Page 64 of Inferno

Yorin was struck by two things at the same time. The first was that Rimdolen’s language was far more similar to a human’s than Zandro’s was. Full sentences, correct syntax, and what seemed to be a slight accent, though it was nothing like anything Yorin had heard before. Apparently, there were vast differences between unicorns and fire-dogs, for all that both species communicated via telepathy.

The second thing that struck him was the idea that perhaps they were making this excursion purely on Rimdolen’s say so. He would indeed be indebted to Nerik for all the trips he’d made up and down the mountain, and even if Stanley had disagreed with the decision to go, it might well be the case that Rimdolen had overruled the human. It was an issue he’d have to ask Nerik about later – assuming they succeeded in their rescue attempt, and there was a ‘later’ in which to ask.

Stanley climbed up onto the seat and picked up the reins. But instead of flicking them across Rimdolen’s back or clicking his tongue, Yorin felt him slide into the connection between Yorin and Rimdolen.Ready when you are, Stanley said to Rimdolen, and the unicorn set off, at a walk until they reached the road, and then he broke into a quick trot, without any prompting at all.

The first half of the journey passed in awkward silence. But as they drew closer to town, Yorin felt the need to break the ice between him and Stanley. If they were going to be working together to free Nerik, it would be a lot easier if Yorin wasn’t treading on eggshells the whole time. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I get the impression you don’t like me very much,” he said to Stanley, looking over at him as the man kept his eyes fixed steadfastly on the road.

“Got nothing against you personally,” he said gruffly. “I just don’t like the idea of humans and infernals getting too close and personal, you get me?”

“Why not?”

“Two different kinds don’t belong together.”

That rankled. “And yet you work closely with a unicorn? Kit’s a witch, and she has a tight partnership with a fire-dog. I would have thought that someone who knows the truth about Chalandros would be a little more open minded than that. Or is it just because I’m a human? In which case, I would still make the same point about you and Rimdolen.” The fact that theirs was not a romantic relationship didn’t make the slightest difference, in Yorin’s mind. Rimdolen was dependant on Stanley for access to the human world. Their partnership could be no less important than the relationship between lovers.

“You’re new to all of this,” Stanley said. “Probably think it’s exciting, or some great plaything you’ve just been given. It’s nothing of the sort. You ain’t seen no part of the trouble that could be caused if the Chalandrians get found out.”

“What I’m seeing is that we’re in a whole world of trouble already, and it has absolutely nothing to do with my relationship with Nerik. He was captured trying to save a unicorn from the warriors.”

The cart jerked as Rimdolen stumbled.

“Sorry, I should have warned you before just blurting that out,” Yorin apologised. For all that he hadn’t said much, Rimdolen had nonetheless been entirely more supportive of this venture than Stanley was being.

What happened to the unicorn?

“The warriors captured him. They took him to the stables in the barracks. I’m notionally bringing Stanley to town so that he can train him. Or make whatever pretence of training is required to satisfy the warriors,” he amended the idea. “May I assume you’d be on board with that?” he asked Stanley.

“Yep,” Stanley said, a grudging agreement if Yorin had ever heard one. “Bloody humans sticking their stupid ideas in again. Training a unicorn. Bah.”

As unsavoury as the idea is, it will make it possible to bring a lot more unicorns through the gate,Rimdolen said, calm and collected in Yorin’s mind, though that impression was belied by his earlier stumble.And aside from anything else, it would be nice to have someone else to talk to around the farm. Instead of sending them all away up the mountain.He sounded unexpectedly wistful about that one.

I keep telling you you can go visit them if you want,Stanley told the unicorn – a conversation that was easily heard by Yorin.You don’t need to be stuck on the farm on my account.

I have work to do here,Rimdolen replied.Bringing more of them through the gate and seeing them settled before they go off with Nerik. Plenty of them have said already how nice it is to see one of their own on your farm, to know they’re in good hands.

“Yeah, well…” It seemed Stanley had little more to say.

I would miss you, if I went away.Rimdolen wasn’t shy about saying what he thought. And Yorin had to assume that he was capable enough at telepathy to have realised that Yorin was still listening in on the conversation.

“Look, we’re about getting into town now,” Stanley said, changing topic and ignoring Rimdolen’s declaration. “Best if we discuss things in our minds now, instead of out loud. Never know who could be listening.”

Understood,Yorin agreed.I know you’ll have to go and see about the new unicorn soon enough, but if you could stop for a quick chat with Kit, that would set us on the right path. And leave Rimdolen with us, if that’s at all possible? We’ll urgently need to check in with Nerik. I only managed to have a very brief talk with him before, thanks to Zandro. Oh, I don’t know if you’ve met him before. He’s a fire-dog.

Oh, for the gods’ sake,Rimdolen complained immediately.Tell me I’m not going to have to link one of those daft creatures?

Two of them, actually,Yorin replied.Zandro and Maky. You know Maky, don’t you?

Well enough. Which is a fair bit more than I would actually like to.

Why don’t you like them?

Fire-dogs are all lunatics. No sense, far too prone to excitement, and they could talk the hind leg off a redios beast. No refinement at all.

Not like the unicorns, Yorin was tempted to tease Rimdolen, but he decided against it. He didn’t know enough about Chalandrian culture to know how the jest would be taken, and the last thing he needed to do was get the unicorn offside before they’d even had a chance to talk to Nerik. Instead, he said,Will it be okay to link them just this once? I realise that might not be pleasant for you, but we’re going to need their input.

There’s not much I wouldn’t do for Nerik,Rimdolen replied, even more emphatic than his earlier declaration about not abandoning the infernal.

Thank you. We wouldn’t be able to do this without you.