The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen - Swept Away

by Josephena Sherman

  “Poor thing! You really don’t know what’s going on here, do you?”

  “Very well. While we wait for Illyria to return, I shall tell you a story: the story of the Unicorn Queen. Listen carefully.

  5

  The Quest

  Pelu was a fine storyteller. As she spun her tale, Sheila found herself listening so intently that pretty soon she forgot everything around her. Instead of a ragged tent, she seemed to see the adventure itself unfold before her eyes.

  The village was a peaceful place of thatched cottages set in a small green valley high in the mountains. It was a perfect place to raise the swift, sure-footed horses for which the village was known. And the finest horses were bred by a man called Sandrous. Sandrous had two children, Illyria, even then already tall and beautiful as a goddess, and Darian, her younger brother, brown of hair and eye, and daring of heart. Their mother had died when they were very young. But Sandrous taught them many things, from the proper way to handle a frightened colt to the method for taming a horse without breaking its spirit.

  That was a good, happy time. But far beyond the mountain village, the world was changing. In Campora, capital city of the vast kingdom in which the village lay, the wizard-king, Amar a good and kindly man, had been deposed (some said by dark and devious sorcery) and Dynasian, ambitious and cruel, had usurped the throne.

  Sandrous thought that since Campora was so far away, the problems there could not possibly affect him. Still, he decided, better to be prepared. Sandrous had been a warrior when he was younger, and now he taught his daughter and his son weaponry, the ways of sword and spear. Illyria soon became as skillful with the sword as any warrior Sandrous had ever seen.

  “That’s very interesting,” Sheila cut in, “but what about the unicorns?”

  “Hush, little sorceress. I’m getting to them.” Pelu continued:

  One fine day Illyria and Darian went riding. They were enjoying an ordinary ride through the clear mountain air. Suddenly Illyria’s horse shied, and the young woman found herself looking down at the bloody, beaten body of a handsome young man.

  “Hurry, Darian! We’ve got to get him to shelter!” she cried.

  The young man was badly hurt, but Illyria nursed him back to health. His name was Egael. He told her to beware of Dynasian; it was the tyrant’s men who had beaten him and left him to die.

  As Egael healed, he and Illyria grew close.

  But one night Illyria woke suddenly, sensing that something strange was happening. Alarmed, she ran to the room in which Egael slept. But he was gone! Illyria ran out into the night, frantically shouting Egael’s name, but the only answer to her calls was the wild cry of an eagle. Far in the distance she saw the fading shadow of great wings. And somehow, she didn’t know how or why, Illyria knew that Egael had vanished from her life.

  As she stood in the moonlight, wondering, blinking back tears, Illyria felt a soft muzzle brush her arm. One of the horses has gotten loose, she thought, and turned—to find herself facing a magnificent white stallion. A unicorn stallion. That was Illyria’s first meeting with Quiet Storm. And he is with her still.

  In those days Quiet Storm lived a peaceful life, siring handsome unicorn foals with Sandrous’s mares. The horse foals were sold at market as always; the unicorns—Sandrous being a wise man—were allowed to run free and happy, as unicorns must. And the village flourished. No one fell ill. The harvests were bountiful. And everyone knew this was due to the magic of the unicorns.

  Pelu paused. “Storytelling is thirsty work. Illyria usually keeps a water jug in here ... ah, yes.”

  As the woman drank, Sheila prodded her eagerly, “Go on! What happened next?”

  “What else? Trouble. Listen

  Word of the valley full of fabulous unicorns reached Dynasian’s ears. Or, rather, it reached the ears of his favorite sorcerer, Mardock. A foul and cruel man, Mardock is as dark of heart as he is of beard and hair. An exile, it is said, from some mystical land to the east, Mardock is a fine companion to his tyrant master.

  Mardock looked through his magic window and saw that while the unicorns roamed free, strange things began happening to Dynasian’s legions. Whenever they’d try to collect taxes, the taxes would turn to rocks, or bright blue butterflies. Whenever they would try to arrest an innocent soul, their swords would shatter. People began to laugh at them, and at Dynasian.

  It is never wise to mock an evil man.

