Foster, Dean - Spellsinger 03 - The Day of the Dissonance

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,

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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 ready 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.

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241

A human figure, young and pure. Ancient emotions began

to pluck at him.

Nodding at no one in particular, he quietly began push-

ing 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

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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 your-

self? 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

r

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243

at her over his goatee. "Do not be afraid, little one. All is

well. How came you into mis 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 re-

ceived 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.