Shadow of the Unicorn

Chapter 6

They entered the Lady's presence with all the proper formalities while she studied them as if she were not quite certain what to do with them, for in truth she was not. Said she as they straightened from their bows, "I have been informed, Baye," said she with only slight exasperation, "that you are in need of not one, but two apprentices, to keep you out of trouble. What ever it is you are up to, you had best take Adan with you." Almost pleadingly, she asked, "and keep me informed as much as you can." Baye bowed his acquiescence, feeling rather sorry for the Lady, who no doubt felt her authority trampled under foot by a certain intrepid servant with no further explanation forthcoming.

As they retreated from the Lady's audience chamber, Baye turned to his apprentices and said, "I am sure we'll soon be off, as it is rare that I am in Astoria this long. That being said, Adan, there are things you must learn ere we leave." Jace grinned like a fool, knowing he would get to help teach Adan at least one vital skill; Baye gave him a patient look but shook his head in amusement as they made their way out of the castle. Said he as they rode out of Astoria, "let us hope we have no more inadvertent witnesses, I do not need three apprentices!"

Adan proved a far better student in the area of concentration than Jace, which was not surprising as he had always been the thoughtful, level-headed one of the pair. Jace unfortunately did not realize his hope of helping Baye teach Adan to concentrate, rather the moment they were outside the city, a unicorn in all his unveiled glory galloped directly up to him, terrifying his poor horse so much that the beast threw his rider and dashed headlong back to the city, leaving Jace to pick himself up and confront the creature. Baye said in farewell, "we'll leave you two to get acquainted," he grinned, "and maybe he can teach you how to properly sit a horse." They continued on their way and Jace gave the overly amused unicorn a significant look, which he roundly ignored. With a sigh, Jace approached the wondrous creature, but the stallion easily sidestepped and avoided any contact with the boy. He gave the boy a teasing glance, tossed his head eagerly, and challenged the lad to catch him.

Frowning in annoyance, but soon catching the creature's playful spirit, he raced after the unicorn as he hastened for the woods. Only when they were well away from prying eyes did the unicorn stay his flight and allow the boy's approach. The moment Jace touched the glorious creature a blinding pulse of light consumed them both. Blinking in wonder, Jace looked to the unicorn in befuddlement, wondering what it was that had just happened. The creature snorted impatiently, as if explaining something painfully obvious, causing Jace to smile in spite of himself; the creature was as impetuous and headstrong as he himself was.

It seemed that that initial touch somehow did to the unicorn whatever it was that had happened to Jace during his vanishment into the Master's very presence, happily the creature was not gone for several days and did not then require as much time again to recover his senses. The unicorn whickered his amusement but then turned eager eyes upon his companion, wondering why he wasn't yet mounted. Jace shook his head in wonder, but did as the impatient creature bade him; they immediately set off to find their companions. By the time they trotted into the clearing where Adan and Baye had secreted themselves, Adan had proved himself an excellent student, at least in that particular discipline.

Jace gaped in surprise, "it took me hours!"

Baye grinned, "maybe that will teach you to think before you leap into action."

Adan chimed in, "at least he has millennia to learn such a useful skill, but it still may not be enough."

Jace gave them both a patient look as Baye suggested they ride back to the castle and see if the swordmaster had time for a private lesson. Jace grinned in anticipation, thinking this might be his chance to redeem himself, for if he were more heedless than Adan, at least they were an even match with the sword. Adan gave him a playful wink as his unicorn dashed off with all haste back to Astoria with Jace close on his heels, his stallion determined not to lose the impromptu race. Baye and his mount exchanged an exasperated sigh at the exuberance of their juniors, returning to the city at a far more sensible pace, easily catching the boys as they became mired in the midday crowds.