A Charm for a Unicorn (7 page)

Sylvain looked into the fire for a moment, a thoughtful frown wrinkling his brows, then he turned to her and said, “This has rather changed my plans. I thought I'd be dragging Renaldo back to the castle by nightfall. Sir Wulfe sent him away in a whirlwind, you say? Well, I'm sure we can reason with him. We can go see him, and we'll just ask him to release my brother. After all, he is a prince. We should have no trouble at all."

Ann decided to try to be helpful although she didn't much care for his royal use of “we". “I can tell you where he lives, but must you always talk about yourself in third person? ‘
We
do this,
we
do that.’ It sounds so pretentious. It's ‘
I
do this’ and ‘
I
do that'."

He looked at her in surprise. “I meant ‘we’ as in ‘you and I'. You will come with me."

"You must be out of your mind.” Ann backed up, shaking her head. “Why don't you go get your father's army, storm Sir Wulfe's castle, and demand the return of my sister and your brother?"

"I can't do that unless he attacks, declares war on our kingdom. It would be a grave breach of diplomacy if I led my father's army to Sir Wulfe's castle. Not that my father would ever let me lead his army anywhere."

"Where is your father?"

"In Bromley, trying to negotiate the return of our southern lands. He can't be disturbed, I'm afraid."

"Well, you'll just have to tell your mother that Sir Wulfe has made Renaldo vanish. She will send soldiers or diplomats to get him back, won't she?"

"Diplomats. Yes. Perhaps that would be the best plan.” Sylvain scratched his head. “Have you got parchment and ink? I'll scrawl a message. Can you get a Crow Caller here?"

"I'll call one right away.” Ann fetched writing tools for Sylvain, then dashed to her father's room where the shards of broken crystal glittered balefully in the dust bin. He had a special crystal for the Crow Callers. She found it sitting on his desk, and gave it a rap. As soon as she did, it lit up, casting a faint, pink light onto the desk. It didn't need magic to work, being enchanted itself. Otherwise, how could all the common people summon Crow Callers? The crystal gave a sharp ring, and a voice came from it.

"Yes?"

"Ann from Castle Veil here. I'd like to send an urgent message. Is there a Crow Caller in the vicinity?"

"Yes, there's one here. He'll be at Castle Veil in two ticks."

"Thank you!” Ann gave another rap on the crystal and it went dark. She went downstairs and found Sylvain putting the finishing touches on his letter.

"Have you got an envelope and wax seal?” he asked. “I've addressed it to my mother, the queen, but the royal letter bearer will run faster if it looks important."

"Yes, there are envelopes and my father's seal upstairs.” She took the letter and ran back upstairs. Out of breath, she rested for a minute on her father's tall chair before putting the letter in the biggest envelope she could find. She lit the wax-seal candle with a small box of matches in her father's drawer, and reflected that it was a good thing that matches had been invented. Before, the common people had to have a wizard light a fire with magic. She dripped melted wax upon the letter and stamped it with her father's seal. It looked very impressive. And just as she finished, she heard Sylvain yell that the Crow Caller had arrived. Hurrying downstairs, she gave the letter to the Crow Caller.

He bowed to her, bowed to Sylvain, and then lifted his leg and changed into a shiny black crow. With a saucy flip of his wings, he shot over the trees and vanished in a twinkling.

"He said he'll wait for the answer and bring it back to us as soon as he gets it,” said Sylvain. “I told him it was of utmost importance,” he added.

The afternoon passed slowly. Ann scanned the horizon for the Crow Caller, but he didn't return. When the shadows lengthened, she did the chores. Sylvain helped her muck out the stables and pitch hay, and he carried the full milk bucket back to the manor. He was remarkably helpful for a prince, Ann thought. But then again, she had never met a prince before, so maybe they were all like this.

She'd never had a companion her age but she had all her father's lessons on how to be polite and how to treat guests imprinted on her mind, so she was quite comfortable in her role as hostess. “Set the milk there. I'll skim the cream off when it rises. Good thing Cook made butter last week. I can make muffins, so we'll have muffins and cream, and fresh milk for dinner. Is that all right?"

