Chapter 7

For fun, unicorns chase frogs.

Naomi fidgeted in the chair as Yula arranged her hair. She’d pulled it up and fastened it with small bejeweled combs and hair pins. Naomi knew the hairdo was going to give her a headache after a couple of hours, but Yula was so determined to make her look like a fairytale princess that she kept her reservations to herself. She had the feeling that Yula was using her to prove something to Mrs. Boon.

She had on a long shimmering gown that was light on her back. The top material was gauzy and iridescent while the lining was smooth and soft. Thank goodness the dress was light because the jewelry was not. A heavy bejeweled earring strained each earlobe. A long necklace with a ruby the size of a baby’s fist hung from her throat. Gold bracelets dangled on both her wrists, and several glittering rings were on her fingers. She’d just barely convinced Yula to nix the tiara.

Earlier in the evening she'd gotten a crash course on etiquette for the feast. When she'd asked for the lesson, Yula had stared at her. She reminded her that she wasn’t Lady Naomi. Yula had arranged a place setting on the table and instructed her on the proper utensils to use for each course. She’d also given her tips on how to interact with the guests. They would be affluent farmers, merchants, and soldiers. Naomi had asked if there would be dancing. There would be dancing, but Tavik didn’t dance and thus she would not be expected to. She’d experienced no small amount of relief at this tidbit of information. As the guests of honor, they would watch the dancing for a while and be the first allowed to leave the festivities. She dimly hoped that Tavik would want to leave as early as possible. The sun had just begun to set when there was a loud knock at the door. Yula had finally finished dressing her hair, and they had been sitting silently for several minutes. Naomi rose, but Yula hopped to the door and opened it. Tavik stood on the other side in a long red cape, shining boots, black gleaming pants, and a black tunic with gold geometric embroidery upon it. They had been dressed to match.

They stared silently at each other for a moment taking each other in. Tavik finally bowed low to her. “Is my lady ready to meet our guests?” he asked.

In response, she curtseyed and took his arm. “Let’s get this show on the road,” she muttered. She didn’t know what to expect when she entered the hall. What greeted her made her hold her breath in surprise. The hall had been transformed. Torches lit the large room from all sides with candles sparkling on the long tables. Flower boughs and wreaths hung everywhere with rich cloth draped on walls, windows, and tables.

While she gaped, the guests in the room had turned to look at them. She became aware of their stares and quickly tried to school her features to a more haughty expression. She could do this, she chanted to herself as goose bumps and a cold sweat broke out over her. She hadn’t seen a silent cue, but after a moment, the hall broke out into applause, and Tavik raised his hand in acknowledgment of the welcome and nodded at a few of the people closest to them. She nervously smiled. They walked further into the room.

People began stepping forward to greet them. They bowed and murmured how happy they were to see Tavik well and said welcome to his new bride. Tavik greeted the men by name and thanked them for the warm welcome. Naomi nodded politely and smiled shyly. She tried not to make the iron grip she had on Tavik’s arm too obvious, but short of a crowbar, he was not going to be leaving her alone with these people anytime that night. She spotted a group of women standing to the side. None of them smiled at her, and she had the feeling that anything they said in relation to her was not flattering. She wasn’t going to be making any friends that evening.

She had been minding her P’s and Q's vigilantly throughout the dinner. She was sitting beside a grandfatherly sort who she happily let monopolize the conversation by telling her all about his grandchildren.

Tavik tended to listen to others and nod and say little to anyone as well. It appeared everyone was having a good time. People were laughing and chatting merrily down the table. She envied their ease. She hoped she wasn’t sweating through her gown. When the feast was over, she glanced at Tavik. He had his chin resting on his hand. Musicians came into the room carrying their instruments. People began to rise and pair up for the dancing. She wondered how long they would stay to watch. She was ready to go back to her room. The musicians made noises like they were ready to begin, and the dancers took their places. She watched the dancing with mild interest. It was not fast or complicated, but knowing the steps beforehand was definitely required if one didn’t want to run into someone else or step on another’s toes.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tavik wave one of the servants over. He said something low into the manservant’s ear and sent him off. She watched the man go to the musicians and whisper into one of their ears. She looked at Tavik with confused curiosity. Had he made a song request? He turned and saw her looking at him. He put his hand over hers that rested on the table. She gave him a nervous smile and wondered what was next. The current dance was coming to an end.

