Unicorn Saga - The Unicorn Peace Part 21

"So what happened?" he asked, gesturing toward the blank, grey walls. "Did they try a sortie?"

"No such luck. They sat tight waiting for rescue. It

112 was the heads that did it. 1 had each of them put in separate bags with cotton wadding so they wouldn't be too badly damaged by the fall. After that it took them three hours to surrender."

"Did the Semicount survive his ordeal?" Darius

asked.

"He survived"-Otorin's voice was hard-"but he probably wishes he hadn't. They raped his wife and his daughters and they made him watch. He had a ten-year- old son who was treated the same way. The boy killed

himself."

A deep, angry sound issued from Darius' throat and he rode on in silence, his face set in a tight mask. "What ofBardolph?" he said finally.

"He's in chains in the inn's cellar awaiting your plea- sure."

"Send him to Stronta under heavy guard with a letter to the Queen detailing his offenses. And don't let me see him. I don't trust myself around blackguards like that." Darius' voice was bleak and bitter and Otorin knew better than to say anything.

Darius kept his counsel until they were installed in the snuggery. Elfreg's effusions of welcome were stilled by a stone countenance and a basilisk's eye. He had needed no prompting to serve the a.s.sara and he did so without words. The General tossed off the first b.u.mper and held it out for a refill. Elfreg obliged and withdrew.

Darius sat slumped in his chair, sipping now, rolling the wine around his mouth before swallowing. It seemed to restore his humor, bit by bit. Otorin waited patiently.

Darius sighed. "I'm sorry, old friend," he said, sitting up. "I've a daughter, and a grandson not much older than that unfortunate boy." He paused. "So, any word from Paramin of Abercorn?"

"Not a peep."

"Does he know?"

113.

Otorin got up and refilled his cup before answering.

"I can't be certain. As far as I know, no bunglebird or messenger left Spa.r.s.edale before or after the surrender.

I have had reports that bunglebirds arrived at Oxeter's cote, but I have no sure knowledge of whence they came."

"What?" Darius tried for his old, teasing jocularity.

"The cote keeper isn't your man?"

"He was," Otorin returned somberly. "The Duke hanged him three sennights ago."

"I'm sorry," Darius said, not knowing what else to say.

Otorin looked at him and nodded. "I rather imag- ine," he said, "that if the Duke has had news, it has come from Aldersgrove. The news of his colleagues' de- feat has almost certainly reached him and he must re- alize that his son is doomed. He committed almost all his retainers here and with the two Earls. I don't know what he knows, but my sources tell me that he has shut himself away. He has not appeared at Hall of late."

"By the way," Darius said, "I must thank you for the services ofAttemill. He gave us excellent warning."

Otorin smiled faintly. "Resourceful man."

"Has Abercorn got any more sons?" Darius asked.

"No sons, no daughters. The oldest boy died in a hunting accident, another in a tavern brawl and the daughter in birthing. This one's the last."

"Is there anyone to inherit?" Darius asked, looking up.

"Indeed there is and you'll never guess who." Otorin sounded amused.

"I haven't the slightest idea."

"Take a guess."

"I'm too tired for games, Otorin." Irritability sur- faced.

114 "The a.s.sistant Mage of Paladine," Otorin said smugly and watched Darius' eyes grow larger.

"Jarrod Courtak. Yes, I'd forgotten about that."

"The very same. He's old Paramin's nephew.''

"Well, well, well." Darius sat back, eyes hooded.

"That means that young Bardolph's headed for the ex- ecution block for sure."

"He'll join the other heads on Strontas walls," Oto- rin agreed. "No doubt about it."

"Can't say I'm sorry, but someone ought to persuade Courtak to marry and have children. It would certainly neutralize a threat to the throne."

"It must be time for your bath and bed," Otorin said sardonically. "You're starting to think like me."

ChAptCR 12

1.

^*arrod finally caught Marianna's eye and was re- warded with a flashing smile. She excused herself from the group of men with whom she had been chatting and came toward him. He noticed that almost all the men in the room watched her. As she neared, she opened her arms, and, with a fractional hesitation, Jarrod moved forward and hugged her. She pushed back after a long moment, held him at arm's length and looked up into his face.

"You've been out in the open," she said. "It's given you some color and it suits you."

"And you get more beautiful by the year," he replied.

"Every man in the room who isn't talking to the royals is looking at you and most of the women are trying not to."

She grinned. "My, ah, jewels," she said, glancing down at her cleavage, "seem to be much admired. Be- sides, they are also watching the reunion of 'the discov- erers of the unicorns.' " Her voice gave the phrase the full weight of bombast, and they both laughed.

"n.o.body at home bothers," Jarrod said. "Nastrus is such a familiar figure that even he is taken for granted."

"The same's true at Gwyndryth. Oh, people get ex- cited when Amarine comes to visit, especially if she brings new foals with her, but the rest of it was a long time ago and people have short memories."

"True, but for me it seems like yesterday. Well, not

116 t JOHN LEE

yesterday exactly, but certainly no more than a couple of years ago."