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."