Shadow of the Unicorn

Chapter 3

"That was unpleasant," said Adan, as they suddenly found themselves somewhere else entirely.

Baye shared a grin with Jace, "at least it wasn't boring. How many can say they've succumbed to dragon fire?"

Jace shook his head, "speak for yourself, I missed out entirely!"

Adan shivered, "you could have had my share in the adventure!"

Baye grinned all the more, "come lad, having your throat torn out by a wolf intent on using the dark arts to achieve vengeance is no dull fate either."

Jace smiled at the irony of their conversation and said, "I suppose it will suffice. Now what are we doing here?" The warmth and humidity of their surroundings suddenly minded him of the swamp where he had found Hawk and Scamp. His smile deepened as comprehension dawned, "we are going to free the imprisoned Akoni which is in the keeping of some great lord of the south."

Baye nodded proudly, "right you are lad, even the father of your one time beloved."

Jace's smile grew rueful, "that is not much of a betrothal gift, first abandoning his daughter and now absconding with his prized bird, but we have little choice; we cannot leave such a creature in captivity nor can we reveal his true nature to his possessors." He smiled eagerly as he took in their apparel, clad as the king's own guardsmen, they should have little difficulty entering the castle.

They were soon in their saddles and riding through the city, no one giving them a second glance as they passed. Baye shook his head in wonder, "people see only what they want to see. Peace and prosperity have dwelt here so long that no one even imagines danger or tragedy could come upon them at any moment."

Jace said quietly, "so too do most folk obliviously go about their lives, little knowing that there are greater things within and beyond life than they can ever imagine." He grinned ruefully, "such was I! And but for the Master's grace, so would I still be."

They rode on in silence until they clattered into the courtyard of the castle and drew rein. Just as they were dismounting, a great commotion erupted at a side door of the castle where the Steward appeared to be berating a young woman in a servant's garb. She glared at the irate man as if he were the insolent underling and she the offended mistress. The trio of faux guards exchanged a slight smile and waited patiently by their horses until the Steward ended his tirade and summarily ordered them to escort the woman from the premises. She bore their interference well, one might have thought they were the prisoners and she the guard, but they obediently led her out of the Steward's sight, presumably out a small side gate rather than out the grand main entrance of the palace.

They retreated to a sunny courtyard abutting the kitchen gardens and the stables, where their only companion was an indifferent chicken searching for spilled grain or unwary insects. She rounded on them immediately, "unhand me you degenerate thugs! You have no right to treat me so."

Baye released his hold on their prisoner and bowed deeply, "we are at your service madam and our treatment of you a mere pretense for the Steward's benefit."

She gaped at him, "how is it you have the decency to treat a lady as you ought?"

Baye smiled slightly, "I believe we are here on similar purpose madam, but you must forgive the folk hereabouts, they know nothing of your peculiar people or dire quest, nor do they see more than a servant when they look upon you and your behavior is not in keeping with your attire. You would have done better to accouter yourself as a noble lady rather than a servant."

She studied him quietly, a thoughtful look in her eye, said she at last, "but a servant may go where ladies cannot."

Baye grinned, "true, but not servants who act the noble lady. Perhaps we may be of some benefit?"