Year of the Unicorn by Andre Norton Read Free Book Online Page A

outrace enemy horse and then been cornered in some rock hole. But, though his passions were hot, I had read him aright as one of those men who had full control when that was needed to further his plans. Now he came to me, moving with deliberation, holding up the lamp. However I knew that the moment of greatest danger was past. Imgry might hate me for my deception, but he was greater than some men, able to swallow that which might have been humiliation at being befooled, because it best suited. His mind was already working ahead, chewing upon what I said.
     
    "Gillan." My name was flat from his lips, sounding harsh and dull. "And you fulfil the condition?"
     
    "I am maid, and I think I am some twenty years of age. I was fosterling to Lord Furlo of Thantop and his wife, having been found as a small child a prisoner of Alizon. Since the Hounds had preserved my life Lord Furlo believed me of some consequence-thus you might deem my birth worthy."
     
    He was surveying me insolently from head to foot and back again. It was shameful, that raking stare, and he knew it, making it so deliberately. I knew anger and kept it leashed, and I think he understood that also. Though what my inner defiance meant to him I could not tell.
     
    "You are right-time presses. Twelve and one brides they shall have. You may not find this will be as you hope, girl."
     
    "She who expects neither good nor ill has an equal chance of either." I replied as sharply as I could.
     
    A faint shadow of expression crossed his face, one I could not read.
     
    "From whence did the Hounds have you?" There was interest in that, in me as a person, not just one of the play-pieces he pushed about his private board.
     
    "I know not. I remember only a ship in a storm, and after that the port where Lord Furlo's raiders found me." I gave him the truth.
     
    "The Hounds war also overseas. Estcarp!" He flung that last word at me as if to provoke response, perhaps betrayal.
     
    "Estcarp?" I repeated, for the word meant nothing, though I added a guess as a question. "That is enemy to Alizon?"
     
    Lord Imgry shrugged. "So they say. But it is of no moment to you now. You have made your choice. You shall abide by it."
     
    "I ask no more than that, my lord."
     
    He smiled and it was not a good smile. "To make sure-just to make sure-"
     
    Thus he brought me back to the sleeping chamber, pushed me inside. I heard him summon the guard to stand outside that door. Then I came back to my pallet and lay down. That which I dreaded since I had left the Abbey was now behind me. I had overleaped the second of the walls between me and what I sought. And the third-now my mind turned to the third-he who might wait for me at the Throat of the Hawk.
     
    Mankind was known only at the Abbey-stead through speech, and now and then, at long intervals, by the kin of those refugee ladies who made visits. At such times I had 'been classed among the Dames and had seen such visitors only at a distance. I knew of men, but I did not know man. Though, this too was a custom among those of gentle blood.
     
    Marriage is a far off thing which lies in a maid's mind but is not early brought to the surface, unless she is among those to whom it is of importance. Perhaps in this way I was far younger than those, or most of those I rode among. For to the Dames marriage had no existence, and they did not discuss it. Now, when I tried to think of what my choice might lead me to, I had little to build upon. Even the fears of my companions were not real to me, since an ordinary man seemed as equally strange as one of the Were Riders with his dark reputation. And I needs must apply my own advice-that which I had so easily given to Solfinna-not to seek trouble until its shadow could not be denied.
     
    There was no mention in the morning between Lord Imgry and me of our night meeting. I used my masking veil prudently, lest others in the company remark that I was not Marimme. But I believe that the closer we drew to