Final Test Read online

  A Fawcett Columbine Book

  Published by Ballantine Books

  Copyright © 1988 by Parachute Press, Inc

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, a division Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto.

  ISBN: 0-449-90298-6

  Cover design by Dale Fiorillo

  Illustration by Rowena Morrill

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  First Edition: November 1988

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  BOOK THREE

  The Final Test

  DORY PERLMAN

  FAWCETT COLUMBINE GIRLS ONLY

  New York

  1

  Celebration!

  The clatter of hoofbeats broke the stillness of the moonlit night as the unicorns and their riders climbed the rocky mountain path. The unicorns moved with determination, their proud single-horned foreheads bent to the task of carrying the riders to safety.

  Sheila McCarthy held tight to the black mane of her creamy white unicorn, Morning Star. Her hazel eyes gleamed, and her body seemed to tingle with excitement. She was riding away from a battle that had been both terrifying and thrilling. In all the fourteen years of her life she had never felt anything like the exhilaration she felt this night.

  She looked around quickly at the women warriors who surrounded her, each mounted on a strong, majestic unicorn. There was regal Nanine, gentle Pelu, rough Myno, and haughty Dian. Kara the archer rode her unicorn with Lianne, her delicate dark-haired sister, in the saddle behind her.

  Ahead of them all, their leader, Illyria, the Unicorn Queen, rode strong and steady. Her long silver-blond hair glistened in the moonlight, as her pure white mount, Quiet Storm, led the rest toward a safe haven.

  "Yip-yip-yaaaaahhhhhhh!" Myno cried out exultantly. Her cry was echoed by joyful shouts from the others. They had reason to feel good. They had just outwitted and outfought the emperor Dynasian and his soldiers, who had tried to trap them at his mountain fortress. Now they were riding away from near death, and they were still together—hardly injured and triumphant.

  The band's only male member, Illyria's brother, sixteen-year-old Darian, rode hard to catch up with Sheila. Sailing comfortably along on the back of his ebony-black unicorn, Wildwing, he looked as though he had been born in the saddle.

  "We did it!" he shouted to her, his voice full of pride.

  “We sure did! We sure did!" she shouted back with a wide smile. Darian and Sheila had worked together to help defeat Dynasian. They had been the first to uncover the plot that would have doomed them all to captivity or worse. All they had gone through together had strengthened their special feelings for each other, feelings they had shared since the first day Sheila landed in this strange world.

  Darian tossed back his handsome head of tousled brown hair and laughed with sheet pleasure at the memory of their victory. "You fought like a she-bear back there," he said. "I'd be glad to fight beside you any time."

  "If you can catch me," she challenged, squeezing Morning Star with her knees as a signal for the unicorn to gallop even faster. She did this to hide the blush of pleasure she felt rising at Darian's praise—and because she knew he would race her and she wanted to race. She needed to vent the feeling of wild energy she felt whirling around within her.

  I did fight almost as well as the others, she thought proudly as she bent low over Morning Star's neck, her long auburn hair sailing out behind her. Who would ever have believed it? I 've changed so much since leaving home.

  Leaving home. It hadn't exactly been Sheila's idea, but when she tripped over Dr. Reit's cat and fell through the transport window of his still-experimental Molecular Acceleration Transport Device, she had landed in this unfamiliar, magical land. Her only chance for survival depended on her learning to fight, hunt, and ride as well as these women warriors who had adopted her.

  At first she had felt sorry for herself, but that hadn't lasted long. She soon found herself caught up in their quest to save the wild unicorns. It was a challenge that had tested her bravery to the limit, but she had come to feel as passionately committed to freeing the unicorns as did the others.

  I've done it! I really belong, she told herself as she galloped on, enjoying the feel of the night breeze in her face and the power of the unicorn beneath her. Her sword slapped against her thigh and her lavender tunic flapped freely beneath the tough leather breastplate that she wore to protect herself in battle. The only thing out of place was her school backpack, which bounced hard against her back.

