Seventh Night

Chapter I

The Winged Unicorn

Fortesdale was not a large village, nor was it terribly small. It was not well-known, nor unheard-of. It was not extremely wealthy, nor was it wretchedly poor. The village was not considerably important to the kingdom of Cordance, nor was it useless. In simple terms, it was average.

So when an unknown cloaked figure tore through the town square on a white winged unicorn, many people stared and gossiped, it being the great pastime of the day, and some did not, for there are always those who will resist great pastimes. However the gossips worked quickly and by the next day the whole village had heard of it, regardless of whether they chose to repeat.

A regular unicorn would have soon been forgotten, for reckless soldiers occasionally traveled the trade routes connecting Fortesdale to Pinnacle City. At times a well-to-do merchant would prance about the streets on a pegasus, which was about all they could do. As a result of crossbreeding with regular horses, most pegasus’ wings were too weak for flight. Winged unicorns were far more difficult to breed and raise to maturity. However, the grown result was spectacular. Therefore, only wealthy noblemen and royalty rode the distinguished beasts or sent trusted messengers with important messages on them.

If the townspeople had been able to see under the rider’s hood, they would have considered this brief moment something to tell their grandchildren. As rare as winged unicorns were, it was rarer still, if not unheard-of, for one to have a female rider.

The rider galloped through the village without a how-do-you-do? or slowing. Eventually she rode out of sight of the excited children that had followed her to the edge of town. She did, however, slow several miles later at the extensive farms belonging to Lord Harold of Fortesdale.

The rider lifted her hood for a better look around, revealing her pretty, young features and raven hair tied back in a practical braid. Her riding clothes were simple and brown. Her eyes were a strong blue, and her skin fair. Her lower lip was slightly larger than the upper, fixing her with a small but permanent pout. She wore no decoration other than a gold clip to secure the braid and a large crest ring on her finger.

She spotted a farmhand lounging next to a covered, stone well. A tug on the reins and a tap with her boot on its hindquarters urged the unicorn in the proper direction.

At a closer look, the hired hand was not much older than herself. He had shaggy, dirty-blond hair and baggy work clothes. He did not see, or simply ignored, her as she approached.

Boy, do you work here? she asked from her mount.

He raised his head, eyes lingering on the unicorn’s silver horn. He had a clean-cut, boyish face, though he was old enough to take aversion to the term. Last time I checked, he finally acknowledged her. And the name’s Phillip.

The rider shrugged to show how little that meant to her. Fetch my horse some water, she told him as she dismounted.

Why? he asked.

The girl paused with one foot still in the stirrup. She saw he had not budged from his spot. She’s thirsty, she replied patiently, pointing out the obvious.

So? he asked, making a show of yawning and stretching.

There’s a well there, she said, feeling like she had lost control of the situation. It was not a good feeling, but she was determined not to show how it frustrated her. Fetch some water from it for her.

He shook his head. No, he said, still not moving from his spot. He made a mockingly sympathetic face. What’s wrong? Are you too weak to get it yourself?

For a moment she just stared at him. Her winged unicorn and royal crest ring should have insured cooperation or at least respect from any peasant. Lacking that, she expected the courtesy due her gender. She could easily have gotten him in trouble with his employers, but she was in a hurry. Besides, he had challenged her.

Fine, she said with her head held high. She stepped beside the well, pulling her unicorn behind her. As she lowered the bucket, the farmhand at last felt obliged to stand. The small sign of respect encouraged her.

Raising the bucket proved to be more difficult than she had thought. The rope bit into her uncalloused fingers, and the weight challenged her untrained muscles. She almost asked for help, but she would not give him the pleasure of seeing her falter. When the bucket finally reached the top, Phillip set it on the edge for her without ceremony or vexing. The act surprised the girl, and she forgot to thank him.

Where are you headed? he asked as if they had just had a pleasant conservation instead of a battle of wills.

Pinnacle City, she said reflexively, wondering at the sudden change of attitude.

If you wait ‘til tomorrow noon, I’ll travel with you, he said. He continued when he saw her skeptical expression, I’m starting an apprenticeship to a magician that works in the castle.

The girl seemed to find this funny. You believe in magic?

I’m not sure whether or not I do, he admitted. But I believe in learning, and I should at least learn some good tricks. So is it a deal?

