Year of the Unicorn Read Online Free PDF Page A

with an intricate design of my own wandering fancy.
     
    But for now the Lord Imgry was not my concern. I continued to watch her who looked over his shoulder. And towards the Abbess Yulianna I launched the full force of what power of will I could summon, even as an archer on a field of grave doubt would loose the last of his shafts at the captain of the enemy. Though in this time and wise I did not wish to compel foe but one who might stand my friend,
     
    "This is not your healer," Imgry said sharply.
     
    I waited then for the Abbess to nay-say me in agreement. But rather did she move a step or two aside and wave me to the bed.
     
    "This is Gillan who is help-hand to our healer and lessoned in all such matters. You forget, my lord, it is past the Hour of Last Light. Those of the community must soon be in the Chapel for night prayer. Unless the need approaches great danger, the healer can not be summoned from such a service."
     
    He gave a bitten-off exclamation, but even his confidence could not prevail against the custom and usage under this roof. Now the Abbess spoke again:
     
    "You had best withdraw now, my lord. Should Marimme awake from her swoon to find you here-then perhaps needs must we again have the wailing and crying which you so dislike-"
     
    But he did not move. There was no scowl on his face...only the lines of determination which I had marked at the table grew a fraction deeper. For a moment there was silence and then the Abbess spoke, and now her tone was that which I had heard now and again, infinitely remote and daunting.
     
    "You are her guardian-by-rule-and-blood, my lord. We know well the law and will not move against your will, no matter how ill we think your decision. She shall not be spirited away in the night-how could she be? Nor is it necessary for us to give oath on such a point under this roof!"
     
    He did then look a little ashamed, for it was plain she had read aright his thoughts. Yet at the same time her voice carried the conviction of one taking that oath she had denied the need for.
     
    "My daughter," again her eyes sought mine and held them. I could not read her thoughts. If she read mine, or guessed my intention, she did not reveal the fact. "You will heal as you can, and watch through the night, should that be needful."
     
    I made no direct answer, only bent knee in curtsy, and that more deeply than I had to my lord. He was at the door, still hesitating there. But as the Abbess advanced upon that portal he went, and she, followed, closed it with a click of falling latch.
     
    Marimme stirred and moaned. Her face was flushed as one in a fever, and she breathed in. uneven gasps. I set the tray on the table and measured by spoon a portion of the liquid into the horn cup. I held it for a moment in my hand. This was the last parting between present and future. From this point there was no back-turning-only complete success, or discovery and ill will of the kind I could never hope to escape. But I did not hesitate long. My arm behind her shoulder raised Marimme. Her eyes were half open, she muttered incoherently. The horn cup to her lips...then she swallowed with soft urging from me.
     
    "Well done."
     
    I looked around. Sussia stood by the door, but it was safely closed behind her. Now she came forward a step or two.
     
    "You will need anally-"
     
    That was true. But why-?
     
    Again it was as if we were mind to mind, one thought shared.
     
    "Why, Lady Gillan? Because of many things. First, I have more than a little liking for this soft creature." She came to the end of the bed and stood looking down at Marimme. "She is a harmless, clinging one of the kind who find the world harsh enough without bending and breaking under blows never meant for their shoulders. No-you-and I-we are of a different breed-"
     
    I settled Marimme back on her pillows and stood up, putting down the horn cup with a hand I was pleased to see was steady.
     
    "And second, I know you, perhaps better than