Chapter Fifty-Two
Commitment
Not long after breakfast the next day, Jennifer and the Merrows brought the boat around to a place the centaurs had access to that was between the peninsula and the mainland. What sort of magic protections were on the area, Jennifer wasn't quite certain, but she knew there were plenty of them considering the fact that the Muggle boats in the distance never came any closer.
Meeting up with the centaurs on the island side of the shoreline, Severus scanned the area thoughtfully, then took out a map printed by a wizard company to check surrounding protected sites.
"It would appear that this particular area's proximity to both the Stymphalian reserve and a native Magical Creatures reserve on the mainland has given it some decent protection. We shouldn't have any problems with Muggles blundering in," Severus decided.
"Yes, some of the centaurs like to come down here to fish," Arcadia agreed. "It's one of the areas that the constellation is negotiating to maintain, actually, since obviously the fishing is much better here than anywhere in non-magic fishing lanes."
"It's also nice to come down to the water without having to change to our other forms," Atalanta added for good measure, closing her eyes and taking deep breath. "I do love the sea."
Thereus sighed with exasperation at his second daughter, then glanced over at Severus, who was standing next to him.
"My daughter is fated to marry a fisherman, although there are none among us not married. She is hoping that her sister takes her with them to the constellation on Crete," Thereus explained. "Atalanta is of the opinion that acquiring a mate will cure all of her ills and cannot see beyond it, nor does she listen to any council on the subject."
"Then she is a fool," Diana said crisply, coming up beside him and adjusting the cuffs on her wet suit. "She is taken in by stories that it will bring her happiness and does not understand such naivety will lead her towards nothing but a shackle." Diana then walked towards the docks without looking back at the four of them.
"Oh, what does she know?" Atalanta scowled in annoyance at the girl.
"A great deal more than you, apparently," her father replied.
"Well, if she thinks such things, then why is she racing at all?" Atalanta challenged him.
"Because she must, why else?" Thereus said. "But she does it fully understanding the consequences; the consequences of failing, and the consequences of succeeding. She is prepared for either outcome, even if it turns out that her fate is unfavorable. Are you prepared for that, daughter? I think we both know the answer to that." Stamping her front hoof in irritation, Atalanta walked towards the dock, pulling up her chin indignantly.
"She is so young at heart," Arcadia said with exasperation. "I will go talk to her," she offered and went to join her.
"Tell me, Thereus," Severus said, the moment they were out of range. "How is the balance between stallions and mares in your particular constellation?" he asked. "While there are some basic similarities in all three constellations that I have visited, I have seen very different cultural differences in that respect. In the Dark Forest constellation, stallions and mares are separate from each other. Mares aren't typically allowed in council, and for the most part live apart from each other. In the White Mountains, the two sides live together and seem more equal, an generally it is the head matriarch who is in charge of making decisions as to the direction of the constellation."
"I do not know their inner workings, Severus. I'm sure that regardless of which constellation you refer to, the relations between the two sexes are undoubtedly as complex as they are everywhere," Thereus said, Severus nodding at that. "But I would speculate that in this constellation, we are closer to the humans in our cultural views than the others. After all, our little mountain is very much like an island, but everywhere I look, I see human settlement," he explained. "Here next to the water it is plain for all of us to see, but even in the village, I see the ridges of houses beneath our haven in every direction... even a power line or two... you have no idea how many times the Asia Minor Wizards council has had to step in for us because someone wanted to put a tower of one kind or another up on this ridge," he said with a joking yet saddened smile. "We have our own shop in the nearest village to trade with them, and we've developed forms to intermingle with humans when we need to. And while we keep to many old traditions, it has had an impact on our culture... but not always a negative one. Often times, in some of our elder's eyes, perhaps... but not always," he explained, then gazed over at the two sides of the inlet where his people were helping to set up the race. "The Speaker of Fates... my title... is rather like the village chief; and it was decided a long time ago that the position could be either a mare or stallion. I can declare either as the next speaker, as long as they have the blood of Chiron within them, which is a law that exists to maintain the constellation's main bloodline. As speaker, my job is to organize everyday activities, manage the constellation's funds to make sure we can survive from one year to the next, and to decide on what centaurs may leave the constellation and what centaurs may join it, since such exchanges are necessary with all of the other constellations in the country to maintain certain numbers and add in new blood to keep a balanced community. But while I perform managerial functions, most of the major decisions of the constellation are made democratically; everyone that has come of age both mare and stallion participates in the meeting and votes on laws, goals, and direction. And we see the coming of age as being any filly or foal who has proven to the constellation that they can take care of themselves; coming of age is not tied to whether or not they find a mate, but whether or not they are responsible enough to herd goats and sheep on their own, can make their own cheese or goods for the village, or have finished apprenticeships for other needed professions, like masons and so on." Severus nodded at that.
