Unicorns? Get Real!

hints.” Alicia sighed. “But it’s finished now. There is nothing else to tell.”
    Gundersnap cast her eyes down. She had not told them about the dim traces of the unicorn—that indeed the tapestry might still be unfinished. She had more important things to think about. This isn’t about the tapestry , she told herself. Not at all. And certainly not about unicorns!
    “The tapestry is finished,” Gundersnap said firmly, “but that doesn’t mean Berwynna can’t help. She’s the only one who can help me, really. Help Menschmik.” Gundersnap’s voice broke again, and tears brimmed in her eyes.
    “But how did you first meet her, Alicia?” Myrella asked.
    “Well, you see,” Alicia began slowly. “You remember when I was castled?”
    “How could anyone forget?” Myrella said. Alicia had been castled for being rude to the Duchess of Bagglesnort. Being castled meant that Alicia could not leave the confines of not just the castle, but the South Turret. “I wasn’t quite as ‘castled’ as one might think. The very day I was castled, I snuck out into the Forest of Chimes, and that’s when I met her.”
    “You did?” Myrella said. She could not believe how daring these princesses were. Oh, how much fun she would have this session. “When can we go to the Forest of Chimes?”
    “I must go alone first,” Gundersnap said. “This is my problem, but when I learn more…”
    Just then Nurse Bodkin poked her head in. “Ready for the CBDE? My dear?”
    “Oh dear, Nurse Bodkin. I’m afraid the Rufus flew out the window. It was open slightly,” Alicia said, crossing her fingers.
    “Oh…oh…” Nurse Bodkin’s pale-gray eyes darted around the chamber in confusion. “Well, he’ll come back, I’m sure. They always do. I’ll get the backup bird.”
    “Oh, no need,” Gundersnap said quickly. “I feel fine. My tummy’s fine.”
    “My, what a remarkable recovery!” Nurse Bodkin said. “But you should still eat lightly, Your Highness, for the next twenty-four hours: calf’s-foot jelly, no greasy meat, avoid rich desserts, and s’morls are out!”
    “Oh yes, Nurse. Never another s’morl, never.”

Chapter 4
    BIDING ROYAL TIME

    Nurse Bodkin continued to call out instructions to the princesses as they hurried down the long corridor, but they were planning how they could sneak off to the hidden turret to have another look at the tapestry while Gundersnap went to the Forest of Chimes.
    “Miladies! Makeup, cosmetics! You’re late. The duchess is waiting.” A maid stopped them.
    “Oh, dung of a pig!” exclaimed Kristen.
    “Tell the Snort that I’m still too sick to come. I have to go now .”
    “It’s still winter, though,” Myrella said.
    “Alicia, can I borrow your bear-paw model snowshoes?” Gundersnap asked.
    “Oh, lucky you!” Kristen said. “I’ve been trying to borrow them forever.”
    “This is a life-or-death situation, Kristen.” Alicia immediately regretted her words as she saw Gundersnap turn pale. “I mean…I mean…it’s just very important that Gundersnap get to the Forest of Chimes as quickly as possible. They’re under my bed, Gundersnap, by the stack of old Royal We’ s.”
    “All right, I’m off! Have fun in makeup!”
    “Oh yes, of course, makeup! About as much fun as a romp on the torture chamber rack,” Kristen muttered.
    Along with half a dozen other princesses, Alicia, Myrella, and Kristen filed into the Salon de Beauté. Over the door hung a needlepoint banner that showed the face of the Duchess of Bagglesnort herself in full cosmetic glory. She wore every adornment and trick, from an enticing beauty spot near the corner of her mouth to a head full of braids and ringlets artfully attached to her own hair. Stitched at the bottom of the banner were the words “Adornment is a Duty, Not an Indulgence.”
    The Duchess of Bagglesnort was full of such sayings and was constantly referring to what she so cutely called “the beauty duty.” And she always began each class with a little beauty proverb or epigram. Now she tapped a mascara wand for attention. “Princesses, welcome to the Salon de Beauté. I should like to begin with a wise and very profound saying by one of the great beauties of all times.” She smiled sweetly and tried to blush. “Me. And here are my first words of advice: Trickery in service to beauty is honorable.”
    “In other words, cheat!” Kristen whispered.
    “And I have devised a new trick to serve our needs.” Her eyes