Well of the Unicorn

by Fletcher Pratt

  "Nay, on ourselves and nothing else," cried hot Pleiander, but his brother the strategist: "In some measure, I confess."

  "Good, then you take him for a skillful man in war?"

  "Aye, that certainly." Alsander made a mouth. "Had't not been for his reivings, we'd have more time to spoil these dog-smeller uprisings. . . . But no malice, d'you see? He plays his game, we ours, and will strike hands."

  "I have no doubt; you out of the Dodekapolis would strike hands with the Devil to make women wear tails. That's not my story. If he's a fighting man approved, not like that piddling duke, then there's a better chance than no that he's ware of the storm that gathers in the tercia at Stavorna, not so?"

  "I will give you so much." Alsander fingered his chin, then slapped his hands together. "Ha! I see; you will now say he'll devance them as I myself would—strike first, to wit."

  Evimenes: "But what if he's decided to strike by the Iron Mountains and down through the northern provinces by land?"

  Now Meliboe laughed and Airar too, for both thoroughly knew that the Os Erigu pirate Earl from his almost-island by the shore had story and glory only on the sea. Alsander of Carrhoene grinned. "Well, then. But what's the service to us?"

  "I can tell you that," said Airar. "The service is we seek the shore and put out, not with many ships in flight, but a few to find the enemy of our enemies on the water and make common cause. But 'twill not sit well with these Shalland men."

  Meliboe looked at him indulgently. "Fair young sir, you are a lucky man and not without talent; yet at every point so ready to concede this free election of the will that I wonder on you. The end of giving every man his choice is in Vulking rule; but you look toward putting them down in name, only to yield to them in spirit."

  Yet was it decided to reach for the sea as soon as men and wounded would and could be moved. The distance none knew nor did they like to seek counsel of Vindhug, but the Whiteriverdalesman guide, being called on, thought it might be twenty leagues or more. Now came the matter or Rogai, for whom the Carrhoenes would not wait, but here Airar became very strong, saying this was another such test as the battle at the pass; they dared not abandon any who held to the cause, whatever their fault or trouble. Inner and outer guards were set and the men sought rest. It was considered that Meliboe had spoken well.

  Toward dawn of the next day another of the little Mariolan groups fell in, to rouse them early; they had three-four young Shalland men with them to join the rising, who had brought their own horses but were without swords. These last knew the country enough to solve the worser difficulties of guidance, saying the road west from the inn touched a ferry across that branch of Vallingsveden not far from the point Airar had seen from the hilltop, approaching. Twenty leagues downstream to the sea would about hit it (they agreed), but the chance of boat-finding there was not great, since few fished that shore and the ships of commerce went ordinarily upstream to Glos and its market.

  Now it came out that the difference all had thought settled the night before was by no means relieved, for Evimenes wanted to march on the minute, seize the ferry and transport all overstream to the bogland of the delta, where they would have the broad water betwixt them and Vulking pursuit; while Airar had understood they were still to attend Rogai at the inn. There was some pretty hard talk, turning to as near a quarrel as any point yet reached, and Airar looked in vain to Meliboe for a composition, who only listened, drawing his fingers through his beard; but Evadne settled it by taking Airar's part with: "Brothers, I no more understand this flying in the face of sense than you do, but it is said that wars are not won without willing hearts and we shall never have willing hearts from these Dalecarles till we yield on this point they make." The other Star-Captains at once gave way, as always for her, and there they were for another day as Gaspelnith.

  Airar separated himself a little from the rest and played with the kitten while trying again to think things through— none too happy over carrying his point in this manner and with this help. It seemed to him the Carrhoene damsel had said her words less out of honest belief than to gain his own approval, and he did not like owing her debts no more than he cared for this kind of double-dealing, which was not the way men behaved in his part of the country. Out of all this grew a sense of being trapped, too deep for thinking, and he let his mind run idle. Toward evening, the coil of troubles turned worser, for down the north road Rogai came riding with two more Shalland men and a feeling of self-pleasure; there was contest between him and Alsander till Airar bade the Star-Captains remember their own rule against bringing past into present. The point was granted but then all turned grumpish. There was no word of stir from the Stavorna tercia, but Rogai said the roads had been mostly-cleared, at Glos the gates closed, and the soldiers had been withdrawn from a castella on the road down.

