RUKH: This here is the manticore. Man's head, lion's body, tail of a scorpion. (The villagers murmur.) Creatures of night, brought to light! Here is the dragon. Breathes fire now and then - mostly at people who poke it, little boy. Its inside is an inferno, but its skin is so cold it burns! Speaks seventeen languages badly, and is subject to gout. Creatures of night, brought to light! ...The satyr. Ladies, keep back!

(The tall man sneaks up to the unicorn's cage.)

TALL MAN: I shouldn't be here. But quickly, tell me what you see. Don't be afraid. Look at your fellow legends and tell me what you see.
UNICORN: What he calls a manticore looks to be no more than a shabby, toothless lion. And she has them believing that poor old ape with a twisted foot is a satyr! Illusions! Deceptions! Mirages! Your Mommy Fortuna cannot truly change things!
TALL MAN: That's true; she can only disguise. And only for those eager to believe whatever comes easiest.
RUKH (to the villagers): The Midgard Serpent. It's got the whole world in its coils.
TALL MAN: (to the unicorn) No, she can't turn cream into butter. But she can make a lion look like a manticore to eyes that want to see a manticore. Just as she'd put a false horn on a real unicorn to make them see the unicorn. ...I know you. If I were blind I would know who you are.
UNICORN: Who are you?
TALL MAN: I am called Schmendrick, the magician. You wouldn't have heard of me. ...I entertain the sightseers as they gather for the show. It's not much of a job for a real magician, but I've had worse.
UNICORN (looks at a cage nearby): That one is real. That is the harpy Celaeno.

(The harpy caws out maliciously.)

SCHMENDRICK: Yes. The old woman caught her by chance, asleep, just as she took you. Oh, she should never have meddled with a real harpy, or a real unicorn for that matter, because the truth melts her magic, always.

(harpy caws some more)

SCHMENDRICK: She's going to free herself very soon now, and she must not catch you still caged.
RUKH (sees him): Go on, get away from there! You know what she told you!
SCHMENDRICK (bows clumsily to the unicorn): Don't be afraid! Schmendrick is with you! Do nothing till you hear from me! (runs away down past the cages)
RUKH (stops at the unicorn's cage): The unicorn.
VILLAGERS: A unicorn! (murmuring)

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