by L. R. W. Lee
The centaur rolled his eyes, drawing chuckles.
“Why’d you all let the wild centaurs go?” Alden asked.
Arthur lifted his chin and pursed his lips. “No matter how riotous their behavior, they are children of Chiron.”
Brayden nodded.
Andy waited for more explanation but got only silence, and he furrowed his brow.
“I think he means every centaur has a certain dignity despite their current behavior. Capturing a child of Chiron would rob them of that,” Hannah offered.
“She’d make a gifted stargazer,” Hildred said, receiving grins from Andy and Alden.
Their trek continued uphill, with the company members slipping and sliding as the slick incline steepened. Somehow the centaurs’ steps remained sure. Andy skinned his knees and palms as he repeatedly met the muddy ground. Arthur reached down and righted him several times.
“Thanks.” Andy wiped mud on his tunic after being helped once more. With all the grime already staining it, a little more wouldn’t matter.
Razen struggled next to Mermin. The wizard seemed to float with each step, but the bird-man’s stubby legs couldn’t hold traction.
“Why doesn’t he just transform into his bird-form and fly up this mountain?” Andy suggested.
“He must have seen the horror on our faces the last time he shifted and decided not to,” Hannah whispered.
Captain Ladilas was deep in conversation with a sable lady centaur. From the snippets Andy caught, her name was Cedrica and she was the battle chieftain. The two discussed strategy and training methods.
Andy didn’t know how far they had climbed, but his pounding heart felt ready to explode from his chest. The trees finally thinned and a dozen intricately carved gold pillars came into view. They stood in two rows supporting a sloped roof over an entrance that looked like the front of the Pantheon.
Everyone oohed at the painted ceiling as Jax led them past two guards standing sentry. Torches lined the smooth walls, illuminating paintings in impressionist, realist, and abstract styles. The display reminded Andy of the Art Institute of Chicago, which his family had visited on vacation. Andy smiled as Mom bounced with excitement. Father shook his head slowly, amazed. Mermin pointed at something that caught his fancy.
“They change these every moon. Gives the art students practical experience,” Byram, another of their hoofed hosts, narrated from up front.
They reached a large atrium that towered up two stories. Intricate, three-dimensional, monochromatic scenes adorned the rounded walls, no doubt the handiwork of master artisans.
A mammoth bronze statue of a centaur loomed in the middle, making Andy feel ant-sized. Light flickered at the statue’s enormous hoofs then pointed upward, making the animal’s shadow prance on the massive domed ceiling. Andy was awed as he studied the colossus.
“Chiron,” Hannah oohed.
“That’s right. This statue of our beloved ancestor was cast out of solid bronze refined from the rock of this mountain. It took our sculptors ten seasons to build the mold and another two to cast it properly.” An ornately dressed centaur stepped forward. “As you can imagine, it was quite the process to free it from the mold, polish it, and then mount it on that pedestal, but it stands as one of our crowning achievements. Greetings, I’m Jayden and this is my bonded, Elmina.” He smiled broadly as he indicated a well-appointed female centaur beside him. “And these are my daughters, Rhyan and Nixie.” Two smaller female centaurs bowed their heads.
“I’m guessing they’re the top dogs,” Alden whispered as Father motioned Andy forward.
“I’m King Hercalon V, and this is Queen Emmalee,” Father introduced as they stepped to the front of the ranks. “And Prince Andrew.” He put a gentle hand on Andy’s shoulder. “Thank you for your kindness in rescuing and welcoming us.”
The leader’s jowls jiggled as his hearty laugh reverberated about the stone-lined chamber. “How could we not? The stars began announcing your arrival two nights ago. Don’t often get such a display.”
“You must be weary after your trip,” Elmina intoned. “And you’d probably like to freshen up a bit.” Warmth danced in her eyes, and Andy liked her right away.
Jayden turned to Cedrica. “Have someone show them to their guest quarters.”
“Yes, my lord.” The chieftain bent a furry knee and dipped her head then pointed to two of her officers. “Twyford, Royston, if you’d do the honors.”