  The plan was still for the ferry then, as soon as all might move. Rogai solved the question of bringing in the rest of his scattered men by sending one of the loyal Shallanders with Tholkeil to a post above the hillcrest for guiding late arrivals to the ferry as they came, with a signal by smoke or torch, and—

  Just at this juncture Pleiander looks up to see the glowering Vindhug, standing close with his mouth half-open, as though to take in their talk by that way. The Carrhoene leaped from his place and gripped the fellow by the collar.

  "Here's one spying who will sell us for an aina and our plan, too," he cried, "What, brothers! Shall we not slit his throat and stuff the coin in it to reach his fat belly quicker?"

  "Aye," said the other two Star-Captains and Evadne with them; the Shalland man who sat with them aye, that, the animal had lived too long. Vindhug went to his knees despite the choking grip, with tears on his cushioned cheeks, beginning to blubber and cry he was a priest, they would lie under the curse of the Church for this, and be sure he would say no, nothing, if they only let him go. Not a whit relented Pleiander for that; he would have dragged the whore-master priest to the door and finished him, but Airar lifted hand and said it should not be so done in Dalarna. However little one liked a man's manners, he did not die from them till it were proved they stood contrary to the law of the land and of God; but nothing was yet proved on this one.

  Many of the men had crowded round from down through the long inn building at the squall and babble, but the Carrhoene sergeants had mostly gone back to their drink and dice at seeing it was only their leader punishing a desperado, so those who stood by were Dalecarles. Airar, remembering how rude they had been at

  Britgalt's hut, was now surprised to hear them murmur approval of his saying, and so was Pleiander, who gazed round in a startled sort of way, and then released his hold. Vindhug, still on his kneebones, crawled toward the lad of Trangsted and tried to nuzzle his hand; Airar kicked him lightly in the belly and told him to begone.

  They moved at night under flickering torches. It had begun to rain again and the horses tossed their heads, protesting as horses will at having to work when it is time for sleep. In the dark and wet the way seemed longer than it had looked by daylight and Evadne sneered at Airar for taking the kitten, asking whether he were "like Pleiander, that had a taste for other meat than that of woman?"

  "No," said Airar, "but the cat is my fortune that protects me from whatever might wish to have my soul; my luck and banner." He gestured toward where the cathead followed on its pole (all on the spur of the moment, for he had not thought on it at all and was desirous only to silence her), borne by the free-fishers since the day of the fight at the road. She gave him a very strange look and drew apart; the enchanter was nowhere.

  When they reached Vallingsveden, there was no ferryboat or ferryman to be seen, nor did torches and shouts bring him from the rolling water, a good thousand paces across. Some of the free-fishers, who live wet like otters, volunteered to go fetch him. The Shallanders, who use those short fighting axes forged head and haft in one piece, had down a couple of light trees, and three of Airar's men wove trunks and branches into a kind of raft on which they
set out, while the rest of the band lay down to comfort themselves against the rain as best they might and wait for daylight or a return.

  The latter came first, though after a wait half through the night-watch, two of the fishers rowing a leaky shallop, while the third alternate bailed and talked with an old man they had found in a sod cot beyond the stream. He said word had come three days before from the priest of Gaspelnith that invaders were in the land and were to be held at the stream-bank till the terciaries came. The way of the saying made it seem that the invaders must be heathen from Dzik: none thought of Dalecarles out of Vulking law. Therefore the ferryboat had been taken upstream to Glos. Pleiander rapped out that Vindhug the landlord now stood convicted, but Airar that this was by no means true, it might come from the spreading of Rogai's tale; and Evimenes that if true, then the more need of haste, to go back for a pleasant vengeance might cost them all their lives. The old Shallander, being further questioned, thought he knew of a kind of barge that lay at a place a few hundred paces down the stream, and as it was beginning to grow light, some went off to seek it, while further trees were brought down and rafted. With several of the horses swimming, these ungainly craft began the voyage. Another of Rogai's Mariolan groups came in on the main band in the midst of this; they had been pursued by gentours and had ridden all night, with one of the horses foundering so two men had to sit another.