I’m afraid I’m in a bit of a hurry, she explained, while the unicorn drank. I can’t wait ‘til morrow.

You shouldn’t travel alone, he warned. There’s a group of bandits on the route to Pinnacle that attacks lone merchants.

The girl patted her unicorn. We’ll be fine. Won’t we, Toshk? she said, confident in the unicorn’s swiftness and wingspan. Phillip looked over the beast and its master and did not seem quite so certain.

The unicorn snorted and nudged the girl. She broke her gaze with the odd farmhand and remounted. It was nice meeting you, Magician, she said. Phillip nodded in response, and she started off toward the road. After the unicorn had trod a few steps, she turned back. My destination is the king’s palace as well. Perhaps I shall see you again, she called to him.

Perhaps, he smiled. With that, the winged unicorn galloped away.

She traveled the rest of the day and most of the night while the road was clear, stopping only to let the unicorn feed near a stream. Such a trip would have completely exhausted a common horse. But unicorns were known for their strength, and by outstretching its wings the beast could add a glide to its run, easing the burden on its legs. Full flights were tiring for a winged unicorn with a burden and a dangerous business for the rider, so she kept close to the ground. But the sort of road ruts, muddy patches, and fallen branches that would delay the normal equine were jumped over easily with the aid of wings.

Just before morning the girl led the unicorn into the forest so they could get a little rest. When she awoke, the sun was already in the west. She scolded herself for oversleeping and quickly roused Toshk. After a brief meal, they headed back to the main road.

A few miles later she met a merchant caravan heading the other way. Hold there, she called to the head wagon driver. Can you tell me how far it is to Pinnacle City?

The old man gave her a crooked smile. It might have been her outfit that amused him. For even though women did wear loose leggings for long trips on horseback, it was not common, nor was it otherwise considered to be decent.

We came from Pinnacle and’ve been travlin’ a’most two days, he said in a friendly manner, a far cry from how the arrogant farmboy had spoken to her. She thanked the man and rode on. It was not as bad as she had feared. She was only one without wares and would travel faster than the caravan. Since she had been pushing Toshk hard, she allowed the unicorn to slow to a trot.

When the sun was halfway west, she thought she heard the beating of hooves behind her. She recalled the thieves the farmboy had warned her of and hastened the unicorn to a run, but when she looked back, there was no one. After a while, she slackened its pace.

By the time the sun had dropped to the brink of the horizon, the girl found herself incredibly bored by the endless forest. She hummed an old nursery tune to keep herself awake and watched the sunset colors form in the heavens. She let her thoughts drift to what had been and what was to come. So lost in thought was she, that she did not see the shadowed figures up the road slip out from the trees.

She would not have noticed them until they were upon her if Toshk had not taken a dislike to the men and reared up. The girl snapped out of her fantasies and guessed what was wrong. She jerked the unicorn around in an attempt to outrun the thieves, as Toshk needed a bit of a run before she could fly over them. But three other bandits blocked the road back, and several more were seeping out from between the trees and behind rocks.

The girl’s mind might have been clear enough to react. The same could not be said of the unicorn. Toshk reared and bucked wildly as the men pressed closer. It was all the girl could do to hold on and stay in her saddle. The bandits threw lassos around Toshk’s neck and ropes across her wings in an attempt to overcome the startled animal with brute force.

When the bucking stopped enough for the girl to free one arm, she tried to cut the unicorn’s bonds with her dagger. She sliced two of them before a rope caught her wrist. Struggle as she might, the bandits eventually overcame Toshk. Several pairs of arms snatched the girl from the saddle. She screamed and put up a struggle to equal the unicorn’s.

Despite her effort, the bandits lost no time relieving her of her dagger, purse, and gold hair clip. They were in the process of removing her cloak when the pounding of a new set of hooves was heard above the thieves’ hollering.

Hold there! a man’s voice shouted above the ruckus.

The group became quiet; their harsh breathing and the horses’ snorting were the only sounds to be heard. They turned to face the newcomer, and the girl struggled for a better look. A large, black winged unicorn with a golden horn stomped its hooves on the path. Its eyes shone like fire in the night. From her position she could not see the rider’s face.

The thieves stood tense and traded uneasy glances. Superstitious people believed black horses, especially unicorns, to be sure signs of evil or at least bad luck. At last a few of the braver ones took a step forward. You just made a big mistake, stranger, one of them said menacingly. In one mass the bandits started for him.