  One terrible day Illyria and Darian returned home to find the village destroyed and Sandrous slain. The unicorns were gone. Dynasian had stolen them all—all except Quiet Storm and Darian’s own mount.

  Dark times followed, full of plague and misery. But then Illyria had a dream; in it a great eagle, large as a man, told her that the land would prosper once more only when the unicorns—those beings of Light and Goodness—were freed. Upon waking, Illyria swore a solemn vow: she would free the unicorns from Dynasian’s snares, or die in the attempt.

  Pelu stopped.

  “And?” insisted Sheila.

  “And she’s been traveling ever since. Campora is very far from here. Some of the captive unicorns have managed to escape Dynasian’s men; those are the ones we ride. As for us . . . well, now, we are a band of seven, counting Illyria and Darian, all of us escaping tyranny of some sort. You already know my story. Red-headed Myno, whom you’ve-ah-met, is a runaway slave.” Pelu winced. “She never talks about her former life, but I’ve seen the scars of whips on her back. You can imagine how she hates Dynasian and all he stands for! She’s the only one of us who’s actually been in Campora. And if ever there was a genius for figuring out a sly, clever plan, it’s she.”

  “What about the black woman? She seems so proud.”

  “Ho, she should! Our Nanine is a princess in her homeland to the south. She ran away from the foppish pig of a prince she was being forced to wed. She claims to like our rough life far better than any silken prison of a harem, even though she complains about having to sleep on the ground ‘like a commoner and eat food that’s ‘barely fit for swine!’

  Sheila giggled. “And what about the archer?”

  Pelu’s smile faded. “Kara’s our archer, and she doesn’t I laugh very much. You see, she has her own mission: Kara is looking for her sister, who was carried off by Dynasian’s soldiers. Poor thing, she may or may not be alive in Campora.

  “What about the black-haired girl? The one who’s about my own age?” Sheila asked.

  “Dian? Oh, she’s our ‘baby.’ She found one of the unicorns lost and hurt, and took care of it. When the unicorn recovered, and rejoined our herd, Dian came along with it. She’s showing signs of becoming a fine warrior. And she’s got a lovely singing voice, too, very comforting at night when we’re all gathered around the campfire and feeling sorry for ourselves.” Pelu smiled. “So. There you have our story.”

  “And a fine story it is, too!” said a sudden voice.

  6

  Sheila Enlists

  Sheila and Pelu both sprang to their feet in surprise, Pelu with her dagger ready. At the tent’s entrance stood one of the cutest boys Sheila had ever seen. He was tall and lean, and looked as though he had been working out with weights. But in this crazy world he’s probably been working out with a sword! Sheila thought to herself. Shoulder-length brown hair framed a strong, suntanned face that reminded Sheila of Illyria—“Darian,” said Pelu with a sigh, sheathing her knife.

  “Don’t startle me like that. I might have stabbed you.”

  “Sorry.” He gave her a quick, dazzling smile, then turned to look at Sheila.

  “Darian?” she asked. “Oh, of course. You’re Illyria’s brother.”

  “And you’re the sorceress.” He took a swaggering step into the tent, looking Sheila up and down. “Kind of young to be a sorceress, aren’t you, little girl?”

  Sheila straightened angrily. How could she have thought that this arrogant boy was cute? “Kind of young to be a warrior, aren’t you?”

  Darian flushed. �
��A child like you should be with your mother. Learning to stay in the kitchen, where you belong.”

  “Why, you-you-“ Sheila sputtered. Oh, why didn’t this language have words like male chauvinist pig in it? “You spoiled little boy!”

  Pelu, chuckling softly, murmured, “Oh, no. I don’t want to get in the middle of this! Excuse me, you two.”

  She slipped out of the tent, but neither Sheila nor Darian saw her leave. “What’s that?” the boy asked sharply. “Your pack of magic tricks?”

  “It’s my pack, yes. What about it?”

  Then it really does have magic stuff in it? Hey, that’s nothing for a girl to carry around! Let me have it before you hurt yourself”

  “I will not! Leave me alone!”

