The Serpent and the Unicorn: Book I and II

by Susan Skylark

  Chapter 17

  Sooner than expected, a party arrived from Astoria. Six of the Brethren, in full armor that gleamed silver in the sun, astride their undisguised mounts, rode into the city with a very old, but distinguished lady in their midst, also astride a unicorn. The faces of the men were grim and the lady was stern as a Queen passing judgment. The sight of the seven unicorns alone caused many people to stop and stare, but their riders also drew much comment and question. Who were these strange and dangerous folk that could master such beasts? Lyre came rushing into the courtyard, breathless with the appearance of having finished dressing in haste. The strangers halted their mounts. One of the men dismounted and handed the Lady from her saddle.

  “Lyre?” she said in a regal voice.

  “Yes ah?” mumbled Lyre.

  “I am the Lady of Astoria, leader of the Brethren,” said she, “I have not left Astoria in a century. What is the meaning of this summons?”

  “Summons?” gasped Lyre. He looked pleadingly at Conrad, who was one of the six accompanying the Lady; he found no solace there, only grim and stony silence. “I did not summon, ah you, My Lady,” said Lyre. “I asked that an objective official be sent to judge a pending case,” he whined.

  “It was as good as a summons,” she said, “this matter concerns me greatly. Escort me to my chambers so that I may refresh myself and then I shall speak to this prisoner of yours.” Lyre had little choice but to comply, though he begged her not to trouble herself by going down into the dungeons and bothering about such a minor problem. “Your Queen also lies in a state near death,” she said, “I shall attend her shortly.” Lyre bowed and hurried ahead of the strange party hoping the servants had prepared the rooms in time.

  The Lady spent some little time recovering from the ride; they had pushed the unicorns for all the speed they possessed. Once she was clean and rested, she demanded that Lyre take her to the Queen personally. The Queen’s state was unchanged; she languished in a living death. The Lady’s heart went out to the stricken woman, and she could feel a chill of evil upon entering the room. She took a small glass vial out of her robes and knelt beside the prone form. She opened the vial and placed a single drop of clear fluid upon the Queen’s lips. Color flared in her cheeks and she drew in a deep breath. Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced weakly around. “Rest now child,” said the Lady gently. To those assembled there she said, “she will be many days recovering from this, but she will recover fully. She needs rest, a little exercise, and much good food.”

  “What did you do?” asked the stunned Lyre.

  “A unicorn’s tear,” said the Lady, “is very effective in driving away certain vile enchantments. Now I must see your prisoner immediately.” It was quite a procession that made its way towards the dungeons. The Lady’s entire escort came and so did the desperate Lyre. Once they reached the dungeon, the men did a thorough sweep of the area and declared it secure. Lyre and her escort were to remain outside so the Lady might speak in private.

  “Tristan?” said she. Tristan nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound. Save for his public appearances and an occasional guard, he never had visitors.

  He quickly stood, “My Lady?!” he said in surprise as he bowed. He continued, “what has brought you from Astoria?”

  “You,” she said wryly, “how do you get me into such situations?” Tristan tried to say something apologetic, but she laughed. “How are you?” she asked.

  “I miss my wife and am tired of these farcical appearances I am forced to make on a daily basis, but otherwise I am as well as can be expected in such conditions,” he said.

  “Is Arora well?” asked she.

  “I see her daily at the trial, she seems to be in good spirits,” said Tristan.

  “I will speak with her tonight,” said the Lady. “Now tell me what has been happening. I have Conrad’s view on things but I must hear yours.” Tristan told her everything that had happened from the time he arrived in Vespera in pursuit of Cisco. After he had finished she said, “this is all an unnecessary muddle, but I must wait until the officials arrive from Panmycea to finish it. I am sorry that you must remain here in the interim. I will have these daily appearances stopped however, and see if I can arrange some visiting privileges.” He bowed in thanks and bid her goodnight. She was glad he was handling things so well. She only hoped the Order saw things her way. Lyre was aghast that she asked that the prisoner be allowed visitors, but he complied with her wishes. He was not surprised to learn that the daily mock trial must cease. She spent the remaining time until the contingent from Panmycea arrived driving Lyre absolutely mad. He was afraid of her and immediately did anything she asked of him. She found much joy in asking him to run all sorts of mundane errands. Lyre could not wait until the officials from the Order arrived. Tristan was greatly cheered by visits from his wife, Conrad, Pallin, Bristol, and the other Brethren present in Vespera.

  Much to Lyre’s joy, the day finally arrived when the officials from the Order came. None other than High Councilor Karly himself appeared with an escort of twelve men. Lyre thought the High Councilor looked very grumpu about having been sent on such an errand; all the better, perhaps the Councilor would act as a counterweight to that terrible Lady. Karly greeted Lyre coldly then said, “what is all this about?”

  Lyre nervously replied, “a vile traitor has been discovered and swift justice is needed.” Karly grunted noncommittally and asked to be shown to his chambers. After he had refreshed himself, he grilled Lyre on the details. After that, he wished to see the prisoner and then to meet the much fabled Lady of Astoria. Tristan was very happy to see Karly (plus several of the men in Karly’s escort had previously served under Tristan’s command). Karly greeted him warmly and promised to have this thing finished quickly. He then asked the details of what had happened. Tristan repeated what he had told the Lady.

  After his interview with Tristan, Karly was escorted to the Lady who was waiting in a large sitting room. She rose regally and bowed to the High Councilor. He did the same. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” said she.

