peter s. beagle - the last unicorn

8/12/2019 Peter S. Beagle - The Last Unicorn

1/91

THE LAST UNICORN

by Peter S. Beagle

Flyleaf:

_A Fine and Priate Pla!e_" Peater Beagle#$ fir$t b%%&" 'a$ 'ritten bef%re (e 'a$ t'enty. )A*%$t +n+$+al n%el") ,irgilia Peter$%n $aid in (er reie'" )By a y%+ng *an '(% $ee*$ t% be a

gen+ine n%n!%nf%r*i$t . . . ar*ed already 'it( t(e 'ryne$$ %f e-erien!e b+t brae en%+g( $till t%

ent+re '(ere *any %f (i$ elder$ *ig(t 'ell fear t% tread.) In (i$ $e!%nd n%el t(i$ inentie"%riginal 'riter // $till +nder t(irty // ent+re$ $till f+rt(er" int% t(e literally fanta$ti!" literally

fab+l%+$ '%rld %f fairy tale" *yt(" drea*" nig(t*are.

Tr+e t% traditi%n" _T(e La$t Uni!%rn_ i$ t(e $t%ry %f a 0+e$t" t(e $ear!( by t(e +ni!%rn //

i**%rtal" infinitely bea+tif+l // f%r (er l%$t fell%'$. Early %n" $(e i$ 1%ined by S!(*endri!& t(e

2agi!ian // a na*e %inting t% t(e l%' !%*edy t(at $+rri$ingly 3t(%+g( al$% traditi%nally4 !%e-i$t$

(ere 'it( terr%r" at(%$" tenderne$$" arad%-" and 'it" and fre0+ent a$$age$ '(ere t(e r%$e b+r$t$int% $%ng and int% %etry it$elf. A &ind %f +$ide/d%'n 2erlin" S!(*endri!& i$ l%%&ing f%r

$%*et(ing f%r (i*$elf t%%" (i$ life er(a$. 2%lly 5r+e" t(e t(ird %f t(e traeler$" $ee*$ $i*ly t%e*b%dy eery '%*anly trait. After a ri!(ly entertaining ariety %f adent+re$ // 'it( $lendid"

0+ir&y !(ara!ter$ // t(e $ear!( rea!(e$ it$ !li*a- at t(e !a$tle %f eil 6ing Haggard" '(ere t(e

terrifying Red B+ll i$ en!%+ntered and '(ere t(e (and$%* Prin!e L7r lay$ (i$ rede$tined r%le.

Li&e T%l&ien#$ _T(e L%rd %f t(e Ring$_" t(i$ %dd" e%!atie" and brilliant b%%& +tili8e$ an

i*aginary '%rld t% !%nne!t r%f%+ndly 'it( t(e real 0+e$ti%n$ and a$irati%n$ %f t(%+g(tf+l and$en$itie reader$. _T(e La$t Uni!%rn_ *ay 'ell 1%in t(at 'idely read *a$terie!e a$ a b%%& t(at

$ea&$ 'it( a *y$teri%+$ b+t tangible re$%nan!e t% a re!etie a+dien!e.

C%yrig(t 9;< by Peter S. Beagle. All rig(t$ re$ered.

Fir$t +bli$(ed in 9;< by T(e ,i&ing Pre$$" In!. ;=> 2adi$%n Aen+e" Ne' ?%r&" N.?. 9@@==

P+bli$(ed $i*+ltane%+$ly in Canada by T(e 2a!*illan C%*any %f Canada Li*ited

Library %f C%ngre$$ !atal%g !ard n+*ber: ;

PRINTE IN U.S.A.

T% t(e *e*%ry %f r. Olfert aer" '(% $a' a

'ild +ni!%rn in t(e 2aine '%%d$ in 9;"and f%r R%bert Nat(an" '(% (a$ $een

%ne %r t'% in L%$ Angele$


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THE LAST UNICORN

I

T(e +ni!%rn lied in a lila! '%%d" and $(e lied all al%ne. S(e 'a$ ery %ld" t(%+g( $(e did

n%t &n%' it" and $(e 'a$ n% l%nger t(e !arele$$ !%l%r %f $ea f%a*" b+t rat(er t(e !%l%r %f $n%'falling %n a *%%nlit nig(t. B+t (er eye$ 'ere $till !lear and +n'earied" and $(e $till *%ed li&e a

$(ad%' %n t(e $ea.S(e did n%t l%%& anyt(ing li&e a (%rned (%r$e" a$ +ni!%rn$ are %ften i!t+red" being $*aller

and !l%en/(%%fed" and %$$e$$ing t(at %lde$t" 'ilde$t gra!e t(at (%r$e$ (ae neer (ad" t(at deer

(ae %nly in a $(y" t(in i*itati%n and g%at$ in dan!ing *%!&ery. Her ne!& 'a$ l%ng and $lender"

*a&ing (er (ead $ee* $*aller t(an it 'a$" and t(e *ane t(at fell al*%$t t% t(e *iddle %f (er ba!&

'a$ a$ $%ft a$ dandeli%n fl+ff and a$ fine a$ !irr+$. S(e (ad %inted ear$ and t(in leg$" 'it( feat(er$%f '(ite (air at t(e an&le$D and t(e l%ng (%rn ab%e (er eye$ $(%ne and $(iered 'it( it$ %'n

$ea$(ell lig(t een in t(e deee$t *idnig(t. S(e (ad &illed drag%n$ 'it( it" and (ealed a &ing '(%$e

%i$%ned '%+nd '%+ld n%t !l%$e" and &n%!&ed d%'n rie !(e$tn+t$ f%r bear !+b$.

Uni!%rn$ are i**%rtal. It i$ t(eir nat+re t% lie al%ne in %ne la!e: +$+ally a f%re$t '(ere

t(ere i$ a %%l !lear en%+g( f%r t(e* t% $ee t(e*$ele$ // f%r t(ey are a little ain" &n%'ing

t(e*$ele$ t% be t(e *%$t bea+tif+l !reat+re$ in all t(e '%rld" and *agi! be$ide$. T(ey *ate eryrarely" and n% la!e i$ *%re en!(anted t(an %ne '(ere a +ni!%rn (a$ been b%rn. T(e la$t ti*e $(e

(ad $een an%t(er +ni!%rn t(e y%+ng irgin$ '(% $till !a*e $ee&ing (er n%' and t(en (ad !alled t%

(er in a different t%ng+eD b+t t(en" $(e (ad n% idea %f *%nt($ and year$ and !ent+rie$" %r een %f

$ea$%n$. It 'a$ al'ay$ $ring in (er f%re$t" be!a+$e $(e lied t(ere" and $(e 'andered all day a*%ng

t(e great bee!( tree$" &eeing 'at!( %er t(e ani*al$ t(at lied in t(e gr%+nd and +nder b+$(e$" in

ne$t$ and !ae$" eart($ and treet%$. 5enerati%n after generati%n" '%le$ and rabbit$ ali&e" t(ey(+nted and l%ed and (ad !(ildren and died" and a$ t(e +ni!%rn did n%ne %f t(e$e t(ing$" $(e neer

gre' tired %f 'at!(ing t(e*.

One day it (aened t(at t'% *en 'it( l%ng b%'$ r%de t(r%+g( (er f%re$t" (+nting f%r deer.

T(e +ni!%rn f%ll%'ed t(e*" *%ing $% 'arily t(at n%t een t(e (%r$e$ &ne' $(e 'a$ near. T(e $ig(t

%f *en filled (er 'it( an %ld" $l%'" $trange *i-t+re %f tenderne$$ and terr%r. S(e neer let %ne $ee(er if $(e !%+ld (el it" b+t $(e li&ed t% 'at!( t(e* ride by and (ear t(e* tal&ing.

)I *i$li&e t(e feel %f t(i$ f%re$t") t(e elder %f t(e t'% (+nter$ gr+*bled. )Creat+re$ t(at liein a +ni!%rn#$ '%%d learn a little *agi! %f t(eir %'n in ti*e" *ainly !%n!erned 'it( di$aearing.

e#ll find n% ga*e (ere.)

)Uni!%rn$ are l%ng g%ne") t(e $e!%nd *an $aid. )If" indeed" t(ey eer 'ere. T(i$ i$ a f%re$t

li&e any %t(er.)

)T(en '(y d% t(e leae$ neer fall (ere" %r t(e $n%' I tell y%+" t(ere i$ %ne +ni!%rn left in

t(e '%rld // g%%d l+!& t% t(e l%nely %ld t(ing" I $ay // and a$ l%ng a$ it lie$ in t(i$ f%re$t" t(ere'%n#t be a (+nter ta&e$ $% *+!( a$ a tit*%+$e (%*e at (i$ $addle. Ride %n" ride %n" y%+#ll $ee. I

&n%' t(eir 'ay$" +ni!%rn$.)

)Fr%* b%%&$") an$'ered t(e %t(er. )Only fr%* b%%&$ and tale$ and $%ng$. N%t in t(e reign %f

t(ree &ing$ (a$ t(ere been een a '(i$er %f a +ni!%rn $een in t(i$ !%+ntry %r any %t(er. ?%+ &n%'

n% *%re ab%+t +ni!%rn$ t(an I d%" f%r I#e read t(e $a*e b%%&$ and (eard t(e $a*e $t%rie$" and I#e


3/91

neer $een %ne eit(er.)

T(e fir$t (+nter 'a$ $ilent f%r a ti*e" and t(e $e!%nd '(i$tled $%+rly t% (i*$elf. T(en t(e

fir$t $aid" )2y great/grand*%t(er $a' a +ni!%rn %n!e. S(e +$ed t% tell *e ab%+t it '(en I 'a$little.)

)O(" indeed And did $(e !at+re it 'it( a g%lden bridle)

)N%. S(e didn#t (ae %ne. ?%+ d%n#t (ae t% (ae a g%lden bridle t% !at!( a +ni!%rnD t(at

art#$ t(e fairy tale. ?%+ need %nly t% be +re %f (eart.))?e$" ye$.) T(e y%+nger *an !(+!&led. )id $(e ride (er +ni!%rn" t(en Bareba!&" +nder t(e

tree$" li&e a ny*( in t(e early day$ %f t(e '%rld)

)2y great/grand*%t(er 'a$ afraid %f large ani*al$") $aid t(e fir$t (+nter. )S(e didn#t ride it"b+t $(e $at ery $till" and t(e +ni!%rn +t it$ (ead in (er la and fell a$lee. 2y great/grand*%t(er

neer *%ed till it '%&e.)

)(at did it l%%& li&e Pliny de$!ribe$ t(e +ni!%rn a$ being ery fer%!i%+$" $i*ilar in t(e re$t

%f it$ b%dy t% a (%r$e" 'it( t(e (ead %f a deer" t(e feet %f an ele(ant" t(e tail %f a bearD a dee"

bell%'ing %i!e" and a $ingle bla!& (%rn" t'% !+bit$ in lengt(. And t(e C(ine$e //)

)2y great/grand*%t(er $aid %nly t(at t(e +ni!%rn (ad a g%%d $*ell. S(e neer !%+ld abidet(e $*ell %f any bea$t" een a !at %r a !%'" let al%ne a 'ild t(ing. B+t $(e l%ed t(e $*ell %f t(e

+ni!%rn. S(e began t% !ry %n!e" telling *e ab%+t it. Of !%+r$e" $(e 'a$ a ery %ld '%*an t(en" and!ried at anyt(ing t(at re*inded (er %f (er y%+t(.)

)Let#$ t+rn ar%+nd and (+nt $%*e'(ere el$e") t(e $e!%nd (+nter $aid abr+tly. T(e +ni!%rn

$teed $%ftly int% a t(i!&et a$ t(ey t+rned t(eir (%r$e$" and t%%& + t(e trail %nly '(en t(ey 'ere

'ell a(ead %f (er %n!e *%re. T(e *en r%de in $ilen!e +ntil t(ey 'ere nearing t(e edge %f t(e f%re$t"

'(en t(e $e!%nd (+nter a$&ed 0+ietly" )(y did t(ey g% a'ay" d% y%+ t(in& If t(ere eer 'ere$+!( t(ing$.)

)(% &n%'$ Ti*e$ !(ange. %+ld y%+ !all t(i$ age a g%%d %ne f%r +ni!%rn$)

)N%" b+t I '%nder if any *an bef%re +$ eer t(%+g(t (i$ ti*e a g%%d ti*e f%r +ni!%rn$. And

it $ee*$ t% *e n%' t(at I (ae (eard $t%rie$ // b+t I 'a$ $leey 'it( 'ine" %r I 'a$ t(in&ing %f

$%*et(ing el$e. ell" n% *atter. T(ere#$ lig(t en%+g( yet t% (+nt" if 'e (+rry. C%*eG)

T(ey br%&e %+t %f t(e '%%d$" &i!&ed t(eir (%r$e$ t% a gall%" and da$(ed a'ay. B+t bef%ret(ey 'ere %+t %f $ig(t" t(e fir$t (+nter l%%&ed ba!& %er (i$ $(%+lder and !alled" 1+$t a$ t(%+g( (e

!%+ld $ee t(e +ni!%rn $tanding in $(ad%'" )Stay '(ere y%+ are" %%r bea$t. T(i$ i$ n% '%rld f%r y%+.

Stay in y%+r f%re$t" and &ee y%+r tree$ green and y%+r friend$ l%ng/lied. Pay n% *ind t% y%+ng

girl$" f%r t(ey neer be!%*e anyt(ing *%re t(an $illy %ld '%*en. And g%%d l+!& t% y%+.)

T(e +ni!%rn $t%%d $till at t(e edge %f t(e f%re$t and $aid al%+d" )I a* t(e %nly +ni!%rn t(ere

i$.) T(ey 'ere t(e fir$t '%rd$ $(e (ad $%&en" een t% (er$elf" in *%re t(an a (+ndred year$.T(at !an#t be" $(e t(%+g(t. S(e (ad neer *inded being al%ne" neer $eeing an%t(er +ni!%rn"

be!a+$e $(e (ad al'ay$ &n%'n t(at t(ere 'ere %t(er$ li&e (er in t(e '%rld" and a +ni!%rn need$ n%

*%re t(an t(at f%r !%*any. )B+t I '%+ld &n%' if all t(e %t(er$ 'ere g%ne. I#d be g%ne t%%. N%t(ing

!an (aen t% t(e* t(at d%e$ n%t (aen t% *e.)

Her %'n %i!e frig(tened (er and *ade (er 'ant t% be r+nning. S(e *%ed al%ng t(e dar&at($ %f (er f%re$t" $'ift and $(ining" a$$ing t(r%+g( $+dden !learing$ +nbearably brilliant 'it(

gra$$ %r $%ft 'it( $(ad%'" a'are %f eeryt(ing ar%+nd (er" fr%* t(e 'eed$ t(at br+$(ed (er an&le$t% in$e!t/0+i!& fli!&er$ %f bl+e and $iler a$ t(e 'ind lifted t(e leae$. )O(" I !%+ld neer leae t(i$"

I neer !%+ld" n%t if I really 'ere t(e %nly +ni!%rn in t(e '%rld. I &n%' (%' t% lie (ere" I &n%'

(%' eeryt(ing $*ell$" and ta$te$" and i$. (at !%+ld I eer $ear!( f%r in t(e '%rld" e-!et t(i$

again)

B+t '(en $(e $t%ed r+nning at la$t and $t%%d $till" li$tening t% !r%'$ and a 0+arrel %f

$0+irrel$ %er (er (ead" $(e '%ndered" B+t $+%$e t(ey are riding t%get(er" $%*e'(ere far a'ay(at if t(ey are (iding and 'aiting f%r *e

Fr%* t(at fir$t *%*ent %f d%+bt" t(ere 'a$ n% ea!e f%r (erD fr%* t(e ti*e $(e fir$t

i*agined leaing (er f%re$t" $(e !%+ld n%t $tand in %ne la!e 'it(%+t 'anting t% be $%*e'(ere el$e.

S(e tr%tted + and d%'n be$ide (er %%l" re$tle$$ and +n(ay. Uni!%rn$ are n%t *eant t% *a&e

!(%i!e$. S(e $aid n%" and ye$" and n% again" day and nig(t" and f%r t(e fir$t ti*e $(e began t% feel


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t(e *in+te$ !ra'ling %er (er li&e '%r*$. )I 'ill n%t g%. Be!a+$e *en (ae $een n% +ni!%rn$ f%r a

'(ile d%e$ n%t *ean t(ey (ae all ani$(ed. Een if it 'ere tr+e" I '%+ld n%t g%. I lie (ere.)

