"Yes, hamstring him. That's better still." He forced him-
self 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
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237
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 possi-
ble. 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."
238
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239
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
"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,
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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 sh
e 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.
THE DAY or THE DISSONANCE
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
THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE
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.
Jon-Tom felt confident the unicorn could carry three fully
grown men with ease. He, the girl, and Mudge were no
burden at all.
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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 Crancularn, 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.
THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE
245
"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.
"I read something somewhere about the attentions of a
virgin girl being irresistible to a unicorn."
"An ancient and more-or-less accurate notion, which
Hathcar was counting on to draw me out. They would have
succeeded with their plan except for ignorance of one
fact."
"Wot fact, mate?" Mudge asked.
Drom turned to look back at the otter. "I'm gay." He