“Could we,” suggested the rat, “maybe force our way in through the roof?”
Hathcar sighed. “You’re all looking at the obvious, all of you. I’m the only one who can see beyond the self-evident. That cursed four-legs led them straight here, so he’s probably telling the truth when he says he knows it well. He wouldn’t box himself into a situation he wasn’t comfortable with. He says they can slip out anytime and hide somewhere else twice as strong. Maybe he’s lying, but we can’t take that chance. We have to take them here, while we know what we’re up against. That means our first priority is to get rid of that horned meddler.”
“How about moving a couple of archers in close? Those with good night vision. If they can sneak up against the wall they might get a clear shot inside.”
Hathcar considered. “Not bad, except that if they don’t snuff the unicorn right away that fucking water rat’s likely to get ‘em both. I’ve never seen anybody shoot like that.”
He shook his head.
“No, it’s not good enough, Parsh. I’m sure they’ve got a guard up, and I won’t send any more of the boys against that otter’s bow. No, we have to bring the unicorn out somehow, far enough so we can get a clear shot at him. By himself, if possible.”
The rat spat on the ground. “That’s likely, isn’t it?”
“You know, there may be a way.”
Hathcar frowned at the wolf. “I was only half-serious, Brungunt.”
“I’m wholly serious. All we need is the right kind of bait.”
“That blow you took in Ollorory village has addled your brains,” said Parsh. “Nothing’s going to bring that unicorn out where we can get at him.”
“Go on, Brungunt,” said the thoughtful Hathcar.
The wolf leaned close. “It should be done when most of them sleep. We must watch and smell for when the stallion takes his turn as sentry. If they post only the one guard, we may have a chance. Great care must be taken, for it will be a near thing, a delicate business. Bait or no bait, if the meddler senses our presence, I do not think he can be drawn out. So after we set the bait we must retreat well out of range. It will work, you’ll see. So powerful is the bait, it will draw our quarry well out where we can cut off his retreat. Then it won’t matter if he bolts into the woods.
The important thing is that we’ll be rid of him, and the ones we really want will be deprived of his advice and aid.”
“No,” said Hathcar, his eyes gleaming, “no. I want that four-legs, too. I want him dead. Or better yet, we’ll just hamstring him.” He grinned viciously in the dark.
“Yes, hamstring him. That’s better still.” He forced himself from contemplation of pleasures to come. “This bait? Where do we get it?”
Brungunt scratched an ear and even the skeptical Parsh looked interested. “First we must find a village or farm that numbers humans among its occupants.” He was nodding to himself as he spoke. “This is an old, old magic we will work tonight, but you don’t have to be a sorcerer to work it. It works itself. It is said by those who may know that a unicom may not be taken by force, but only by stealth and guile.”
“Get to the point,” said Hathcar impatiently.
The wolf hurried his words. “We don’t have to sneak up on him. He’ll come to us. He’ll follow a maiden fair and true. It is said.”
Hathcar looked doubtful. “What kind of maiden? A coltish mare?”
“No, no. It must be a human maiden.”
Parsh the rat was thoroughly shocked. “You expect to find a virgin around here? Species notwithstanding.”
“There is a town not far from this place.”
“Crestleware.” Hathcar nodded.
“We can but try,” said the wolf, spreading his paws.
“A virgin. Are you certain about this, Brungunt?”
“The bond is supposed to be most powerful. The girl need only lead him far enough for us to get behind him before he picks up our scent. Do not ask me to explain this thing. I only relate what I have heard told.”
“Wouldn’t cost us a one. You’d better be right about this, Brungunt, or I’ll see your ears decorating my spear.”
“That’s not fair!” protested the wolf. “I am only relating a legend.”