  Laughing, he reached for the backpack—and Sheila kicked him sharply in the shin. There was a roar of laughter from the tent’s entrance, and Darian and Sheila whirled to see Illyria standing there, eyes bright with amusement,

  “My, my, what a brave little sorceress you are! Brother, I do think you’ve met your match! And I think you just might have had it coming, too.”

  Darian, rubbing his shin, glared at his sister. But then he gave a rueful grin and muttered, “I guess maybe I did.” As he left the tent with a limp, he shot Sheila a quick, grudging glance of respect.

  Once the tent flaps had swung shut behind him, Sheila, blushing, turned to Illyria, more than a little awed at the quiet power radiating from the woman. She was a true leader!

  Oh, great! And I just kicked her brother in the shin! “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“

  “No need to apologize.” Illyria gave a deep sigh, but her eyes still twinkled. “Poor Darian! It’s not easy for him, being both the only male in our warrior band and the second youngest. He still has a good deal to learn.” The humor vanished from her face.

  Coolly, the woman added, “As do we all. And one thing I mean to learn right now, my dear, is whether your magic is good or evil. Pelu seems to like you. That’s a point in your favor. But humans can make mistakes. I have a better judge of character, one who is never fooled.”

  “I—I don’t understand.”

  Illyria pulled aside a flap of the tent. “Storm!” she called. “Quiet Storm!”

  The magnificent white unicorn trotted up, his coat and long spiraling horn glinting bright silver in the sunlight. His large, amber eyes studied the girl almost thoughtfully.

  “Storm, come closer. Meet Sheila.”

  The unicorn stuck his head into the tent. Sheila drew back a little at the sight of that long, sharp horn so close to her head, but the unicorn’s eyes were gentle. And he was so beautiful! His head was lovely, as fine-boned and graceful as the head of a deer, reminding her a little of an Arabian stallion she had seen in a movie. His small ears pricked forward in curiosity. He had a small beard of whiskers beneath his chin, and his breath was as sweet as fresh clover as he nuzzled Sheila. After a moment she dared to stroke his cheek. His coat was warm and soft beneath her hand, softer than velvet.

  “So,” said Illyria softly. “Thank you, Storm. You may go now.”

  With a snort that sounded almost like an amused chuckle, the unicorn withdrew his head from the tent, carefully turning sideways so he wouldn’t snare his horn in the fabric, and trotted off again.

  It seemed to Sheila that she had been holding her breath all this time. Now she gave a long, awestruck sigh. “He’s beautiful!”

  “He is, isn’t he?” Illyria smiled. “More important, he’s just told me what I needed to know. No unicorn would tolerate the presence of a worker of evil magic. Welcome to my camp, Sheila of the World of Science.”

  It was said so formally that for a moment Sheila won­dered if she should curtsy or something. “Uh, thank you.”

  The twinkle of amusement was back in Illyria’s eyes. “Come, be honest now. You’re not really a sorceress, are you?”

  Sheila started, How should she answer that one? “Well no,” she began warily, then stopped in panic.

  Oh, boy! What did l say that for? I just ruined the only chance I had to defend myself!

  But Illyria was continuing casually, “I thought not. You’re just too young to have completed the years of study a sorceress needs. Unless, of course, you aren’t truly young. Do you happen to be wearing a Disguise of Youth?”

  Sheila blinked. “You mean, am I really an old woman who’s turned herself into a girl?” Could there really be such a spell? “Ah . . . no. I’m a girl, honest.”

  “So. You must bean apprentice. Perhaps of this wizard you mentioned, this—Dr, Reit, I believe you named him.”

  “Yes, I mean, that’s his name.” Sheila thought quickly. “And I… have helped him with a few experiments,” she said truthfully.

  “You must make a fine apprentice.” The woman’s voice was as matter-of-fact as if she had complimented Sheila on her bike riding. “Already you wield your powers well.” Illyria paused thoughtfully and looked the girl up and down appraisingly. “And you do seem fit enough, if not as fit as a true warrior. Tell me, now, have you ever studied any form of weapon-craft?”

  Sheila bit back a wild giggle at the thought of herself in full armor in gym class. “Well, I cover third base on the school softball team. That can get pretty wild sometimes. And I’ve hit a couple of homers, too.”

