Part 34 (2/2)

stacks of material. They did, indeed, look smaller than- they had previously, but there were still an awful lot of them. He counted his steps while his eyes calculated the volume of s.p.a.ce that he would have to encompa.s.s. An- other part of his mind was turning over the applicable spells.

The simpler the better, he decided. He glanced up at the Causeway to make sure he was not observed before walking out toward the plain to survey the whole area.

He looked it over, committing it to memory, and then he closed his eyes. He took a number df deep breaths which, in his present, depleted state, made him feel light- headed. He ignored it and summoned up the neatly arranged stacks. A slight change in the refractive prop- erties of the surfaces should be sufficient. He reached out with his mind and made the adjustments, moving from wood to cloth and on to the metal bands around the kegs. He drew another long breath and opened his eyes. There was a hazy s.h.i.+mmer in front of him. He could still make out the lines of the individual piles, but his eyes kept sliding away.

He nodded to himself in satisfaction. It was enough to make any casual pilferer think twice, but not enough, perhaps, to deter a determined thief. He turned and be- gan to pace the bounds, laying down a basic warding spell, much as he had when he had accompanied the royal party back to Stronta after that fateful conclave at Celador. He completed the semicircle and sighed.

What an innocent he had been then. He looked up and saw Yarrow watching him.

”Would you mind walking forward as if you were going to inspect the lumber?” he called.

Yarrow waved to show that he had understood and started off, arms swinging. Fifteen feet from the edge of the s.h.i.+mmering he stopped sharply and swore. He nursed his left hand.

188 ”What did you feel?” Jarrod asked as he approached.

”Something stung my hand,” the mason said sullenly.

”My fingers are all numb.”

”Good. That's what is supposed to happen. Don't worry about your hand- The numbness will wear off very quickly. It's a spell we use to protect campsites- It's designed to keep out wild animals.”

”And I'm sure it works very well,” Yarrow said, moving his fingers gingerly. ”How long will it last?”

”About a sennight, unless there are thunderstorms.”

”And how long before you move the stuff?”

”That depends on the unicorn,” Jarrod said.

”Oh aye, the unicorn. I'd managed to forget about the unicorn.” He looked at Jarrod rather wistfully and said, *'I suppose there's going to be a lot more of this kind of thing when we get to the other side.”

Jarrod put his arm around the man's shoulders, partly to rea.s.sure him, but mostly because he was feeling weak again. ”I'm afraid so,” he said.

chapteR 18.

good night's sleep restored Jarrod's vigor, and his spirits were further lifted by the news that Nastrus was back in the stables. He hurried down after break- fast and, as he strode through the archway, he felt the special pleasure that contact between their two minds brought. He realized anew how much he had missed that peculiar communion.

'And it's good to see you too,' Nastrus said as Jarrod came into the stall.

Jarrod walked over and put his arms around the uni- corn's neck and then scratched him behind the ears.

'Did you have a good holiday?' he asked.

7 went back to the Island to be with my own kind for a while, see how my offspring are doing. It was good to be back, but even there I couldn 't get away from you humans.'

'How so?'

'The other you was in the territory.' Nastrus said la- conically.

It made sense, Jarrod thought. The Guardian's crea- tion had been given his memories and the unicorns were a very prominent part of them.

'How is he?'

'Physically, he appears to be healthy and he said that the Guardian treats him well.'

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