Shadow of the Unicorn

by Susan Skylark

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.

  Hawk was putting away the last of the weapons from the day’s classes when the pair and their escort ambled into the practice yard, said he in some consternation, “what is this?”

  Griff smirked, “a private duel, sir.”

  Hawk’s frown deepened but Jace surreptitiously flashed his palm at the irritated instructor, whose demeanor suddenly turned thoughtful, “very well, whatever it is you are up to, leave me out of it and use only the wooden weapons.” Griff offered a slight bow in acquiescence as Hawk departed, flashing Jace an incredulous grin as he passed.

  The Students murmured their eagerness and surprise as the pair selected their weapons and faced off in the center of the yard. Said Griff with a sneer, “perhaps a sound bruising will curb your insolence, fool.” With no further warning, he leapt upon the unsuspecting boy.

  But Jace was far from unsuspecting and easily blocked the first blow and dodged in with his own, which confounded his opponent as much as an equitable answer to his initial challenge. The ringing Students voiced their own surprise, their excitement intensifying with every thrust and parry. At last out of breath, Griff said evenly, “enough, you have earned yourself the chance to stay the night in my quarters, tomorrow we shall see if your mind is as quick as your blade and if you shall remain another day in my domicile.”

  Jace put up his sword, nodded firmly, and strode from the practice yard, leaving the mystified Students to whisper and gape in his wake. Griff stood in the yard, sword forgotten in his hand, a bevy of conflicting thoughts roiling in his mind; it was a long time before he came in to the evening meal, but he did not find the astonishing Ace therein. He returned to their shared quarters but neither was he there. With a sigh, he flopped into his chair and took up his book, but paid it no heed as he replayed the evening’s events time and again.

  Jace found Hawk waiting for him on a bench under an ancient tree on the great lawn, said he in greeting, “I suppose you are not here for some remedial sword instruction?”

  Jace grinned, “I was actually hoping you could tell me what was going on.”

  Hawk shook his head as his friend seated himself, “all I can tell you is the lad is skilled, as good as you in your day, but he has thrice the attitude.” Jace frowned in consternation as Hawk clarified, “you were cocky and sure of yourself, but you also listened to criticism and never made anyone feel like they were inferior to you, regardless of native talent. Griff makes sure everyone knows exactly where they stand in relation to himself, and he is in nowise gentle whilst he goes about it.”

  Jace grinned, “and now?”

  Hawk’s smile was patient, but the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying his amusement, “you know very well what came of the matter in your own case,” he sobered significantly, “imagine what may happen in Griff’s”

  Jace shuddered, “perhaps he will listen to reason before anything dreadful need happen to open his eyes?” He frowned, “is the Master so insistent with everyone who ignores or refuses Him?”

  Hawk shook his head, “I think He is particularly forceful with those He has called and gifted for a certain purpose, which they refuse to acknowledge, preferring to glory in their native talents and think it all their own doing.”

  Jace nodded wryly, “sounds familiar. I wonder if Griff is more sensible than I was in his position?”

  Hawk shook his head, “he makes you look malleable and humble by comparison.”

  Jace sighed heavily, “then I certainly have my work cut out for me.” He grinned eagerly, “though it shall be interesting to relive my glory days with a competitor of equal talent!” He flashed an amused smile at Hawk in farewell, “go easy upon me, I’m barely out of my apprenticeship you.”

  Hawk laughed and said, “then you should at least be the equal of any of these neophyte Students.”

  Jace smiled warmly as he walked off, “not with so talented a teacher, I think.”

  The hall was dark and silent as he
returned to his quarters, but Griff was not asleep, rather he lurked in the dark room like a spider in the corner, biding its time until its prey should happen by. Said he with a hiss, “first day in Astoria and already defying curfew? Are you so bold or merely ignorant?”

  Jace shrugged, “I had a matter I wished to discuss with someone and took the opportunity to do so. What business is it of yours?”

  Griff stood and fumbled about, trying to light a candle, “I pride myself on adhering to the rules and on my personal conduct; my roommate will do the same.”

  Jace said in wonder, “then how do you explain your behavior to your so-called superiors? You can be quite insolent in your dealings with them.”

  Griff said harshly, “I adhere to the minutest details of decorum, I may walk a fine line at times, which may appear insolent, but I never cross the line into intentional offense.”

  Jace shook his head in incredulity, “I was speaking with the swordmaster, though I was out past curfew, it is permissible as long as I was with one of the Brethren.”

  Griff smiled slightly, “I see you are not immune to nuance yourself, very well, perhaps I misjudged you.” He sighed, “it is not easy being so skilled, staying atop the treacherous pinnacle that is the social apex amongst the Students. It is quite a lonely venture.” His countenance and voice darkened, “neither will I suffer a rival.”

  Jace raised his hands placatingly, “I have no wish to displace you or even to find an agreeable social position amongst the Students; you need count me as neither rival nor foe.”

  The truth was palpable in Jace’s voice and Griff said with a frown, “with such purported skill, you could go far! Why not exploit it for all it is worth? What is the point of life if not to find what pleasure and glory in it one may? Is that not the birthright of every man?”

  “A very poor birthright,” said Jace quietly, “for only one may be atop the heap at a given moment and what if he is thrown down, never more to rise? Is his life then over? My skills, whatever they be, were gifted me for a reason and I will use them to fulfill that purpose, therein only is found true contentment and fulfillment, all else is merely chasing after the wind.” He asked quizzically, “are you happy with your lot, content with your ephemeral glory?”

  Griff snarled, “what business is that of yours? I might ask what business you had with our esteemed swordmaster?”

  Jace smiled enigmatically and said, “then I fear we are at an impasse, but my question was more rhetorical than curious, for your own benefit rather than mine.”