Sylvain must have been raised with the same set of rules, for he nodded and said, “Whatever you have is fine by me."

Ann washed up and then made dinner, while Sylvain sat by the fire and patted Bob. The dog seemed to like him, and stayed at his feet all evening. Suddenly, Bob raised his head and looked at the back door, giving a little bark.

"The Crow Caller!” Sylvain rushed to the door and threw it open. The Crow Caller stood there, holding a letter.

"Prince Sylvain Engur..."

"Yes, that's me. Thank you!” Sylvain took the letter and tore it open. He let the envelope drop as he read the note. Ann watched, holding her breath.

"Oh, no.” Sylvain shook his head, an angry flush stealing over his cheeks.

"What is it?"

The Crow Caller asked, “Do you want to send a message in return?"

"No. Thank you.” Sylvain appeared distracted.

Ann, remembering her manners just in time, stepped forward and said to the Crow Caller. “You must be famished. Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"Oh, that's very kind. But I have to get home, my wife is expecting me, and if I eat, I'll be too heavy to fly!” He raised a leg and then flew off, vanishing immediately in the dark.

"What did the letter say?” Ann had to know.

I'm afraid we're on our own,” Sylvain said.

"On our own?"

"When my mother got my note, she immediately contacted Sir Wulfe. But he told my mother an unfortunate circumstance led to him banishing Renaldo. He says he will get him back immediately. He had no idea Renaldo was crown prince of Windtide. According to my mother, he simply made a mistake."

"He did it on purpose!” Ann stomped her foot.

"Are you certain? My mother's letter is quite explicit."

Ann closed her eyes to try to think. All she could remember was the startled look on Renaldo's face when the whirlwind picked him up. Perhaps he hadn't had time to say his name. “I can't remember if Renaldo told him who he was before he was whirl-winded away,” said Ann heavily. She sat on the wooden bench. “However, afterward Sir Wulfe knew who he'd just vanished. My father told him.” She folded her arms on the table and put her forehead on her arms.

"Well, since Sir Wulfe has promised my mother to fetch Renaldo back, I'll just have to go after your sister by myself,” said Sylvain.

Ann lifted her head. “You'd do that?"

He stuffed the letter in his vest pocket. “I'm a prince. I'm supposed to save damsels in distress."

"But, you're a prince! If your brother is missing you're next in line for the throne. You can't just go off like this. Your parents will never allow it."

He tilted his head, a smile tugging on the corners of his wide mouth. “I may be a prince, but I'm not very important. If anything happens to Renaldo, the next in line is my mother's brother, one of the princes of Bromley. It's been the rule since Windtide lost the last war against Bromley and my father had to marry my mother, a princess of Bromley. But that wasn't the only thing in the peace treaty. My uncles are in line for the throne after Renaldo, not me."

"I didn't know that.” Ann was indignant. “Will Bromley take over Windtide then?"

"I hope not. But it means that ever since I've been born, I've been a problem. Windtide is far too small a kingdom for two rulers, and as second prince, I'm just about the most useless thing in the kingdom."

"Can't you learn a trade?"

"I have.” His smile reached his eyes now, and Ann realized that before, there had been real sorrow there.

She put her hand on his. “Offering to save Leonie is a noble gesture. Thank you."

"We should get ready to leave first light,” he said.

"Leave? I'm not coming with you,” Ann said. She shook her head. “I'd just be in the way."

"You must. I'll need the help of someone familiar with magic, and you're a magician's daughter."

"That doesn't mean I can do magic."

Sylvain looked flummoxed, then shrugged. “You must know more about it than I do. Sir Wulfe can't stand between the crown prince and his beloved, even though he claims to be engaged to your sister. We shall go set them free.” His voice had a ring of authority to it that Ann didn't like one bit.

"I'm not going anywhere with you. You'll just have to go by yourself. Someone has to stay here. Now that my father is not able to help, it's up to me.” Ann sighed. “There are sick people in the villages who need tending to. I'm sorry."

"I understand, and I admire your sense of duty."

"Well, right now my duty is to do the dishes. If you want, you can dry."

Ann watched Sylvain out of the corner of her eye as she did the dishes. He seemed in high spirits, and even broke into a little song. Ann glowered at him. “Why are you so cheerful? It's very annoying."