The black unicorn reared back, spreading its wings. Wait! I’m a friend, the rider said quickly, sounding a bit jostled by the unicorn’s jerk. The girl’s eyes widened. It was the farmboy’s voice. Pac-a-shen-tall, he called. The thieves halted again and exchanged glances.

Finally one of the largest men stepped forward. Sprat? he yelled in a booming voice. Dat you?

Chapter II

An Important Delivery

Phillip let go a sigh of relief. Yeah, Jonhan, it’s me, he called back. A wave of ease seemed to sweep over the crowd; some chuckled.

The large man laughed. Hey, it’s Sprat, he called to anyone in the crowd who might not have heard. Jonhan turned back to Phillip. Got yourself a pretty pony too, I see. Where ya goin?

The girl’s with me, he called from the unicorn’s back. We’re headed to Pinnacle. Got myself an apprenticeship to a magician.

The bandits found this hilarious. They broke out in a chorus of belly laughs. The ones holding the girl released her, but she was too stunned to run.

You dine with us tonight, Jonhan more commanded than asked. I want to hear ‘bout where you’ve been the last few years.

The girl silently pleaded with the farmboy. There was no telling how long dinner would take, and time was very important.

I’d love nothing more. Phillip bowed as much as the saddle would allow. But the lady’s in a rush. He saw the displeasure on Jonhan’s face and quickly continued. "Besides there’s nothing to tell. Been working at Lord Harold’s farm and taking what I could get on the side. Won the horse in a bet. Nothing more to tell.

I’ll stop by next time I’m this way and give you every detail if you wish, Phillip promised. He held his breath to see if that would please the thief.

Promise us a concert an’ it’s a deal. Jonhan’s proposition was followed by a round of cheers from the thieves.

Phillip smiled. My pleasure, he agreed. Jonhan signaled to the thieves. The girl found her possessions being roughly thrown at her, except for the dagger, which the thieves had the courtesy to hand her. She refastened her hair clip and returned her purse and dagger to her belt.

Sprat, Jonhan said seriously. We went to a lot of trouble, an’ she cut two good ropes. Don’t we get some compentation?

Phillip frowned. What do you want?

Jonhan nodded to Toshk. We keep ‘er white pony; nobody’d want your demon one.

Phillip shrugged. It’s yours, he said. The girl’s blue eyes widened. He had no right. She began to object, took another look at the rugged, burly bandits, and thought better of it. She took a last longing look at Toshk and realized it could have been much worse.

The thieves parted to make room for Phillip to pass. It was not that they had the greatest respect for him, but they were a superstitious lot and did not wish to be too close to a black unicorn. One of the thieves helped the girl climb up behind Phillip.

When they came to the edge of the group, Phillip turned and shouted a hearty farewell to the thieves and promised to return as soon as possible. He then whispered to the girl, Hold on tight. I want to put some distance between us before they have a chance to change their minds. Without further warning, the unicorn kicked up a cloud of dust and was soon out of the thieves’ sight.

A while later when the forest had thinned into farmland, Phillip allowed the unicorn to slow to a walk. The girl eased her grip as much as she could. Phillip did not mind riding in silence, but they would have to talk sooner or later. He figured there was no sense in wasting time.

You haven’t told me your name, he reminded her.

Seventh Night, she said.

Phillip chuckled, What kind of name is that?

Seventh Night made a face at him. A perfectly good one, she retorted. I was born the seventh night of the harvest festival, and my mother named me accordingly. She watched stars appear over the field, so she would not have to look at the back of his head. You have to be the most impudent person I’ve ever met.

Then you should remember me...at least until someone worse comes along. He looked up to the stars as well. Do you have any money?

About sixty deriks, Seventh Night answered, then scowled. Why?

The tavern owner won’t give us food and lodging otherwise, he said simply.

But we can’t stop tonight, she pleaded. It’s important. I have to get to the palace by noon morrow.

I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice, Seven, Phillip told her, irritation finally seeping into his voice. Thunder has flown most of the day and run with two people on his back the rest. If you are above sleeping, then great, but I’m not and neither is the best of unicorns. Are you, Thunder?

The ebony beast snorted.

See, Phillip said. While I’m at it, I might note that you have not thanked me once for saving you.

