Year of the Unicorn Read Online Free Page B

boiled.
     
    The swish of a robe, the quick beat of slipper heels on uncarpeted stone-All that was in me wanted to rush to the door, throw it open to greet who came. But I kept control and at the scratch of nails on the wood, I moved with deliberation.
     
    It was no surprise to front the Lady Sussia. Nor was she in turn amazed, I was sure, to find me still dressed as if I awaited a summons.
     
    "Marimme-you are needed to tend her with your heal-craft, Gillan." Her eyes swept past me to the table where waited the tray and its burden, and there was the faintest curve of smile to her lips as she glanced back to me. Again there were no words between us, but understanding. She nodded as if agreeing to some comment unheard by me.
     
    "I wish you good fortune for what you do," she said softly. But it was not of heal-craft that she spoke, and we both knew it.
     
    I went down the hall, bearing the tray. As I came to the door of Marimme's room I saw that it also stood ajar and there were voices to be heard. One was low, a murmur which seldom arose to intelligible speech. The sound of it stopped me, struck against the confidence which had been heady wine for my drinking all evening.
     
    Abbess Yulianna! To govern any Abbey-stead was a task demanding wit and force of character which made any Abbess a formidable adversary. And Yulianna was not the least of those who had ruled here. To play my game before her required far more skill than any I thought would be demanded of me. Still I had long passed the point where withdrawal from battle-to-be was allowed.
     
    "-maidish vapourings! Yes, Lady Abbess, this I will make allowance for. But time marches along the hills. We ride with the morn to keep our covenant. And she goes to the marriage made for her! Also she goes without wailing. I have heard you are skilled in heal-craft. Put down her some potion to end these mad humours she has treated us to this past hour. I would not take her gagged or tied in the saddle-but if that must be-so it will! We keep our bargain with those we have hand-sealed to the treaty."
     
    Not choleric was Lord Imgry-no-cold and as one stating facts which not even the winds and tempests of the heavens could nay-say. He was one who would be as unyielding as the earth and the stone bones of the Dales.
     
    "Those who use heal-craft for ill are not among us, my lord." As unyielding in turn was the Abbess. "It remains, do you wish to reach your trysting place with a girl out of her wits with fear? For this is what well may happen should you force this matter-"
     
    "You enlarge upon this past all reason, Lady Abbess! She is startled, yes, and she had heard too many wild tales. Makes she any marriage she will do it to order and not to silly liking. We tryst within three days, so we ride in the dawn. By honour are we bound to give twelve and one brides into their lords' care. Twelve and one we have under this roof tonight. We do not take fewer with us-"
     
    I steadied the tray upon my right hand and scratched upon the door with my left during the small interval of silence which followed his cool statement, one which he certainly did not intend to be challenged.
     
    There was an exclamation and the door was opened. Lord Imgry looked out and I dipped knee in curtsy, but as would an equal in blood.
     
    "What's to do?"
     
    "The Lady Sussia says that heal-craft is needed," I schooled my voice. I waited an answer, not from him, but from her who stood by the bed on which lay Marimme. Her veil was pushed a little back so that her face was in the light. On it, however, I could read no expression as Lord Imgry stepped back to allow me entrance.
     
    "Come in then. Come in and be about your work-"
     
    I think he paused then because he did not know just how to name me. Though my underrobe was drab of colour, I wore neither coif nor veil. Instead I had on a feasting tabard bright with stitchery. No crest for a nameless, landless one, of course, yet the fabric was richly stiff