A dapple gray and a sabino centaur stepped forward. “With pleasure, Chieftain,” the gray replied.
“If you’ll follow us,” invited the sabino, extending an open palm. “I’m Royston by the way.”
Andy caught Rhyan’s eye. The girl-centaur averted her gaze to the floor and bit her lip before running a jerky hand through her long copper locks.
Shy?
Everyone turned and followed as their guides headed toward an arched hallway. Andy looked back over his shoulder. Rhyan was watching the company, but as soon as he caught her eye, she again averted her gaze and bit her lip.
“This is the infirmary,” Twyford informed as they passed a hall jutting off to the left. “Might want to pay a visit judging by the injuries I’ve seen on a few of you.” The comment made Andy’s skinned hands and knees prickle.
As with the grand atrium, the walls of the passages they followed had been artfully decorated. Niches displayed carved wood sculptures, colorful glass pieces, and gleaming metalwork. Silence overwhelmed the company as they took in all the beauty.
“The school of arts is in there.” Royston interrupted the patter of hoofs and boots as they ascended yet another ramped hallway.
Andy glimpsed an archipelago of easels scattered around a room that overlooked a fluffy blanket of dark cloud cover. Lazy afternoon sun filled the space with its ochre light. “May we go in?”
“Certainly,” the gray guide agreed.
A centaur with blue and white paint streaks across his face and hands looked up from a canvas as they entered. Others stopped what they were doing. Pounding ceased from a studio to the right as the sculptor looked their way.
Invisible cords seemed to pull the entire group to the large window that spanned most of the wall. The view looked like that from an airplane.
“We’re above the clouds!” Hannah exclaimed. “It’s like someone spread a gray blanket out as far as you can see!”
“Where’s the fog?” Sergeant Hammond questioned, smiling.
“That cloud cover is the top of it,” Twyford explained.
Alden rubbed his chin. “I’ve flown my pegasus and never gotten above it.”
“Amazing,” Mermin mused beside Father.
Andy took a deep breath and felt some of the tension he’d bottled up for too long ease. Mom stepped beside him and drew him close.
“It’s beautiful. Is it usually like this?” Hannah looked to Royston.
“Yes, it’s usually like that. I loved this view when I was taking art lessons as a young buck. It brought out my creativity.”
“No wonder you can create such beautiful art,” Hannah declared. “If I had a view like this all the time, I’d become an artist, too.” Several students smiled.
Alden stood beside Andy not saying a word. His open mouth revealed his feelings.
A small porch jutted out. “May we?” Andy asked.
“Of course,” Royston said.
Andy pushed open the door and the company followed him out. He sucked in a breath. The air felt dry, lacking its usual humidity. But the view—he couldn’t put it into words. The moment felt magical. He wished he could touch the clouds. When the curse is broken… Andy wouldn’t let his mind wander beyond the one thought.
The sound of metal clashing against metal drew him to the edge, and he looked down. Pairs of centaurs sparred in what looked like an open training field on the level below.
“Can never keep your fighting skills too sharp,” Twyford commented, stopping next to the railing.
The company drank in t
he sight. Everyone, even Razen, took deep breaths and sighed contentedly. Alden took Hannah’s hand in his and kissed the back, bringing a smile to her lips. Captain Ladilas relaxed his posture and the other soldiers followed his lead. Father’s grin told Andy the man allowed himself a moment of freedom from the weight of the curse he’d caused.
“Shall we move on?” Twyford suggested.
Several minutes later they entered a long corridor lined with identical doors. Their pair of escorts stopped outside one.
“Majesties, this will be your room,” Royston informed, pushing open the first ornately carved door. Father followed Mom in and their guides motioned everyone else forward.
Alden and Andy chose to bunk together, leaving Hannah with a room of her own. That suited her just fine once she saw the books covering one entire wall. Mermin and Razen shared a room, and the soldiers divvied up another four rooms.
Two equine harnesses hung from the ceiling of the boys’ quarters, what looked to be the centaur version of a bed.
