Part 59 (2/2)

'So would I,' Jarrod replied, 'but it wouldn 't be con- sidered seemly and I have to get back to Mananna.'

'Marianna, Marianna, it's always Marianna,' Nastrus complained. 'You never spend any time with me any- more. '

'Now, you know that isn't true,' Jarrod said. 7 spend as much time with you as I can. It's just that I'm a mar- ried man now and I have responsibilities.'

'Sires do as they please.'

Jarrod ignored the remark. 'They'll be along to groom you in a while. You and Marianna will be the first ones, right behind the coffin. It's a considerable honor '

7 liked him,' Nastrus said thoughtfully. 'He used to bring us treats and take us out for exercise. There was a great deal of affection in him.'

Jarrod smiled both mentally and physically. 'He loved you all. He loved to watch you. and going riding with you was a huge thrill for him. He always felt that you and your family were the key to our victory.'

'An unusually intelligent human,' the unicorn con- curred. 'Will you be keeping watch over the candles again?'

328 'No Candles of Remembrance this time,' Jarrod re- plied. 'Ragnor didn't even want a tree. He just wanted his ashes buried al the foot of the Archmage's Tower. He said that there were enough statues to keep his memory alive longer than anyone wanted, but they are going to plant a tree in the Collegium grounds anyway.'

'I'm glad thai I can share in this,' Nastrus said. 'How- ever, once this is over. I shall return to the Island at the Center.'

'Of course. I'm grateful that you have stayed this long.'

Jarrod paused. 7 hope you will continue to visit us. I shall miss you terribly.'

'You are a married man now, with responsibilities,'

Nastrus reminded him, none too kindly. 7 make no promises. I have already devoted a great deal of time to this world.'

'And we are grateful,' Jarrod said. 'Know that you and your offspring will always be honored.' His sending was courtly and formal.

Nastrus responded in kind. 'As you are part of the Memory forever. Jarrod-almost-unicorn.'

They were both aware of the other's subtext and Jar- rod moved forward and put his arms around Nastrus'

neck and hugged him.

7 can rely on you to behave, can't I?' he said, with an attempt to return to his old style.

'As much as you ever could,' Nastrus returned good- naturedly.

'If not for me, for Ragnor,' Jarrod said.

He patted the glossy flank and turned to leave. The unicorn's benign amus.e.m.e.nt stayed in his mind as he crossed the stableyard.

When he got back to the apartments, he found that Marianna was already in the long black gown that she had had made. It was long-sleeved, had a high neck and

THE UNICORN PEACE f 329

was absolutely plain. The maid was moving around her putting up her hair and pinning in it place,

”There's chai and some sweet rolls in the bedcham- ber,” she said. ”You had better eat now. There's no knowing when we'll see food again.”

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