Shadow of the Unicorn

Chapter 8

The pair returned swiftly to Astoria and sought an audience with the Lady first thing the next morning, dragging Jared along in their wake, hoping their fearless Captain knew how to handle the Lady in such a circumstance. She stared at them agape, a grievous occurrence which seemed to happen only in the presence of her brother, therefore she vowed to get him out of Astoria, and soon. Said the Lady when she again found voice, "my most talented Student has run off, one of my best Messengers is never to be seen again, and my newest Apprentice has decided to join your merry circus?" She stared at them all aghast, "I am of a mind to banish you all on general principle!"

Jared bowed deeply and said with a smile, "you would not be the first Lady of Astoria to contemplate such an option, my Lady."

She slumped in her chair, "I suppose it would do no good?"

Jared's smile deepened, "nay Lady, it would not; we would serve even so."

Regaining her composure, she sighed, "I have no choice but to do as you ask?"

Jared shook his head, "you have a choice, but it would be quite unwise to do otherwise."

"Very well," said she, "when Caire returns, let him be Adan's responsibility. Now return to your duties, whatever they may be!" They bowed deeply and left her presence but continued to trouble her thoughts for some time thereafter.

Jared said to his juniors once they were alone in the corridor, "that went quite well, actually."

Jace gaped, "then how bad is it when things go poorly?"

Jared said somberly, "ugly indeed. I must return to my post, farewell!" He dashed off, leaving the pair to exchange a look of pure dread, hoping such a mission never fell to them. Adan then led onwards to the library where they found a small nook in which to conceal themselves for some much needed catching up. It was well after dark when they finally emerged, feeling encouraged and eager for their next adventure.

Adan said quietly, "I had best return to Caire's quarters, he may return any moment."

Jace grinned, "at least you won't have to sneak him out of the dungeon."

Adan laughed heartily, "why can you never do anything the easy way?"

Jace shrugged sheepishly, "if it were up to me, trust me, I would try!"

They parted then, Adan in search of his apprentice and Jace patiently awaiting the servant's approach, having glimpsed the man at the far end of the hall. Said the anxious man to Jace, "the Lady has an urgent mission for you sir, if you would follow me?"

Without a word they hastened to the Lady, who awaited them in her sitting room though she was making no use of its titular function, too anxious to sit at ease, she paced its length incessantly until Jace appeared. He had hardly finished his bows before she burst out, "I have an impossible mission for you. It involves a princess and a black dragon! Only you can't marry the princess if you are successful..."

Jace tried his best to calm his distraught sister, said he, "easy my Lady, whatever the quest, I shall accept it. Tell me all you know and then you had better retire, for it has been a trying day."

His unwanted concern roused her fury and suddenly she turned on him, much her old self again, snapped she, "never mind me! Go save the girl!" She thrust a letter into his hands and said, "that's all I know, now go!"

He bowed, gave her an impish grin in farewell, and immediately set forth on a true storybook quest, knowing his sister would recover her composure, perhaps the sooner with him absent from the castle. His smile deepened as he vanished into the night, traveling as easily as if it were midday.