“You think they sleep standing up?” Andy smiled.
“Hammock anyone?” Alden jested.
“They’re not quite long enough for us though,” Andy countered. “At least, if you don’t want your head hanging all night.”
“Wait, what’s this?” Alden had pulled open a closet and now hauled out a soft, fluffy fabric pad. “This’ll do,” he declared, spreading it out on the floor.
They investigated the spacious room, opening and closing cupboards and doors. They found the bathroom—Alden couldn’t get over the running water, both cold and hot, that flowed from a spigot overhead, not to mention the fact that simply pulling a chain in the center of the ceiling brought it cascading down. The gently sloping floor allowed water to drain from the ten-foot-wide shower.
Andy peeled off his mud-covered clothes and took advantage of the amenities. As Andy waited for Alden to clean up, he decided to check in on the doppelgangers.
The fog-less sky shone bright. Caldwell’s group made it into Cromlech.
Andy’s lookalike stood scratching his head. “I don’t get it. I put my pack right here. It’s not like it sprouted legs and walked off.”
Andy cracked up. Oh yes it could have. Gelon, a gnome leader, or one of his gnome compatriots, had been at it again, no doubt about it. Gnomes loved to play tricks on unsuspecting folks. They’d taken Andy’s clothes when he stripped to bathe in a stream in that neck of the woods a couple years before. Andy couldn’t imagine anyone avoiding being on the receiving end of their innocent fun.
I forgot to tell Caldwell about that. Well, I guess they’ll meet the gnomes soon enough.
Judson’s company walked in silence. The forest’s thick canopy protected them from view of passing vulture patrols. But despite that comfort and the fact that the lookalike soldiers hiked in wheel formation about the group, his twin scanned the trees anyway. Andy remembered the area. Trolls. But they’re nocturnal. I guess they’re not taking any chances.
The thought had barely formed when a chorus of growls erupted not more than twenty yards ahead. Wolf-like creatures with enormous paws and pushed-in snouts emerged from the trees. Herewolves! What are they doing way over there? Company members drew weapons and formed a circle, backs toward each other. Andy tensed.
Six of the beasts surrounded the company. Their bared teeth and low growls made Daralis’s eyes grow large despite Judson’s attempts to reassure her.
Their Captain Ladilas instructed, “Stay calm.”
The circle of decoys held ready positions as three soldiers let go a volley of arrows. At such close range, each projectile hit its mark and whimpers quickly replaced growls.
Andy exhaled. What would cause them to hunt outside their territory? The question troubled Andy. But with the attackers brought down, he asked MiniMe to move on to Mendell’s group.
Mendell walked next to Hannah and Alden’s lookalikes but kept glancing at the king’s double.
He respects Father even though it’s not really him.
The queen’s twin furrowed her brow and pointed through the moderate fog. “What’s that?”
Mendell followed her finger and spotted the wall surrounding the northern part of Oomaldee. Father had constructed it when the curse first fell because the troika’s power had been shattered and could no longer protect the land from enemy invasion. The wall now bore a gaping hole from the top clear down to its foundation.
Andy gasped.
“What happened to it?” pseudo-Hannah questioned.
The company raced to inspect but pulled up short when their Sergeant Fulk held up a hand and tapped a finger to his lips. He pointed at the source of a grunt ten yards off.
Three giants struggled to move one of the wall’s boulders.
The doppelganger’s faces told Andy he wasn’t the only one feeling shaky in his knees. Andy had never thought much about the wall. It had always stood there protecting the land. Clearly, Abaddon saw it as a barrier to his plans and was doing something about it.
This is bad. This is really bad.
A knock at the door of their room startled Andy.
“Who could that be?” Alden went to answer the door. Curiosity made Andy follow.
A black she-centaur stood with a bulging bag slung over one shoulder. “If you’ll give me your dirty clothes, I’ll see that they’re laundered and returned to you in the morning.”
This is like those five-star hotels we’ve stayed at. If worry hadn’t been clouding Andy’s mood, he would have pumped a fist.