B+t at la$t $(e '%&e + in t(e *iddle %f %ne 'ar* nig(t and $aid" )?e$" b+t n%'.) S(e(+rried t(r%+g( (er f%re$t" trying t% l%%& at n%t(ing and $*ell n%t(ing" trying n%t t% feel (er eart(

+nder (er !l%en (%%f$. T(e ani*al$ '(% *%e in t(e dar&" t(e %'l$ and t(e f%-e$ and t(e deer"

rai$ed t(eir (ead$ a$ $(e a$$ed by" b+t $(e '%+ld n%t l%%& at t(e*. I *+$t g% 0+i!&ly" $(e t(%+g(t"

and !%*e ba!& a$ $%%n a$ I !an. 2aybe I '%n#t (ae t% g% ery far. B+t '(et(er I find t(e %t(er$ %rn%t" I 'ill !%*e ba!& ery $%%n" a$ $%%n a$ I !an.

Under t(e *%%n" t(e r%ad t(at ran fr%* t(e edge %f (er f%re$t glea*ed li&e 'ater" b+t '(en

$(e $teed %+t %nt% it" a'ay fr%* t(e tree$" $(e felt (%' (ard it 'a$" and (%' l%ng. S(e al*%$tt+rned ba!& t(enD b+t in$tead $(e t%%& a dee breat( %f t(e '%%d$ air t(at $till drifted t% (er" and

(eld it in (er *%+t( li&e a fl%'er" a$ l%ng a$ $(e !%+ld.

T(e l%ng r%ad (+rried t% n%'(ere and (ad n% end. It ran t(r%+g( illage$ and $*all t%'n$"

flat !%+ntry and *%+ntain$" $t%ny barren$ and *ead%'$ $ringing %+t %f $t%ne$" b+t it bel%nged t%n%ne %f t(e$e" and it neer re$ted any'(ere. It r+$(ed t(e +ni!%rn al%ng" t+gging at (er feet li&e t(e

tide" fretting at (er" neer letting (er be 0+iet and li$ten t% t(e air" a$ $(e 'a$ +$ed t% d%. Her eye$'ere al'ay$ f+ll %f d+$t" and (er *ane 'a$ $tiff and (eay 'it( dirt.

Ti*e (ad al'ay$ a$$ed (er by in (er f%re$t" b+t n%' it 'a$ $(e '(% a$$ed t(r%+g( ti*e a$

$(e traeled. T(e !%l%r$ %f t(e tree$ !(anged" and t(e ani*al$ al%ng t(e 'ay gre' (eay !%at$ and

l%$t t(e* againD t(e !l%+d$ !ret %r (+rried bef%re t(e !(anging 'ind$" and 'ere in& and g%ld in

t(e $+n %r liid 'it( $t%r*. (ereer $(e 'ent" $(e $ear!(ed f%r (er e%le" b+t $(e f%+nd n% tra!e%f t(e*" and in all t(e t%ng+e$ $(e (eard $%&en al%ng t(e r%ad t(ere 'a$ n%t een a '%rd f%r t(e*

any *%re.

Early %ne *%rning" ab%+t t% t+rn %ff t(e r%ad t% $lee" $(e $a' a *an (%eing in (i$ garden.

6n%'ing t(at $(e $(%+ld (ide" $(e $t%%d $till in$tead and 'at!(ed (i* '%r&" +ntil (e $traig(tened

and $a' (er. He 'a$ fat" and (i$ !(ee&$ 1+*ed 'it( eery $te (e t%%&. )O(") (e $aid. )O(" y%+#re

bea+tif+l.)(en (e t+gged %ff (i$ belt" *ade a l%% in it" and *%ed !l+*$ily t%'ard (er" t(e +ni!%rn

'a$ *%re lea$ed t(an frig(tened. T(e *an &ne' '(at $(e 'a$" and '(at (e (i*$elf 'a$ f%r: t%

(%e t+rni$ and +r$+e $%*et(ing t(at $(%ne and !%+ld r+n fa$ter t(an (e !%+ld. S(e $ide$teed (i$

fir$t l+nge a$ lig(tly a$ t(%+g( t(e 'ind %f it (ad bl%'n (er %+t %f (i$ rea!(. )I (ae been (+nted

'it( bell$ and banner$ in *y ti*e") $(e t%ld (i*. )2en &ne' t(at t(e %nly 'ay t% (+nt *e 'a$ t%

*a&e t(e !(a$e $% '%ndr%+$ t(at I '%+ld !%*e near t% $ee it. And een $% I 'a$ neer %n!e!at+red.)

)2y f%%t *+$t (ae $lied") $aid t(e *an. )Steady n%'" y%+ retty t(ing.)

)I#e neer really +nder$t%%d") t(e +ni!%rn *+$ed a$ t(e *an i!&ed (i*$elf +" )'(at y%+

drea* %f d%ing 'it( *e" %n!e y%+#e !a+g(t *e.) T(e *an leaed again" and $(e $lied a'ay fr%*

(i* li&e rain. )I d%n#t t(in& y%+ &n%' y%+r$ele$") $(e $aid.)A(" $teady" $teady" ea$y n%'.) T(e *an#$ $'eating fa!e 'a$ $tried 'it( dirt" and (e !%+ld

(ardly get (i$ breat(. )Pretty") (e ga$ed. )?%+ retty little *are.))_2are_) T(e +ni!%rn tr+*eted t(e '%rd $% $(rilly t(at t(e *an $t%ed +r$+ing (er and

!laed (i$ (and$ t% (i$ ear$. )2are) $(e de*anded. )I" a (%r$e I$ t(at '(at y%+ ta&e *e f%r I$

t(at '(at y%+ $ee)

)5%%d (%r$e") t(e fat *an anted. He leaned %n t(e fen!e and 'ied (i$ fa!e. )C+rry y%+ +"

!lean y%+ %ff" y%+#ll be t(e rettie$t %ld *are any'(ere.) He rea!(ed %+t 'it( t(e belt again. )Ta&e

y%+ t% t(e fair") (e $aid. )C%*e %n" (%r$e.))A (%r$e") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )T(at#$ '(at y%+ 'ere trying t% !at+re. A '(ite *are 'it( (er

*ane f+ll %f b+rr$.) A$ t(e *an ar%a!(ed (er" $(e (%%&ed (er (%rn t(r%+g( t(e belt" 1er&ed it %+t

%f (i$ gra$" and (+rled it a!r%$$ t(e r%ad int% a at!( %f dai$ie$. )A (%r$e" a* I) $(e $n%rted. )A

(%r$e" indeedG)

F%r a *%*ent t(e *an 'a$ ery !l%$e t% (er" and (er great eye$ $tared int% (i$ %'n" '(i!(


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'ere $*all and tired and a*a8ed. T(en $(e t+rned and fled + t(e r%ad" r+nning $% $'iftly t(at t(%$e

'(% $a' (er e-!lai*ed" )N%' _t(ere#$_ a (%r$eG T(ere#$ a real (%r$eG) One %ld *an $aid 0+ietly t%

(i$ 'ife" )T(at#$ an Ayrab (%r$e. I 'a$ %n a $(i 'it( an Ayrab (%r$e %n!e.)Fr%* t(at ti*e t(e +ni!%rn a%ided t%'n$" een at nig(t" +nle$$ t(ere 'a$ n% 'ay at all t% g%

ar%+nd t(e*. Een $%" t(ere 'ere a fe' *en '(% gae !(a$e" b+t al'ay$ t% a 'andering '(ite

*areD neer in t(e gay and reerent *anner r%er t% t(e +r$+it %f a +ni!%rn. T(ey !a*e 'it( r%e$

and net$ and bait$ %f $+gar l+*$" and t(ey '(i$tled and !alled (er Be$$ and Nellie. S%*eti*e$ $(e'%+ld $l%' d%'n en%+g( t% let t(eir (%r$e$ !at!( (er $!ent" and t(en 'at!( a$ t(e bea$t$ reared and

'(eeled and ran a'ay 'it( t(eir terrified rider$. T(e (%r$e$ al'ay$ &ne' (er.

)H%' !an it be) $(e '%ndered. )I $+%$e I !%+ld +nder$tand it if *en (ad $i*ly f%rg%tten+ni!%rn$" %r if t(ey (ad !(anged $% t(at t(ey (ated all +ni!%rn$ n%' and tried t% &ill t(e* '(en t(ey

$a' t(e*. B+t n%t t% $ee t(e* at all" t% l%%& at t(e* and $ee $%*et(ing el$e // '(at d% t(ey l%%&

li&e t% %ne an%t(er" t(en (at d% tree$ l%%& li&e t% t(e*" %r (%+$e$" %r real (%r$e$" %r t(eir %'n

!(ildren)

S%*eti*e$ $(e t(%+g(t" )If *en n% l%nger &n%' '(at t(ey are l%%&ing at" t(ere *ay 'ell be

+ni!%rn$ in t(e '%rld yet" +n&n%'n and glad %f it.) B+t $(e &ne' bey%nd b%t( (%e and anity t(at*en (ad !(anged" and t(e '%rld 'it( t(e*" be!a+$e t(e +ni!%rn$ 'ere g%ne. ?et $(e 'ent %n al%ng

t(e (ard r%ad" alt(%+g( ea!( day $(e 'i$(ed a little *%re t(at $(e (ad neer left (er f%re$t.T(en %ne aftern%%n t(e b+tterfly '%bbled %+t %f a bree8e and lit %n t(e ti %f (er (%rn. He

'a$ elet all %er" dar& and d+$ty" 'it( g%lden $%t$ %n (i$ 'ing$" and (e 'a$ a$ t(in a$ a fl%'er

etal. an!ing al%ng (er (%rn" (e $al+ted (er 'it( (i$ !+rling feeler$. )I a* a r%ing ga*bler. H%'

d% y%+ d%)

T(e +ni!%rn la+g(ed f%r t(e fir$t ti*e in (er trael$. )B+tterfly" '(at are y%+ d%ing %+t %n$+!( a 'indy day) $(e a$&ed (i*. )?%+#ll ta&e !%ld and die l%ng bef%re y%+r ti*e.)

)eat( ta&e$ '(at *an '%+ld &ee") $aid t(e b+tterfly" )and leae$ '(at *an '%+ld l%$e.

Bl%'" 'ind" and !ra!& y%+r !(ee&$. I 'ar* *y (and$ bef%re t(e fire %f life and get f%+r/'ay relief.)

He gli**ered li&e a $!ra %f %'l/lig(t %n (er (%rn.

)% y%+ &n%' '(at I a*" b+tterfly) t(e +ni!%rn a$&ed (%ef+lly" and (e relied" )E-!ellent

'ell" y%+#re a fi$(*%nger. ?%+#re *y eeryt(ing" y%+ are *y $+n$(ine" y%+ are %ld and gray and f+ll%f $lee" y%+#re *y i!&le/fa!e" !%n$+*tie 2ary ane.) He a+$ed" fl+ttering (i$ 'ing$ again$t t(e

'ind" and added !%ner$ati%nally" )?%+r na*e i$ a g%lden bell (+ng in *y (eart. I '%+ld brea& *y

b%dy t% ie!e$ t% !all y%+ %n!e by y%+r na*e.)

)Say *y na*e" t(en") t(e +ni!%rn begged (i*. )If y%+ &n%' *y na*e" tell it t% *e.)

)R+*el$tilt$&in") t(e b+tterfly an$'ered (aily. )5%t!(aG ?%+ d%n#t get n% *edal.) He

1igged and t'in&led %n (er (%rn" $inging" )%n#t y%+ !%*e (%*e" Bill Bailey" '%n#t y%+ !%*e(%*e" '(ere %n!e (e !%+ld n%t g%. B+!&le d%'n" in$%!&i" g% and !at!( a falling $tar. Clay lie$

$till" b+t bl%%d#$ a r%er" $% I $(%+ld be !alled &ill/deil all t(e ari$( %er.) Hi$ eye$ 'ere glea*ing

$!arlet in t(e gl%' %f t(e +ni!%rn#$ (%rn.

S(e $ig(ed and l%dded %n" b%t( a*+$ed and di$a%inted. It $ere$ y%+ rig(t" $(e t%ld

(er$elf. ?%+ &n%' better t(an t% e-e!t a b+tterfly t% &n%' y%+r na*e. All t(ey &n%' are $%ng$ and%etry" and anyt(ing el$e t(ey (ear. T(ey *ean 'ell" b+t t(ey !an#t &ee t(ing$ $traig(t. And '(y

$(%+ld t(ey T(ey die $% $%%n.T(e b+tterfly $'aggered bef%re (er eye$" $inging" )One" t'%" t(ree %#lairy") a$ (e '(irledD

!(anting" )N%t" I#ll n%t" !arri%n !%*f%rt" l%%& d%'n t(at l%ne$%*e r%ad. F%r" %(" '(at da*ned

*in+te$ tell$ (e %#er '(% d%te$" yet d%+bt$. Ha$ten" 2irt(" and bring 'it( t(ee a (%$t %f f+ri%+$

fan!ie$ '(ere%f I a* !%**ander" '(i!( 'ill be %n $ale f%r t(ree day$ %nly at bargain $+**er

ri!e$. I l%e y%+" I l%e y%+" %(" t(e (%rr%r" t(e (%rr%r" and ar%int t(ee" 'it!(" ar%int t(ee" indeed

and tr+ly y%+#e !(%$en a bad la!e t% be la*e in" 'ill%'" 'ill%'" 'ill%'.) Hi$ %i!e tin&led in t(e+ni!%rn#$ (ead li&e $iler *%ney falling.

He traeled 'it( (er f%r t(e re$t %f t(e 'aning day" b+t '(en t(e $+n 'ent d%'n and t(e $&y

'a$ f+ll %f r%$y fi$(" (e fle' %ff (er (%rn and (%ered in t(e air bef%re (er. )I *+$t ta&e t(e A

train") (e $aid %litely. Again$t t(e !l%+d$ $(e !%+ld $ee t(at (i$ elet 'ing$ 'ere ribbed 'it(

deli!ate bla!& ein$.


6/91

)Fare'ell") $(e $aid. )I (%e y%+ (ear *any *%re $%ng$) // '(i!( 'a$ t(e be$t 'ay $(e

!%+ld t(in& %f t% $ay g%%d/by t% a b+tterfly. B+t in$tead %f leaing (er" (e fl+ttered ab%e (er (ead"

l%%&ing $+ddenly le$$ da$(ing and a little ner%+$ in t(e bl+e eening air. )Fly a'ay") $(e +rged(i*. )It#$ t%% !%ld f%r y%+ t% be %+t.) B+t t(e b+tterfly $till dallied" (+**ing t% (i*$elf.

)T(ey ride t(at (%r$e y%+ !all t(e 2a!ed%nai") (e int%ned ab$ent/*indedlyD and t(en" ery

!learly" )Uni!%rn. Old Fren!(" _+ni!%rne_. Latin" _+ni!%rni$_. Literally" %ne/(%rned: _+n+$_" %ne"

and _!%rn+_" a (%rn. A fab+l%+$ ani*al re$e*bling a (%r$e 'it( %ne (%rn. O(" I a* a !%%& and a!atain b%ld and t(e *ate %f t(e _Nan!y_ brig. Ha$ anyb%dy (ere $een 6elly) He $tr+tted 1%y%+$ly

in t(e air" and t(e fir$t fireflie$ blin&ed ar%+nd (i* in '%nder and grae d%+bt.

T(e +ni!%rn 'a$ $% $tartled and $% (ay t% (ear (er na*e $%&en at la$t t(at $(e %erl%%&edt(e re*ar& ab%+t t(e (%r$e. )O(" y%+ d% &n%' *eG) $(e !ried" and t(e breat( %f (er delig(t ble' t(e

b+tterfly t'enty feet a'ay. (en (e !a*e $!ra*bling ba!& t% (er" $(e leaded" )B+tterfly" if y%+

really &n%' '(% I a*" tell *e if y%+ (ae eer $een any%ne li&e *e" tell *e '(i!( 'ay I *+$t g% t%

find t(e*. (ere (ae t(ey g%ne)

)B+tterfly" b+tterfly" '(ere $(all I (ide) (e $ang in t(e fading lig(t. )T(e $'eet and bitter

f%%l 'ill re$ently aear. C(ri$t" t(at *y l%e 'ere in *y ar*$" and I in *y bed again.) He re$ted%n t(e +ni!%rn#$ (%rn %n!e *%re" and $(e !%+ld feel (i* tre*bling.

)Plea$e") $(e $aid. )All I 'ant t% &n%' i$ t(at t(ere are %t(er +ni!%rn$ $%*e'(ere in t(e'%rld. B+tterfly" tell *e t(at t(ere are $till %t(er$ li&e *e" and I 'ill beliee y%+ and g% (%*e t% *y

f%re$t. I (ae been a'ay $% l%ng" and I $aid t(at I '%+ld !%*e ba!& $%%n.)