  Darian was pulling ahead now. Sheila leaned farther forward, "Go, girl, go," she whispered to Morning Star. The unicorn whinnied and picked up her pace. In minutes, Morning Star and Wildwing were neck and neck. At home Sheila might have considered the idea of letting a handsome boy like Darian win. No more. She had learned to play to win as never before. Now she liked the new feeling of physical and mental strength she had discovered in herself. She surrendered herself fearlessly to the unicorn's lightning pace, just as Illyria had taught her.

  "That's enough, you two," came the commanding tones of Myno, Illyria's second in command, as she galloped up beside them. Sheila and Darian responded to Myno instantly, slowing their unicorns to a canter.

  Myno didn't seem angry, though. Her usually serious eyes twinkled with happiness. "Don't weary these unicorns; they've been through enough for one day," she said. ''We all have."

  "Ha, Myno, your age is showing," Darian teased. "Sheila and I feel fine.”

  "Quiet, you pup," Myno shot back merrily. "I can still give you a hiding if I choose." Sheila looked at the strong redhead, who had once been a slave in Campora, and didn't doubt her words for a minute. "Keep the pace," Myno told them. "We still have a climb ahead of us."

  As Myno rode ahead, Darian and Sheila rejoined the other riders. The group's happy chatter died down as the twisting mountain path gave way to a sharp upward slope. Sheila groaned; the ride was getting harder. "It looks as though Illyria plans on taking us to the top of the mountain," she murmured to Darian.

  "It does," Darian agreed. "I suppose she wants us as far from Dynasian's troops and Mardock's spells as we can get."

  At the mention of the wizard Mardock's name, Sheila grew silent. Her joy was replaced by dread. Dynasian's wizard was as evil as he was powerful—and he had sworn to get Sheila if it took all eternity.

  "What's wrong?" Darian asked, concern in his dark eyes.

  "It . . . it’s Mardock," Sheila admitted. "I'm in big trouble with him.".

  "But, Sheila, you've beaten him before, and you still have your magic bag," he said, nodding toward the knapsack on Sheila's back.

  Sheila sighed. The bag contained just what she had been carrying that day after school when she stopped off at Dr. Reit's to ask for some help with her science paper—a pack of matches she had needed for a school lab experiment, some makeup, a mirror, a tape player, some tapes, some books, and a few other everyday things like that. At least they were everyday things back home. Here, a stick that could light fires was pretty special. People even thought it was magical—something that had earned her a reputation for being a student sorceress.

  "Darian speaks the truth," said the elegant Nanine, riding up alongside them. Sheila noticed that the golden powder Nanine always wore on her brown skin glistened in the moonlight. This small vanity and Nanine's royal bearing were the only indications that Nanine had once been a princess. She had joined Illyria's band to escape an arranged marriage to a man she didn't love. That life must seem as far away to Nanine as Sheila's life in the twentieth century seemed to her, Sheila thought.

  "Your magic is strong, Sheila
," Nanine continued. "I remember when you threw one of Mardock's own spells back upon him,"

  "And we all saw you use your spirit box to confuse the guards when we rescued half the herd in Campora," Darian added.

  That had been a Michael Jackson tape. "I keep telling you none of that was magic," Sheila said. "It was just using the stuff we all take for granted in my world."

  "But it seems to me you come from a magical world," Darian insisted.

  It was all so odd. In this world magic was real—real in a way she had only read about. But, Sheila realized, thinking of the space shuttle and heart transplants and all the technological wonders of home, her times were magical in their own way. Her friends here would certainly be amazed if they could see her home with its TV, VCR, dishwasher, washing machine, and microwave oven.

  A wave of homesickness passed over Sheila. Maybe someday she would see home again—maybe not. Dr. Reit had come through the transport device and almost been able to take her home, but it hadn't worked out, and who knew if she would ever see the kindly old scientist again. She tried not to think of home, but when she thought of Mardock, she wished she were safe in her own bed.

  "There's not enough magic in this bag to fight Mardock," she said with a weary sigh. "The next rime I meet him I'm afraid I'll be out of tricks."