  This pressed still more the need for haste, and when daybreak brought the searchers with their barge, bad and leaky though it was, they began to move the un-swimmers and some of the animals into it at once. The sun rose behind mist through which rain continued to drizzle, and none had slept, while there was little on which to breakfast, yet Airar felt oddly elated and began to sing:

  There is a river to the sea, to the sea,

  And 'twill bear my love from me, love from me;

  But though it bear her far and far away

  Nor she nor I will lose this day.

  Fare thee well!

  At this point Visto, who had not yet crossed, pushed up to end the singing with a word that this was a mighty bold and daring undertaking (though many were like to suffer therefrom) and Airar the master of the strong-hearts, who had brought it through and should take the cat for his badge and warcry, never minding the old

  Winged Wolf under which Dalarna fell. Airar now went thoughtful. By noon they were all across but one little knot of three of Rogai's men that had not come in. As they stood together on the low farther shore, they could see some gentours caracole and brandish spears on the bank they had left.

  23 Shalland: Debate of Meliboe the Enchanter

  THE COUNTRY northwest of Vallingsveden is low and hoggish, with huts built of sod and little of value in them because of raiders from oversea. The Shallanders of this region are not esteemed the highest of men, but will live no other place, partly because the ground is exceeding fertile and partly because of all Dalecarles, they are the most stifflipped race. One or two Vulking castellas stand near the outer shore, but these are gentour commands of men who can ride fast when the sea-rovers come. There is much tree growth of willow and similar; the roads wind greatly. The bands now united pushed southwest down one of these through the afternoon and they were better than seventy strong now,, with additions from the Dales and Shalland itself, maybe one or two young men from the bogs falling in, but not many, since in that country it was not considered a disgrace to go for a Vulking Ally.

  Toward evening they reached a bog village of low huts set along the central road. Men fell asleep almost at once, some hardly waiting for food. It was now a question of speed and the hope of Earl Mikalegon's coming from the ocean, for they were clearly caught else, though it would be as hard for the Vulkings to cross Vallingsveden as for themselves, and no one feared gentours, not with the armed riders of Carrhoene and the light horsemen of Hestinga under their standard. The cries of dirty children roused them early. The villagers were merry with them as they left, offering the local liquor made of roots and stored in skins— but at a price.

  Airar was fain to leave the kitten now, for which he foresaw but a hard life, one of the bogwomen desiring it. But she was a slattern and he could not bear to give up his little friend to sure mistreatment. They rode; now it wasthrough willows and mist. The way was not good underfoot. Evadne came up to trot for a while beside Airar and to say he should be of good cheer—this was hardly as bad as the time when the People's Party in Carrhoene had triumphed and there was talk of hanging they six Star-Captains out of hand, when they had won mercy only because messengers came from the Mariupol Guilds with offer that they should adventure to Dalarna. "Even dog-smellers could see that to the major glory of Carrhoene. Yet I do marvel," said she, "on you with so much faith in your luck. With us it is that he have a surety of being right and knowing in the end we must triumph, but here are you with no thought of right, only your own luck to guide."

  He would have replied, but just then they reached another bog village, so there was a question of tidings and the conversation fell. Then came Erb, joining Airar in highest humor with a hail of "Up, young master!" and a word of "They Vulkings that be so great of the sword in their own mountain will now know what it is to do by sea with Earl Mikalegon on a, and maybe we shall pay a debt or two"— till Airar could not but question why a man in flight should be so gay.