)Oer t(e *%+ntain$ %f t(e *%%n") t(e b+tterfly began" )d%'n t(e ,alley %f t(e S(ad%'"

ride" b%ldly ride.) T(en (e $t%ed $+ddenly and $aid in a $trange %i!e" )N%" n%" li$ten" d%n#t li$ten

t% *e" li$ten. ?%+ !an find y%+r e%le if y%+ are brae. T(ey a$$ed d%'n all t(e r%ad$ l%ng ag%"and t(e Red B+ll ran !l%$e be(ind t(e* and !%ered t(eir f%%trint$. Let n%t(ing y%+ di$*ay" b+t

d%n#t be (alf/$afe.) Hi$ 'ing$ br+$(ed again$t t(e +ni!%rn#$ $&in.

)T(e Red B+ll) $(e a$&ed. )(at i$ t(e Red B+ll)

T(e b+tterfly $tarted t% $ing. )F%ll%' *e d%'n. F%ll%' *e d%'n. F%ll%' *e d%'n. F%ll%'

*e d%'n.) B+t t(en (e $(%%& (i$ (ead 'ildly and re!ited" )Hi$ fir$tling b+ll (a$ *a1e$ty" and (i$

(%rn$ are t(e (%rn$ %f a 'ild %-. it( t(e* (e $(all +$( t(e e%le$" all %f t(e*" t% t(e end$ %f t(eeart(. Li$ten" li$ten" li$ten 0+i!&ly.)

)I a* li$tening") t(e +ni!%rn !ried. )(ere are *y e%le" and '(at i$ t(e Red B+ll)

B+t t(e b+tterfly $'%%ed !l%$e t% (er ear" la+g(ing. )I (ae nig(t*are$ ab%+t !ra'ling

ar%+nd %n t(e gr%+nd") (e $ang. )T(e little d%g$" Tray" Blan!(e" S+e" t(ey bar& at *e" t(e little

$na&e$" t(ey (i$$ at *e" t(e beggar$ are !%*ing t% t%'n. T(en at la$t !%*e t(e !la*$.)

F%r a *%*ent *%re (e dan!ed in t(e d+$& bef%re (erD t(en (e $(iered a'ay int% t(e i%let$(ad%'$ by t(e r%ad$ide" !(anting defiantly" )It#$ y%+ %r *e" *%t(G Hand t% (and t% (and t% (and t%

(and . . .) T(e la$t t(e +ni!%rn $a' %f (i* 'a$ a tiny $&ittering bet'een t(e tree$" and (er eye$

*ig(t (ae de!eied (er" f%r t(e nig(t 'a$ f+ll %f 'ing$ n%'.

At lea$t (e did re!%gni8e *e" $(e t(%+g(t $adly. T(at *ean$ $%*et(ing. B+t $(e an$'ered

(er$elf" N%" t(at *ean$ n%t(ing at all" e-!et t(at $%*eb%dy %n!e *ade + a $%ng ab%+t +ni!%rn$" %ra %e*. B+t t(e Red B+ll. (at !%+ld (e (ae *eant by t(at An%t(er $%ng" I $+%$e.

S(e 'al&ed %n $l%'ly" and t(e nig(t dre' !l%$e ab%+t (er. T(e $&y 'a$ l%' and al*%$t +rebla!&" $ae f%r %ne $%t %f yell%'ing $iler '(ere t(e *%%n a!ed be(ind t(e t(i!& !l%+d$. T(e

+ni!%rn $ang $%ftly t% (er$elf" a $%ng $(e (ad (eard a y%+ng girl $inging in (er f%re$t l%ng ag%.

)Sarr%'$ and !at$ 'ill lie in *y $(%e"

S%%ner t(an I 'ill lie 'it( y%+.Fi$( 'ill !%*e 'al&ing %+t %f t(e $ea"

S%%ner t(an y%+ 'ill !%*e ba!& t% *e.)

S(e did n%t +nder$tand t(e '%rd$" b+t t(e $%ng *ade (er t(in& l%ngingly %f (er (%*e. It


7/91

$ee*ed t% (er t(at $(e (ad (eard a+t+*n beginning t% $(a&e t(e bee!( tree$ t(e ery *%*ent t(at

$(e $teed %+t int% t(e r%ad.

At la$t $(e lay d%'n in t(e !%ld gra$$ and fell a$lee. Uni!%rn$ are t(e 'arie$t %f all 'ildt(ing$" b+t t(ey $lee $%+ndly '(en t(ey $lee. All t(e $a*e" if $(e (ad n%t been drea*ing %f (%*e"

$(e '%+ld $+rely (ae r%+$ed at t(e $%+nd %f '(eel$ and 1ingling !%*ing !l%$er t(r%+g( t(e nig(t"

een t(%+g( t(e '(eel$ 'ere *+ffled in rag$ and t(e little bell$ 'raed in '%%l. B+t $(e 'a$ ery

far a'ay" fart(er t(an t(e $%ft bell$ !%+ld g%" and $(e did n%t 'a&e.T(ere 'ere nine 'ag%n$" ea!( draed in bla!&" ea!( dra'n by a lean bla!& (%r$e" and ea!(

baring barred $ide$ li&e teet( '(en t(e 'ind ble' t(r%+g( t(e bla!& (anging$. T(e lead 'ag%n 'a$

drien by a $0+at %ld '%*an" and it b%re $ign$ %n it$ $(r%+ded $ide$ t(at $aid in big letter$:2O22? FORTUNA#S 2INI5HT CARNI,AL. And bel%'" in $*aller rint: _Creat+re$ %f

nig(t" br%+g(t t% lig(t_.

(en t(e fir$t 'ag%n dre' een 'it( t(e la!e '(ere t(e +ni!%rn lay a$lee" t(e %ld '%*an

$+ddenly +lled (er bla!& (%r$e t% a $t%. All t(e %t(er 'ag%n$ $t%ed t%% and 'aited $ilently a$

t(e %ld '%*an $'+ng (er$elf t% t(e gr%+nd 'it( an +gly gra!e. 5liding !l%$e t% t(e +ni!%rn" $(e

eered d%'n at (er f%r a l%ng ti*e" and t(en $aid" )ell. ell" ble$$ *y %ld (+$& %f a (eart. And(ere I t(%+g(t I#d $een t(e la$t %f t(e*.) Her %i!e left a fla%r %f (%ney and g+n%'der %n t(e air.

)If (e &ne'") $(e $aid and $(e $(%'ed ebbly teet( a$ $(e $*iled. )B+t I d%n#t t(in& I#ll tell(i*.) S(e l%%&ed ba!& at t(e bla!& 'ag%n$ and $naed (er finger$ t'i!e. T(e drier$ %f t(e $e!%nd

and t(ird 'ag%n$ g%t d%'n and !a*e t%'ard (er. One 'a$ $(%rt and dar& and $t%ny" li&e (er$elfD t(e

%t(er 'a$ a tall" t(in *an 'it( an air %f re$%l+te be'ilder*ent. He '%re an %ld bla!& !l%a&" and (i$

eye$ 'ere green.

)(at d% y%+ $ee) t(e %ld '%*an a$&ed t(e $(%rt *an. )R+&(" '(at d% y%+ $ee lyingt(ere)

)ead (%r$e") (e an$'ered. )N%" n%t dead. 5ie it t% t(e *anti!%re" %r t(e drag%n.) Hi$

!(+!&le $%+nded li&e *at!(e$ $tri&ing.

)?%+#re a f%%l") 2%**y F%rt+na $aid t% (i*. T(en" t% t(e %t(er" )(at ab%+t y%+" 'i8ard"

$eer" t(a+*at+rge (at d% y%+ $ee 'it( y%+r $%r!erer#$ $ig(t) S(e 1%ined 'it( t(e *an R+&( in a

rat!(ety r%ar %f la+g(ter" b+t it ended '(en $(e $a' t(at t(e tall *an 'a$ $till $taring at t(e +ni!%rn.)An$'er *e" y%+ 1+gglerG) $(e $narled" b+t t(e tall *an did n%t t+rn (i$ (ead. T(e %ld '%*an

t+rned it f%r (i*" rea!(ing %+t a !rabli&e (and t% yan& (i$ !(in ar%+nd. Hi$ eye$ fell bef%re (er

yell%' $tare.

)A (%r$e") (e *+ttered. )A '(ite *are.)

2%**y F%rt+na l%%&ed at (i* f%r a l%ng ti*e. )?%+#re a f%%l t%%" *agi!ian") $(e $ni!&ered

at la$t" )b+t a '%r$e f%%l t(an R+&(" and a *%re danger%+$ %ne. He lie$ %nly %+t %f greed" b+t y%+lie %+t %f fear. Or !%+ld it be &indne$$) T(e *an $aid n%t(ing" and 2%**y F%rt+na la+g(ed by

(er$elf.

)All rig(t") $(e $aid. )It#$ a '(ite *are. I 'ant (er f%r t(e Carnial. T(e nint( !age i$ e*ty.)

)I#ll need r%e") R+&( $aid. He 'a$ ab%+t t% t+rn a'ay" b+t t(e %ld '%*an $t%ed (i*.

)T(e %nly r%e t(at !%+ld (%ld (er") $(e t%ld (i*" )'%+ld be t(e !%rd 'it( '(i!( t(e %ldg%d$ b%+nd t(e Fenri$/'%lf. T(at %ne 'a$ *ade %f fi$(e$# breat(" bird $ittle" a '%*an#$ beard" t(e

*ia%'ing %f a !at" t(e $ine'$ %f a bear" and %ne t(ing *%re. I re*e*ber // *%+ntain r%%t$. Haingn%ne %f t(e$e ele*ent$" n%r d'arf$ t% 'eae t(e* f%r +$" 'e#ll (ae t% d% t(e be$t 'e !an 'it( ir%n

bar$. I#ll +t a $lee %n (er" t(+$") and 2%**y F%rt+na#$ (and$ &nitted t(e nig(t air '(ile $(e

gr+*bled a fe' +nlea$ant '%rd$ in (er t(r%at. T(ere 'a$ a $*ell %f lig(tning ab%+t t(e +ni!%rn

'(en t(e %ld '%*an (ad fini$(ed (er $ell.

)N%' !age (er") $(e $aid t% t(e t'% *en. )S(e#ll $lee till $+nri$e" '(ateer ra!&et y%+ *a&e

// +nle$$" in y%+r a!!+$t%*ed $t+idity" y%+ t%+!( (er 'it( y%+r (and$. Ta&e t(e nint( !age t% ie!e$and b+ild it ar%+nd (er" b+t be'areG T(e (and t(at $% *+!( a$ br+$(e$ (er *ane t+rn$ in$tantly t%

t(e d%n&ey#$ (%%f it de$ere$ t% be.) Again $(e ga8ed *%!&ingly at t(e tall" t(in *an. )?%+r little

tri!&$ '%+ld be een (arder f%r y%+ t(an t(ey already are" 'i8ard") $(e $aid" '(ee8ing. )5et t%

'%r&. T(e$e#$ n%t *+!( dar& left.)

(en $(e 'a$ 'ell %+t %f ear$(%t" $liding ba!& int% t(e $(ad%' %f (er 'ag%n a$ t(%+g( $(e


8/91

(ad 1+$t !%*e %+t t% *ar& t(e (%+r" t(e *an na*ed R+&( $at and $aid !+ri%+$ly" )N%' I '%nder

'(at#$ '%rrying t(e %ld $0+id. (at '%+ld it *atter if 'e t%+!(ed t(e bea$t)

T(e *agi!ian an$'ered (i* in a %i!e al*%$t t%% $%ft t% be (eard. )T(e t%+!( %f a (+*an(and '%+ld 'a&e (er %+t %f t(e deee$t $lee t(e deil (i*$elf !%+ld lay %n (er. And 2%**y

F%rt+na#$ n% deil.)

)S(e#d li&e +$ t% t(in& $%") t(e dar& *an $neered. )%n&ey (%%f$G 5a(((G) B+t (e t(r+$t (i$

(and$ dee int% (i$ %!&et$. )(y '%+ld t(e $ell be br%&en It#$ 1+$t an %ld '(ite *are.)B+t t(e *agi!ian 'a$ 'al&ing a'ay t%'ard t(e la$t %f t(e bla!& 'ag%n$. )H+rry") (e !alled

%er (i$ $(%+lder. )It 'ill be day $%%n.)

It t%%& t(e* t(e re$t %f t(e nig(t t% +ll d%'n t(e nint( !age" bar$ and fl%%r and r%%f andt(en t% +t it ba!& t%get(er ar%+nd t(e $leeing +ni!%rn. R+&( 'a$ t+gging at t(e d%%r t% *a&e $+re

t(at it 'a$ $e!+rely l%!&ed" '(en t(e gray tree$ in t(e ea$t b%iled %er and t(e +ni!%rn %ened (er

eye$. T(e t'% *en $lied (+rriedly a'ay" b+t t(e tall *agi!ian l%%&ed ba!& in ti*e t% $ee t(e

+ni!%rn ri$e t% (er feet and $tare at t(e ir%n bar$" (er l%' (ead $'aying li&e t(e (ead %f an %ld '(ite

(%r$e.

II

T(e nine bla!& 'ag%n$ %f t(e 2idnig(t Carnial $ee*ed $*aller by daylig(t and n%t

*ena!ing at all" b+t fli*$y and fragile a$ dead leae$. T(eir draerie$ 'ere g%ne" and t(ey 'ere n%'ad%rned 'it( $ad bla!& banner$ !+t fr%* blan&et$" and $t+bby bla!& ribb%n$ t(at t'it!(ed in t(e

bree8e. T(ey 'ere arranged $trangely in a $!r+bby field: a enta!le %f !age$ en!l%$ing a triangle" and

2%**y F%rt+na#$ 'ag%n l+*ing in t(e !enter. T(i$ !age al%ne retained it$ bla!& eil" !%n!ealing

'(ateer it !%ntained. 2%**y F%rt+na 'a$ n%'(ere t% be $een.

T(e *an na*ed R+&( 'a$ leading a $traggling !r%'d %f !%+ntry f%l& $l%'ly fr%* %ne !age

t% t(e ne-t" !%**enting $%*berly %n t(e bea$t$ 'it(in. )T(i$ (ere#$ t(e *anti!%re. 2an#$ (ead"li%n#$ b%dy" tail %f a $!%ri%n. Cat+red at *idnig(t" eating 'ere'%le$ t% $'eeten it$ breat(.

Creat+re$ %f nig(t" br%+g(t t% lig(t. Here#$ t(e drag%n. Breat(e$ fire n%' and t(en // +$+ally at

e%le '(% %&e it" little b%y. It$ in$ide i$ an infern%" b+t it$ $&in i$ $% !%ld it b+rn$. T(e drag%n

$ea&$ $eenteen lang+age$ badly" and i$ $+b1e!t t% g%+t. T(e $atyr. Ladie$ &ee ba!&. A real

tr%+ble*a&er. Cat+red +nder !+ri%+$ !ir!+*$tan!e$ reealed t% gentle*en %nly" f%r a t%&en feeafter t(e $(%'. Creat+re$ %f nig(t.) Standing by t(e +ni!%rn#$ !age" '(i!( 'a$ %ne %f t(e inner

t(ree" t(e tall *agi!ian 'at!(ed t(e r%!e$$i%n r%!eeding ar%+nd t(e enta!le. )I $(%+ldn#t be(ere") (e $aid t% t(e +ni!%rn. )T(e %ld '%*an 'arned *e t% $tay a'ay fr%* y%+.) He !(+!&led

lea$antly. )S(e (a$ *%!&ed *e fr%* t(e day I 1%ined (er" b+t I (ae *ade (er ner%+$ all t(at

ti*e.)

T(e +ni!%rn (ardly (eard (i*. S(e t+rned and t+rned in (er ri$%n" (er b%dy $(rin&ing fr%*

t(e t%+!( %f t(e ir%n bar$ all ar%+nd (er. N% !reat+re %f *an#$ nig(t l%e$ !%ld ir%n" and '(ile t(e

+ni!%rn !%+ld end+re it$ re$en!e" t(e *+rder%+$ $*ell %f it $ee*ed t% t+rn (er b%ne$ t% $and and(er bl%%d t% rain. T(e bar$ %f (er !age *+$t (ae (ad $%*e $%rt %f $ell %n t(e*" f%r t(ey neer

$t%ed '(i$ering eilly t% %ne an%t(er in !la'ed" attering %i!e$. T(e (eay l%!& giggled and

'(ined li&e a *ad *%n&ey.

)Tell *e '(at y%+ $ee") $aid t(e *agi!ian" a$ 2%**y F%rt+na (ad $aid it t% (i*. )L%%& at

y%+r fell%' legend$ and tell *e '(at y%+ $ee.)