He rose from his seat, drawing her with him. She rose stiffly. With sickening dread, she realized they were going to the dance floor. She tried to balk, but he merely put his arm around her and drew her closer.

“Yula said you don’t dance,” she hissed.

“Normally, I don’t.”

“Well, I don’t know how.”

“What do they teach young ladies in your land?”

“Nothing you’d appreciate.”

“I will teach you how to dance,” he said. She barely registered his comment before he swung her around and showed her where to place her hands. The music started, and it was different from the first piece. She realized it was like a waltz, and the dancing positions were similar to a waltz as well. His arm went around her while his other raised her hand aloft. Her other hand rested on his shoulder. He began to guide her with gentle pressure. She moved a little woodenly and struggled to relax to make the dancing easier. She felt like she was in the spotlight. Everyone kept their distance as if to better watch them. She knew she wasn’t putting on a good show. Not very ladylike at all.

“Dear Calax, Lord Tavik gotten a common pig wench.” Her back stiffened in response to the overheard comment. She peeked up at Tavik to see if he’d heard the comment, but he showed no indication that he had. She tried harder to learn the dance steps, but her nerves and seething resentment of the anonymous insult made her move jerkily.

“The way to vex them is to enjoy yourself,” he murmured.

So he had heard the comment. She set her jaw, and she nodded imperceptibly. She renewed her effort to relax and soon had the moves of the dance learned and was able to follow him without trouble.

“You look very lovely tonight,” he said, breaking the silence between them again.

She gave him a polite smile in acknowledgment of his compliment. “I think Yula wishes to vex Mrs. Boon by doing her job well,” she replied.

He chuckled and briefly then fell silent again. He tilted his head down to her, and she got the feeling that the light moment had passed before it could be fully enjoyed. She stared into the dark holes for his eyes. “About this afternoon…” he began, but he trailed off.

She raised an eyebrow as she waited for him to finish his statement. She had a sinking feeling that she was not going to like what he had to say. She had berated herself for what had transpired during lunch, but she didn’t exactly want to hear he had found what happened embarrassing or morally questionable.

“I apologize for breaking our agreement,” he finally finished.

She blinked at him a moment in surprise. That was right. She had made him swear not to expect any bedroom fun from her, and he had basically taken advantage of her while she was tied up and blindfolded, never mind the fact that she had been a cheering participant.

She dropped her head as the blush crept over her cheeks. She didn't know how to respond to his apology. If she forgave him, he could construe it as an invitation to try to get hot and heavy with her again, and in confusion, she realized that she wasn’t entirely opposed to that idea. What to do, she wondered. She worried her bottom lip as she scrambled for a way to reply, but the music stopped before she could formulate a diplomatic response. Tavik didn't prod her for an answer, and for the moment, she assumed that her silence was answer enough. She followed him, but instead of going back to their seats, he took them to the doors. It looked like he was ready for them to leave. Naomi was glad.

They walked from the main hall, up the stairs, and back to her room in silence. He held her bedroom door open for her as she slipped inside. She turned to face him holding her breath. What now? He bowed his head and closed the door with him still in the hall. She slumped and started to breathe again. As she turned to bed, she shrugged out of her finery and removed her jewelry.

Tavik’s silence had unnerved her, but she couldn’t blame him for it. She hadn't even managed a thank you for the apology and merely a shy nod for farewell. Next to her, he had been the chatty one. She fell into bed happy that the day was finally over. She tried not to dwell on the fact that she had no clue what the next day would bring.

That night, she dreamed the unicorn met her in the great hall. Music began for them to dance. The unicorn bowed low, and she curtsied back, but as they began to move, she remembered that she didn't know how to dance and faltered. The unicorn pranced in step to the music, but she could only stand still and watch as he danced away.

