Chapter 9: Trouble (Jez)

We've been travelling for hours now. Casarea is leading us to the Aquatican capital of Tideus but I think we're lost. We're just deeper into the woods than we already were. I ride my horse, Midnight, up next to her. "Casarea, do you have any idea where we are?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm.

"On the way to Aquaticus. This is the same way that I went when I came to Branchetta." Cas softly replies.

"Are you sure that you know where you're leading us?" I ask.

"No," she sighs, "I say we just rest here."

"Oh, so who died and made you leader?" Kairi asks.

Cas looks at her, "You stay out of this. If we keep traveling then we could just get even more lost."

"I agree with her," Zephyr nods, "I don't feel right traveling at night. Darakians could be out there."

I look at him, "John and I would know if any Darakians were out there, trust me."

"How so?" he asks.

"They tend not to tread lightly against the ground. We'd hear them. Either by the slight snap of any twigs they would step on or we'd feel the slight change in the ground." John replies.

"So how should we split up duties?"

"Rey and I will gather fire wood. John, Jezebelle you two look for food. Cas, try to get water. Evan, Zephyr you two take first watch." Kairi nods, taking charge.

I dismount my horse and grab my bow, walking to start hunting. John follows me and says, "This is nice isn't it?"
I smile lightly and nod, "What should we hunt?"

"Deer perhaps. I saw some track about a mile back. They should be nearby." John replies. He climbs a tree and perches himself on a high branch. He closes his eyes, knowing that in the darkness his sense of hearing will be more useful to him than his sense of sight. He looks serene and peaceful. He opens his eyes and looks at me, "About a mile north."

I nod and slink through the underbrush, hiding in one of the larger patches of grass. A few feet in front of me is a gorgeous buck. He's pawing the ground in front of him but other than that he's standing stock still. I gently knock an arrow in my bow and say a silent prayer to Faun and let my arrow fly. It hits the buck in the chest and he stumbles a bit before falling to the ground.

I walk over to the buck and remove my arrow. I don't want the poor creature to be dishonored. I whistle for John and wait for him to show up. I'll need him to help me carry our dinner back to the campsite.

As I wait for John to show up, I hear a rustling in the bushes behind me. I turn, bow raised and ready to strike. A creature steps out of the bush and I feel my breath catch in my chest. It has the unmistakeable hindquarters of a horse but it's torso is that of a human male. "Human," he speaks softly, "I mean you no harm."

"Who are you?" I ask, bow still raised.

"My name is Roanin. I'm the leader of a small band of centaurs. Might I ask who you are?"

"Jezebelle Vale." I nod, smiling.

"You're her?" he asks. I can see a glimmer of happiness in his eyes.

"Yes…" I reply.

"We've seen your destiny in the stars and it is great," he replies as the other centaur walk up behind him. There are two women, two children, and another male. "Jezebelle this is my clan. My mate Carmin and daughter Darva, my brother Seamus, his mare Elekta, and his son Ekron."

I smile at them as John walks up behind me, "This is my friend Johnathan."

Roanin chuckles to himself and nods to him, "Pleasure to meet you."

I look at Roanin, "Why did you sneak up on me?"

"I meant no harm. I saw you and I thought you may be the person who has been killing off my brethren." Roanin meekly apologizes.

"Someone's been killing off centaurs?" John asks.

"Yes. Before we were a vast clan. Now…" Seamus gestures to the centaurs that stand before us.

"How has your clan perished?" I inquire.

"We know not. One moment they would be standing before us and the next…" Carmin sadly trails off.

"They would disappear into the shadows?" John asks.

"Yes." Elekta nods.

We share a glance, "Darakians." We echo.

"Here in the forest?" Carmin says, looking terrified.

"Don't worry. John and I will alert our travelling party. For now, stay somewhere safe, out of the shadows." I nod. We grab the buck I had shot and head back to camp where Cas, Kairi, Rey, Zephyr, and Evan are gathered around a roaring fire. "We have a problem." I state as we drop the buck.

"Oh?" Rey asks.

"Aye. Jezebelle and I ran into a clan of centaurs. They say something has been hunting them down. Something human that's been pulling them into the shadows never to be seen again."

"Darakians." Cas whispers, a look of terror on her face.

"Exactly. We have to be extra careful. If King Randall finds out about us starting our quest…" I say.

"We'd be in grave danger." John finishes.

"I say we hunt them down and pound their faces in," Kairi smirks.

"It's not advisable. We still don't' have enough battle smarts to take on Darakian men. I say unless they attack we don't seek them out," Evan says.

I nod, "John and I will take first watch. Rest up."

Characters

Roanin: Finlay

Carmin: Mickie James

Seamus: Seamus (that new guy on ECW)

Elekta: Tiffany (the ECW general manager)

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