9/91

R+&(#$ ir%n %i!e !a*e !langing t(r%+g( t(e 'an aftern%%n. )5ate&eeer %f t(e +nder'%rld.

T(ree (ead$ and a (ealt(y !%at %f ier$" a$ y%+ !an $ee. La$t $een ab%egr%+nd in t(e ti*e %f

Her!+le$" '(% dragged (i* + +nder %ne ar*. B+t 'e l+red (i* t% lig(t again 'it( r%*i$e$ %f abetter life. Cerber+$. L%%& at t(%$e $i- !(eated red eye$. ?%+ *ay l%%& int% t(e* again %ne day.

T(i$ 'ay t% t(e 2idgard Serent. T(i$ 'ay.)

T(e +ni!%rn $tared t(r%+g( t(e bar$ at t(e ani*al in t(e !age. Her eye$ 'ere 'ide 'it(

di$belief. )It#$ %nly a d%g") $(e '(i$ered. )It#$ a (+ngry" +n(ay d%g 'it( %nly %ne (ead and(ardly any !%at at all" t(e %%r t(ing. H%' !%+ld t(ey eer ta&e it f%r Cerber+$ Are t(ey all blind)

)L%%& again") t(e *agi!ian $aid.

)And t(e $atyr") t(e +ni!%rn !%ntin+ed. )T(e $atyr i$ an ae" an %ld ae 'it( a t'i$ted f%%t.T(e drag%n i$ a !r%!%dile" *+!( *%re li&ely t% breat(e fi$( t(an fire. And t(e great *anti!%re i$ a

li%n // a erfe!tly g%%d li%n" b+t n% *%re *%n$tr%+$ t(an t(e %t(er$. I d%n#t +nder$tand.)

)It#$ g%t t(e '(%le '%rld in it$ !%il$") R+&( 'a$ dr%ning. And %n!e *%re t(e *agi!ian $aid"

)L%%& again.)

T(en" a$ t(%+g( (er eye$ 'ere getting +$ed t% dar&ne$$" t(e +ni!%rn began t% er!eie a

$e!%nd fig+re in ea!( !age. T(ey l%%*ed (+gely %er t(e !atie$ %f t(e 2idnig(t Carnial" and yett(ey 'ere 1%ined t% t(e*: $t%r*y drea*$ $r+ng fr%* a grain %f tr+t(. S% t(ere 'a$ a *anti!%re //

fa*ine/eyed" $l%bber/*%+t(ed" r%aring" !+ring (i$ deadly tail %er (i$ ba!& +ntil t(e %i$%n $inel%lled and n%dded 1+$t ab%e (i$ ear // and t(ere 'a$ a li%n t%%" tiny and ab$+rd by !%*ari$%n. ?et

t(ey 'ere t(e $a*e !reat+re. T(e +ni!%rn $ta*ed in '%nder.

It 'a$ $% in all t(e %t(er !age$. T(e $(ad%'/drag%n %ened (i$ *%+t( and (i$$ed (ar*le$$

fire t% *a&e t(e gaer$ ga$ and !ringe" '(ile Hell#$ $na&e/f+rred 'at!(d%g (%'led trile d%%*$

and dea$tati%n$ d%'n %n (i$ betrayer$" and t(e $atyr li*ed leering t% t(e bar$ and be!&%ned y%+nggirl$ t% i*%$$ible delig(t$" rig(t t(ere in +bli!. A$ f%r t(e !r%!%dile" t(e ae" and t(e $ad d%g" t(ey

faded $teadily bef%re t(e *arel%+$ (ant%*$ +ntil t(ey 'ere %nly $(ad%'$ t(e*$ele$" een t% t(e

+ni!%rn#$ +nde!eied eye$. )T(i$ i$ a $trange $%r!ery") $(e $aid $%ftly. )T(ere#$ *%re *eaning t(an

*agi! t% t(i$.)

T(e *agi!ian la+g(ed 'it( lea$+re and great relief. )ell $aid" 'ell $aid indeed. I &ne' t(e

%ld (%rr%r '%+ldn#t da88le y%+ 'it( (er t'%enny $ell$.) Hi$ %i!e gre' (ard and $e!ret. )S(e#$*ade (er t(ird *i$ta&e n%'") (e $aid" )and t(at#$ at lea$t t'% t%% *any f%r a tired %ld tri!&$ter li&e

(er$elf. T(e ti*e dra'$ near.)

)T(e ti*e dra'$ near") R+&( 'a$ telling t(e !r%'d" a$ t(%+g( (e (ad %er(eard t(e

*agi!ian. )Ragnar%&. On t(at day" '(en t(e g%d$ fall" t(e Serent %f t(e 2idgard 'ill $it a $t%r*

%f en%* at great T(%r (i*$elf" till (e t+*ble$ %er li&e a %i$%ned fly. And $% (e 'ait$ f%r

+dg*ent ay" and drea*$ ab%+t t(e art (e#ll lay. It *ay be $% // I !%+ldn#t $ay. Creat+re$ %fnig(t" br%+g(t t% lig(t.)

T(e !age 'a$ filled 'it( $na&e. T(ere 'a$ n% (ead t% it" and n% tail // n%t(ing b+t a 'ae %f

tarni$(ed dar&ne$$ r%lling fr%* %ne end %f t(e !age t% t(e %t(er" leaing n% r%%* f%r anyt(ing b+t

it$ %'n t(+nder%+$ breat(ing. Only t(e +ni!%rn $a'" !%iled in a !%rner" a balef+l b%aD br%%ding"

er(a$" %er it$ %'n +dg*ent %n t(e 2idnig(t Carnial. B+t it 'a$ tiny and di* a$ t(e g(%$t %f a'%r* in t(e Serent#$ $(ad%'.

A '%ndering ga'& $t+!& + (i$ (and and de*anded %f R+&(" )If t(i$ big $na&e d% be !%iledar%+nd t(e '%rld" a$ y%+ $ay" (%' !%*e y%+ t% be (aing a ie!e %f it in y%+r 'ag%n And if it !an

$(atter t(e $ea 1+$t by $tret!(ing %f it$elf" '(at#$ t% &ee it fr%* !ra'ling %ff 'earing y%+r '(%le

$(%' li&e a ne!&la!e) T(ere 'ere *+r*+r$ %f agree*ent" and $%*e %f t(e *+r*+rer$ began t%

ba!& 'arily a'ay.

)I#* glad y%+ a$&ed *e t(at" friend") R+&( $aid 'it( a $!%'l. )It 1+$t $% (aen$ t(at t(e

2idgard Serent e-i$t$ in li&e an%t(er $a!e fr%* %+r$" an%t(er di*en$i%n. N%r*ally" t(eref%re"(e#$ ini$ible" b+t dragged int% %+r '%rld // a$ T(%r (%%&ed (i* %n!e // (e $(%'$ !lear a$ lig(tning"

'(i!( al$% i$it$ +$ fr%* $%*e'(ere el$e" '(ere it *ig(t l%%& 0+ite different. And nat+rally (e

*ig(t t+rn na$ty if (e &ne' t(at a bit %f (i$ t+**y $la!& 'a$ %n ie' daily and S+nday$ in 2%**y

F%rt+na#$ 2idnig(t Carnial. B+t (e d%n#t &n%'. He#$ g%t %t(er t(ing$ t% t(in& ab%+t t(an '(at

be!%*e$ %f (i$ belly b+tt%n" and 'e ta&e %+r !(an!e$ // a$ d% y%+ all // %n (i$ !%ntin+ed


10/91

tran0+illity.) He r%lled and $tret!(ed t(e la$t '%rd li&e d%+g(" and (i$ (earer$ la+g(ed !aref+lly.

)Sell$ %f $ee*ing") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )S(e !ann%t *a&e t(ing$.)

)N%r tr+ly !(ange t(e*") added t(e *agi!ian. )Her $(abby $&ill lie$ in di$g+i$e. And eent(at &na!& '%+ld be bey%nd (er" if it 'eren#t f%r t(e eagerne$$ %f t(%$e g+ll$" t(%$e *ar&$" t% beliee

'(ateer !%*e$ ea$ie$t. S(e !an#t t+rn !rea* int% b+tter" b+t $(e !an gie a li%n t(e $e*blan!e %f a

*anti!%re t% eye$ t(at 'ant t% $ee a *anti!%re t(ere // eye$ t(at '%+ld ta&e a real *anti!%re f%r a

li%n" a drag%n f%r a li8ard" and t(e 2idgard Serent f%r an eart(0+a&e. And a +ni!%rn f%r a '(ite*are.)

T(e +ni!%rn (alted in (er $l%'" de$erate r%+nd %f t(e !age" reali8ing f%r t(e fir$t ti*e t(at

t(e *agi!ian +nder$t%%d (er $ee!(. He $*iled" and $(e $a' t(at (i$ fa!e 'a$ frig(teningly y%+ngf%r a gr%'n *an // +ntraeled by ti*e" +ni$ited by grief %r 'i$d%*. )I &n%' y%+") (e $aid.

T(e bar$ '(i$ered 'i!&edly bet'een t(e*. R+&( 'a$ leading t(e !r%'d t% t(e inner !age$

n%'. T(e +ni!%rn a$&ed t(e tall *an" )(% are y%+)

)I a* !alled S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian") (e an$'ered. )?%+ '%n#t (ae (eard %f *e.)

T(e +ni!%rn !a*e ery near t% e-laining t(at it 'a$ (ardly f%r (er t% (ae (eard %f %ne

'i8ard %r an%t(er" b+t $%*et(ing $ad and aliant in (i$ %i!e &et (er fr%* it. T(e *agi!ian $aid" )Ientertain t(e $ig(t$eer$ a$ t(ey gat(er f%r t(e $(%'. 2iniat+re *agi!" $leig(t %f (and // fl%'er$ t%

flag$ and flag$ t% fi$(" all a!!%*anied by er$+a$ie atter and a $+gge$ti%n t(at I !%+ld '%r& *%re%*in%+$ '%nder$ if I !(%$e. It#$ n%t *+!( %f a 1%b" b+t I#e (ad '%r$e" and I#ll (ae better %ne day.

T(i$ i$ n%t t(e end.)

B+t t(e $%+nd %f (i$ %i!e *ade t(e +ni!%rn feel a$ t(%+g( $(e 'ere traed f%reer" and

%n!e *%re $(e began a!ing (er !age" *%ing t% &ee (er (eart fr%* b+r$ting 'it( t(e terr%r %f

being !l%$ed in. R+&( 'a$ $tanding bef%re a !age t(at !%ntained n%t(ing b+t a $*all br%'n $ider'eaing a *%de$t 'eb a!r%$$ t(e bar$. )Ara!(ne %f Lydia") (e t%ld t(e !r%'d. )5+aranteed t(e

greate$t 'eaer in t(e '%rld // (er fate#$ t(e r%%f %f it. S(e (ad t(e bad l+!& t% defeat t(e g%dde$$

At(ena in a 'eaing !%nte$t. At(ena 'a$ a $%re l%$er" and Ara!(ne i$ n%' a $ider" !reating %nly

f%r 2%**y F%rt+na#$ 2idnig(t Carnial" by $e!ial arrange*ent. ar %f $n%' and '%%f %f fla*e"

and neer any t'% t(e $a*e. Ara!(ne.)

Str+ng %n t(e l%%* %f ir%n bar$" t(e 'eb 'a$ ery $i*le and al*%$t !%l%rle$$" e-!et f%r an%!!a$i%nal rainb%' $(ier '(en t(e $ider $!+ttled %+t %n it t% +t a t(read rig(t. B+t it dre' t(e

%nl%%&er$# eye$ // and t(e +ni!%rn#$ eye$ a$ 'ell // ba!& and f%rt( and $teadily deeer" +ntil t(ey

$ee*ed t% be l%%&ing d%'n int% great rift$ in t(e '%rld" bla!& fi$$+re$ t(at 'idened re*%r$ele$$ly

and yet '%+ld n%t fall int% ie!e$ a$ l%ng a$ Ara!(ne#$ 'eb (eld t(e '%rld t%get(er. T(e +ni!%rn

$(%%& (er$elf free 'it( a $ig(" and $a' t(e real 'eb again. It 'a$ ery $i*le" and al*%$t !%l%rle$$.

)It i$n#t li&e t(e %t(er$") $(e $aid.)N%") S!(*endri!& agreed gr+dgingly. )B+t t(ere#$ n% !redit d+e t% 2%**y F%rt+na f%r

t(at. ?%+ $ee" t(e $ider beliee$. S(e $ee$ t(%$e !at#$/!radle$ (er$elf and t(in&$ t(e* (er %'n

'%r&. Belief *a&e$ all t(e differen!e t% *agi! li&e 2%**y F%rt+na#$. (y" if t(at tr%% %f 'itling$

'it(dre' t(eir '%nder" t(ere#d be n%t(ing left %f all (er 'it!(ery b+t t(e $%+nd %f a $ider 'eeing.

And n% %ne '%+ld (ear it.)T(e +ni!%rn did n%t 'ant t% l%%& int% t(e 'eb again. S(e glan!ed at t(e !age !l%$e$t t% (er

%'n" and $+ddenly felt t(e breat( in (er b%dy t+rning t% !%ld ir%n. T(ere $at %n an %a&en er!( a!reat+re 'it( t(e b%dy %f a great br%n8e bird and a (ag#$ fa!e" !len!(ed and deadly a$ t(e tal%n$ 'it(

'(i!( $(e gried t(e '%%d. S(e (ad t(e $(aggy r%+nd ear$ %f a bearD b+t d%'n (er $!aly $(%+lder$"

*ingling 'it( t(e brig(t &nie$ %f (er l+*age" t(ere fell (air t(e !%l%r %f *%%nlig(t" t(i!& and

y%+t(f+l ar%+nd t(e (ating (+*an fa!e. S(e glittered" b+t t% l%%& at (er 'a$ t% feel t(e lig(t g%ing

%+t %f t(e $&y. Cat!(ing $ig(t %f t(e +ni!%rn" $(e *ade a 0+eer $%+nd li&e a (i$$ and a !(+!&le

t%get(er.T(e +ni!%rn $aid 0+ietly" )T(i$ %ne i$ real. T(i$ i$ t(e (ary Celaen%.)

S!(*endri!$ fa!e (ad g%ne t(e !%l%r %f %at*eal. )T(e %ld '%*an !a+g(t (er by !(an!e")

(e '(i$ered" )a$lee" a$ $(e t%%& y%+. B+t it 'a$ an ill f%rt+ne" and t(ey b%t( &n%' it. 2%**y

F%rt+na#$ !raft i$ 1+$t $+re en%+g( t% (%ld t(e *%n$ter" b+t it$ *ere re$en!e i$ 'earing all (er $ell$

$% t(in t(at in a little ti*e $(e '%n#t (ae %'er en%+g( left t% fry an egg. S(e $(%+ld neer (ae


11/91

d%ne it" neer *eddled 'it( a real (ary" a real +ni!%rn. T(e tr+t( *elt$ (er *agi!" al'ay$" b+t $(e

!ann%t &ee fr%* trying t% *a&e it $ere (er. B+t t(i$ ti*e //)

)Si$ter %f t(e rainb%'" beliee it %r n%t") t(ey (eard R+&( braying t% t(e a'ed %nl%%&er$.)Her na*e *ean$ #t(e ar& One"# t(e %ne '(%$e 'ing$ bla!&en t(e $&y bef%re a $t%r*. S(e and (er

t'% $'eet $i$ter$ nearly $tared t(e &ing P(ine+$ t% deat( by $nat!(ing and bef%+ling (i$ f%%d

bef%re (e !%+ld eat it. B+t t(e $%n$ %f t(e N%rt( ind *ade t(e* 0+it t(at" didn#t t(ey" *y bea+ty)

T(e (ary *ade n% $%+nd" and R+&( grinned li&e a !age (i*$elf.)S(e +t + a fier!er fig(t t(an all t(e %t(er$ +t t%get(er") (e 'ent %n. )It 'a$ li&e trying t%

bind all (ell 'it( a (air" b+t 2%**y F%rt+na#$ %'er$ are great en%+g( een f%r t(at. Creat+re$ %f

nig(t" br%+g(t t% lig(t. P%lly 'ant a !ra!&er) Fe' in t(e !r%'d la+g(ed. T(e (ary#$ tal%n$tig(tened %n (er er!( +ntil t(e '%%d !ried %+t.

)?%+#ll need t% be free '(en $(e free$ (er$elf") t(e *agi!ian $aid. )S(e *+$tn#t !at!( y%+

!aged.)

)I dare n%t t%+!( t(e ir%n") t(e +ni!%rn relied. )2y (%rn !%+ld %en t(e l%!&" b+t I !ann%t

rea!( it. I !ann%t get %+t.) S(e 'a$ tre*bling 'it( (%rr%r %f t(e (ary" b+t (er %i!e 'a$ 0+ite !al*.