“Look to your ears, wolf.” Hathcar rose. “And tell the others to look to theirs. Parsh, you come with me.” He glared at Brungunt. “We will return as quickly as possible. This magic sounds to me like it works better in the dark, and I don’t want to give that four legs another day to think of a better place.” He glanced through the trees toward the moonlit ruins. “Hamstring him, yes. I’ll see that damned meddler crawling to me on his knees, and then we’ll break those as well.”
XIV
Hathcar crouched low as he pointed toward the clearing in front of the silent fortress. The slim girl who stood next to him watched closely, her eyes wide. She had been awakened in the middle of the night by her mother and sent off in the company of this ugly stranger. She hadn’t wanted to go, but her mother had insisted, assuring her it would only be until sunrise and that everything was all right, everything had been arranged. Then she would be brought home and allowed to sleep all day. And they had promised her candy.
“There is the place, little one.”
“Don’t call me little,” she snapped. “I’m as grown up as you are! And my name’s Silky.”
“Sorry,” Hathcar growled softly, restraining himself.
He wasn’t very fond of cubs, but he needed this one’s cooperation.
“You’re going to pay my daddy two gold pieces for luring out this unicorn to you. What makes you think he’ll come out and follow me?”
“He’ll come,” Hathcar assured her. “Just be nice to him, tell him how strong and beautiful he is.”
She stared warily at the cuscus and his two companions out of eyes that were not as innocent as her parents insisted they were. “You’re sure this is a unicorn you’re sending me after?”
“Are you sure you’re a virgin?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” she said tiredly. She’d heard this stranger discussing the matter with her mother.
Hathcar turned and pointed back through the woods.
“Back this way there’s a pool in a little hollow. Bring him there. We’ll be waiting.”
“What happens when we get there?” she asked curiously.
“None of your business, lit. . . Silky. Your daddy’s being paid for your services. You do what I want you to and you don’t ask questions.”
“Okay.” She hesitated. “You’re not going to hurt him, are you? I’ve never seen a unicorn, but I’ve been told they’re real pretty.”
“Oh, no, no, we won’t hurt him,” said Hathcar smoothly.
“We just want to surprise him. We’re his friends, and we want to surprise him, and you won’t tell him about us because that would ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it?”
“I guess so.” She smiled brightly. “I like surprises, too. Can I watch when you surprise him?”‘
“Sure you can,” Hathcar assured her innocently. “I think you’ll be surprised, too.” He turned to leave her, Brungunt and Parsh following.
“It’s dark,” she said uncertainly.
“You’ll be okay,” Brungunt told her. “Didn’t you say you were a big girl?”
“That’s right, I am.”
“Fine. Just bring the four-legs down to the pool.”
“Why didn’t we just abduct the little bitch?” Parsh wanted to know as they made their way through the woods to rejoin the rest of the waiting band.
“Big village,” Hathcar told him. “A good place to buy supplies. The price hurts, but it’ll be worth it. Besides, Brungunt here said the girl had to act voluntarily or the magic wouldn’t work.”
“That’s so,” the wolf agreed, nodding. “It is so told.”
“So it’s better all around this way,” Hathcar finished.
Silky stood waiting, counting away the minutes to allow the unicorn’s friends time to re
ady their surprise. Then she strolled out into the small clearing in front of the broken old building. She was wearing her best dress. It clung to her budding figure as she moved. Her mother had spent fifteen minutes combing out the long auburn hair to make certain her daughter looked her best. The old wolf had insisted on it.
Two gold pieces. That would buy a lot of things for the family, including candy. She determined to do exactly as the cuscus ordered, even if he’d been lying to her about the surprise he was planning. After all, the horned one was nothing to her.
Still, she was trembling slightly at the prospect of actually meeting a unicorn as she stepped out into the silvery moonlight. There were many stories told about the shy, solitary four-legs. They kept to themselves in the deep forest, shunning civilization and intelligent company.
The ancient stones before her were silent. Should she cry out? If she did, what could she say? “Here, unicorn”?
