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26.
Peacemaking
Jan stood eyeing the wounded gryphon, who despite obvious weakness and pain refused to cower.
The prince of the unicorns had no idea what to do with him. Surely prudence demanded that he kill this
savage foe. To attack any grounded wingcat on sight had always been the practice among his people.
And yet
So, unicorn, the tercel snapped, did you come merely to gawk? I am Illishar, of the nest of Shreel
and Kilkeelahr, kin to great Malar, matriarch of all my clan. I fear no unicorn!
Were he one of my own people, Jan mused, we would call him brave.
The young prince snorted with frustration. Why was it so hard for him to despise this enemy as he
should? The tercel s fellows had attacked Jan s peaceful band. This very wingcat s talons had scored his
shoulders to the bone. Yearly, the gryphon s kind raided the Vale to steal away the unicorns newborn
fillies and foals.
Well? the wingcat taunted hoarsely. Have you nothing more to say before you end my life, prince of
thieves? Or do you mean to take the coward s way and simply leave me? The herons are done with me.
Without their fish to add to my own meager catch, I ll quickly starve.
Jan stood silent, considering. The gryphon shifted painfully, hissing. The dark prince felt Ryhenna
huddled against him.
Come, my lord, she whispered urgently. Let s depart. His hate-filled words frighten me.
Have you lost your tongue? the gryphon Illishar shrieked. Jan felt the coppery mare start, flinch. Or
has that silvery chain now clamped shut your jaws? Kill me now, invader infidel or else be off! I ve
little leisure to spend arguing with unicorns.
Moonbrow, Ryhenna urged him, let s away.
Jan nodded abruptly and turned. Aye, Ryhenna. I ve long promised to show you all our haunts along
the Summer shore. I ll do so now while I ponder what s to be done with this foe.
He started off across the sand, and with a relieved sigh, the coppery mare fell in beside him. Glancing
back, Jan glimpsed the tercel sagging as though only anger had kept him upright to challenge Jan. Once
more the young prince champed his heart tight against pity. Marauding wingcats deserved none!
Quickening his trot, he led Ryhenna away from his injured enemy, eastward along the shore.
For the better part of the morning, Jan showed the coppery mare the beaches along which he and his
fellows had galloped that half year past, the cliffs under which they had sparred, the sparse coastal
woodlands in which they had foraged and bedded and sought shelter against mild summer storms. He
described for her his people s alliance with the dust-blue herons and spoke of how he and Tek had
courted and pledged. Ryhenna harkened, rapt, but as she walked through the vast courting glade, he
heard her soft and bitter sigh.
Why do you sorrow? he asked, puzzled.
The coppery mare tossed her head. I think on the day, not long distant now, when we shall join your
herdmates in the Vale.
Jan frowned, moving to stand in front of her. I thought you welcomed the prospect!
The coppery mare refused to meet his gaze. I do, she murmured, and yet I dread it. What will
become of me among thy people, Moonbrow? Will I ever dance court in this sacred glade?
Jan cocked his head, trying to see her better. Ryhenna, such is my dearest wish, he told her, that
one day you may find in this glade that same joy which I so lately found with Tek.
His companion sighed again, as though swallowing down some hard little pricking pain. Who among
your people would want me? she said heavily. Hornless crippled. Useless. Imperfect.
The dark prince fell back a step at her quiet vehemence. You must set no store by Queen Tlat s
thoughtless words& .
Even though they be true? Ryhenna finished, turning to meet his gaze at last. O Moonbrow, dost
think I have not always known that while I might one day walk among thy people, I can never be one of
them?
The dark unicorn stared at her, astonished. He shook his head vigorously. The halter of silvery skystuff
clinked and chinged. Nay, Ryhenna, he told her. You are wrong.
The breeze off the golden strand stirred the trees surrounding the glade. Ryhenna s coat gleamed fiery
copper in the late morning sun. Jan looked away, at the seabirds gliding overhead, at distant herons
winging home to the Singing Cliffs from fishing in the bay.
The sea-unicorns told me and Jah-lila herself once told me a thing which leads me to hope our
rescuer s tale may be true that my mate s dam was once hornless as you are, born in your City of Fire,
but fled and, joining our company, became a unicorn.
The coppery mare s gaze changed, intensified, grew full of such wild longing suddenly that he found it
difficult to meet.
Surely this is but an old mare s tale thou hast spun to keep my spirit up, she breathed. My own dam
used to do the same, but I pray thee to have done. I am no filly to be made docile so.
Again Jan snorted, shaking his head. I pledge to you, Ryhenna: my mate s dam is a powerful
sorceress; if any among the unicorns has power to make you one of us, it is she.
He saw the coppery mare flinch, shuddering. And if not?
If not, the dark prince told her, then you will be no less welcome among us, admired for your
bravery, your counsel, your beauty. The silver halter jingled as he spoke. He made himself say the
words: A horn upon the brow it is not the world, Ryhenna.
The coppery mare turned away suddenly. He followed her. Moonbrow, she breathed, I fear this
above all else: that rejoining old friends in the Vale, thou wilt forget me.
Ryhenna, the young prince cried. How could you think it? Such shall never come to pass.
The coppery mare turned again to face him. The breeze sighed through the trees. Thy mate will
reclaim thee, she said bluntly, and thy duties as prince. I am not thy mate
Jan shook his head. Nay.
Among daya, she offered, a stallion may have many mates.
Again the dark prince shook his head. But not among unicorns.
She gazed at him, lost. In the City, she whispered, I was called thy mate, if only from courtesy.
What am I now to thee what can I be if not thy mate?
Her voice was tight, her tone desperate. He moved to stand next to her. My shoulder-friend, he
answered her, she to whom I owe my freedom and my life. Those among the unicorns who love me,
Ryhenna, will love you as well.
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