Once she left, Andy headed to his parents’ quarters with Alden in tow. Sergeant Ector stood guard. Father opened their door and Andy announced, “Abaddon’s tearing down Oomaldee’s northern wall.”
The sergeant gave Andy a long look.
“How do you know that?” Mom questioned, peering around Father’s shoulder.
Father invited Andy and Alden in. Mom and Father seated themselves on a plush sofa and directed the boys to have a seat opposite. Andy told them everything he’d seen. Father peppered him with questions, then said to himself, “At least Merlin’s spells seem to be slowing his progress.”
“What does that mean?” Andy asked.
“I had Merlin imbue that wall with magic to make it resistant to black spells, just in case. Looks like it’s a good thing I did.”
“So that’s why Abaddon doesn’t have Fides blowing it apart,” Andy thought aloud. Alden and Mom looked uneasy. Father ran a shaky hand through his gray hair.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Stars Speak
A roan centaur came to collect a much better smelling company for dinner. “Egbert would be furious if he didn’t have a chance to show off. He’s prepared something special for your dining pleasure.”
Andy and Alden’s stomachs rumbled a duet of thanks, and Hannah shook her head. It had been a long while since lunch. They had stumbled through muck and slid across wet rocks since then. The thought of something extraordinary brought excitement among those who had gathered in the King’s chambers.
Sergeant Terric remarked, “I knew I’d like this place.” Considering the concerns about unruly centaurs at the beginning of the trip, the burly soldier’s humor brought a smattering of chuckles from compatriots as he patted his stomach.
Chattiness fled as they walked into the dining hall. It boasted more beautiful works of art, including the painted, vaulted ceiling, sculptures in each corner, and a grand chandelier. A tall, sprawling table ran the length of the hall. Everyone swiveled their heads like gyroscopes.
Another centaur, this one wearing a white chef’s coat, greeted them. “Welcome to our lord’s private dining quarters. He’ll be joining us shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy some of his favorite Bara Brith and Stottie.” The sous chef indicated a table behind them spread with all manner of breads. He lit up as he added, “And be sure to try all five types of butter! I made those myself.”
It took no convincing. Andy was halfway through his second Stottie when th
e hulking doors swung open. Jax and Houston entered. They had cleaned themselves up since the company saw them on the trail, but Jax still wore his trademark camo headband and Houston his red bandanna.
Following close behind, Malcolm and Lorica nodded greetings. Andy quickly stuffed the remainder of the appetizer in his mouth and, ignoring etiquette, bolted over to greet them. “You’re here!”
Malcolm chuckled as he pushed his black-rimmed geek glasses back up his nose. “So it would seem.” He winked at his mate.
“You know what I mean.” Andy shook his head, a smile bursting. “I hear you’re bonded!”
Lorica nodded. “That’s right. We weren’t going to let any more time slip by. Got hitched the day after we got back.” She adjusted the daisy she wore above her right ear.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you very much.”
A centaur warrior standing by the imposing doors cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Lord Jayden and Lady Elmina.” The doors swung open once again and the royal couple strode through, her hand on his bent arm.
Guests and attendees turned to acknowledge the couple.
“Rhyan and Nixie,” the soldier announced a minute later.
From the front of the room the sous chef clapped his hands and announced, “If you would all take your places. Guests on this side, please.” He motioned to his right.
Andy quickly understood why, for tall stools lined the right side of the long table. To the left, centaurs approached and stood at their places, no chairs necessary. Father and Mom situated themselves opposite Jayden and Elmina. Rhyan sat opposite Andy. He hoped he could find out more about what had caused her to be coy earlier. Nixie, her younger sister, stood at her left. The instant Andy and Rhyan’s eyes connected, the girl-centaur looked down to the table.
Down the way, Sergeant Hammond had to help Razen up onto his stool. To say it looked awkward would be an understatement, and Andy chuckled to himself as a red-faced sergeant climbed onto his own stool at the bird-man’s right.