  Griff snarled silently and snuffed the candle, letting the darkness and silence hide him from the troubling apparition but it could do naught to hide him from the uneasy thoughts the boy had inspired. He was nearly as bad as one of the Brethren in his ability to turn your well concealed thoughts and perfectly crafted excuses on their head and upset the very ballast of one’s soul. He did not like it in the least.

  Morning found a very tired and uneasy Griff, having slept very little that night yet neither had he found solace for his tumultuous thoughts while his roommate seemed perfectly at ease with himself and all the world, scowled he, “how is it you can destroy a man’s peace of mind and yet sleep so innocently yourself?”

  Jace grinned, “if I can that easily unsettle your thoughts, you must be off kilter indeed, for I said nothing accusatory, incendiary, or cruel.” Griff gaped, did this insolent boy have an easy answer for everything? Jace’s open grin seemed answer enough, continued he, “would you care to join me for breakfast?”

  Griff sighed heavily but decided to make at least a public show of decency, if only to keep the other Students in the dark as to the unsettling effect his companion had upon him. He nodded and they went down to breakfast, both appearing as if all were well with the world, but only Jace was truly at ease with himself and reality. He knew what it had cost himself personally to reach such a state of mind and prayed fervently that his companion need not face a similar fate, but all rested upon Griff’s choices in that regard and nothing Jace said or did could alter that, save perhaps to waken him to the reality of the matter and urge him to choose wisely, think deeply, and humble himself before he was forcibly humbled. As they finished their silent meal, Griff said quietly, “today is the Free Day, I’d like to show you something.” Jace nodded and they set off, Griff almost eager in whatever it was he intended.

  They saddled a pair of horses and headed out of the city, Jace’s heart leapt and then fell as Griff turned his horse in a particular, fateful direction once the city lay behind them. But he reminded himself that he was not Griff nor Griff himself, their stories might be similar but each was unique. Almost every student in Astoria must find that awful gorge fascinating at one time or another, though it played a vital part in Jace’s story did not mean it would play anything but a minor role in Griff’s. They trotted out to the gorge, left the horses tied on the edge of the forest, and spent the day exploring the rim of the precipice, Griff trying to interrogate his companion and impress him all at the same time.

  As the sun reached its midday peak, they carefully crawled out upon an ancient tree trunk that spanned the gorge to eat their lunch. As Griff stared into the chasm that gaped hungrily beneath them, he said thoughtfully, “there is an old story concerning this particular gorge and probably this very log.” Jace gave him a curious look, as he continued, “they say I am the most talented individual to enter Astoria in eighty years, before me there was a lad, almost as skilled, with a future all laid out for him. He was set to marry a princess and his future seemed bright when tragedy struck. He fell from this very spot, but somehow survived the fall and even made a full recovery, but he must have struck his head for he claimed to have seen visions of the so-called Master and was never again the same. Tragically he lost his bride, his future, everything, and was forced to take up with the Brethren to avoid poverty and infamy, but he seems to have been completely lost to history, for shortly after that he disappeared entirely.”

  Jace was silent for a long moment, both amused and appalled at this telling of his own tale, then asked, “you do not think the boy’s visions could have been real?”

  Griff stared at him aghast, “you do not believe in the so-called Master do you?”

  Jace smiled, “I must admit that I do.”

  Griff shook his head grimly, “and here I thought you were sensible! Last night you proved yourself adept with a blade, today you have proven you can ride a horse and that you even have a passable mind, but I am reconsidering the latter after such a revelation.”

  Jace laughed, “and yet you are content to learn from those who are equally superstitious?”

  Griff snarled, “if there were anywhere else to learn, trust me, I would be the first in line, but despite their myths, the Brethren still offer the greatest educational opportunity in the world!” He said sourly, “you shall fit right in.” He raised an eyebrow and said snidely, “when will you be taking your Oath?”

  Jace shook his head, smiling sheepishly, “I shall never take the Oath.”

  Griff frowned, “why ever not? You have the myths and the skills to excel in such a circus!”

  Jace shook his head, “I cannot discuss the details, but it shall never be.”

  Griff grinned openly, “the Lady will be even more incensed at you than she was at me, at least I can plead indifference of belief but you have no excuse at all!”

  Jace asked in surprise, “the Lady has already broached the subject with you?”

  Griff smiled proudly, “why wouldn’t she? Who would want to see such a great man slip through her fingers?”

  Jace shook his head grimly, “the lad in your tale, he is the current Lady’s twin brother.” He said in a barely audible whisper, “and had a similar interview with the then Lady shortly before disaster struck.”

  Griff snorted incredulously, “you aren’t trying to tell me this is a bad omen or something are you? No such disaster would ever convince me to change
my mind, in fact it would pretty much assure I’d remain a skeptic until my dying day. Who would choose to follow such a vengeful god?

  “It isn’t vengeance,” said Jace quietly, “the Master counts your soul more valuable even than His own life, having shed His very blood to ransom it. He will do what He must to waken us from our vain and empty lives that we might step into that which He has called us.”

  Griff stared at Jace in horror, “you sound like one of them, is that it? You are really one of the Brethren in disguise, come to corrupt me with your false pretenses?”

  Jace raised his hands, “I told you truly, I have never taken the Oath nor shall I. I can say it no more plainly than that.”

  Griff scoffed, “say what you like, you sound just like one of them.” Said he grumpily, “a pity, I was actually starting to like you, or at least respect you a little bit. Now all hope of that is forever lost. You had best go.” Jace opened his mouth to protest, but he knew it would do no good so turned away and silently retreated, leaving Griff to his own uneasy thoughts, wondering what the boy would choose. He could feel the Master’s call upon the boy, call for what, he did not know, but he knew the boy had a destiny, if only he would seek it.