  The Lank took his steel cap off and scratched his head. "Now there, Master Airar, you just ask me questions like my own sister Ervilla or the priest, and I do not see how man can find an answer, but that we go where there is salt in air again, and we can sniff it now, after all they mountains that never move, but make a badge for Vulkings."

  "They are the hills of Dalarna."

  "Ey—ah—aye." The tall man's face contracted with an effort at thought. "But Dalarna under Briella Mountain, and Mountain over Dalarna hills, and so many like that man Vindhug that just be happy slaves. We Gentebbi folk be main poor, but 'tis better than they rich Shallanders."

  "And Earl Mikalegon?"

  "Oh, un most of all. Hark, Master Airar; we free-fishers understand little of this politic, we just make Rudr our Master-Fisher, and there's a long head, but I have talked to one-two, all saying we might make worse than have this Earl for our duke or king. A's freehanded man and a lordly bold one that stands against Vulk and the Empire and all."

  The idea was new. "Shall we go pirating with him against the Empire, then? Why are we against Vulk but to lift Dalarna, not to drag her down?"

  "Down how, then, young master? With Mikalegon, that's not down. Un lives free in a's tall castle there by Erigu rock; and a's people, too. They say 'tis hung finer than the high house in Stassia. Un never sits down to dine with less than six meats on table and dancing girls every night with the free choice of them to those selected most valiant in war."

  "Like Salmonessa." (Airar thought of Gython given to the Duke.) "It must be splendid. And the dancing girls, what's their choice in the matter?"

  Erb turned to him a face of honest incredulity. "Choice? A be dancing girls. 'Tis just by election a follow such life. . . . Nay, Master Airar, forgive an old man that's never been young, I did not know you so churchly minded, but say as you will on dancing girls, there's still this—that in Os Erigu no man lowers his head before other, and Earl, he beats off Micton warbands and holds they heathen at bay without leave or help from Empire. There's a life a man can live gaily, with enough fighting in it to keep from going fat."

  To this Airar had no reply as they moved along with the metal flash of the river occasionally visible leftward (for after making from it they had now approached again). He had begun to think that perhaps with Mikalegon was the middle path through his problem of Briella and Carrhoene; yet this was a thought unspoken, he being sharp-minded enough to see that what if all Dalarna went pirating with Erb and Earl Mikalegon? And pirating even from each other? A case for Meliboe (he thought); thinking so they reached a place where the willows went low and faded out and the west was lost in mudflats mixed
with sand, then sand alone and sea, where from the left hand brown Vallingsveden swept to slip his waters almost secretly into the blue.

  Here was the crisis of their voyage. All the riders came to stand while Airar shaded a hand and turned his sharp eyes out to look across the water toward where Earl Mikalegon and his ships must be if they were to win free.

  "They are not there!" cried Evimenes in a raging voice, but then Airar: "Nay, look to the north far away, how at the horizon there are specks of light that flash and go. You seamen can say if those be not sails that catch the glare of the western light and vanish as they turn."

  "I do not see it," cried one, but Erb, "By the Well, it is so!"

  Now silence; and soon, as the view grew, all were agreed that here was Os Erigu upon the water and no mistake, the armada drawing nearer. Most of the men came down from their horses and rubbed stiff leg-joints or searched in pouch and saddlebag for meat and drink. There was converse among the leaders on what's to be done. Alsander said that the Earl had made a descent already up the coast, or this was his first adventure—"but if the latter then he will take us who stand in arms at the shore for levies and gentours warned of the earlier coming, and is like to land or attempt something on such; while if it be his earliest approach, more like to think us the terciary band from Stavorna and draw away without touching ground. It's a man who understands war and now all his force is in movement by ship to strike unattainted; will not fight straight-up battles, d'ye see?"

  Airar thought that a man who warred like this was less than knightly, and said as much, but the Carrhoene laughed, and Rogai remarked between his teeth: "Knights are like Sir Ludomir Ludomirson, with a price on their heads, or if they get fat, turn into Dukes Roger. But what of that? Here's our instant question, to get word to those ships that we be not foemen; and even then I misdoubt how we will be received."