Falling From Stars
By: Abby Ebon
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter….
The Calling of the Centaur Clan- Herds of the Black Forest…
Osakis admired Mars from a distance, as he was asleep, the babe was his fair skin, with bright-green eyes (when they were open), and already wild black hair. Her mother and brother had called a meeting of the adults.
Osakis grinned, they would hold a Naming Celebration, as they did when any youngling was born and named. Mars had been, as far as the Fleet-Foot Clan was concerned, born anew into the Clan, when the Lady-Grandmother hadn't disapproved of him.
She was excited because, while all younglings of the Clan were warned to stay far from humans, they were curious of them. Now that Mars was accepted, and the only safe Son of Adam, younglings would come to see him.
She could make friends with the younglings that were too shy to approach a First Daughter their age (as most of the others were grown in the Clan and the First Daughters almost always became one of the Honored Mothers of their chosen Clan) of an Honored Mother, and the Clan Leader's younger sister.
While her brother led the Clan, the Honored Mothers made the decisions, of when they left a settlement, or stayed for another moon-turn, or if the Clan would leave early in the seasons. In all the Clan-Herds the females ruled, while the males led for show, as they preferred.
Though the Clan Leader did have some power over who entered the Clan, and left it, but as Aswan had proved he could be overruled, even the Honored Mothers could be, when the Lady-Grandmother was involved, though she rarely was.
When it was needed, the Honored Mothers decided who would be the next Clan Leader. For every Honored Mother was the oldest, or most suited female, who represented their family in the Clan, and spoke for their interests.
Of the Fleet-Foot Clan there were fifteen Honored Mothers, all with two or three young. The Fleet-Foot Clan was not the largest of the Clan-Herds; it just had the most territory, for most centaur Clans were reluctant to venture to the edges of the Black Forest.
All this, Osakis knew, despite being only three summers old. Her mother had assured her there was yet more to learn, but Osakis didn't know how there could be. All she really cared about was Mars was her official baby-brother, and others her age would be driven by their curiosity of him to come near her, thus enabling her to make friends. She hoped.
Aswan stood before the fifteen Honored Mothers of the Fleet-foot Clan, and her son. She knew nothing would happen to her, they could not drive her out of the Fleet-Foot Clan, against the Lady-Grandmothers wishes even they were powerless.
They are beginning to realize this, and it was high time for them to. Aswan thought, her black hooves digging into the ground angrily. They had no right to call such a meeting, and Aswan could have chosen not to go, as was her right, but this concerned her and her family too much.
" Aswan, the Honored Mothers of the Fleet-Foot Clan see you." Noemi said softly, nodding her head regally to Aswan. Aswan knew she had been snubbed, if only slightly, for the formal welcome. Among the Honored Mothers, you didn't need to be as formal with the forest-manners as Noemi was being.
"I see you, Honored Mothers, and Clan Leader." Aswan answered, ready for her lecture from the others to begin, as it was the only thing they could do with the Lady-Grandmother siding with her.
That the Lady-Grandmother had let Mars into her home, and let him play with her newly adopted child, showed her approval of Aswan's actions.
No other proof was needed, as to ask the Lady-Grandmother to come onto Clan grounds would be a high insult to both the Lady-Grandmother and Aswan herself.
As it implied both that they doubted both Aswan's word, and that they doubted Lady-Grandmother's reasoning and competence. As a rule, one did not ask Her to go to them, but went to Her themselves, unless the situation was dire indeed.
"It is interesting, that so much trouble can come from so small a babe." Aswan commented, telling them in the forest-manners formal fashion that they were being silly, and it was best if they backed down, and accepted the Lady-Grandmother's decision.
For if the Honored Mothers, and her son, continued to disagree with the Lady-Grandmother, no matter how subtle they thought they were. All of the Black Forest, and perhaps even the Black Forest itself would revolt against them, and cast them out, and using its own magic hide itself from them, even if they were inches from a tree of the Black Forest.
Such things didn't happen often, but it was not unheard of. They know that, Aswan was sure.
"The Herd-Cousins of the Forbidden Forest… bring news from Human-Wizards. A Son of Adam, with a lightning blot scar, has been…misplaced among them. It is interesting to note that your son, Mars, has that same marking, in the same place. More interesting that it is that same Son of Adam who seems to have made the Dark Lord into a spirit, after having the Dark Lord's killing curse cast and hit him." Noemi told her, who seemed to be the elected voice of all of the Honored Mothers in this. Aswan was surprised and so she was tense, and then the Honored Mothers delivered the next piece of news.
"As the babe was abandoned, thus casting doubt on the Wizard's claim that he is valued among them. We have called a gathering of the Clan-Herds of the Black Forest together. The Herd-Cousins of the Forbidden Forest do not know we may, or may not, have the Son of Adam they seek. The calling will be to see if we will keep it that way…" Hordi declared, not meeting his mother's blue eyes.
AN: If you've been wondering why the centaurs, and others, call Mars/Harry 'Son of Adam' it's a title for a male human, not religious. Like the Lady-Grandmother, Honored Mother, etc, and because calling someone by their species or gender (like human/man/woman, dryad, centaur, and such) is considered very rude, so titles became needful, even for a youngling, unless someone gives you their name and thus permission to use it, or you know it personally like friends in family, you use titles, even if you have to make one up on the spot (though you usually don't). Just how a male humans title (in the Black Forest at least) became Son of Adam, well, only the Lady-Grandmother knows that. –grins-
I just want to tell you all how absolutely great you all are again, especially;Grypheon-Kydra, shonen ai fanatic 14, Hkokuryuha, wolfawaken, kwangmablade, and AmethystSiri. Thanks so much for all your encouragement!