S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian dre' (i*$elf + $eeral in!(e$ taller t(an t(e +ni!%rn '%+ld(ae t(%+g(t %$$ible. )Fear n%t(ing") (e began grandly. )F%r all *y air %f *y$tery" I (ae a feeling

(eart.) B+t (e 'a$ interr+ted by t(e ar%a!( %f R+&( and (i$ f%ll%'er$" gr%'n 0+ieter t(an t(egr+bby gang '(% (ad giggled at t(e *anti!%re. T(e *agi!ian fled" !alling ba!& $%ftly" )%n#t be

afraid" S!(*endri!& i$ 'it( y%+. % n%t(ing till y%+ (ear fr%* *eG) Hi$ %i!e drifted t% t(e

+ni!%rn" $% faint and l%nely t(at $(e 'a$ n%t $+re '(et(er $(e a!t+ally (eard it %r %nly felt it br+$(

again$t (er.

It 'a$ gr%'ing dar&. T(e !r%'d $t%%d in fr%nt %f (er !age" eering in at (er 'it( a $trange$(yne$$. R+&( $aid" )T(e +ni!%rn") and $teed a$ide.

S(e (eard (eart$ b%+n!e" tear$ bre'ing" and breat( g%ing ba!&'ard" b+t n%b%dy $aid a '%rd.

By t(e $%rr%' and l%$$ and $'eetne$$ in t(eir fa!e$ $(e &ne' t(at t(ey re!%gni8ed (er" and $(e

a!!eted t(eir (+nger a$ (er (%*age. S(e t(%+g(t %f t(e (+nter#$ great/grand*%t(er" and '%ndered

'(at it *+$t be li&e t% gr%' %ld" and t% !ry.

)2%$t $(%'$") $aid R+&( after a ti*e" )'%+ld end (ere" f%r '(at !%+ld t(ey %$$ibly re$entafter a gen+ine +ni!%rn B+t 2%**y F%rt+na#$ 2idnig(t Carnial (%ld$ %ne *%re *y$tery yet // a

de*%n *%re de$tr+!tie t(an t(e drag%n" *%re *%n$tr%+$ t(an t(e *anti!%re" *%re (ide%+$ t(an t(e

(ary" and !ertainly *%re +nier$al t(an t(e +ni!%rn.) He 'aed (i$ (and t%'ard t(e la$t 'ag%n and

t(e bla!& (anging$ began t% 'riggle %en" t(%+g( t(ere 'a$ n% %ne +lling t(e*. )Be(%ld (erG)

R+&( !ried. )Be(%ld t(e la$t" t(e ,ery EndG Be(%ld ElliG)

In$ide t(e !age" it 'a$ dar&er t(an t(e eening" and !%ld $tirred be(ind t(e bar$ li&e a liet(ing. S%*et(ing *%ed in t(e !%ld" and t(e +ni!%rn $a' Elli // an %ld" b%ny" ragged '%*an '(%

!r%+!(ed in t(e !age r%!&ing and 'ar*ing (er$elf bef%re a fire t(at 'a$ n%t t(ere. S(e l%%&ed $%

frail t(at t(e 'eig(t %f t(e dar&ne$$ $(%+ld (ae !r+$(ed (er" and $% (elle$$ and al%ne t(at t(e

'at!(er$ $(%+ld (ae r+$(ed f%r'ard in ity t% free (er. In$tead" t(ey began t% ba!& $ilently a'ay"

f%r all t(e '%rld a$ t(%+g( Elli 'ere $tal&ing t(e*. B+t $(e 'a$ n%t een l%%&ing at t(e*. S(e $at int(e dar& and !rea&ed a $%ng t% (er$elf in a %i!e t(at $%+nded li&e a $a' g%ing t(r%+g( a tree" and

li&e a tree getting ready t% fall.

)(at i$ l+!&ed 'ill gr%' again"

(at i$ $lain lie$ %n"

(at i$ $t%len 'ill re*ain //

(at i$ g%ne i$ g%ne.)

)S(e d%e$n#t l%%& li&e *+!(" d%e$ $(e) R+&( a$&ed. )B+t n% (er% !an $tand bef%re (er" n%

g%d !an 're$tle (er d%'n" n% *agi! !an &ee (er %+t // %r in" f%r $(e#$ n% ri$%ner %f %+r$. Een

'(ile 'e e-(ibit (er (ere" $(e i$ 'al&ing a*%ng y%+" t%+!(ing and ta&ing. F%r Elli i$ Old Age.)


12/91


13/91

a t'%enny $ell t(at (%ld$ t(e ar& One ri$%ner N% %t(er till I //)

T(e +ni!%rn relied" )% n%t b%a$t" %ld '%*an. ?%+r deat( $it$ in t(at !age and (ear$ y%+.)

)?e$") 2%**y F%rt+na $aid !al*ly. )B+t at lea$t I &n%' '(ere it i$. ?%+ 'ere %+t %n t(er%ad (+nting f%r y%+r %'n deat(.) S(e la+g(ed again. )And I &n%' '(ere t(at %ne i$" t%%. B+t I

$ared y%+ t(e finding %f it" and y%+ $(%+ld be gratef+l f%r t(at.)

F%rgetting '(ere $(e 'a$" t(e +ni!%rn re$$ed f%r'ard again$t t(e bar$. T(ey (+rt (er" b+t

$(e did n%t dra' ba!&. )T(e Red B+ll") $(e $aid. )(ere !an I find t(e Red B+ll)2%**y F%rt+na $teed ery !l%$e t% t(e !age. )T(e Red B+ll %f 6ing Haggard") $(e

*+ttered. )S% y%+ &n%' %f t(e B+lL) S(e $(%'ed t'% %f (er teet(. )ell" (e#ll n%t (ae y%+") $(e

$aid. )?%+ bel%ng t% *e.)T(e +ni!%rn $(%%& (er (ead. )?%+ &n%' better") $(e an$'ered gently. )Free t(e (ary" '(ile

t(ere i$ ti*e" and $et *e free a$ 'ell. 6ee y%+r %%r $(ad%'$" if y%+ 'ill" b+t let +$ g%.)

T(e 'it!(#$ $tagnant eye$ bla8ed + $% $aagely brig(t t(at a ragged !%*any %f l+na *%t($"

%ff t% a nig(t#$ reel" fl+ttered $traig(t int% t(e* and $i88led int% $n%'y a$(e$. )I#d 0+it $(%'

b+$ine$$ fir$t") $(e $narled. )Tr+dging t(r%+g( eternity" (a+ling *y (%*e*ade (%rr%r$ // d% y%+

t(in& _t(at_ 'a$ *y drea* '(en I 'a$ y%+ng and eil % y%+ t(in& I !(%$e t(i$ *eager *agi!"$r+ng %f $t+idity" be!a+$e I neer &ne' t(e tr+e 'it!(ery I lay tri!&$ 'it( d%g$ and *%n&ey$

be!a+$e I !ann%t t%+!( t(e gra$$" b+t I &n%' t(e differen!e. And n%' y%+ a$& *e t% gie + t(e$ig(t %f y%+" t(e re$en!e %f y%+r %'er. I t%ld R+&( I#d feed (i$ lier t% t(e (ary if I (ad t%" and $%

I '%+ld. And t% &ee y%+ I#d ta&e y%+r friend S!(*endri!&" and I#d //) S(e raged (er$elf t%

gibberi$(" and at la$t t% $ilen!e.

)Sea&ing %f lier$") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )Real *agi! !an neer be *ade by %ffering +

$%*e%ne el$e#$ lier. ?%+ *+$t tear %+t y%+r %'n" and n%t e-e!t t% get it ba!&. T(e tr+e 'it!(e$&n%' t(at.)

A fe' grain$ %f $and r+$tled d%'n 2%**y F%rt+na#$ !(ee& a$ $(e $tared at t(e +ni!%rn. All

'it!(e$ 'ee li&e t(at. S(e t+rned and 'al&ed $'iftly t%'ard (er 'ag%n" b+t $+ddenly $(e t+rned

again and grinned (er r+bbly grin. )B+t I tri!&ed y%+ t'i!e" any'ay") $(e $aid. )id y%+ really t(in&

t(at t(%$e g%ggler$ &ne' y%+ f%r y%+r$elf 'it(%+t any (el fr%* *e N%" I (ad t% gie y%+ an

a$e!t t(ey !%+ld +nder$tand" and a (%rn t(ey !%+ld $ee. T(e$e day$" it ta&e$ a !(ea !arnial 'it!(t% *a&e f%l& re!%gni8e a real +ni!%rn. ?%+#d d% *+!( better t% $tay 'it( *e and be fal$e" f%r in t(i$

'(%le '%rld %nly t(e Red B+ll 'ill &n%' y%+ '(en (e $ee$ y%+.) S(e di$aeared int% (er 'ag%n"

and t(e (ary let t(e *%%n !%*e %+t again.

III

S!(*endri!& !a*e ba!& a little bef%re da'n" $liing bet'een t(e !age$ a$ $ilently a$ 'ater.

Only t(e (ary *ade a $%+nd a$ (e 'ent by. )I !%+ldn#t get a'ay any $%%ner") (e t%ld t(e +ni!%rn.

)S(e#$ $et R+&( t% 'at!(ing *e" and (e (ardly eer $lee$. B+t I a$&ed (i* a riddle" and it al'ay$

ta&e$ (i* all nig(t t% $%le riddle$. Ne-t ti*e" I#ll tell (i* a 1%&e and &ee (i* b+$y f%r a 'ee&.)T(e +ni!%rn 'a$ gray and $till. )T(ere i$ *agi! %n *e") $(e $aid. )(y did y%+ n%t tell *e)

)I t(%+g(t y%+ &ne'") t(e *agi!ian an$'ered gently. )After all" didn#t y%+ '%nder (%' it

!%+ld be t(at t(ey re!%gni8ed y%+) T(en (e $*iled" '(i!( *ade (i* l%%& a little %lder. )N%" %f

!%+r$e n%t. ?%+ neer '%+ld '%nder ab%+t t(at.)

)T(ere (a$ neer been a $ell %n *e bef%re") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. S(e $(iered l%ng and dee.


14/91

)T(ere (a$ neer been a '%rld in '(i!( I 'a$ n%t &n%'n.)

)I &n%' e-a!tly (%' y%+ feel") S!(*endri!& $aid eagerly. T(e +ni!%rn l%%&ed at (i* %+t %f

dar&" endle$$ eye$" and (e $*iled ner%+$ly and l%%&ed at (i$ (and$. )It#$ a rare *an '(% i$ ta&enf%r '(at (e tr+ly i$") (e $aid. )T(ere i$ *+!( *i$1+dg*ent in t(e '%rld. N%' I &ne' y%+ f%r a

+ni!%rn '(en I fir$t $a' y%+" and I &n%' t(at I a* y%+r friend. ?et y%+ ta&e *e f%r a !l%'n" %r a

!l%d" %r a betrayer" and $% *+$t I be if y%+ $ee *e $%. T(e *agi! %n y%+ i$ %nly *agi! and 'ill

ani$( a$ $%%n a$ y%+ are free" b+t t(e en!(ant*ent %f err%r t(at y%+ +t %n *e I *+$t 'ear f%reerin y%+r eye$. e are n%t al'ay$ '(at 'e $ee*" and (ardly eer '(at 'e drea*. Still I (ae read" %r

(eard it $+ng" t(at +ni!%rn$ '(en ti*e 'a$ y%+ng" !%+ld tell t(e differen!e #t'i-t t(e t'% // t(e fal$e

$(ining and t(e tr+e" t(e li$# la+g( and t(e (eart#$ r+e.) Hi$ 0+iet %i!e lifted a$ t(e $&y gre'lig(ter" and f%r a *%*ent t(e +ni!%rn !%+ld n%t (ear t(e bar$ '(ining" %r t(e $%ft ringing %f t(e

(ary#$ 'ing$.

)I t(in& y%+ are *y friend") $(e $aid. )ill y%+ (el *e)

)If n%t y%+" n% %ne") t(e *agi!ian an$'ered. )?%+ are *y la$t !(an!e.)

One by %ne" t(e $ad bea$t$ %f t(e 2idnig(t Carnial !a*e '(i*ering" $nee8ing" and

$(+ddering a'a&e. One (ad been drea*ing %f r%!&$ and b+g$ and tender leae$D an%t(er %fb%+nding t(r%+g( (ig(" (%t gra$$D a t(ird %f *+d and bl%%d. And %ne (ad drea*ed %f a (and

$!rat!(ing t(e l%nely la!e be(ind it$ ear$. Only t(e (ary (ad n%t $let" and n%' $(e $at $taring int%t(e $+n 'it(%+t blin&ing. S!(*endri!& $aid" )If $(e free$ (er$elf fir$t" 'e are l%$t.)

T(ey (eard R+&(#$ %i!e nearby // t(at %i!e al'ay$ $%+nded nearby // !alling"

)S!(*endri!&G Hey" S!(*endri!&" I g%t itG It#$ a !%ffee%t" rig(t) T(e *agi!ian began t% *%e

$l%'ly a'ay. )T%nig(t") (e *+r*+red t% t(e +ni!%rn. )Tr+$t *e till da'n.) And 'a$ g%ne 'it( a

fla and a $!ra*ble" $ee*ing a$ bef%re t% leae art %f (i*$elf be(ind. R+&( l%ed by t(e !age a*%*ent later" all deadly e!%n%*y. Hidden in (er bla!& 'ag%n" 2%**y F%rt+na gr+*bled Elli#$

$%ng t% (er$elf.

)Here i$ t(ere" and (ig( i$ l%'D

All *ay be +nd%ne.(at i$ tr+e" n% t'% *en &n%' //

(at i$ g%ne i$ g%ne.)

S%%n a ne' !at!( %f $e!tat%r$ began t% !%*e $a+ntering + t% $ee t(e $(%'. R+&( !alled

t(e* in" !rying" )Creat+re$ %f nig(tG) li&e an ir%n arr%t" and S!(*endri!& $t%%d %n a b%- and didtri!&$. T(e +ni!%rn 'at!(ed (i* 'it( great intere$t and a gr%'ing +n!ertainty" n%t %f (i$ (eart b+t

%f (i$ !raft. He *ade an entire $%' %+t %f a $%'#$ earD t+rned a $er*%n int% a $t%ne" a gla$$ %f 'ater

int% a (andf+l %f 'ater" a fie %f $ade$ int% a t'ele %f $ade$" and a rabbit int% a g%ldfi$( t(at

dr%'ned. Ea!( ti*e (e !%n1+red + !%nf+$i%n" (e glan!ed 0+i!&ly at t(e +ni!%rn 'it( eye$ t(at $aid"

)O(" b+t _y%+_ &n%' '(at I really did.) On!e (e !(anged a dead r%$e int% a $eed. T(e +ni!%rn li&edt(at" een t(%+g( it did t+rn %+t t% be a radi$( $eed.

T(e $(%' began again. On!e *%re R+&( led t(e !r%'d fr%* %ne %f 2%**y F%rt+na#$ %%rfable$ t% an%t(er. T(e drag%n bla8ed" Cerber+$ (%'led f%r Hell t% !%*e and (el (i*" and t(e $atyr

te*ted '%*en +ntil t(ey 'et. T(ey $0+inted and %inted at t(e *anti!%re#$ yell%' t+$&$ and

$'%llen $tingD gre' $till at t(e t(%+g(t %f t(e 2idgard SerentD and '%ndered at Ara!(ne#$ ne'

'eb" '(i!( 'a$ li&e a fi$(er*an#$ net 'it( t(e driing *%%n in it. Ea!( %f t(e* t%%& it f%r a real

'eb" b+t %nly t(e $ider belieed t(at it (eld t(e real *%%n.

T(i$ ti*e" R+&( did n%t tell t(e $t%ry %f 6ing P(ine+$ and t(e Arg%na+t$D indeed" (e (+rried(i$ $ig(t$eer$ a$t t(e (ary#$ !age a$ 0+i!&ly a$ (e !%+ld" gabbling %nly (er na*e and t(e *eaning

%f it. T(e (ary $*iled. N%b%dy $a' (er $*ile e-!et t(e +ni!%rn" and $(e 'i$(ed t(at $(e (ad

!(an!ed t% be l%%&ing $%*e'(ere el$e at t(e ti*e.

