Chapter Eighteen
After Justin determined in his mind to talk to Maggie his thoughts immediately went back to the issue at hand. The unicorns needed to breed and they wouldn't do it with walls and guards around them.
Justin thought back on his knowledge of unicorns as well as his limited knowledge of horses. Neither were overly obstinate creatures, but could become stubborn if forced to do something. Horses had to be led with a bit and harness, after all. While most mythologies gave unicorns an almost ethereal air about them they still had a strong sense of self like their horse cousins.
So the key would be to convince them that they are getting what they want while still holding onto the reins, metaphorically speaking
Justin had an idea, but he didn't know how feasible it was. Still it was better than what was currently in place.
Leaning back in his chair he took a moment to roll his stuff shoulders. It also gave him more time to formulate how he wanted to express his thoughts
When Justin looked up he noticed Art was staring at him intently, as though he knew exactly what he was doing.
"How big is the royal estate?" Art's intense expression turned quizzical. "In what way, Justin? Do you mean in monetary wealth, physical assets, or the number of people that the king rules over?"
Justin realized his mistake and inwardly cringed. "Sorry, what I meant was, how much land does the castle and stables sit on?"
At that question Oaklie's face lit up. "I just so happened to run across that exact number earlier this week when doing other research. The property that the castle, gardens, out buildings, and stables sit on is 273 acres."
Justin sat up at his words. "273 acres?!"
Oaklie looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
His response was slow and uncertain "Yyeess? Why does that surprise you? He is the king of Aldervaile. Why wouldn't a king of such a vast kingdom also live on a large property? It is only fitting."
Justin scratched his neck to hide his uncomfortableness. "Sorry, where I am from in New York City that would cover 20-25 square blocks. I'm trying to imagine covering 25 square blocks, and well, it is just a lot. But it makes my idea much more feasible."
All 4 mages eyes lit up. "What idea?" Justin wasn't sure how they did it, but they managed to ask that question in complete unison. He was more than a little impressed by it. He was going to commend them, but the looks of expectation on their faces pushed him to tell them his idea.
After he explained the connection between horses and unicorns he detailed his plan. "What if we put the unicorns in a large open area with plenty of room to run. It could mimic their natural habitat, but we could surround it with a wall that has natural barriers like rocks and trees in front of it to keep them from escaping."
Justin was pleased with his idea, but the mages didn't look convinced. "What about keeping an eye on them to make sure they mate?" Philip's voice was quiet and kind.
Justin slumped back in his chair defeated. He had completely forgotten about half of the problem. Thinking for a moment he asked. "So is the real issue the king needing to know exactly when the deed happens or just to be able to know that she is pregnant and to be able to monitor the pregnancy and birth?"
Art spoke up. "The king's ultimate goal is to see a new unicorn safely brought into this world."
At Art's words Justin's mind went into overdrive. "So what you really need to have happen is to have someone form a connection with the unicorns. Once trust has been established and a bond has been formed then that person will be able to monitor and assist the unicorn with her birth."
The mages still looked uncertain, but there was a spark of hope in their eyes.
"How do you propose we begin to build up trust, and who should do it? Cora came to stand next to Justin's chair. Feeling awkward for sitting down with her standing so close he pushed his chair back and stood.
"We start by giving the unicorns what they want, their freedom. Even if it only partially true. And as to the question of who should be friend the unicorns, it should be me and the princess"
4 pairs of eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets at his words. Art was the first to speak. "No, you can't get the princess involved in this. She has too much on her plate right now with...." Before Art could finish Oaklie shot him a sharp look and spoke. "It is kind of you to want her to be a part of this, but the king would not allow it. He keeps a close eye on the princess and would not want to put her in any undue danger."
Justin could tell that they weren't telling him everything after they had agreed to be honest with him. He opened his mouth to call them out on it when the library door opened and two guards walked in. As they bowed to them Justin saw the king and Maggie standing just behind the doorway waiting to be announced.
They had run out of time and they still had not finalized their plans. For a long crippling moment he was overcome by fear. He wanted desperately to sit down, but since the mages remained standing he knew he must stand too. He stretched out his hand to rest it on the table. He hoped the gesture looked natural. In reality he was using the table as a prop to keep him standing upright.
He waited for 10 seconds for the guards to slowly straighten up from their bows and announce the king and princess. When the guards exited all 4 mages and Justin bowed to the king and his daughter.
As soon as Justin raised up his eyes found Maggie's. He was shocked to see that her eyes were puffy and red rimmed. Looking to the king his eyes looked normal but his neck was splotchy red and his neck muscles looked like they were pulled taut.
"What had happened between breakfast and now," Justin thought. He was about to ask Maggie if she was all right, but she shook her head once and looked down at her feet. It was clear she didn't want to talk about whatever it was that had happened.
As she kept her eyes on the floor Justin saw a single tear roll off of her nose and hit the floor. In that moment all thoughts of unicorns left him. His only thought was, 'how can fix whatever caused that tear?'