Shadow of the Unicorn

by Susan Skylark

5

  The Students remained in the dining hall long after curfew, listening to and celebrating the wondrous tale, only a grim few murmuring that a truly benevolent god would not have inflicted blindness upon the poor girl in the first place, but even their muttering could not dampen her joy. Eventually the entire crew had to be routed forcibly to bed by various of the Brethren and several of the servants. Jace returned happily to his room, in guise again as Adan, as they both needed to make an appearance that night. He jumped in surprise to find both Jared and Baye in his room, with a soundly sleeping Adan upon the bed.

  Jared studied his disguise with approval, turning to Baye to comment, “the lad certainly has a knack for it my friend.”

  Baye laughed quietly, “nay sir, it must be the teacher.”

  Jace smiled happily down at his returned friend and then skewered his mentor with a concerned frown, “my sister is expecting us both at the Oathtaking tomorrow.”

  Baye grinned, “you have never actually been to one, have you?”

  Jace shook his head, “no, but Adan will be in no shape to go, will he?”

  Jared replied, “nay lad, you two will have to go in disguise or find a good excuse for one of you to miss it.” He smiled warmly, “congratulations on your sister’s recovery!”

  Jace sighed happily, “our Master is gracious indeed!”

  Baye smiled like the rascal he was, “why does it take death and infirmity before your stubborn kinfolk even consider the most important things in life?”

  Jace smiled wryly, “sheer and utter stubbornness my friend, learn well from our mistakes.” He sighed heavily, “by the way, my sister and Adan are rather fond of one another, if you go tomorrow, you might be in the unenviable position of breaking her heart.”

  Baye scowled, “I’d rather go back to the stables. I think you can honestly tell people Adan is ill and unable to leave his bed.”

  Jace smiled sadly, “it would certainly be the truth, even if it disappoints my sister dreadfully.”

  Jared shook his head, “it will be a far worse heartbreak to hear the words from someone who is not the beloved and only pretending to be.”

  They all agreed what must be done in the coming days, and gratefully did the elder pair withdraw from the cramped room, while Jace settled into the vacant chair with a smile, wondering if this was how Adan felt in his own vigil only a few days prior, yet it seemed an age had passed in the interim.

  He must have dozed off, for the sun was shining brightly through the window when next he looked about the tiny room. He stood, stretched, and smiled to see Adan still sleeping like one dead. Then the sound came again, a knock upon the door, which had awakened the slumbering apprentice from his indifferent sleep. He opened the door to find a servant bearing a breakfast tray for the both of them and a message of assurance that it was quite alright if Adan spent the day abed, sick as he was, and also that someone would be sent to sit with the invalid during the Oathtaking if Jace wished to attend, to which Jace readily agreed, seeing as it was an event he had never yet witnessed, apprentice though he was. He thanked the man, took the tray, and sent him on his way.

  Whether it was the smell of food or the brief commotion, Jace did not know, but Adan roused long enough to eat something before falling comatose once more. Jace shook his head ruefully, wondering if he had been that bad after his own experience, remembering little of those days and more grateful to his sleeping friend than words could express, especially when he had no idea what ailed his friend at the time. He settled down to his own breakfast and some long neglected reading while Adan slept on.

  The day passed interminably, but at last Jared appeared at the door, which surprised the boy no end, that the very Captain of the Shadow would sit with a mere apprentice. He grinned affably at the gaping boy, said he, “one of the servants was to sit with the lad, how could I trust such a vigil to a layman? Off with you, or your sister will have both our heads.” They both grinned at the truth in that last statement, but Jace wasted no time in complying, hastening off to the courtyard and the enclosed lawn that lay adjacent to it.