When Yula woke her the next morning, she felt bleary eyed and grumpy. She became grumpier when she reminded herself there was no possibility of coffee with breakfast. How was she to survive her adventure without the assistance of caffeine? To further torture herself, she ticked off in her mind other amenities that she didn’t have: indoor plumbing, telephones, the internet, television, and worst of all no chocolate. She was doomed, and her crabbiness grew.

Yula reminded her gently that she had her first riding lesson that morning. She added another item to her list: no automobiles. Dressed warmly in a plain gown and shoes, she went down to the stables with Yula to begin her riding lesson. Geoff, the stable master was waiting with one of the draft horses.

The stable master had a red face from the sun and an easy grin. She could only muster a grimaced smile to give back to him.

“This, milady, is Stomper. Don’t let his size worry you. He’s the biggest softie there is. I thought we would start on him if that’s all right with the lady.”

She lifted her hand to the horse’s muzzle in greeting. Stomper sniffed her hand and blew warm breathes of air into it. “Here, give him this. He’ll warm to you real quick.” He handed her a carrot, which she dutifully offered. Stomper took the carrot happily from her hand, and as he munched it contentedly, she grew bolder and petted the horse’s neck. He lowered and stretched it for her and stomped one hoof in enjoyment. She began to warm to the horse.

With Geoff’s assistance, she mounted. “Now, just relax and get your bearings. Go with the horse.”

She sat on the back of Stomper as Geoff led the horse around the courtyard. They did several wide circles.

“You’re getting the hang of it, milady.”

“Oh yes, if you’re around to lead him, riding is an absolute breeze.”

“You’ll be holding the reins soon enough, don’t worry. I can see you’ll be a fine horsewoman.”

“That’s not what my husband tells me. He despaired that not even you would have enough patience for me.”

Geoff chuckled. “I don’t know anything about that, milady. You’re doing fine.”

She smiled but knew she still had a lot to learn before she would be able to manage a horse on her own, but she hadn’t broken anything of hers or the horse, and Geoff was still fine too. All in all her first lesson was turning out to be a stirring success.

“You know, a unicorn will never let you ride him. That will be a sip of wine and a piece of cheese, please.”

And she fell off the horse. Well, there went all that success.

Her tumble from the saddle startled Stomper and Geoff. The stable master quickly handed the horse off to a stable boy and went to her side. “Are you all right?”

She winced and took his offered hand. “I think so. A spider startled me. Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for, milady. How about we call it a day?”

She nodded and hobbled back to her rooms without Yula, having dispatched the woman to get her more wine and cheese.

Once she was back in her room, she looked down at herself and asked an uncomfortable question. “Mr. Squibbles, are you somewhere on my person?”

“Right here,” the mouse said climbing out from under her hair. She picked the mouse up off her shoulder and set him down on the table.

“You better not have left me any presents up here,” she warned, combing her fingers through her hair.

The mouse snorted and began to clean his whiskers.

“I’m not learning how to ride so I can ride a unicorn. I’m learning just to know. Tell me more about unicorns.”

“Not till the servant gets back.”

She sighed and puttered around the room. She found a thimble and held onto it to use with the mouse. She hoped Tavik didn’t stop by again for lunch. She wanted to get the mouse stuffed and drunk and learn everything she could about unicorns.

Soon Yula returned with wine and cheese. She thanked her and said she would be fine on her own for the rest of the morning. She set up the cheese and wine on the table. Mr. Squibbles scampered forward to begin his feast, but she smacked her hand down between him and his goal.

“I ask the questions, you answer them, and then you get a piece of cheese and a little wine.”

Mr. Squibbles’ whiskers twitched at her demands. “Fine, ask your first question.

“Where can I find unicorns?”

“The best place to look is in the northern plateaus. A small herd is supposed to still run in those parts.” Naomi set a piece of cheese and a thimble of wine down before him, which he fell greedily upon.

“How can I catch one?”

“You can go the regular route of hounds and horses, or you can use the traditional method of baiting a trap with a virgin.” She appreciated the offer of two options and decided to be as equally generous and set two pieces of cheese before him for his two pieces of information.