"That's the first time I've ever been scolded for being in good spirits.” He tipped his head back and started singing a ballad.

"Lady Ann, take my hand, and hold it to your heart

When you smile my spirits lift, I pray we never part.

Gillyflowers, roses, bluebells of spring

Only your smile makes me want to sing..."

"Stop it!” Ann dropped her dishcloth and clapped her hands over her ears. His voice was quite pleasing but she hated to be teased.

"
Lady Ann with golden hair and pretty eyes of blue,

When you laugh my heart delights, all I want is you.

Gillyflowers, roses, bluebells of spring

Only your smile makes me want to sing."

"My eyes are brown, my hair is a horrid orange color, and I want you to stop singing this instant!” Ann cried.

Prince Sylvain stopped singing and peered at her. “I'm sorry you don't enjoy a little music while you work. Thank goodness I didn't bring all my minstrels. They would have stood right behind us strumming their lutes, playing their flutes, and generally brightening up the atmosphere. You wouldn't like to lighten up the atmosphere a bit, would you?"

"I don't want to lighten any atmosphere. I just wish Leonie was back here, my father was back to himself, and that you and your brother were somewhere far, far away in Windtide doing whatever it is princes do in their spare time."

"We hunt, fish, play cards, and try to kiss as many pretty girls as possible. What do you think we do? No, don't answer that. And for your information, spare time is no fun at all. I get bored easily."

"Is that why you're so cheerful? Because you finally have something useful to do?"

His smile slipped. He twisted the dishcloth in his hands, his expression grim. Then he gave a little shrug. “I hadn't thought of it like that, but you must be right. I feel as if I'm finally doing something useful. Rescuing your sister has given me a goal in life. I never realized just how futile my life has been until now."

Ann felt awful. “I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I'm sure you are very useful, and I'm sure you'll do many things in your life that will give you satisfaction."

"You're nice to say that, but it's true. Since I don't have any claim to the throne, my parents let me do as I pleased. And I'm afraid that instead of seeking to help others and making their existence kinder, I spent my time hunting and fishing and singing silly songs with my minstrels."

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself."

Sylvain took the last plate and dried it. “I will go rescue your sister, I swear it. Nothing will stop me.” He paused and looked pointedly at the leftovers on the table. “Unless I run out of food on the way."

"That's a strange way to ask for more muffins,” said Ann. But she was glad he was back to his old joking self. “I'll make sure your saddle bags are full before you leave. How is that?"

"Great. I'm sure that with your muffins and my wit and determination, I'll save your sister in no time."

Ann was going to tell him about Leonie's wild magic spell, but then she started to laugh and forgot what she was going to say.

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Leonie closed her eyes and then opened them. No, it wasn't a bad dream. She was still in the blue bedroom overlooking the lake, and she had reverted back to human form. She had managed to retain her unicorn form long enough for Sir Wulfe to lose his patience completely and shatter most of the glass in his castle. She'd never been so terrified in her life.

He'd grabbed her and the whirlwind had picked them up before she could move. Besides, he'd put a still-spell upon her that kept her frozen in place. They'd arrived at his castle, landing in a huge courtyard surrounded by tall yew trees and clipped hedges. The castle towered above them, bigger than anything she'd ever seen, and it seemed a whole troop of servants ran out to greet their master.

One had taken his cloak, others had opened the door for him and stood at attention as he led her inside. Still other servants scurried to get him something to drink or eat. He sent them all away with a wave of his hand and had turned to her.

"Now, let me lift that spell,” he'd said.

She'd held onto it, using all the strength she had. The castle had echoed with his bellows of rage, and then he'd tried to break her. She'd felt the spell coming and she managed to deflect it using her unicorn's horn. The windows and mirrors in the hallway had exploded and the crash of breaking glass reverberated throughout the castle. But the burst of energy had been too much for her. She felt the unicorn slip away and she came to her senses lying in the hallway surrounded by shards of glass.

Sir Wulfe dragged her up the stairs and pushed her into a luxurious room.

"This is your room, it is fit for a princess,” he's snapped. “Why can't you smile and be grateful?"