  A great rent marred the otherwise pristine hillside, where once, long ago, the most terrible and wondrous event in the history of the world had taken place: deity had taken on flesh and mortality, to die that men might live. Jace’s heart leapt in grateful joy as he remembered the tale and gazed upon the narrow chasm where the hilltop had been rent asunder as creation itself violently protested the death of its Maker. But death could not hold Him and was itself overthrown, and ever since had the Brethren proclaimed that joyous message far and wide, pursued justice, defended the helpless, and promoted peace between individuals and nations. And of this great legacy, Jace was now a part. He glanced at his comrades, gathering on the far end of the chasm, its narrowest point, his smile a strange mix of sadness and joy, as he realized while he did have a part in their tale, he was not a full partaker in their society, heir of secrets that he was.

  He felt a firm, comforting hand on his shoulder and smiled gratefully up into the knowing gaze of his mentor, who said quietly, “you’re not alone lad, we are part of something far greater than you can yet comprehend, aye, something none this side of eternity can know in full, but it will be a grand tale when once it is told. We stand apart from other men, a result of both our curious nature and covert occupation, but we are never outside our Master’s keeping. You will see all those you once knew pass into memory to be replaced by a new and strange generation, only to be repeated ever and anon until the end of time, but our Master does not change nor does His strength fail. Take heart lad, for we are in His keeping.”

  He grew silent as they drew near their comrades and joined the cluster of those come to witness the day’s ceremony. The initiates stood on one side of the chasm while the Lady, her unicorn, and an assistant stood on the other, she intoned, “millennia ago, in this very spot, the Master Himself was slain to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. Death could not keep Him hostage and still His presence and power are strong in the world that fell from innocence that fateful night. But He no longer intervenes directly in the affairs of men, but works through His servants to accomplish His plans. You are gathered here to enter into that service. It is not something to be taken lightly, for it will consume your entire life and may even cost you your life one day. If any here so wishes, they may withdraw at this time.” No one moved. She continued, “very well. Let the Oathtaking begin.”

  The Lady’s unicorn stepped forward as the Lady produced an ancient tool and used it to draw forth a stream of silver blood from the creature’s great neck vein. An assistant caught the precious fluid in a cup while the Lady stemmed the silver flow with a few expert stitches. The unicorn stepped back as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.

  She said, “you have come today to swear an Oath before all here assembled. To serve none but the Master, His laws and truth, and those appointed by Him to oversee said Truth. You swear to forsake all personal possessions, dreams, and aspirations. You swear to dedicate your lives to His service alone; to uphold justice, peace, and love for others. You swear to lay down your life, if need be, in defense of the helpless and the Truth. You swear to abide by the Common Law, the Truth, and the laws of the Brethren. You swear not to enter into marriage with any save one who has also sworn this Oath. You do not swear to be perfect, but to try your best and overcome your weaknesses. You may forsake this Oath at any time of your own choosing or you will be forsaken by the Brethren and the Master if you grievously and intentionally violate the tenets you have sworn herein and upon such occasion you shall lose all rights, responsibilities, and privileges acquired by the taking of this Oath.”

  She looked solemnly at each of them and said, “does any here have any doubts or questions about what the Oath entails?” Again no one spoke. “Then come forward and if you swear the Oath, step across the crevice and say so before the assembled witnesses and the Master Himself. If any wish
to forego the Oath, let him leave now.” Again no one moved. “Then you may take your Oath,” said she. Individually, each candidate stepped across the crevice and said, “I so swear.” As they did so, each applicant took a drop of the silver blood on their tongue and completed the ceremony. The only overt physical change any of them noticed was that anyone who had also taken the Oath now appeared to have a faint glow about them, allowing the Brethren to distinguish their fellows. Once the last candidate had taken their Oath, the assembled Brethren gave a cheer and eagerly greeted their new comrades.

  Briane ran up to Jace, glowing with wonder, but her face fell slightly when she could not find Adan amongst the gathered witnesses. Jace said quietly, “he would have been here if he possibly could have, but he is unable to leave his bed.”

  She sighed heavily, quickly swallowed her disappointment, then looked into her brother’s eyes, smiling sadly, “perhaps it is for the best.”

  He drew her into a long hug, then smiled down at her with tears of joy in his eyes, “welcome home, dearest Brie!”