There was no one to advise her, since Hathcar had joined the rest of his friends far back in the trees, out of sight and scent. The old wolf had assured her she had only to approach the ruins and the unicorn would come to her.
Would come and would follow back to the pool. And the surprise waiting there.
She stood before the ruins and waited.
Within, there was movement she could not see. Drom’s head lifted, his nostrils twitching. He blinked at the bodies sleeping soundly around him. It was his turn on watch.
Trotting silently so as not to disturb his newfound friends, he moved to one window slit and peered out.
Standing alone in the moonlight was a small, slim figure.
A human figure, young and pure. Ancient emotions began to pluck at him.
Nodding at no one in particular, he quietly began pushing at the boulder which blocked the entryway. He worked with care, wanting to make positive identification of the beckoning shape outside without waking his companions.
When the stone had been edged to one side he walked through the opening and stepped out onto the grass, sniffing at the air, which was heavy with the girl’s clean, sweet-smelling scent. She was alone. The night was still, and there was no wind to mask concealed odors.
He walked over to the girl, who eyed him nervously and took a step backward.
“Hello. You’re. . . awfully pretty.” She licked her lips, glanced over a shoulder once, then said confidently, “Won’t you come and walk with me? It’s a nice night in the forest.”
“In a minute, little one. There’s something I have to do first.” Turning, he moved back to the ruins and stuck his head inside, let out a soft whinny. “Wake up.”
There were stirrings on the floor. Lightest of sleepers, Roseroar sat up fast when she saw that the boulder defending them had been moved.
“Now what?” She stared at the unicorn. “Explain yoself, suh.” She was on her feet and heading for the boulder. Drom cut her off. “If they come at us now . . .” she began warningly.
“Relax, cat-a-mountain. They’re not coming. They’re not even watching us.” Behind them, Jon-Tom and Mudge were also awakening.
“How do yo know?” Roseroar was peering cautiously out. She saw and smelled the girl immediately, but no one else.
“Because they’ve decided to try something else.” He let out a soft, whinnying laugh. “By the time they realize this latest ploy has failed, it will be too late. We’ll be long gone from this place and beyond their reach. Who among you is the fleetest of foot?”
“Roseroar over the long distance, me over the short. I think,” Jon-Tom told him sleepily, still not sure just what was going on.
“Good. You and the otter climb onto my back and ride.”
A sweet but anxious voice sounded from outside. “Who are you talking to? Why don’t you come out and talk with me?”
“Who the ‘ell is that?” Mudge rushed to a window.
“Blimey, ‘tis a girl!”
“What?” Jon-Tom joined him, gaped at the figure standing in the clearing. “What’s she doing here?”
“Tempting me.” Drom chuckled again. “Hathcar and his curs have moved out of scent range, no doubt to lie in wait to ambush me as I am drawn helplessly to them by this irresistibly pure young female.”
“I’m not sure I follow you.”
“It’s part of an ancient legend, a very old magic.”
“Lousy magic,” said Jon-Tom. “Oh, no, it’s very good magic, and very true. Only not in my case. We’re wasting time.” He turned his flank to Jon-Tom, tilted his head low. “Can you mount by yourself? Use my mane for a grip if you need one.”
Jon-Tom climbed onto the broad, strong back easily, pulled Mudge up behind him.
“Leave some room,” Drom instructed him. “We’re not leaving the girl here for Hathcar.” He trotted outside, Roseroar pacing him easily while restlessly searching the woods for signs of their enemies.
Silky watched them approach. Hathcar and the old wolf hadn’t said anything about the unicorn’s companions. She stared worriedly at the big cat loping alongside the four legs. The tigress could swallow her in one gulp.
Then the unicorn was standing close and smiling down at her over his goatee. “Do not be afraid, little one. All is well. How came you into this business?”
She hesitated before replying. “They paid my mother and father. They paid them two gold pieces for me to come with them for the night and help them surprise you.”
“Surprise me. I see,” murmured Drom, nodding knowingly.