  “That is a form of combat unknown to me. Still, Sheila of the World of Science, my warriors and I could use the help of a sorceress of good magic in our quest, even a sorceress-in-training. Particularly one who wields objects of great magical power such as that far-speaking box and the foaming potion.”

  Objects of power! thought Sheila in amazement. My cassette player and that can of soda?

  “Come now, Sheila, look at me. I’m asking you a question. Will you join us?”

  “Oh. I-I don’t know. I’ve got to think about it for a moment.”

  Illyria nodded in understanding. Sheila turned away, chewing nervously on her lower lip. Defeating an evil tyrant . . . freeing trapped unicorns to return good fortune to the land… it certainly did sound like a worthy cause. In fact, it sounded like every heroic daydream she had ever had.

  It also sounded awfully dangerous. You couldn’t get hurt in daydreams, but these people weren’t carrying swords just for fun!

  Still… it was a worthy cause, and besides, she really didn’t know what else to do except wait and hope that Dr. Reit would find her and take her home

  “All right. I’ll join you,” said Sheila. “At least until I find a way home.”

  Illyria, pleased, nodded solemnly. “I’m glad to hear that. But I must tell you this, Sheila: it won’t be easy. There will be many challenges, from the land itself, from Dynasian’s forces, from dark sorcery. Many women have wanted to join me along the way. I accept only those who can endure the hardships of a warrior’s training. Do you think you can endure, and triumph?”

  For a moment the sheer strangeness of it all nearly overwhelmed Sheila. Such a wave of homesickness washed over her that she wanted to shout No! I can’t! Just leave me alone! But instead she swallowed fiercely and managed to get out, in an. almost level voice:

  “I guess I won’t know until I try.” Sheila paused. “But I’ve got to warn you, I’ve never been on a horse in my life.”

  “Unicorns aren’t horses,” Illyria replied. “You’ll learn. One way or another. Come, I’ll introduce you—formally, this time—to the others.”

  7

  Warrior-in-Training

  Sheila looked around the camp. It was late afternoon. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing—from Myno, skillfully mending a saddle girth, to Kara, who had returned to camp with bow in hand and a brace of rabbits over her shoulder. The unicorns wandered freely, stopping to graze every now and then on sparse grass or thorny bushes; Sheila was fascinated as she watched how delicately the unicorns twisted their lips in the leaves to avoid getting stuck.

  Watching unicorns was fun, but it wasn’t something she could do all day
. What was she supposed to be doing? Sheila wondered.

  Everyone else seemed to have some task or another. But no one paid any attention to her. She hadn’t even been told where she would sleep, or if she was going to have to stand guard like the others. Though there was still plenty of light, the sun was already slipping behind the horizon, and a chill was rising from the rapidly cooling earth. Sheila shivered and gratefully pulled the cloak Pelu had lent her more tightly about herself Weird! This was all so weird! Had it really been only a few short hours ago she had been talking with Cookie about studying? Sure. A few short hours ago—in another world in another dimension!

  Sheila shivered again, and this time it wasn’t from the chilly air. How was she ever going to get home?

  “Uh . . . Sheila,” said a hesitant voice.

  It was Darian. Oh, fine, thought Sheila. The last thing she wanted right now was to get into another fight with him!

  “Darian, I-“ she began, just as he started:

  “Sheila, I-“

  They both laughed nervously and stopped.

  “Sheila,” began Darian again, not meeting her gaze, “I . . . What I mean is . . .” He gave an exasperated sigh. “Look, what I’m trying to say is, I acted like an idiot before. I don’t know why I did it. I’m not usually so obnoxious. Sorry.”

  Sheila eyed him warily. “Did Illyria make you say this?”

  “No!” He glared at her indignantly. “I’m trying to apologize to you! Are you going to let me or not?”

  “Hey, what happened wasn’t my fault! You don’t have to yell at me!”

  To her surprise, Darian only grinned. “Yeah. You’re right. I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we just forget the whole thing and pretend we’re just meeting for the first time now? Okay?”

  “Okay,” she said with a smile. “My name is Sheila. What’s yours?”