Shadow of the Unicorn

Chapter 5

Jace blinked, only mildly surprised to find himself garbed as a commoner standing alone in an alley near the main castle gate in Astoria. He emerged unnoticed from his seclusion and joined the small throng of those waiting to gain admittance to the castle, but he had not long to wait, for one of the guards motioned towards him, saying, "come to study lad?"

Jace grinned in amusement rather than in answer, but the Warrior didn't know the difference; he stepped forward, allowing himself to be ushered into the courtyard where two other new students stood awkwardly glancing about, suddenly unsure of this strange adventure they had gotten themselves into.

Jared approached the trio, wearing the same warm smile he had borne upon Jace's first advent in Astoria and with which he greeted all newcomers to that strange land. He caught a sudden flash of silver on the palm of one of the lads but took it in stride and did nothing to betray his surprise, said he to the three, "welcome to Astoria lads, come with me and I'll see that you are settled." He put special emphasis on the last three words as he glanced significantly at the disguised Jace, a knowing sparkle in his eye. Jace nodded blandly in return. They set off, the neophytes happy to be away from the gate and all the strangers thereabouts. Jared settled the pair of newbies in a room, gave them a brief introduction to Astoria and what next was to be done, and then motioned for Jace to follow further down the hall.

He turned to the faux Student once they were alone in the hall, "there's a spare bed in this room but you may find your roommate a little intimidating." He paused and then continued dryly, "he's the most skilled and talented Student Astoria has seen in eighty years, and well does he know it and reminds all those about him incessantly of his skill. He refuses to room with anyone of lesser skill, though we insist otherwise, he always manages to intimidate the poor lad we think to place with him into either fleeing the city or begging to be reassigned to different quarters."

Jace smiled reminiscently, "I will do my best. Any idea why else I am here, save to fill a difficult bed?"

Jared, glimpsing movement further down the hall, said furtively, "people come to Astoria for many reasons lad and I could not begin to guess yours, but I am sure time will tell."

The distant figure approached, made a minimal sign of courtesy, and then stared expectantly at Jared, as if expecting the creature to make a hasty exit, but Jared stood there, seemingly oblivious to the impertinent Student's behavior, saying at last, "ah Griff, this is quite providential, let me introduce you to your new roommate, you can call him Ace."

Griff studied the boy before him and was not impressed, but with a minimal nod of his head and a muttered, "so it is," he withdrew to his room and left the pair to exchange an amused glance in the hall.

Jared said in farewell, a slight grin on his face, "may the Master ride with you, lad!"

'Ace' nodded, staring in astonishment at the closed door through which his roommate had vanished; he would certainly need the Master's help, whatever this strange assignment turned out to be. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and hoped soon to find out why he was here.

Griff lounged in a chair, a book in his lap, but a scowl on his handsome face as Ace entered, said he, "don't bother unpacking, you won't be staying long; they never do. I am the handsomest, smartest, most talented individual to cross the threshold of this castle in nearly a century, a fact that none dispute, and I do not wish to share my domain with lesser men. You will prove yourself my equal or you will leave, those are your choices. Well?"

Expecting a flabbergasted reply or none at all, he was aghast to hear Ace say quite calmly, "fair enough, just tell me when, where, and how."

The book fell to the floor, forgotten, as Griff stood suddenly, stammered he, "we can start right now. To the practice yard!" Ace shrugged and allowed the baffled Griff to lead the way. They picked up a gaggle of curious Students in their wake as they made their way out of the castle, all eager to see what Griff would do to his new roommate.