  “I have heard much of you Lady,” said Karly, “and the privilege is mine. Though I must say, you have deprived me of one of my finest officers.”

  She laughed and said, “he was merely on loan to you Councilor. He has been in my service for over a century.”

  Karly seemed stunned at the remark, but said, “I see. What think you of this whole situation?”

  She said, “it is a needless waste of time as far as I am concerned. Tristan may not have used the most diplomatic method to bring this traitor to justice, but it seems the only sensible way he could have gone about it. I fear we are wasting time when we should be pursuing any more of these evil men who may be lurking about.”

  “I agree completely,” said Karly. They talked for much of the afternoon and well into the night.

  The morning of the official trial dawned bright and clear with a warmth in the wind that promised Spring’s return rather than merely hinting of it. The officials assembled with their escorts and made an impressive display sitting in front of Tristan’s rickety chair and facing the crowd. Tristan was to sit in the chair with his back to the crowd and facing the judges. Lyre would officiate from the floor, as he felt necessary. Lyre felt certain that the day would turn out well for him and very badly for Tristan. He began, “ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to this official trial. May justice be done.” Tristan was asked to tell his side of things and relayed his story to the judges and the audience. Lyre was then asked for his side of things and he did the same. Pallin gave an account of their adventures in Westria. Conrad and Arora were then asked to tell their part of the tale. Lyre was aghast at their stories; he had never suspected Arora’s involvement. A few more witnesses were called, but their stories conflicted and contradicted each other so much that they were dismissed. The Lady look
ed at Karly and they both stood.

  The Lady said, "I find no reason for these proceedings and believe them to be a complete waste of time when we should be ferreting out the agents of this sinister Brotherhood."

  "I agree," said Karly, "Tristan is hereby declared innocent of any and all charges. Lyre, you are hereby stripped of your rank and are to report to the next training unit to leave for the Northern Wilds. A new advisor will be assigned to Vespera in your place.” Lyre looked mortified; Tristan looked pleased but not surprised.

  A woman in the audience stood, her hood falling back to reveal the Queen, "should not I have some say in these matters?"

  Karly and the Lady bowed and the Lady said, "of course. What is it you wish to say, your Highess?"

  The Queen began, "ever since Cisco entered my presence I have not been thinking clearly, if at all. I thank you for freeing me of his influence Tristan, but you continue to baffle me. I once freely offered you the position Cisco nearly took by treachery; I would offer it to you again if I thought you would accept. What are you doing here if not on an errand for the Order or out of regard for me?"

  Tristan looked questioningly to the Lady who nodded and he began, "your Highness, I respect you greatly as a leader, but I have no feelings for you beyond those due a Queen and a Lady. As I no longer belong to the Order that cannot be what brought me back to your land. But in the service of the Lady I trailed Cisco out of the Northern Wilds and found him intimately involved in the politics of your realm. I am glad I could be of service to you and your country, but it was at the Lady's command I came hither." He bowed respectfully and resumed his seat.

  The Queen said, "I see. I will be sorry (again) to see you go, but such is life. Though I am not sorry to lose Lyre's 'services.' May I request Tristan's presence as advisor to my court in his stead?"

  Karly said, "he is no longer under my command. Your wish is not mine to grant."

  "Conrad will continue in his usual duties. Tristan's talents would be wasted in diplomacy," laughed the Lady. The trial was adjourned to the delight of all save Lyre and a couple bloodthirsty members of the audience.

  The Lady and Councilor Karly spoke much that day and as they parted he said, "it is an interesting proposal and I think the High Council will be pleased." She smiled in reply. Tristan wondered at the exchange. After many goodbyes were said both parties departed. Tristan and Arora traveled home with the Lady and her escort. Karly left one of his men to fill Lyre's post and personally saw to it that Lyre reported to his new unit.

  After much debate, it was decided by the High Council that any member of the Order who wished to visit Astoria and partake of their educational programs was encouraged to do so. If they felt so moved, they could even take the Oath and become a member of both organizations. The Lady and Karly felt it would be of benefit to both groups. Word was also sent to members of both groups in all lands to be watchful for any more members of the Brotherhood and to stop whatever plans they had in progress.

 

  Outside the storm raged and the Eastern Sea battered itself against the jagged cliffs. Within the aging castle, a man sat in darkness starring at a basin of black water. The surface rippled and what appeared to be a black, reptilian head with flaming eyes appeared. The creature said, "these Brethren are becoming a nuisance."

  "Yes, my lord," said the man, "I can arrange for many of them to be eliminated."

  "No," said the creature, "that would only make them martyrs. But if it can be done quietly and secretly you may dispose of those that make pests of themselves." The man bowed. The creature continued, "trying to trick our way into leadership is not working. We have lost agents on many fronts. Perhaps we need to try something more subtle. Perhaps we can use this beloved Order of yours?"

  "The Order?" gasped the man, "they are falling in with these accursed Brethren, what use are they to us now?"

  The creature smiled, "a little apostasy and false doctrine may be just the thing to take men's minds off of the Brethren and their ideas."

  "Yes," laughed the man, "I shall see to it."

  "Good," hissed the serpent as the image faded.

  General Vrill stepped away from the basin and summoned a servant. He had many letters to write and plans to make. Outside the storm raged on.

  Book II

  “Be thou my wisdom,

  and thou my true word,

  Thou ever with me,

  and I with thee Lord.

  Thou my great Father,

  I thy true son,

  Thou ever with me,

  and I with thee one.”

  ‘Be Thou My Vision’

  Irish Hymn