“How does the transportation magic work with the horns?”

“Unicorns can go wherever they want. They simply think it, and they're there.” He gobbled down his new piece of cheese and drank his wine.

“Can a unicorn be told where someone wants to go and take them there?”

Mr. Squibbles sipped from his thimble. It was the perfect size for his paws. She had to bite the inside of her cheeks to keep from going aw. “A unicorn can understand the words of the virgin but no one else.”

She dwelt on the fact that all this unicorn lore required a virgin, and she hadn’t been one since her high school prom, though she sort of wished she could go back and stop her younger self that night, but she wouldn't have stopped herself with her first boyfriend in college. Happily not a virgin after him.

“May I ask your interest in unicorns?”

“I accidentally got brought here by a unicorn horn and now I’m stuck. I want to go home, and the only way to do that is to find another one. I don’t want to kill a unicorn or anything. I just want to get home.”

“Maybe I can take you to someone who can help,” Mr. Squibbles hiccupped. He’d drunk five thimbles of wine. She wondered if she should start watering down his drinks. “There’s a witch in the woods, mad as a hatter but capable of working strong magic. She might be able to help you.”

The mad as a hatter comment rang a bell. It was a warning bell. “Do you mean Agatha?”

“So you’ve met?”

She wasn’t buying it. A talking mouse just happened to scamper into her room, knew about unicorns and Agatha? “She sent you, didn’t she?”

“She’s not the boss of me! So I made one mistake with an incantation. It was an accident! Rolling R’s are difficult with these teeth. Treats me like an apprentice. Fetch this, Squibbles. Don’t touch that, Squibbles! I’m still an educated mouse. I know the difference between mud-wort and bloodroot.”

“If you’re supposed to help me, what was with all the wine and cheese for information?”

“Because I wanted wine and cheese! Were you going to offer me any otherwise? No, because nobody ever offers proper refreshment to mice. Assume we’ll find it for ourselves. You’d have given a laconic cat a saucer of milk or a chatty dog a ham bone, but mice always have to forage for ourselves.”

“You have issues. Oh God, I have issues. If Tavik finds out, he’s going to kill me. He does NOT like her.”

“The feeling’s mutual. Now are you going to make me EARN the rest of my refreshments or not?” Naomi pushed the rest of the cheese and poured more wine as she wondered how she was going to sneak away from the castle to see Agatha. The old woman had kept her promise. She turned to ask Mr. Squibbles how they were going to get away but found him passed out in what was left of the wine. She tucked him into her pocket for safe-keeping. She sat by the window and thought about possibilities.

Yula came back to with lunch and suggested they spend the afternoon in the gardens. They took a basket to pick flowers and put on straw hats to protect them from the afternoon sun. She felt like a girl from some old Flemish painting. As they cut flowers, Yula told her their names and if they had any special uses other than being pretty.

As Yula sat down and enjoyed the sun, she wandered off for a private word with the mouse. She opened her pocket and peered into it. “Mr. Squibbles, are you awake?”

“Oh, my head. Why is the world swaying?”

“You’re in my pocket. Don’t you dare get sick.”

The mouse rolled into a sitting position. He appeared to still be drunk. “You have an unhealthy concern with my bodily functions. You know that?”

“It’s because you’re bodily functions could end up on me. How are we going to leave the castle without anyone noticing?”

“Leaving at night will probably work best. No one will notice you’re gone till sunrise, unless Lord Tavik visits you regularly at night?” he asked, and she wasn’t sure, but she thought he was leering at her.

“No, he’s not supposed to visit me at night.”

“Guards?”

“I haven’t noticed. I don’t think he has any posted at my door.”

“What about the old woman?”

“She sleeps in her own room.”

“A nighttime escape it is then. I know a secret way to get out.”

“A secret way?”

“A secret passage between walls. I don’t think anyone living knows about it, except mice.”

“How do we get to it?”

“Well, you see that’s the fun part. The entrance is in Tavik’s room.”

“What!”

Continue to Chapter 8.