Then Schmendrick stepped into the open and said a few words.

Schmendrick raised both arms slowly and let them fall to his sides.

"We will never find the way," Schmendrick said very quietly.

Schmendrick raised his head and gave her a look that was almost amused.

Schmendrick took the black for himself, and gave the brown horse to Molly.

Still the king would have turned away, but Schmendrick touched his arm and leaned near.

Schmendrick's long eyes were glinting like leaves in the sun.

The girl's face, quiet in sleep and close to smiling, was the most beautiful that Schmendrick had ever seen.

Schmendrick smiled, and said to the king, "We must leave you now.

Schmendrick hid his face like a child, though he was a great magician.

Schmendrick stopped the bars, though she never knew how.

Schmendrick knew the unicorn's answer by the sinking in his heart.

Schmendrick licked the tip of his finger and looked up.

Schmendrick came forward, his face cold and wet, but his voice level.

The king spoke no more after that, and Schmendrick repented of his words.

Schmendrick said, "If she frees herself first, we are lost."

As they drew nearer Schmendrick thought he could make out a woman's tone among them.

"Yet the king has a joy hidden somewhere about his life," Schmendrick pointed out.

It was too dark for Schmendrick to see anything but the cool, milky shining where his wide eyes were.

But my beard is red, you sorry little schmendrick.

When Schmendrick looked at her again he had managed to pull his face together, but it was still struggling to escape from him.

He let go of Schmendrick's shoulder, smiling to himself.

The wine was still leaping in Schmendrick's own eyes.

Schmendrick rose heavily to his feet, his face red and empty.

I'm sure dear Schmendrick won't mind my mentioning that he is already something of a legend in the trade.