(en t(ey $t%%d in fr%nt %f (er !age" ga8ing $ilently in at (er" t(e +ni!%rn t(%+g(t bitterly"

T(eir eye$ are $% $ad. H%' *+!( $adder '%+ld t(ey be" I '%nder" if t(e $ell t(at di$g+i$e$ *e


15/91

di$$%led and t(ey 'ere left $taring at a !%**%n '(ite *are T(e 'it!( i$ rig(t // n%t %ne '%+ld

&n%' *e. B+t t(en a $%ft %i!e" rat(er li&e t(e %i!e %f S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian" $aid in$ide (er"

B+t t(eir eye$ are $% $ad.And '(en R+&( $(rie&ed" )Be(%ld t(e ,ery EndG) and t(e bla!& (anging$ $lit(ered ba!& t%

reeal Elli" *+*bling in t(e !%ld and t(e dar&ne$$" t(e +ni!%rn felt t(e $a*e (elle$$ fear %f

gr%'ing %ld t(at $et t(e !r%'d t% flig(t" een t(%+g( $(e &ne' t(at it 'a$ %nly 2%**y F%rt+na in

t(e !age. S(e t(%+g(t" T(e 'it!( &n%'$ *%re t(an $(e &n%'$ $(e &n%'$.Nig(t !a*e 0+i!&ly" er(a$ be!a+$e t(e (ary (+rried it %n. T(e $+n $an& int% dirty !l%+d$

li&e a $t%ne int% t(e $ea" and 'it( ab%+t a$ *+!( !(an!e %f ri$ing again" and t(ere 'a$ n% *%%n" %r

any $tar$. 2%**y F%rt+na *ade (er gliding r%+nd$ %f t(e !age$. T(e (ary did n%t *%e '(en $(edre' near" and t(at *ade t(e %ld '%*an $tand and $tare at (er f%r a l%ng '(ile.

)N%t yet") $(e *+ttered at la$t" )n%t yet") b+t (er %i!e 'a$ 'eary and d%+btf+l. S(e eered

briefly at t(e +ni!%rn" (er eye$ a $tir %f yell%' in t(e grea$y gl%%*. )ell" %ne day *%re") $(e $aid

in a !a!&ling $ig(" and t+rned a'ay again.

T(ere 'a$ n% $%+nd in t(e Carnial after $(e 'a$ g%ne. All t(e bea$t$ 'ere a$lee" $ae t(e

$ider" '(% '%e" and t(e (ary" '(% 'aited. ?et t(e nig(t !rea&ed tig(ter and tig(ter" +ntil t(e+ni!%rn e-e!ted it t% $lit 'ide %en" riing a $ea* d%'n t(e $&y" t% reeal // 2%re bar$" $(e

t(%+g(t. (ere i$ t(e *agi!ianAt la$t (e !a*e (+rrying t(r%+g( t(e $ilen!e" $inning and dan!ing li&e a !at in t(e !%ld"

$t+*bling %er $(ad%'$. (en (e rea!(ed t(e +ni!%rn#$ !age" (e *ade a 1%yf+l b%' t% (er and $aid

r%+dly" )S!(*endri!& i$ 'it( y%+.) In t(e !age neare$t t% (er$" t(e +ni!%rn (eard t(e edged

$(iering %f br%n8e.

)I t(in& 'e (ae ery little ti*e") $(e $aid. )Can y%+ tr+ly $et *e free)T(e tall *an $*iled" and een (i$ ale" $%le*n finger$ gre' *erry. )I t%ld y%+ t(at t(e 'it!(

(a$ *ade t(ree great *i$ta&e$. ?%+r !at+re 'a$ t(e la$t" and t(e ta&ing %f t(e (ary t(e $e!%nd"

be!a+$e y%+ are b%t( real" and 2%**y F%rt+na !an n% *%re *a&e y%+ (er$ t(an $(e !an *a&e t(e

'inter a day l%nger. B+t t% ta&e *e f%r a *%+nteban& li&e (er$elf // t(at 'a$ (er fir$t and fatal f%lly.

F%r I t%% a* real. I a* S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian" t(e la$t %f t(e red/(%t $'a*i$" and I a* %lder

t(an I l%%&.))(ere i$ t(e %t(er) t(e +ni!%rn a$&ed.

S!(*endri!& 'a$ +$(ing ba!& (i$ $leee$. )%n#t '%rry ab%+t R+&(. I a$&ed (i* an%t(er

riddle" %ne t(at (a$ n% an$'er. He *ay neer *%e again.)

He $%&e t(ree angled '%rd$ and $naed (i$ finger$. T(e !age di$aeared. T(e +ni!%rn

f%+nd (er$elf $tanding in a gr%e %f tree$ // %range and le*%n" ear and %*egranate" al*%nd and

a!a!ia // 'it( $%ft $ring eart( +nder (er feet" and t(e $&y gr%'ing %er (er. Her (eart t+rned lig(ta$ $*%&e" and $(e gat(ered + t(e $trengt( %f (er b%dy f%r a great b%+nd int% t(e $'eet nig(t. B+t

$(e let t(e lea drift %+t %f (er" +nta&en" f%r $(e &ne'" alt(%+g( $(e !%+ld n%t $ee t(e*" t(at t(e bar$

'ere $till t(ere. S(e 'a$ t%% %ld n%t t% &n%'.

)I#* $%rry") S!(*endri!& $aid" $%*e'(ere in t(e dar&. )I '%+ld (ae li&ed it t% be t(at $ell

t(at freed y%+.)N%' (e $ang $%*et(ing !%ld and l%'" and t(e $trange tree$ ble' a'ay li&e dandeli%n d%'n.

)T(i$ i$ a $+rer $ell") (e $aid. )T(e bar$ are n%' a$ brittle a$ %ld !(ee$e" '(i!( I !r+*ble and$!atter" $%.) T(en (e ga$ed and $nat!(ed (i$ (and$ a'ay. Ea!( l%ng finger 'a$ driing bl%%d.

)I *+$t (ae g%tten t(e a!!ent 'r%ng") (e $aid (%ar$ely. He (id (i$ (and$ in (i$ !l%a& and

tried t% *a&e (i$ %i!e lig(t. )It !%*e$ and g%e$.)

A $!rat!(ing %f flinty (ra$e$ t(i$ ti*e" and S!(*endri!$ bl%%dy (and$ fli!&ering a!r%$$

t(e $&y. S%*et(ing gray and grinning" $%*et(ing li&e a bear" b+t bigger t(an a bear" $%*et(ing t(at

!(+!&led *+ddily" !a*e li*ing fr%* $%*e'(ere" eager t% !ra!& t(e !age li&e a n+t and i!& %+tbit$ %f t(e +ni!%rn#$ fle$( 'it( it$ !la'$. S!(*endri!& %rdered it ba!& int% t(e nig(t" b+t it '%+ldn#t

g%.

T(e +ni!%rn ba!&ed int% a !%rner and l%'ered (er (eadD b+t t(e (ary $tirred $%ftly in (er

!age" ringing" and t(e gray $(ae t+rned '(at *+$t (ae been it$ (ead and $a' (er. It *ade a f%ggy"

gl%bbering $%+nd %f terr%r" and 'a$ g%ne.


16/91

T(e *agi!ian !+r$ed and $(iered. He $aid" )I !alled (i* + %ne %t(er ti*e" l%ng ag%. I

!%+ldn#t (andle (i* t(en eit(er. N%' 'e %'e %+r lie$ t% t(e (ary" and $(e *ay yet !%*e t% !all

f%r t(e* bef%re t(e $+n ri$e$.) He $t%%d $ilent" t'i$ting (i$ '%+nded finger$" 'aiting f%r t(e +ni!%rnt% $ea&. )I#ll try %n!e *%re") (e $aid finally. )S(all I try %n!e *%re)

T(e +ni!%rn t(%+g(t t(at $(e !%+ld $till $ee t(e nig(t b%iling '(ere t(e gray t(ing (ad been.

)?e$") $(e $aid.

S!(*endri!& t%%& a dee breat(" $at t(ree ti*e$" and $%&e '%rd$ t(at $%+nded li&e bell$ringing +nder t(e $ea. He $!attered a (andf+l %f %'der %er t(e $ittle" and $*iled tri+*(antly a$

it +ffed + in a $ingle $ilent fla$( %f green. (en t(e lig(t (ad faded" (e $aid t(ree *%re '%rd$.

T(ey 'ere li&e t(e n%i$e bee$ *ig(t *a&e b+88ing %n t(e *%%n.T(e !age began t% gr%' $*aller. T(e +ni!%rn !%+ld n%t $ee t(e bar$ *%ing" b+t ea!( ti*e

S!(*endri!& $aid" )A(" _n%G_) $(e (ad le$$ r%%* in '(i!( t% $tand. Already $(e !%+ld n%t t+rn

ar%+nd. T(e bar$ 'ere dra'ing in" itile$$ a$ t(e tide %r t(e *%rning" and t(ey '%+ld $(ear t(r%+g(

(er +ntil t(ey $+rr%+nded (er (eart" '(i!( t(ey '%+ld &ee a ri$%ner f%reer. S(e (ad n%t !ried %+t

'(en t(e !reat+re S!(*endri!& (ad $+**%ned !a*e" grinning" t%'ard (er" b+t n%' $(e *ade a

$%+nd. It 'a$ $*all and de$airing" b+t n%t yet yielding.S!(*endri!& $t%ed t(e bar$" t(%+g( $(e neer &ne' (%'. If (e $%&e any *agi!" $(e (ad

n%t (eard itD b+t t(e !age $t%ed $(rin&ing a breat( bef%re t(e bar$ t%+!(ed (er b%dy. S(e !%+ldfeel t(e* all t(e $a*e" ea!( %ne li&e a little !%ld 'ind" *ia%'ing 'it( (+nger. B+t t(ey !%+ld n%t

rea!( (er.

T(e *agi!ian#$ ar*$ fell t% (i$ $ide$. )I dare n% *%re") (e $aid (eaily. )T(e ne-t ti*e" I

*ig(t n%t be able . . .) Hi$ %i!e trailed *i$erably a'ay" and (i$ eye$ 'ere a$ defeated a$ (i$ (and$.

)T(e 'it!( *ade n% *i$ta&e in *e") (e $aid.)Try again") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )?%+ are *y friend. Try again.)

B+t S!(*endri!&" $*iling bitterly" 'a$ f+*bling t(r%+g( (i$ %!&et$ in $ear!( %f $%*et(ing

t(at !li!&ed and !lin&ed. )I &ne' it '%+ld !%*e t% t(i$") (e *+ttered. )I drea*ed it differently" b+t I

&ne'.) He br%+g(t %+t a ring fr%* '(i!( dangled $eeral r+$ty &ey$. )?%+ de$ere t(e $eri!e$ %f a

great 'i8ard") (e $aid t% t(e +ni!%rn" )b+t I#* afraid y%+#ll (ae t% be glad %f t(e aid %f a $e!%nd/rate

i!&%!&et. Uni!%rn$ &n%' n%+g(t %f need" %r $(a*e" %r d%+bt" %r debt // b+t *%rtal$" a$ y%+ *ay(ae n%ti!ed" ta&e '(at t(ey !an get. And R+&( !an %nly !%n!entrate %n %ne t(ing at a ti*e.)

T(e +ni!%rn 'a$ $+ddenly a'are t(at eery ani*al in t(e 2idnig(t Carnial 'a$ a'a&e"

*a&ing n% $%+nd" b+t 'at!(ing (er. In t(e ne-t !age" t(e (ary began t% $ta* $l%'ly fr%* %ne f%%t

t% t(e %t(er. )H+rry") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )H+rry.)

S!(*endri!& 'a$ already fitting a &ey int% t(e $ni!&ering l%!&. At (i$ fir$t atte*t" '(i!(

failed" t(e l%!& fell $ilent" b+t '(en (e tried an%t(er &ey it !ried %+t l%+dly" )H%/(%" $%*e *agi!ianGS%*e *agi!ianG) It (ad 2%**y F%rt+na#$ %i!e.

)A(" t+rn bl+e") t(e *agi!ian *+*bled" b+t t(e +ni!%rn !%+ld feel (i* bl+$(ing. He t'i$ted

t(e &ey" and t(e l%!& $naed %en 'it( %ne la$t gr+nt %f !%nte*t. S!(*endri!& $'+ng t(e !age

d%%r 'ide and $aid $%ftly" )Ste d%'n" lady. ?%+ are free.)

T(e +ni!%rn $teed lig(tly t% t(e gr%+nd" and S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian dre' ba!& in$+dden '%nder. )O(") (e '(i$ered. )It 'a$ different '(en t(ere 'ere bar$ bet'een +$. ?%+ l%%&ed

$*aller" and n%t a$ // %(. O( *y.)S(e 'a$ (%*e in (er f%re$t" '(i!( 'a$ bla!& and 'et and r+ined be!a+$e $(e (ad been g%ne

$% l%ng. S%*e%ne 'a$ !alling t% (er fr%* a l%ng 'ay %ff b+t $(e 'a$ (%*e" 'ar*ing t(e tree$ and

'a&ing t(e gra$$.

T(en $(e (eard R+&(#$ %i!e" li&e a b%at b%tt%* gritting %n ebble$. )O&ay" S!(*endri!&" I

gie +. (y _i$_ a raen li&e a 'riting de$&) T(e +ni!%rn *%ed a'ay int% deee$t $(ad%'" and

R+&( $a' %nly t(e *agi!ian and t(e e*ty" d'indled !age. Hi$ (and 1+*ed t% (i$ %!&et and!a*e a'ay again. )(y" y%+ t(in t(ief") (e $aid" grinning ir%n. )S(e#ll $tring y%+ %n barbed 'ire t%

*a&e a ne!&la!e f%r t(e (ary.) He t+rned t(en and (eaded $traig(t f%r 2%**y F%rt+na#$ 'ag%n.

)R+n") t(e *agi!ian $aid. He *ade a franti!" f%%li$(" flying lea and landed %n R+&(#$ ba!&"

(+gging t(e dar& *an d+*b and blind 'it( (i$ l%ng ar*$. T(ey fell t%get(er" and S!(*endri!&

$!ra*bled + fir$t" (i$ &nee$ nailing R+&(#$ $(%+lder$ t% t(e eart(. )Barbed 'ire") (e ga$ed. )?%+


17/91

ile %f $t%ne$" y%+ 'a$te" y%+ de$%lati%n" I#ll $t+ff y%+ 'it( *i$ery till it !%*e$ %+t %f y%+r eye$. I#ll

!(ange y%+r (eart int% green gra$$" and all y%+ l%e int% a $(ee. I#ll t+rn y%+ int% a bad %et 'it(

drea*$. I#ll $et all y%+r t%enail$ gr%'ing in'ard. ?%+ *e$$ 'it( *e.)R+&( $(%%& (i$ (ead and $at +" (+rling S!(*endri!& ten feet a'ay. )(at are y%+ tal&ing

ab%+t) He !(+!&led. )?%+ !an#t t+rn !rea* int% b+tter.) T(e *agi!ian 'a$ getting t% (i$ feet" b+t

R+&( +$(ed (i* ba!& d%'n and $at %n (i*. )I neer did li&e y%+") (e $aid lea$antly. )?%+ gie

y%+r$elf air$" and y%+#re n%t ery $tr%ng.) Heay a$ nig(t" (i$ (and$ !l%$ed %n t(e *agi!ian#$ t(r%at.T(e +ni!%rn did n%t $ee. S(e 'a$ %+t at t(e fart(e$t !age" '(ere t(e *anti!%re gr%'led and

'(i*ered and lay flat. S(e t%+!(ed t(e %int %f (er (%rn t% t(e l%!&" and 'a$ g%ne t% t(e drag%n#$

!age 'it(%+t l%%&ing ba!&. One after an%t(er" $(e $et t(e* all free // t(e $atyr" Cerber+$" t(e2idgard Serent. T(eir en!(ant*ent$ ani$(ed a$ t(ey felt t(eir freed%*" and t(ey leaed and

l+*bered and $lit(ered a'ay int% t(e nig(t" %n!e *%re a li%n" an ae" a $na&e" a !r%!%dile" a 1%y%+$

d%g. N%ne %f t(e* t(an&ed t(e +ni!%rn" and $(e did n%t 'at!( t(e* g%.

Only t(e $ider aid n% *ind '(en t(e +ni!%rn !alled $%ftly t% (er t(r%+g( t(e %en d%%r.

Ara!(ne 'a$ b+$y 'it( a 'eb '(i!( l%%&ed t% (er a$ t(%+g( t(e 2il&y ay (ad beg+n t% fall li&e

$n%'. T(e +ni!%rn '(i$ered" )eaer" freed%* i$ better" freed%* i$ better") b+t t(e $ider fled+n(earing + and d%'n (er ir%n l%%*. S(e neer $t%ed f%r a *%*ent" een '(en t(e +ni!%rn

!ried" )It#$ really ery attra!tie" Ara!(ne" b+t it#$ n%t art.) T(e ne' 'eb drifted d%'n t(e bar$ li&e$n%'.