"That is true of White Mountains as well, actually. If only the Dark Forest was the same way," Severus murmured.
"Yes, I heard what happened to Sagittari's daughter," Thereus admitted. "It pains me to hear what he went through, since I have five daughters of my own."
"But getting back to the subject, you said that your leadership role can be held by a mare," Severus said. "Do you mind if I ask how many of them there have been thus far?"
"None so far," Thereus admitted. Severus nodded, unsurprised by the answer. "But I believe that is about to change. It has been Fated by the stars that our next leader will be among one of my own children. I have five daughters, and even if there are more on the way, it will more than likely be a daughter as not. Apparently neither of the first two will be leader," he added dryly. "Which pains me since I had such hopes for Arcadia."
"You say you have more on the way... twins, I take it?" Severus asked.
"Yes, very likely, considering the stars. I believe Arcadia will have twins as well," Thereus said.
"Oh? That explains a lot," Severus said, but then shelved the thought that followed to keep it from getting in the way. "Thereus, do you have anything like a gentleman's pact in your culture?"
"Pacts, yes, but what do you mean by the other?" Thereus asked.
"It's a pact that's not bound by spell or contract, but simply upon the given word of the one who agrees to it," Severus explained.
"As far as I am concerned, I see that just as binding," Thereus said.
"Just as there are many cultural differences between constellations, there are very stark differences between human cultures as well. There are some human cultures just as extreme as the Dark Forest constellation in nature, both in separation and in withholding rights," Severus explained. "In my specific culture, humans of all beliefs, cultures, and genders are treated as equal in concept, but that often that does not hold true in practice. Would you be offended if I suggested that your constellation was similar in this respect?"
"Given my own previous admission, I would not be," Thereus confessed.
"Last spring, Wind Elk put me on the path of making a similar admission," Severus admitted. "He made me realize that before I could correct the inequalities that exist in my school, I must first correct it in my own family. I have dedicated this year to being in a supportive role, so that my wife can have a chance to grow and explore her potential on her own, which is the true reason behind her teaching at Whitebridge this year."
"Ah, just as I did when I sent my eldest daughter away," Thereus said with understanding and amusement, nodding his head. "Although it went in an unexpected direction, since it led her to another Fate as well. I believe that if she was reassured that our constellation was safe from further encroachment, she would wish to join White Mountain Constellation instead. Of course that is a problem you do not have to face. I am certain you are in no danger of that since it is obvious your wife is nothing but dedicated to you. But Severus, while I commend what you are doing, it is nothing more than a gesture if you stop at the end of the year. The effort must continue if it is to mean anything."
"Yes, I am well aware of that," Severus replied solemnly. "But I realized that we needed a very clear reset point, and this separation has been going a long way to correct the underlying codependency that was developing and has put us both back on better footing. And as much as I abhor being apart from her, I am encouraged by how things are going. I fully intend this to be a course correction for a new path going forward, and part of that path is also to foster these changes in others when I can. And that brings me back to my original point. Regardless if your twins are foals or fillies, I would ask you to make a pact with me that your choice for speaker will be a mare."
"I see," Thereus said with a smile, and then nodded. "Since your wishes align with my own, and to help repay your kindness in aiding Wind with the negotiations for my constellation to retain our lands, it is an easy pact to make. You have my word, Severus. I will continue to teach all of my children how to be great leaders, as any centaur should, and it will come clear in time which mare that will be."
"And if the stars point to a different one than who you choose?" Severus asked.