“You were supposed to follow me.” She turned and pointed. “That way, to a hollow full of water so your friends could surprise you.”
“And a fine surprise that would’ve been, wot?” growled Mudge softly, “There’s been a change in plans,” Drom informed her.
“Get onto my back, in front of this handsome gentleman. We’re taking you back to your parents. You did as requested and drew me out of my refuge. We’re just going to take a little detour, that’s all. So you’ve fulfilled your end of the contract, at least in part, and your parents should be entitled to keep whatever payment they’ve already received for your service.”
“I don’t know.” She scuffed the ground with one foot.
“I didn’t bring you to the pool.”
“Is that your fault?” Drom leaned close. “You don’t really like those people out there, do you?”
“No,” she said suddenly. “No, I don’t. But I had to do ‘it. I had to.”
“You are a true innocent, as you would have to be. You have done all you could.”
“What about my candy?” she asked petulantly.
Jon-Tom reached down a hand. The girl took it reluctantly and he swung her up in front of him. Her nearness reminded him uncomfortably of Folly.
Drom turned and exploded into a wild gallop, restraining himself only enough to allow Roseroar to keep pace.
Jon-Tom felt confident the unicorn could carry three fully grown men with ease. He, the girl, and Mudge were no burden at all.
After they’d covered several kilometers, the stallion slowed. Roseroar was panting hard and they had made a clean escape from the ruins.
“Wish I could see those bastards’ faces when they come lookin’ for us,” Mudge commented.
“They’ll be looking for this one, too.” Jon-Tom smiled down at the other passenger, “Where’s your village, little girl?”
“I am not a little girl!”
“Sorry, young lady. Where do you live?”
She stared into the woods. Her sense of direction was superb. A hand gestured to the north. “That way.”
Drom nodded and changed direction as he headed down a gentle slope. He called back to Jon-Tom. “Will you continue on to Crancularn in search of your medicine, now that you have escaped the attentions of Hathcar’s band?”
“We must,” Jon-Tom told him. “You’re welcome to accompany us if you like.”
“Aye, mate,” said Mudge. “We’d be glad of your help.”
“I have never been to Crancu
larn, though I know of it. I would be delighted to accompany you.”
“It’s settled, then,” said a pleased Jon-Tom. Not only was the unicorn a welcome addition to their trio, it had to be admitted that riding was more fun than walking.
By morning they were at the outskirts of the girl’s village. Cultivated fields surrounded the town. Jon-Tom let her down gently.
“I didn’t do all I was supposed to do,” she muttered uneasily.
“You did all you could. It’s not your fault that their plan didn’t work.”
The town was enclosed by a strong wooden palisade and looked more than capable of withstanding an attack by any angry bunch of bandits. He didn’t think Hathcar would try to take revenge for his failure against the girl or her parents.
“I still think you’re pretty,” the girl said to Drom.
“Can I kiss you good-bye? That’s supposed to be good luck.”
Drom smacked his lips with evident distaste. “I’d prefer you didn’t, but if you must.” He dropped his head, stood still for a buss just below the right eye.
“Gen!” he muttered as she pulled away. “Now be on your way, human, and count yourself fortunate this night.”
“Good-bye, unicorn. Good-bye, strangers.” She was still waving at them as they disappeared back into the forest.
No armed mob of angry, frustrated bandits materialized to interrupt their progress as they swung back to the west.
With luck it would be midday before Hathcar finally realized his plans had fallen through and ventured to check on the ruins.
“I think I understand what was going on,” Jon-Tom murmured. “The girl was a virgin.”
“ ‘Ere now, mate,” Mudge protested, “I’ve been around meself, but even I can’t tell for certain just by lookin’.”
“She’d have to have been for it to fit.” He glanced down at their mount. “She was a virgin, wasn’t she, Drom?” Roseroar looked on curiously.
“The sight and scent of her suggested so,” the stallion replied.