T(en t(e 'ind began. T(e $ider'eb ble' a!r%$$ t(e +ni!%rn#$ eye$ and di$aeared. T(e

(ary (ad beg+n t% beat (er 'ing$" !alling (er %'er in" a$ a !r%+!(ing 'ae dra'$ $and and 'ater

r%aring d%'n t(e bea!(. A bl%%d$(%t *%%n b+r$t %+t %f t(e !l%+d$" and t(e +ni!%rn $a' (er //

$'%llen g%ld" (er $trea*ing (air &indling" t(e !%ld" $l%' 'ing$ $(a&ing t(e !age. T(e (ary 'a$la+g(ing.

In t(e $(ad%' %f t(e +ni!%rn#$ !age" R+&( and S!(*endri!& 'ere %n t(eir &nee$. T(e

*agi!ian 'a$ !l+t!(ing t(e (eay ring %f &ey$" and R+&( 'a$ r+bbing (i$ (ead and blin&ing. T(eir

fa!e$ 'ere blind 'it( terr%r a$ t(ey $tared at t(e ri$ing (ary" and t(ey leaned t%get(er in t(e 'ind.

It ble' t(e* again$t %ne an%t(er" and t(eir b%ne$ rang.

T(e +ni!%rn began t% 'al& t%'ard t(e (ary#$ !age. S!(*endri!& t(e 2agi!ian" tiny andale" &et %ening and !l%$ing (i$ *%+t( at (er" and $(e &ne' '(at (e 'a$ $(rie&ing" t(%+g( $(e

!%+ld n%t (ear (i*. )S(e 'ill &ill y%+" $(e 'ill &ill y%+G R+n" y%+ f%%l" '(ile $(e#$ $till a ri$%nerG

S(e 'ill &ill y%+ if y%+ $et (er freeG) B+t t(e +ni!%rn 'al&ed %n" f%ll%'ing t(e lig(t %f (er (%rn"

+ntil $(e $t%%d bef%re Celaen%" t(e ar& One.

F%r an in$tant t(e i!y 'ing$ (+ng $ilent in t(e air" li&e !l%+d$" and t(e (ary#$ %ld yell%'

eye$ $an& int% t(e +ni!%rn#$ (eart and dre' (er !l%$e. )I 'ill &ill y%+ if y%+ $et *e free") t(e eye$$aid. )Set *e free.)

T(e +ni!%rn l%'ered (er (ead +ntil (er (%rn t%+!(ed t(e l%!& %f t(e (ary#$ !age. T(e d%%r

did n%t $'ing %en" and t(e ir%n bar$ did n%t t(a' int% $tarlig(t. B+t t(e (ary lifted (er 'ing$" and

t(e f%+r $ide$ %f t(e !age fell $l%'ly a'ay and d%'n" li&e t(e etal$ %f $%*e great fl%'er 'a&ing at

nig(t. And %+t %f t(e 're!&age t(e (ary bl%%*ed" terrible and free" $!rea*ing" (er (air $'ingingli&e a $'%rd. T(e *%%n 'it(ered and fled.

T(e +ni!%rn (eard (er$elf !ry %+t" n%t in terr%r b+t in '%nder" )O(" y%+ are li&e *eG) S(ereared 1%y%+$ly t% *eet t(e (ary#$ $t%%" and (er (%rn leaed + int% t(e 'i!&ed 'ind. T(e (ary

$tr+!& %n!e" *i$$ed" and $'+ng a'ay" (er 'ing$ !langing and (er breat( 'ar* and $tin&ing. S(e

b+rned %er(ead" and t(e +ni!%rn $a' (er$elf refle!ted %n t(e (ary#$ br%n8e brea$t and felt t(e

*%n$ter $(ining fr%* (er %'n b%dy. S% t(ey !ir!led %ne an%t(er li&e a d%+ble $tar" and +nder t(e

$(r+n&en $&y t(ere 'a$ n%t(ing real b+t t(e t'% %f t(e*. T(e (ary la+g(ed 'it( delig(t" and (er

eye$ t+rned t(e !%l%r %f (%ney. T(e +ni!%rn &ne' t(at $(e 'a$ g%ing t% $tri&e again.T(e (ary f%lded (er 'ing$ and fell li&e a $tar // n%t at t(e +ni!%rn" b+t bey%nd (er" a$$ing

$% !l%$e t(at a $ingle feat(er dre' bl%%d fr%* t(e +ni!%rn#$ $(%+lderD brig(t !la'$ rea!(ing f%r t(e

(eart %f 2%**y F%rt+na" '(% 'a$ $tret!(ing %+t (er %'n $(ar (and$ a$ t(%+g( t% 'el!%*e t(e

(ary (%*e. )N%t al%neG) t(e 'it!( (%'led tri+*(antly at b%t( %f t(e*. )?%+ neer !%+ld (ae

freed y%+r$ele$ al%neG I (eld y%+G) T(en t(e (ary rea!(ed (er" and $(e br%&e li&e a dead $ti!& and


18/91

fell. T(e (ary !r%+!(ed %n (er b%dy" (iding it fr%* $ig(t" and t(e br%n8e 'ing$ t+rned red.

T(e +ni!%rn t+rned a'ay. Cl%$e by" $(e (eard a !(ild#$ %i!e telling (er t(at $(e *+$t r+n"

$(e *+$t r+n. It 'a$ t(e *agi!ian. Hi$ eye$ 'ere (+ge and e*ty" and (i$ fa!e // al'ay$ t%% y%+ng// 'a$ !%lla$ing int% !(ild(%%d a$ t(e +ni!%rn l%%&ed at (i*. )N%") $(e $aid. )C%*e 'it( *e.)

T(e (ary *ade a t(i!&" (ay $%+nd t(at *elted t(e *agi!ian#$ &nee$. B+t t(e +ni!%rn $aid

again" )C%*e 'it( *e") and t%get(er t(ey 'al&ed a'ay fr%* t(e 2idnig(t Carnial. T(e *%%n 'a$

g%ne" b+t t% t(e *agi!ian#$ eye$ t(e +ni!%rn 'a$ t(e *%%n" !%ld and '(ite and ery %ld" lig(ting (i$'ay t% $afety" %r t% *adne$$. He f%ll%'ed (er" neer %n!e l%%&ing ba!&" een '(en (e (eard t(e

de$erate $!ra*bling and $&idding %f (eay feet" t(e b%%* %f br%n8e 'ing$" and R+&(#$ interr+ted

$!rea*.)He ran") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )?%+ *+$t neer r+n fr%* anyt(ing i**%rtal. It attra!t$ t(eir

attenti%n.) Her %i!e 'a$ gentle" and 'it(%+t ity. )Neer r+n") $(e $aid. )al& $l%'ly" and retend

t% be t(in&ing %f $%*et(ing el$e. Sing a $%ng" $ay a %e*" d% y%+r tri!&$" b+t 'al& $l%'ly and $(e

*ay n%t f%ll%'. al& ery $l%'ly" *agi!ian.)

S% t(ey fled a!r%$$ t(e nig(t t%get(er" $te by $te" t(e tall *an in bla!& and t(e (%rned

'(ite bea$t. T(e *agi!ian !ret a$ !l%$e t% t(e +ni!%rn#$ lig(t a$ (e dared" f%r bey%nd it *%ed(+ngry $(ad%'$" t(e $(ad%'$ %f t(e $%+nd$ t(at t(e (ary *ade a$ $(e de$tr%yed t(e little t(ere 'a$

t% de$tr%y %f t(e 2idnig(t Carnial. B+t an%t(er $%+nd f%ll%'ed t(e* l%ng after t(e$e (ad faded"f%ll%'ed t(e* int% *%rning %n a $trange r%ad // t(e tiny" dry $%+nd %f a $ider 'eeing.

I,

Li&e a ne'b%rn !(ild" t(e *agi!ian 'et f%r a l%ng ti*e bef%re (e !%+ld $ea&. )T(e %%r

%ld '%*an") (e '(i$ered at la$t. T(e +ni!%rn $aid n%t(ing" and S!(*endri!& rai$ed (i$ (ead and

$tared at (er in a $trange 'ay. A gray *%rning rain 'a$ beginning t% fall" and $(e $(%ne t(r%+g( it

li&e a d%l(in. )N%") $(e $aid" an$'ering (i$ eye$. )I !an neer regret.)He 'a$ $ilent" !r%+!(ed by t(e r%ad in t(e rain" dra'ing (i$ $%a&ed !l%a& !l%$e ar%+nd (i$

b%dy +ntil (e l%%&ed li&e a br%&en bla!& +*brella. T(e +ni!%rn 'aited" feeling t(e day$ %f (er life

falling ar%+nd (er 'it( t(e rain. )I !an $%rr%'") $(e %ffered gently" )b+t it#$ n%t t(e $a*e t(ing.)

(en S!(*endri!& l%%&ed at (er again (e (ad *anaged t% +ll (i$ fa!e t%get(er" b+t it 'a$

$till $tr+ggling t% e$!ae fr%* (i*. )(ere 'ill y%+ g% n%') (e a$&ed. )(ere 'ere y%+ g%ing'(en $(e t%%& y%+)

)I 'a$ l%%&ing f%r *y e%le") t(e +ni!%rn $aid. )Hae y%+ $een t(e*" *agi!ian T(ey are'ild and $ea/'(ite" li&e *e.)

S!(*endri!& $(%%& (i$ (ead graely. )I (ae neer $een any%ne li&e y%+" n%t '(ile I 'a$

a'a&e. T(ere 'ere $+%$ed t% be a fe' +ni!%rn$ left '(en I 'a$ a b%y" b+t I &ne' %nly %ne *an

'(% (ad eer $een %ne. T(ey are $+rely g%ne" lady" all b+t y%+. (en y%+ 'al&" y%+ *a&e an e!(%

'(ere t(ey +$ed t% be.)

)N%") $(e $aid" )f%r %t(er$ (ae $een t(e*.) It gladdened (er t% (ear t(at t(ere (ad $till been+ni!%rn$ a$ re!ently a$ t(e *agi!ian#$ !(ild(%%d. S(e $aid" )A b+tterfly t%ld *e %f t(e Red B+ll" and

t(e 'it!( $%&e %f 6ing Haggard. S% I a* g%ing '(ereer t(ey are t% learn '(ateer t(ey &n%'.

Can y%+ tell *e '(ere Haggard i$ &ing)

T(e *agi!ian#$ fa!e al*%$t g%t a'ay" b+t (e !a+g(t it and began t% $*ile ery $l%'ly" a$

t(%+g( (i$ *%+t( (ad t+rned t% ir%n. He bent it int% t(e r%er $(ae in ti*e" b+t it 'a$ an ir%n


19/91

$*ile. )I !an tell y%+ a %e*") (e $aid.

)(ere all t(e (ill$ are lean a$ &nie$"

And n%t(ing gr%'$" n%t leae$ n%r lie$D

(ere (eart$ are $%+r a$ b%iled beer //

Haggard i$ t(e r+ler (ere.)

)I 'ill &n%' '(en I get t(ere" t(en") $(e $aid" t(in&ing t(at (e 'a$ *%!&ing (er. )% y%+&n%' any %e*$ ab%+t t(e Red B+ll)

)T(ere are n%ne") S!(*endri!& an$'ered. He r%$e t% (i$ feet" ale and $*iling. )Ab%+t 6ing

Haggard I &n%' %nly '(at I (ae (eard") (e $aid. )He i$ an %ld *an" $tingy a$ late N%e*ber" '(%

r+le$ %er a barren !%+ntry by t(e $ea. S%*e $ay t(at t(e land 'a$ green and $%ft %n!e" bef%re

Haggard !a*e" b+t (e t%+!(ed it and it 'it(ered. T(ere i$ a $aying a*%ng far*er$" '(en t(ey l%%&

%n a field l%$t t% fire %r l%!+$t$ %r t(e 'ind: #A$ blig(ted a$ Haggard#$ (eart.# T(ey $ay al$% t(at t(ereare n% lig(t$ in (i$ !a$tle" and n% fire$" and t(at (e $end$ (i$ *en %+t t% $teal !(i!&en$" and

bed$(eet$" and ie$ fr%* 'ind%'$ill$. T(e $t%ry (a$ it t(at t(e la$t ti*e 6ing Haggard la+g(ed //)T(e +ni!%rn $ta*ed (er f%%t. S!(*endri!& $aid" )A$ f%r t(e Red B+ll" I &n%' le$$ t(an I

(ae (eard" f%r I (ae (eard t%% *any tale$ and ea!( arg+e$ 'it( an%t(er. T(e B+ll i$ real" t(e B+ll

i$ a g(%$t" t(e B+ll i$ Haggard (i*$elf '(en t(e $+n g%e$ d%'n. T(e B+ll 'a$ in t(e land bef%re

Haggard" %r it !a*e 'it( (i*" %r it !a*e t% (i*. It r%te!t$ (i* fr%* raid$ and re%l+ti%n$" and

$ae$ (i* t(e e-en$e %f ar*ing (i$ *en. It &ee$ (i* a ri$%ner in (i$ %'n !a$tle. It i$ t(e deil" t%'(%* Haggard (a$ $%ld (i$ $%+l. It i$ t(e t(ing (e $%ld (i$ $%+l t% %$$e$$. T(e B+ll bel%ng$ t%

Haggard. Haggard bel%ng$ t% t(e B+ll.)

T(e +ni!%rn felt a $(ier %f $+rene$$ $reading t(%+g( (er" 'idening fr%* t(e !enter" li&e a

rile. In (er *ind t(e b+tterfly ied again" )T(ey a$$ed d%'n all t(e r%ad$ l%ng ag%" and t(e Red

B+ll ran !l%$e be(ind t(e* and !%ered t(eir f%%trint$.) S(e $a' '(ite f%r*$ bl%'ing a'ay in a

bell%'ing 'ind" and yell%' (%rn$ $(a&ing. )I 'ill g% t(ere") $(e $aid. )2agi!ian" I %'e y%+ a b%%n"f%r y%+ $et *e free. (at '%+ld y%+ (ae %f *e bef%re I leae y%+)

S!(*endri!$ l%ng eye$ 'ere glinting li&e leae$ in t(e $+n. )Ta&e *e 'it( y%+.)

S(e *%ed a'ay" !%%l and dan!ing" and $(e did n%t an$'er. T(e *agi!ian $aid" )I *ig(t be

+$ef+l. I &n%' t(e 'ay int% Haggard#$ !%+ntry" and t(e lang+age$ %f t(e land$ bet'een (ere and

t(ere.) T(e +ni!%rn $ee*ed ery near t% ani$(ing int% t(e $ti!&y *i$t" and S!(*endri!& (+rried %n.

)Be$ide$" n% 'anderer 'a$ eer t(e '%r$e f%r a 'i8ard#$ !%*any" een a +ni!%rn. Re*e*ber t(etale %f t(e great 'i8ard Ni&%$. On!e" in t(e '%%d$" (e be(eld a +ni!%rn $leeing 'it( (i$ (ead in t(e

la %f a giggling irgin" '(ile t(ree (+nter$ adan!ed 'it( dra'n b%'$ t% $lay (i* f%r (i$ (%rn.

Ni&%$ (ad %nly a *%*ent t% a!t. it( a '%rd and a 'ae" (e !(anged t(e +ni!%rn int% a (and$%*e

y%+ng *an" '(% '%&e" and $eeing t(e a$t%ni$(ed b%'*en gaing t(ere" !(arged +%n t(e* and

&illed t(e* all. Hi$ $'%rd 'a$ %f a t'i$ted" taering de$ign" and (e tra*led t(e b%die$ '(en t(e*en 'ere dead.)

)And t(e girl) t(e +ni!%rn a$&ed. )id (e &ill t(e girl t%%))N%" (e *arried (er. He $aid $(e 'a$ %nly an ai*le$$ !(ild" angry at (er fa*ily" and t(at all

$(e really needed 'a$ a g%%d *an. (i!( (e 'a$" t(en and al'ay$" f%r een Ni&%$ !%+ld neer gie

(i* ba!& (i$ fir$t f%r*. He died %ld and re$e!ted // %f a $+rfeit %f i%let$" $%*e $ay // (e neer

!%+ld get en%+g( i%let$. T(ere 'ere n% !(ildren.)

T(e $t%ry l%dged it$elf $%*e'(ere in t(e +ni!%rn#$ breat(. )T(e *agi!ian did (i* n% $eri!e"

b+t great ill") $(e $aid $%ftly. )H%' terrible it '%+ld be if all *y e%le (ad been t+rned (+*an by'ell/*eaning 'i8ard$ // e-iled" traed in b+rning (%+$e$. I '%+ld $%%ner find t(at t(e Red B+ll

(ad &illed t(e* all.)