  "I think not," said Nanine kindly. "Those are only tools you carry in your bag." Nanine reached over and tapped Sheila's breastbone with long elegant fingers. "The real magic comes from in here."

  "I wish I believed her," Sheila murmured as Nanine rode away.

  "Don't worry, I'll stand by you," said Darian. "We all will."

  Sheila shivered and then shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not going to think about it anymore. I plan to enjoy our victory tonight."

  Sheila and Darian rode on in silence as Illyria led them through a narrow, twisting passageway in the rocks. The stone floor of the tight corridor sloped up, and Sheila was glad the unicorns were so nimble-footed. The loose rocks would have tripped up a mere horse.

  Suddenly the passageway widened and the unicorn warriors found themselves in the middle of a small grotto. High walls surrounded the grotto on all sides.

  Illyria rode Quiet Storm into the center of the hard, grassless spot. "This is where we will rest for tonight," she announced in her full, melodic voice. "These walls will shelter us, and it is a spot known to few others. We will be safe here."

  The riders began unsaddling and preparing to bed down, but Sheila stayed a moment in her saddle and watched Illyria. The young woman they called the Unicorn Queen was speaking gently to Quiet Storm as she stroked his white mane. It seemed to Sheila that at that moment this fierce and brave woman looked like the beautiful, gentle girl she must have once been. But that was before Dynasian's troops raided her father's mountain home ranch, killing her parents and driving the unicorns her father cared for into captivity.

  Only Illyria and Darian had survived the raid—and they had vowed to set the unicorns free.

  Illyria's animal-sharp instincts made her sense Sheila's gaze, and she looked up quickly, meeting Sheila's eyes. She left Quiet Storm and walked toward Sheila. "You fought well today, my girl," she said warmly, her ice blue eyes shining. "I owe you much for using your head and your heart to help me."

  These words from the woman Sheila had come to admire so much melted every fear and misgiving. Sheila looked at Illyria and took in the fine, delicate features so in contrast with the rough, deeply tanned skin. The silver and leather armor she wore over her patched crimson tunic was pieced together from parts found along the way, but on Illyria they looked just right, royal even. From the moment Sheila first saw Illyria, she knew she had never known anyone more imposing or confidence inspiring. Illyria had won Sheila's complete loyalty as she had won the hearts of all her warriors.

  "I'd gladly do it all again," Sheila answered.

  Illyria laughed wearily. "Let us hope you will not have to, but with half a herd left to free . . . who can tell? We will hope for the best." At that a new energy seemed to seize Illyria, and she walked briskly back to the center of the grotto.

  "Hear me!” she shouted, raising her silver-braceleted arms. "Until this moment there has not been time to thank you all for fighting so valiantly. You have earned your rest, and I will gladly open a satchel of rich foods I was able to grab from the stores of Dynasian's fortress,” Illyria laughed at the thought. "Tonight we feast—but no need to thank Dynasian, I'm sure he'd rather see us starve.”

  "Let's eat!" Darian shouted, and a happy cry went up from the group.

  "The first to taste of Dynasian's luxuries will be Lianne," Illyria continued, indicating the frail girl who stood beside Kara. "We welcome her to our group with great joy."

  For Kara the greatest victory of the day had been finding the sister she had long sought in Dynasian's prison. Lianne looked happy but tired, and confused by this wild group her sister was now a part of. Sheila smiled, She could understand Lianne's feelings exactly—not much more than a month ago she had felt the same.

  Illyria unhitched a heavy bag from Quiet Storm's saddle and lifted it with all her strength. She dropped it with a thud and spread it on the rocky ground. Sheila's mouth watered instantly. Before her lay silvertopped jars of nuts, smoked fish wrapped in spun-gold paper, hard sausage, cheeses, fresh fruit, candies, and brightly colored, flavored waters in jade-inlaid sliver flasks. Sheila knelt and lifted a gold, ruby-encrusted lid from a round box and found a cake covered with honey and almond slivers.

