, walking into the square. I could not let myself be trapped by his words, I had to make him see that he would still be welcomed back and forgiven.

“Spreading lies”, he continued.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he turned to the rest of my fellow Peace Bringers.

“This is what I have warned you about. And now, you can see it in broad daylight. She has no shame and dares to enter our sacred land to attempt to assassinate me.”

I stared at him. What was he doing? What had he told the others?

“You all know what she has done. You have heard it for yourself. Trying to assassinate our beloved Queen.”

A murmur rippled across the group.

“She is no longer one of us. Who would claim to be a Peace Bringer yet bring violence upon those who are standing by our side?”

Had he known I was coming? He seemed too prepared to come up with this on the spot. I tried to speak, but he interrupted me.

“In the depths of your hearts, can you say you still trust her?”

The first fire was shot before I had time to react. A fellow Peace Bringer fell to the ground, grunting in pain. Panic erupted, and the Unicorns fled in terror. Another blast of fire, and another Peace Bringer fell to the ground. He…

“We need to go!”

Cat pulled at my mane, but I could only stare at the inferno in front of me. He’s shooting fire, making it look like it comes from me...

“Sara!”

Cat slapped me.

“Go!”

I cast one last glance at the chaos and then ran. What had he done? He must have known I was coming. Had the Queen warned him? But how?

“Sara, wait…!”

I halted and turned. Cat was far behind, trying to keep pace with me. I stared at the square we had left. Almerious was watching me, and I could see the Queen’s soldier coming from the woods on horseback. Where had they come from? Had she ordered them here?

“I… I can’t keep up with you.”

Cat came up by my side, panting. I stared at the soldiers. One of them raised their hand, and I heard their command to ride forward. I turned to Cat. She wouldn’t have time to escape them. I couldn’t. But… There was no other way.

“Get up!”, I said.

She stared at me.

“Get up! I’ll carry you”

She hesitated for a moment before climbing up, and we set off.