Year of the Unicorn Read Online Free PDF

you think, Gillan. This Norstead has become a prison to you. And what other future could you look to but endless years of like living-"
     
    "The dusty years-" I had not realized I spoke aloud until I heard her small chuckle of amusement.
     
    "I could not have said it better!"
     
    "But why should my fate be a matter of concern to you, my lady?"
     
    She was frowning a little. "To me that is also a puzzle, Gillan. We are not cup-fellows, nor sister-friends. I can not tell why I wish to see you forth from here-only that I am moved to aid you so. And I think this is truly a venture for you. It is one which I would have chosen, had I been allowed a choice."
     
    "Willingly?"
     
    She smiled. "Does that surprise you?"
     
    Oddly it did not. I believe that Sussia would have ridden on such a bride trek with tearless eyes, looking forward with curiosity and desire for adventure.
     
    "I say it now again, we are of one breed, Gillan. Therefore this abbey is not for you, and since there is naught else within High Hallack for you-"
     
    "I should go forth with a high heart to wed with a shape-changer and sorcerer?"
     
    "Just so." Still she smiled. "Think what a challenge and adventure that presents, my Gillan. Greatly do I envy you."
     
    She was right, very right!
     
    "Now." she spoke more briskly. "What dose have you given her? And what do you plan?"
     
    "I have given her sleep, and shall give it again. She will wake refreshed a day, perhaps more, from now. And also she will awake with soothed mind and nerves."
     
    "If she sleeps here-" Sussia put finger tip to lips and chewed upon it.
     
    "I do not intend that she shall. In her sleep she will be open to suggestion. As soon as the Hour of Great Silence begins I shall take her to my chamber."
     
    Sussia nodded. "Well planned. You are taller than she, but in the morning dark that will not be marked. I will bring you riding robe-and with her tabard, and the cloaks-You can be allowed some weeping behind a wind veil. I do not think Lord Imgry will question if you walk with face hidden to your horse. But there is the leave taking with the Abbess, she is to bless the brides at the Chapel door-"
     
    "It will be very early, and if it snows-Well, there are some things one can only leave to chance."
     
    "A great deal in this ploy must be left to chance." she countered. "But what I can do, that I will!"
     
    Thus together we pushed onward my plan. Marimme lay at last in my bed and beside it I did on the underclothing for a long winter ride, setting over it the divided robe Sussia brought me. It was a finer stuff than I had worn for years, though plain of colour, being a silver grey to match the cloak she also gave me. Over it the tabard was a bright splash of colour, the striking hippogriff of Marimme's crest picked out in bright scarlet with touches of gold, prancing over a curve of blue-green representing the sea.
     
    I braided and pinned very tight my dark hair and then coiled a travel veil and hood over that, leaving veil ends loose to be drawn mask-fashion over my face. When I was done, Sussia surveyed me critically.
     
    "To one who knows Marimme well, this would be no true counterfeit, I fear me. But the Lord Imgry has seen her little, and those you will ride with on the morn do not know her at all. You must use all wits to keep the play going until they are past the place from which they might return. The time for the meeting with the Riders comes very close, ill weather in the highlands could mean more delay, so Lord Imgry would not dare return. After all, he needs but twelve and one brides, and those he shall have. That will be your safeguard against his wrath when discovery is made."
     
    And that was the only safeguard I would have. A little shiver ran through me, but that I would not let Sussia guess. My confidence must be my armour.
     
    "Good fortune to you, Gillan."
     
    "I shall doubtless need all such wishes and more, too." I replied shortly as I picked up the bag of