)(ere y%+ are g%ing n%'") S!(*endri!& an$'ered" )fe' 'ill *ean y%+ anyt(ing b+t eil"

and a friendly (eart // (%'eer f%%li$( // *ay be a$ 'el!%*e a$ 'ater %ne day. Ta&e *e 'it( y%+"

f%r la+g($" f%r l+!&" f%r t(e +n&n%'n. Ta&e *e 'it( y%+.)


20/91

T(e rain faded a$ (e $%&e" t(e $&y began t% !lear" and t(e 'et gra$$ gl%'ed li&e t(e in$ide

%f a $ea$(ell. T(e +ni!%rn l%%&ed a'ay" $ear!(ing t(r%+g( a f%g %f &ing$ f%r %ne &ing" and t(r%+g( a

$n%'y glitter %f !a$tle$ and ala!e$ f%r %ne b+ilt %n t(e $(%+lder$ %f a b+ll. )N% %ne (a$ eertraeled 'it( *e") $(e $aid" )b+t t(en n% %ne eer !aged *e bef%re" %r t%%& *e f%r a '(ite *are" %r

di$g+i$ed *e a$ *y$elf. 2any t(ing$ $ee* deter*ined t% (aen t% *e f%r t(e fir$t ti*e" and y%+r

!%*any 'ill $+rely n%t be t(e $trange$t %f t(e*" n%r t(e la$t. S% y%+ *ay !%*e 'it( *e if y%+ li&e"

t(%+g( I 'i$( y%+ (ad a$&ed *e f%r $%*e %t(er re'ard.)S!(*endri!& $*iled $adly. )I t(%+g(t ab%+t it.) He l%%&ed at (i$ finger$" and t(e +ni!%rn

$a' t(e (alf*%%n *ar&$ '(ere t(e bar$ (ad bitten (i*. )B+t y%+ !%+ld neer (ae granted *y tr+e

'i$(.)T(ere it i$" t(e +ni!%rn t(%+g(t" feeling t(e fir$t $idery t%+!( %f $%rr%' %n t(e in$ide %f (er

$&in. T(at i$ (%' it 'ill be t% trael 'it( a *%rtal" all t(e ti*e. )N%") $(e relied. )I !ann%t t+rn y%+

int% $%*et(ing y%+ are n%t" n% *%re t(an t(e 'it!( !%+ld. I !ann%t t+rn y%+ int% a tr+e *agi!ian.)

)I didn#t t(in& $%") S!(*endri!& $aid. )It#$ all rig(t. %n#t '%rry ab%+t it.)

)I#* n%t '%rrying ab%+t it") t(e +ni!%rn $aid.

A bl+e 1ay $'%%ed l%' %er t(e* %n t(at fir$t day %f t(eir 1%+rney" $aid" )ell" I#ll be a$0+ab +nder gla$$") and flaed $traig(t (%*e t% tell (i$ 'ife ab%+t it. S(e 'a$ $itting %n t(e ne$t"

$inging t% t(eir !(ildren in a dreary dr%ne.

)Sider$ and $%'b+g$ and beetle$ and !ri!&et$"Sl+g$ fr%* t(e r%$e$ and ti!&$ fr%* t(e t(i!&et$"

5ra$$(%er$" $nail$" and a 0+ail#$ egg %r t'% //

All t% be reg+rgitated f%r y%+.

L+llaby" l+llaby" $'indle$ and $!(e*e$"

Flying#$ n%t near a$ *+!( f+n a$ it $ee*$.)

)Sa' a +ni!%rn t%day") t(e bl+e 1ay $aid a$ (e lit.

)?%+ didn#t $ee any $+er" I n%ti!e") (i$ 'ife relied !%ldly. )I (ate a *an '(% tal&$ 'it(

(i$ *%+t( e*ty.)

)Baby" a +ni!%rnG) T(e 1ay aband%ned (i$ !a$+al air and (%ed + and d%'n %n t(e bran!(.

)I (aen#t $een %ne %f t(%$e $in!e t(e ti*e //))?%+#e neer $een %ne") $(e $aid. )T(i$ i$ *e" re*e*ber I &n%' '(at y%+#e $een in y%+r

life" and '(at y%+ (aen#t.)

T(e 1ay aid n% attenti%n. )T(ere 'a$ a $trange/l%%&ing arty in bla!& 'it( (er") (e rattled.

)T(ey 'ere g%ing %er Cat 2%+ntain. I '%nder if t(ey 'ere (eading f%r Haggard#$ !%+ntry.) He

!%!&ed (i$ (ead t% t(e arti$ti! angle t(at (ad fir$t '%n (i$ 'ife. )(at a i$i%n f%r %ld Haggard#$brea&fa$t") (e *areled. )A +ni!%rn !%*ing t% !all" b%ld a$ y%+ lea$e" rat/tat/tat %n (i$ di$*al

d%%r. I#d gie anyt(ing t% $ee //))I $+%$e t(e t'% %f y%+ didn#t $end t(e _'(%le_ day 'at!(ing +ni!%rn$") (i$ 'ife

interr+ted 'it( a !li!& %f (er bea&. )At lea$t" I +nder$tand t(at _$(e_ +$ed t% be !%n$idered 0+ite

i*aginatie in *atter$ %f $are ti*e.) S(e adan!ed %n (i*" (er ne!& feat(er$ r+ffling.

)H%ney" I (aen#t een $een (er //) t(e bl+e 1ay began" and (i$ 'ife &ne' t(at (e (adn#t" and

'%+ldn#t dare" b+t $(e batted (i* %ne any'ay. S(e 'a$ %ne '%*an '(% &ne' '(at t% d% 'it( a

$lig(t *%ral edge.

T(e +ni!%rn and t(e *agi!ian 'al&ed t(r%+g( t(e $ring" %er $%ft Cat 2%+ntain and d%'n

int% a i%let alley '(ere ale tree$ gre'. Bey%nd t(e alley 'ere l%' (ill$" a$ fat and d%!ile a$

$(ee" l%'ering t(eir (ead$ t% $niff at t(e +ni!%rn in '%nder a$ $(e *%ed a*%ng t(e*. After t(e$e


21/91

!a*e t(e $l%'er (eig(t$ %f $+**er" and t(e ba&ed lain$ '(ere t(e air (+ng $(iny a$ !andy.

T%get(er $(e and S!(*endri!& f%rded rier$" $!ra*bled + and d%'n bra*bly ban&$ and bl+ff$" and

'andered in '%%d$ t(at re*inded t(e +ni!%rn %f (er (%*e" t(%+g( t(ey !%+ld neer re$e*ble it"(aing &n%'n ti*e. S% (a$ *y f%re$t" n%'" $(e t(%+g(t" b+t $(e t%ld (er$elf t(at it did n%t *atter"

t(at all '%+ld be a$ bef%re '(en $(e ret+rned.

At nig(t" '(ile S!(*endri!& $let t(e $lee %f a (+ngry" f%%t$%re *agi!ian" t(e +ni!%rn

!r%+!(ed a'a&e 'aiting t% $ee t(e a$t f%r* %f t(e Red B+ll !%*e !(arging %+t %f t(e *%%n. Atti*e$ $(e !a+g(t '(at $(e 'a$ $+re 'a$ (i$ $*ell // a dar&" $ly ree& ea$ing t(r%+g( t(e nig(t"

rea!(ing %+t t% find (er. T(en $(e '%+ld $ring t% (er feet 'it( a !%ld !ry %f readine$$" %nly t% find

t'% %r t(ree deer ga8ing at (er fr%* a re$e!tf+l di$tan!e. eer l%e and eny +ni!%rn$. On!e" ab+!& in (i$ $e!%nd $+**er" r%dded f%r'ard by (i$ giggling friend$" !a*e 0+ite !l%$e t% (er and

*+*bled 'it(%+t *eeting (er eye$" )?%+ are ery bea+tif+l. ?%+ are 1+$t a$ bea+tif+l a$ %+r

*%t(er$ $aid.)

T(e +ni!%rn l%%&ed $ilently ba!& at (i*" &n%'ing t(at (e e-e!ted n% an$'er fr%* (er. T(e

%t(er deer $ni!&ered and '(i$ered" )5% %n" g% %n.) T(en t(e b+!& rai$ed (i$ (ead and !ried %+t

$'iftly and 1%y%+$ly" )B+t I &n%' $%*e%ne *%re bea+tif+l t(an y%+G) He '(eeled and da$(ed a'ayin t(e *%%nlig(t" and (i$ friend$ f%ll%'ed (i*. T(e +ni!%rn lay d%'n again.

N%' and t(en in t(eir 1%+rney t(ey !a*e t% a illage" and t(ere S!(*endri!& '%+ldintr%d+!e (i*$elf a$ a 'andering 'i8ard" %ffering" a$ (e !ried in t(e $treet$" )t% $ing f%r *y $+er"

t% b%t(er y%+ 1+$t a little bit" t% tr%+ble y%+r $lee eer $% $lig(tly" and a$$ %n.) Fe' 'ere t(e

t%'n$ '(ere (e 'a$ n%t inited t% $table (i$ bea+tif+l '(ite *are and $tay t(e nig(t" and bef%re t(e

!(ildren 'ent t% bed (e '%+ld erf%r* in t(e *ar&et $0+are by lantern lig(t. He neer a!t+ally

atte*ted any greater *agi! t(an *a&ing d%ll$ tal& and t+rning $%a int% $'eet$" and een t(i$trifling $%r!ery $%*eti*e$ $lied fr%* (i$ (and$. B+t t(e !(ildren li&ed (i*" and t(eir arent$ 'ere

&indly 'it( $+er" and t(e $+**er eening$ 'ere lit(e and $%ft. Age$ after" t(e +ni!%rn $till

re*e*bered t(e $trange" !(%!%late $table $*ell" and S!(*endri!$ $(ad%' dan!ing %n 'all$ and

d%%r$ and !(i*ney$ in t(e leaing lig(t.

In t(e *%rning$ t(ey 'ent %n t(eir 'ay" S!(*endri!$ %!&et$ f+ll %f bread and !(ee$e and

%range$" and t(e +ni!%rn a!ing be$ide (i*: $ea '(ite in t(e $+n" $ea green in t(e dar& %f t(e tree$.Hi$ tri!&$ 'ere f%rg%tten bef%re (e 'a$ %+t %f $ig(t" b+t (i$ '(ite *are tr%+bled t(e nig(t$ %f *any

a illager" and t(ere 'ere '%*en '(% '%&e 'eeing fr%* drea*$ %f (er.

One eening" t(ey $t%ed in a l+*" !%*f%rtable t%'n '(ere een t(e beggar$ (ad d%+ble

!(in$ and t(e *i!e 'addled. S!(*endri!& 'a$ i**ediately a$&ed t% dinner 'it( t(e 2ay%r and

$eeral %f t(e r%+nder C%+n!il*enD and t(e +ni!%rn" +nre!%gni8ed a$ al'ay$" 'a$ t+rned l%%$e in a

a$t+re '(ere t(e gra$$ gre' $'eet a$ *il&. inner 'a$ $ered %+t %f d%%r$" at a table in t(e $0+are"f%r t(e nig(t 'a$ 'ar* and t(e 2ay%r 'a$ lea$ed t% $(%' %ff (i$ g+e$t. It 'a$ an e-!ellent dinner.

+ring t(e *eal S!(*endri!& t%ld $t%rie$ %f (i$ life a$ an errant en!(anter" filling it 'it(

&ing$ and drag%n$ and n%ble ladie$. He 'a$ n%t lying" *erely %rgani8ing eent$ *%re $en$ibly" and

$% (i$ tale$ (ad a ta$te %f tr+t( een t% t(e !anny C%+n!il*en. N%t %nly t(ey" b+t all *anner %f f%l&

a$$ing in t(e $treet leaned f%r'ard t% +nder$tand t(e nat+re %f t(e $ell t(at %ened all l%!&$" ifr%erly alied. And t(ere 'a$ n%t a %ne b+t l%$t a breat( at $ig(t %f t(e *ar&$ %n t(e *agi!ian#$

finger$. )S%+enir %f *y en!%+nter 'it( a (ary") S!(*endri!& e-lained !al*ly. )T(ey bite.))And 'ere y%+ neer afraid) a y%+ng girl '%ndered $%ftly. T(e 2ay%r *ade a $(%%ing

n%i$e at (er" b+t S!(*endri!& lit a !igar and $*iled at (er t(r%+g( t(e $*%&e. )Fear and (+nger

(ae &et *e y%+ng") (e relied. He l%%&ed ar%+nd t(e !ir!le %f d%8ing" r+*bling C%+n!il*en and

'in&ed 'idely at t(e girl.

T(e 2ay%r 'a$ n%t %ffended. )It#$ tr+e") (e $ig(ed" !are$$ing (i$ dinner 'it( lin&ed finger$.

)e d% lead a g%%d life (ere" %r if 'e d%n#t" I d%n#t &n%' anyt(ing ab%+t it. I $%*eti*e$ t(in& t(at alittle fear" a little (+nger" *ig(t be g%%d f%r +$ // $(aren %+r $%+l$" $% t% $ea&. T(at#$ '(y 'e

al'ay$ 'el!%*e $tranger$ 'it( tale$ t% tell and $%ng$ t% $ing. T(ey br%aden %+r %+tl%%& . . . $et +$ t%

l%%&ing in'ard . . .) He ya'ned and $tret!(ed (i*$elf" g+rgling.

One %f t(e C%+n!il*en $+ddenly re*ar&ed" )2y '%rd" l%%& at t(e a$t+reG) Heay (ead$

t+rned %n n%dding ne!&$" and all $a' t(e illage#$ !%'$ and $(ee and (%r$e$ !l+$tered at t(e far end


22/91

%f t(e field" $taring at t(e *agi!ian#$ '(ite *are" '(% 'a$ la!idly !r%ing t(e !%%l gra$$. N%

ani*al *ade a n%i$e. Een t(e ig$ and gee$e 'ere a$ $ilent a$ g(%$t$. A !r%' !alled %n!e" far

a'ay" and (i$ !ry drifted t(r%+g( t(e $+n$et li&e a $ingle !inder.)Re*ar&able") t(e 2ay%r *+r*+red. )2%$t re*ar&able.)

)?e$" i$n#t $(e) t(e *agi!ian agreed. )If I 'ere t% tell y%+ $%*e %f t(e %ffer$ I#e (ad f%r (er

//)

)T(e intere$ting t(ing") $aid t(e C%+n!il*an '(% (ad $%&en fir$t" )i$ t(at t(ey d%n#t $ee*t% be afraid %f (er. T(ey (ae an air %f a'e" a$ t(%+g( t(ey 'ere d%ing (er $%*e $%rt %f reeren!e.)

)T(ey $ee '(at y%+ (ae f%rg%tten (%' t% $ee.) S!(*endri!& (ad dr+n& (i$ $(are %f red

'ine" and t(e y%+ng girl 'a$ $taring at (i* 'it( eye$ b%t( $'eeter and $(all%'er t(an t(e +ni!%rn#$eye$. He t(+*ed (i$ gla$$ %n t(e table and t%ld t(e $*iling 2ay%r" )S(e i$ a rarer !reat+re t(an y%+

dare t% drea*. S(e i$ a *yt(" a *e*%ry" a 'iIl/%#/t(e/'i$(. ail/%#/t(e/'i$. If y%+ re*e*bered" if

y%+ (+ngered //)

Hi$ %i!e 'a$ l%$t in a g+$t %f (%%fbeat$ and t(e !la*%r %f !(ildren. A d%8en (%r$e*en"

dre$$ed in a+t+*n rag$" !a*e gall%ing int% t(e $0+are" (%'ling and la+g(ing" $!attering t(e

t%'n$f%l& li&e *arble$. T(ey f%r*ed a line and !lattered ar%+nd t(e $0+are" &n%!&ing %er '(ateer!a*e in t(eir 'ay and $(rie&ing in!%*re(en$ible brag$ and !(allenge$ t% n% %ne in arti!+lar. One

rider r%$e + in (i$ $addle" bent (i$ b%'" and $(%t t(e 'eat(er!%!& %ff t(e !(+r!( $ireD an%t(er$nat!(ed + S!(*endri!$ (at" 1a**ed it %n (i$ %'n (ead" and r%de %n r%aring. S%*e $'+ng

$!rea*ing !(ildren t% t(eir $addleb%'$" and %t(er$ !%ntented t(e*$ele$ 'it( 'ine$&in$ and

$and'i!(e$. T(eir eye$ glea*ed *adly in t(eir $(aggy fa!e$" and t(eir la+g(ter 'a$ li&e dr+*$.

T(e r%+nd 2ay%r $t%%d fa$t +ntil (e !a+g(t t(e eye %f t(e raider$# leader. T(en (e rai$ed %ne

eyebr%'D t(e *an

peter s. beagle - the last unicorn

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