  She smiled joyously up at him, her heartache momentarily forgotten. She dropped her gaze, looked up again with a slight, contented smile, before breaking into a wholehearted grin as she saw something over Jace’s shoulder. Hawk stepped forward, bowed formally to Briane, nodded to Jace, and then addressed the lady, holding out his arm, “might I have the honor of escorting you to dinner, my lady?”

  She blushed like a sunset while studying her feet, but nodded eagerly, gave Jace an apologetic smile, and took Hawk’s offered arm. Jace shook his head, but smiled, saying, “I had best get back to Adan, I want to be there when he wakes up.” He nodded his farewell and dashed off, leaving the pair talking in quiet but animated tones as they meandered off to the evening meal. It seemed there was hope for Briane’s tempestuous heart yet.

  Adan slept for the rest of the day, waking only to eat, thus did Jace pass the evening in relative peace and obscurity, but the new Apprentices did anything but, sitting at the Lady’s table in a place of honor, beaming like the new risen sun in their excitement and joy. Hawk was at Briane’s side the moment she rose from her place while Jace and Adan were nowhere to be seen, a sign she felt somehow prophetic of things to come, that somehow they must now grow apart, but she laid aside this disquieting thought as she took Hawk’s arm and allowed him to escort her off to one side of the room where a few of the older apprentices had gathered, however they were not to make it to their intended destination without a delay or two.

  Ella was the first to waylay them, she glared imperiously at Hawk, as if he were the one importuning her rather than vice versa, said she stonily to Briane, “I see you actually went through with it. Congratulations, I guess. I had hoped that you would abandon this nonsense after you regained your sight, but if it makes you happy, I suppose I ought to be happy for you.”

  Briane smiled in that infuriating way peculiar to herself, Jace, and Juliene, but said sincerely, “I only hope you can be as happy one day Ella. I thank you for your congratulations, such as they are.”

  Ella did not exactly flounce away, as such would not befit a lady of breeding, but it was a near thing. The apprentices exchanged an amused look and then took a step closer to their destination, but it was Juliene’s turn to offer her heartfelt and sincere congratulations, said she with only mild annoyance, “where is that rapscallion of a brother of yours? He should be the first to offer his congratulations!”

  Briane shook her head in exasperation, “Adan is apparently ill and he is determined to ward the sickbed.” She smiled in amusement, “perhaps to ward off death itself?”

  Juliene did a fair impression of her daughter’s act of exasperation, crossing her arms she sighed, “why am I not surprised.” Warming slightly as she changed the subject, she continued, “I just wanted to let you know how truly proud of you I am.” Tears of joy sparkled unshed in her eyes, “and at long last I have found the peace and joy I once sought in my girlhood faith, but abandoned as futile when sorrow and trials came upon me, thinking somehow I would be spared such things in exchange for believing.” She smiled sadly in remembrance, “but such is the lot of all men, rather than sparing us sorrow, our faith gives it meaning and a hope beyond grief, that one day all things will be set right; it lends us strength and comfort until that distant day.” She kissed Briane lightly on the forehead, gave her a parting smile, and silently withdrew.

  Juliene had hardly stepped away when Jay approached, glaring stonily at Hawk, he addressed Briane with a lopsided, roguish grin, “it isn’t too late you know. You could still come away with me, enjoy the freedom of the road, and be mistress of your own destiny. My father’s merchant train could come any day, I cannot wait forever!”

  She tried not to glower at his insolence, but said as calmly and pleasantly as she could, “I appreciate your fervor, Jay, but I am quite content with my decision and hope you can be so yourself in days to come.”

  He shrugged, as if it were of no matter to himself, and went to speak to another girl of his acquaintance, eager to secure a lady’s affections ere his father returned, knowing it would be far harder to find a prospective bride amidst the alternating isolation and chaos that was the life of a traveling merchant. He still clung to a small, desperate hope that Ella might yet acknowledge his existence, but he was also of a practical turn of mind, and knew if she continued to slight him, he might well wait forever and still nothing would happen, so he decided to actively pursue a wife elsewhere, who knows, maybe she would grow jealous and thus pursue him herself. It was a dream, if a mortally wounded one. Briane and Hawk were finally allowed to cross the dining room and thus finish their epic journey.

