"What do you know of King Haggard?" the unicorn asked.
"I have heard that he's an old man who rules over barren country by the sea," Schmendrick said, "Some say that Haggard's land was green and soft once, before he came, but the minute he touched it, it became hard and gray."
"I've heard he's a selfish old bastard who thinks everything belongs to him," Alys muttered.
"Alys!" Molly scolded.
"What?" Alys snapped back.
Molly nodded toward the unicorn.
"Oh," Alys said, rolling her eyes, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you."
"You haven't," the unicorn said.
Schmendrick frowned at Alys. "From what I've heard, you and King Haggard would probably get along very well."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Alys glared at him, her lips tightening into a downward curve.
Schmendrick's face softened. "Nothing; never mind."
Alys let out a huffy breath, lagging behind to be alone for a while without the ramblings of fools.
The trees were beginning to thin out again, giving way to barren gray rocks.
After a while, Molly looked back at Alys and motioned her forward with an inviting smile.
Alys sighed and rejoined the rest of the group.
"Tell me about the red bull," the unicorn said thoughtfully.
"The red bull?" Schmendrick repeated, "I've heard too many tales, to tell you the truth. I've heard that the bull is real...that the bull is a ghost..."
"I've heard that it keeps Haggard prisoner in his own castle," Molly said.
"Or that it protects him," Schmendrick added.
"I thought I heard that the bull is a spirit that obeys Haggard because he has no fear," Alys contributed.
As they rounded a corner, a giant castle became visible in the distance. It was dark and shrouded in mist, with spires like jagged claws on the outstretched paw of a beast.
"Haggard's fortress," Schmendrick announced, "We'll be there tomorrow if we walk all night."
"Where does King Haggard keep the red bull?" the unicorn asked. She was calm, but there was a nervousness to her voice that wasn't there before.
"I have heard that he roams at night and lies up by day in a great cavern beneath the castle," Schmendrick said.
"Well, we'll know soon enough," Alys said, pushing past the magician continuing onward.