by Unknown
Believe him and you fight his fight, Sheila told herself.
She shrugged and made her voice as sure and steady as she could. "You’ve been stopped before. You can be stopped again."
"Let me show you, then, what you're really up against," said Valan softly. The krino began to spin furiously. Sheila reached toward her pack for the mirror, knowing that she didn't have time to find it, much less use it.
But this time Vatan did not use the krino as a weapon. Instead, the glowing red light spun around his own form, weaving a network of fine red lines that shimmered in the darkness, completely covering his figure.
There was a hissing sound, and then Valan was gone. Sheila gasped and took a step back. As the red of the krino faded she saw him—Mardock. Mardock, with his long, black curls and elegant silk robe. Mardock, whose magic drew the Dark Gods' power to Dynasian.
"Valan," he explained smoothly, "was just an amusing game I chose to play with you. But I was not pleased with the outcome of that game. When my wounds have healed, I am the one you will deal with, Sheila McCarthy. Do not forget that."
Sheila saw that his face was marred by a deep red welt. The mirror, she thought. It burned him.
And then as suddenly as he had appeared Mardock was gone. Sheila was truly alone in the fortress with only her fear and silence echoing through the empty halls, It took her a moment to collect herself and then Sheila flung the door open and ran—straight into Illyria and Laric.
The Unicorn Queen caught her, placing her hands on Sheila's shoulders, "What's the hurry? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine " Sheila answered, "but I just ran into Valan… I mean, Mardock…”
"All the better," said Laric when she had finished. “Then there is only one mage I must destroy." He didn't look at all intimidated by Mardock's threats. Actually, he had his arm around Illyria and was looking extremely romantic.
''I came looking for you because I wanted to thank you,” Illyria said, not even addressing the question of Mardock. "Darian told me what you did—that you gave up the chance to return to your home in order to save my life."
Sheila didn't know what to say.
"I know that wasn't easy," Illyria went on. "You come from a different time and world, and yet you have proved yourself the equal of my best warriors," The Unicorn Queen smiled. "A fighter who doesn't like to fight—you have great courage, Sheila McCarthy. I want you to know that for as long as you remain in this world, you have a home with us."
Sheila said the only thing she could. "Thank you." But she had never felt prouder.
Myno barked an order to prepare to ride. Smiling, Sheila called to Morning Star and lifted herself into the saddle. Feeling tired, but strong and happy, she joined the other unicorn warriors and rode out to adventure beneath the rising moon.