  "This would make an attractive center for my shield," said Dian, taking the jeweled lid from Sheila, Of all the warriors, Sheila found only sixteen-year-old Dian hard to take. And the feeling was mutual. Sheila had unseated Dian as the baby of the group, and, more important, Dian resented the special relationship Sheila had with Darian, There was no love lost between the two girls.

  "I saw it first," Sheila protested, not so much wanting the lid, but resentful of Dian's presumption on taking it from her. Sheila snatched the lid back from Dian and turned her back on her.

  A strong hand lifted the lid out of Sheila's grasp. "Eat all you want," said Myno, "but there'll be no squabbling over the wrappings. Older and wiser heads shall decide how it is best used. Some will be melted to mend armor, and some will be traded for supplies."

  "See what you've done," Dian hissed at Sheila, flipping her luxurious black hair over one shoulder, her brown eyes glancing around at the others. "I'd planned to share the jewels with you; now we get nothing."

  "This is no time for bickering," said Myno, putting her hands on their shoulders. "Eat before it is all gone.

  The girls joined the others in sampling the captured delicacies of Dynasian's sumptuous larder. Sheila grabbed a crisp, red apple and savored its sweetness. She knew that apples didn't grow in this part of the land. Dynasian had obviously imported much of this food. And after a tough diet that had sometimes consisted of roasted bat, Sheila enjoyed the food thoroughly.

  As they ate, Myno built a fire, and Pelu pulled a small, carved flute from her frayed leather boot. Lifting it to her lips, she blew a lively tune. The petite woman’s ash-blond braids shook as she played, and the tiny pieces of silver she kept tied to the ends of the plaits clinked like little musical bells. Sheila put down the hunk of honey cake she held and smiled at the group's nurse and resident veterinarian. Pelu's gentleness was like a touch of her mother's own caring ways.

  Dian began to sing to the tune of Pelu's playing. Despite their problems, Sheila had to admit Dian had a beautiful voice. The others joined her in the singing, and as they did, the music picked up in tempo.

  Nanine jumped to her feet and began to dance in the flickering light of Myno's fire. The exotic princess from a land far south of them moved with the ease of a river. The gold cord she had twisted around her dark forehead flashed in the firelight, and her waist-long curly black hair flew out around her as she spun faster and faster.

  The others clapped along and marveled at the lion-
like grace of their friend. When the dance was done, Nanine threw her head back proudly as the others applauded.

  "I have an idea," said Darian. "Let's get Sheila to teach us one of her songs from home."

  "Yes," Illyria agreed. "A wonderful idea."

  "I don't think you want to hear me sing a solo," Sheila said with an embarrassed laugh. She knew her singing voice wasn't one of her strengths. "Still, I can give you some music."

  Sheila reached over and rummaged in her pack until she found her tape player. Sheila slid a Bruce Springsteen tape into it and pushed the "play" button. Bruce belted out a hard-driving rock 'n' roll number while guitars played and a saxophone wailed in the background.

  "It's too loud," said Myno gruffly.

  ''I like it,'' said Darian.

  "Me, too," Dian admitted grudgingly.

  Nanine started to dance again, fitting her body surprisingly well to the foreign sound of rock music. "I could like this," she said as Bruce rocked on. Soon all but Illyria and Myno rose to their feet and began moving to the music, laughing as they waved their arms and shook all over.

  "You look foolish," scolded Myno, still on the ground.

  ''Come on, my serious friend," said Illyria, rising and pulling Myno up with her. "We are still young enough to learn new ways.

  Just then a cloud seemed to block the full, round moon. Looking up, Sheila saw that it wasn't a cloud at all. Twelve huge eagles were soaring through the sky, their powerful wings silhouetted in the moonlight.

  Sheila snapped off the music and looked at Illyria. The Unicorn Queen held her arms up to the sky longingly.

  "Laric!" she cried in a voice filled with emotion.

  2

  Riding Through the Night

  The eagles circled ever lower until two dozen avian feet touched the ground. Slowly their forms blurred into a shimmering golden glow. Sheila had seen this amazing transformation before, but it always made her jaw drop in wonder.