Free Blue Moon Rising (Darkwood) by Simon R. Green Page B

long-forgotten well. And then his laughter died slowly away as he studied the unicorn more carefully.
    “What’s the matter?” asked the animal, frowning.
    “There’s something different about you,” said the Prince thoughtfully.
    “I feel fine,” said the unicorn, twisting his head round to study himself as best he could.
    “Oh dear,” said Rupert, as he finally realized.
    “
What is it?
”
    “Uh,” said Rupert, searching frantically for a tactful way to approach the subject.
    “Hey,” said Julia, as she and the dragon came over to join them, “what’s happened to the unicorn’s horn?”
    “My
what?
” The unicorn went practically cross-eyed trying to find it, but all that remained was a nub of bone in the center of his forehead.
    “The demons broke it off when you were injured,” Rupert explained. “Apparently the Rainbow only heals wounds; it doesn’t regrow things you’ve lost.”
    “My
horn!
” shrieked the unicorn. “Everyone’ll think I’m a
horse!
”
    “Never in a million years,” Rupert assured him.
    “In the meantime,” said the dragon, “May I suggest we get the hell out of here? We’re a long way from the Darkwood’s boundary, and no doubt there are still demons to be found in the dark.”
    “Right,” said Julia, “The nightmare’s over, but the night goes on forever.”
    “Not forever,” said Rupert softly, and his hand dropped to the pommel of the rainbow sword. “Every night comes to an end eventually.”

CHAPTER TWO

Homecoming
    S ome two months later, Rupert, Julia, the dragon, and the unicorn were travelling wearily down the long, winding road that led to Rupert’s Castle. Rupert rode his unicorn, while Julia rode on the dragon’s shoulders. The Prince and the Princess both wore leather jerkin and trousers, topped by a thick fur cloak. The weather had turned suddenly cold in the last few months, and a chill wind blew constantly through the Forest.
    “Home is the hero,” said Julia. “Shouldn’t there be a band playing, or something?”
    “The first minstrel I see had better start running,” said Rupert. “I’ve had it with minstrels.”
    The dragon coughed tactfully. “I hate to bring this up, Rupert, but you were sent out on your quest in the hope you’d bring back a dragon’s hoard of gold and gems. Or at the very least, parts of a dead dragon, which are apparently worth almost as much. Instead, you’ve brought back a live dragon, worth not a lot, a Princess without a dowry, and not a single gold coin to show for all your admittedly remarkable adventures.”
    Rupert grinned. “There’s always the rainbow sword.”
    Julia looked at him aghast. “You’re not going to sell it, surely?”
    The Prince shrugged. “The Forest Land needs the money more than I need a magic sword. Royalty has its responsibilities, remember?”
    “I remember,” said Julia. “It’ll be hard, going back to all that nonsense. Back to formal gowns, and etiquette, and Ladies-in-Waiting to stop you doing anything that might be fun.”
    “I’ll be there, too,” Rupert promised.
    Julia smiled. “That’ll help,” she said, and reached down to squeeze his hand briefly.
    Tall, majestic oaks lined the road they travelled, heavy branches ablaze with the bronzed tatters of autumn leaves. It was barely evening, but already the sun was low on the sky. Rupert frowned as the chill breeze stirred the trees; winter looked to be coming early this year. As if the Forest didn’t have enough problems … He shook his head slowly and breathed deeply, savoring the familiar rich scents of wood and leaf and earth that filled the air, telling him he was nearly home. Home. The word roused many memories, few of them happy. Rupert reined the unicorn to a halt, and turned to the dragon.
    “Uh, dragon … I think it might be better if you were to … well …”
    “Make myself scarce for a time?” The dragon smiled, revealing row upon row of pointed teeth. “I understand, Rupert. We