I’m sorry, thank you, she said softly. Do you think we’ll make it to the palace on time?

If we get up early, he answered. You’re not from ‘round here are you?

No, she said, slightly confused by the question. Why do you ask?

Phillip shrugged. No reason, you just talk funny.

What’s wrong with the way I talk? she shot at him.

First, ‘round here someone would have said ‘how I talk,’ instead of ‘the way’, he explained. Second, you say palace instead of castle. Third, when you apologized you said sorry. ‘Round here we say ‘offer apology’. And you said I was impudent. Here we say saucy or brash.

Seventh Night laughed. Then I offer apology for how I talked before on the road to the castle, even if you were saucy and brash.

Thunder shook his head.

Phillip grinned. "Does sound funny when you say it. Stick with the way you talk, Seven. He noticed a light ahead, which he had earlier mistaken for a star. I think I see the tavern."

Tivin’s week-long Harvest Festival had drawn most of the traveling merchants down south, leaving the large tavern with several vacancies. It was therefore quite simple to obtain two rooms and a stall for the unicorn. Dinner was better than expected, broiled pheasant with steamed maize and seasoned greens.

Phillip picked at the maize, wondering how the tavern owner had arranged to get his share before the merchants returned. There were local farms, but maize usually came from the southern countries. He noticed his companion had nearly finished. Why are you in such a hurry anyway? he asked her.

She swallowed her mouthful. I’m afraid I can’t tell you until we reach the palace.

Not even a clue? Phillip was eager to solve this girl’s mystery.

Seventh Night smirked. All I can tell you is that it’s a matter of great importance.

So you’re a messenger from...Tivin? he guessed, referring to the country on Cordance’s southern border.

Why do you think that? she asked.

Well, royalty always rides with an escort. I don’t think you belong to any of the noble families ‘round here, and they’d probably give you an escort as well. Which only leaves a royal messenger. Besides, he said. You talk like a Tivan. So I’m guessing you’re a messenger from Tivin.

Seventh Night gave him an odd grin. That’s right, she said and took another bite of maize.

In that case, he observed. You’re wearing your ring on the wrong hand.

Seventh Night almost choked on maize. What do you mean? she asked sharply.

Messengers always wear the emblem on their left hand, he pointed out. You wear it on your right like that, and someone might think you’re trying to join the royal family.

Seventh Night laughed and swapped the ring from her right hand to the left. Wouldn’t want that. She pushed her plate away. I think I’ll get some sleep. Good night, Magician.

As Phillip watched her leave, he got the funny feeling she had been laughing at him.

The next morning Seventh Night woke early, as Phillip had said they need do. She settled the debt with the tavern owner and made sure Thunder was saddled, fed, and ready for the day’s trip. As the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, she noticed Phillip had not yet come down.

She knocked on the door of his room. When there was no response, she slowly opened the heavy wooden door and slipped inside. The lazy farmboy was still asleep.

Wake up, she hissed at him. He did not stir. Seventh Night shook him. Wake up.

Huh, he mumbled. She shook him again, and Phillip shot straight up in bed. What happened? He looked at Seventh Night and his surroundings and groaned. For goodness sake, Seven, the sun’s not even up yet.

Seventh Night was unsympathetic. Yes it is. Your window just faces west. Now get dressed. We’ve got to get to the palace before noon, she reminded him. Phillip yawned and nodded and motioned for her to leave.

Once they got on the road, the rest of the trip to Pinnacle City went without incident. Thunder was swift and took to flight in a few short bursts. It was Seventh Night’s first experience with full flight, but she was too anxious about the time to spare much thought to the height. Phillip was practiced enough at it to fly smoothly, and she felt safe with him. They reached the king’s castle with time to spare before the sun hit its zenith.

The castle was built on a high bluff overlooking Pinnacle City. Long ago a wide winding road had been carved into the bluff leading to the castle. The king’s castle was grand, but it was dwarfed by the high mountain that wrapped around it. Some rumors said part of the castle was actually built into the rock. Whether or not that was true, there were tunnels leading to lookout posts hidden throughout the mountains.

Pinnacle City itself was nestled at the foot of the mountain. Some said Pinnacle got its name for being the capital city. Others said it received its name from the castle, for only the highest tower could be seen over the fortress walls surrounding the citadel.

As they approached the huge main gate