  Adan awoke the following day to a state of semi-rationality, though still rather spacey and unable to focus on anything for very long. Jace welcomed him heartily back to the realm of the living, but refrained from pressing him for details as to how he felt about everything, but rather spent the day in insipid conversation centering on the weather and equally benign topics, for he was still in a delicate state and had the philosophical capacity of a small child, with a temper and patience to match. Jace wondered anew at his friend’s patient vigil during his own convalescence when he knew nothing of the matter. That was friendship indeed! Thus did the day pass quietly.

  The next morning brought a very nearly normal Adan awake with the first rays of dawn; he smiled joyously at his just waking roommate and received the same in return. Said Jace as he stretched and yawned, “am I finally able to leave the room?”

  Adan quipped back, “turn about is fair play, my friend. I would say we are now even, but yes, I would happily go abroad this morning.” He grinned, “which day is it, anyway?”

  Jace threw a pillow at him but quickly apprised him of all that had happened during his indisposition, as he readied himself for the day. Adan sat quietly, contemplating all his friend said, especially concerning Briane. Said he at last, “poor girl! At last we see eye to eye, and yet I am still lost to her.”

  Jace smiled slightly, “I would not worry too much over her sad plight, I think she was already resigned to the fact long ago.” His smile became mischievous, “besides, our friend Hawk seems determined to win the forsaken lady’s heart and she is not indifferent to his attentions.” Said he with a sigh, “I think she has given us both up for lost causes!”

  Adan nodded, “a sundering from our closest friends and kin is not a bad thing, I think, considering our current occupation.” He smiled teasingly, “at least you are not completely bereft of friends, though I must say you tried valiantly to be well rid of me.”

  Jace wore a mock scowl, “and I would have succeeded too, had you not poked your nose in where it least belonged.”

  They shared a laugh, then Adan shrugged, “well, as long as we are stuck with one another, what say you to a little breakfast?”

  They headed to the dining hall, where they found Jay still trying to woo every female of his acquai
ntance with no apparent success. He was growing desperate, as his father’s arrival was imminent, for the man was as consistent as the moon in its phases when it came to his yearly route, always arriving in the same town on the same day, year after year. Jay sat sullenly by himself, glowering over his oatmeal, scanning the room for any young lady to whom he had not yet paid court. Adan and Jace sat on either side of him, grinning like maniacs. He glared at them, mostly out of annoyance that Briane had been the first to reject him, which he blamed as setting the precedent for his subsequent failures. Said he at last to the irksome pair, “unless you can use your vaunted skills to conjure me a bride, I have no time for fraternizing.”

  They exchanged a surprised and disappointed look, took up their trays, and bid their annoyed companion good day, even as he found the forty seventh object of his affections. They settled at a small table in a forgotten corner, only to have Briane discover them immediately. She studied them with an all too knowing smile and said at last, “so the bedridden man emerges at last.”

  Adan smiled sheepishly around a spoonful of cereal and said, “hello Brie.”

  She held out her hand, suddenly bashful, and as he took it, she said, “we are still friends, right?”

  He smiled wholeheartedly and she relaxed, saying, “good, I don’t think we can be anything but, however.”

  He stared at her in astonishment, thinking he was the one who would have to sever the romantic ties between them, if any yet remained; he recovered himself and said, “nay dear heart, you are now my sister, always and forever.”

  She smiled gratefully at him, gave her brother a playful wink, and then dashed off to where Hawk and his friends sat on the far side of the room, leaving the mystified pair in her wake. They exchanged a befuddled, but relieved look, and then returned to the business at hand: breakfast.

  Baye found them shortly thereafter, said he with curiosity in his voice, “we are summoned to the Lady, my lads, off we go.” They stood, obediently following after, wondering what this audience portended.