"They will not," Thereus said with a shrug. "They have spoken to me often enough on this matter already. It is fated to be my choice, and last night the sky showed a time of great allies and great agreements. It bodes well for the future, although I will not take it for granted, especially when it comes to Atalanta," he admitted, gazing back down at the docks. "I wonder about her path often, as reckless as her nature is."
"We can only guide them so far, after all. Like it or not, our children need to make their own mistakes. And since I have eight and most of them are grown now, I have seen them make disastrous ones on occasion," Severus admitted. Thereus looked amused at that and nodded in agreement, then noticed a change in some of the centaurs' positions around the docks closest to them.
"Look, Severus. I believe they are just about prepared now," Thereus pointed out.
"Would you mind terribly if I went to the other side of the course? I would like to see the outcome when it happens, considering what's at stake," Severus said.
"Of course," Thereus said with a nod, walking down to the docks as Severus Apparated to the other side.
Standing next to Arcadia's mother, Demeter, Jennifer let out an exclamation in surprise.
"Severus, I thought you were going to stay on that end so you could encourage Leu?" Jennifer asked.
"No, I'm not all that good at that sort of encouragement, really, that's more your thing," Severus decided stoically.
"Oh, honestly!" Jennifer said with exasperation and Apparated onto the other dock, barely in time to stop Leu, who was about to jump in to get used to the water. "Come here a moment, Leu," she said, pulling him away. Then she attempted to put her hands on his shoulders only to realize just how much taller he was than her now. "Goodness, I swear you've shot up over an inch since I've left, haven't you?"
"That's why I needed the new wetsuit, remember?" he reminded her with exasperation.
"Well yes, but... never mind, it's not important right now," she said, making sure they were out of earshot range. She glanced behind him and saw Diana squinting suspiciously at her. Jennifer turned her back to her, gazing at Leu. "Listen to me, Leu. Diana went to an awful lot of trouble to do this, you know," Jennifer said quietly.
"Yes, I'm aware of that," Leu said.
"Then it's up to you to take this just as seriously. I want you to swim as if your life depended on it... no... I want you to swim like her life depended on it. That's how serious I want you to take this," Jennifer told him firmly.
"Why is this so important to her?" Leu asked.
"She's the only one who can tell you that," Jennifer said, Leu sighing with frustration. "Yes, I know, and I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is. This is something between the two of you alone, Llewellyn. But if you truly care about her, you will take it seriously, won't you?"
"Yes, of course," Leu said, wishing he knew how to get Diana to open up. Jennifer smiled at him sympathetically.
"Good luck. I know you have it in you to do this," Jennifer said, then stepped aside and walked him back to the dock. Diana looked at them both quite intensely, but felt a bit more reassured when she noticed that Leu looked as baffled as he always did as he got in the water, submerging himself long enough to get used to it before climbing back on the dock. Jennifer watched as the centaurs used the flat part of their Kýklos to signal one another.
"We are ready to begin when you are," Thereus informed them as they both got ready to dive. He raised up his circle as a visual signal, carefully watching as the two of them set. "Begin!" he called out, dropping the arm with the Kýklos.
There was no shouting or calling as there was when they did this at Hogwarts; the centaurs, it seemed, took it just as serious as Diana did as they hit the water and took off at top speed across the inlet. The water was choppy, but Llewellyn was used to that. He had always preferred swimming in the ocean over freshwater; it was his home, and he could tell just from the way his arms and legs felt as he sped through the water that he was going at record pace. Never had he felt more in tune with himself, and he was encouraged by how easily he was keeping up with Diana, even as they closed into the other side and the waves began to toss them around. At last, they reached the other side and their hands came up against two Kýklos that had been fastened to the docks. As their fingers touched them, Centaurs, positioned both on the docks and on either side of them, watched as both of the circles glowed brightly, flashing their light across them simultaneously.
"It is a tie," Demeter declared on the dock.
"We are in agreement. It is a tie," said one of the centaurs on the boat. Diana splashed in frustration.
"Yes! A tie!" Leu said excitedly. He smiled at Diana, who stared at him in surprise. "I finally caught up, Diana!"
"Do you really think that's some sort of accomplishment?" Diana snapped at him angrily.
"Yes, I do," Leu said firmly. "It means we're equals, Diana, and I don't see anything wrong with that. If fact, I prefer it."
"You idiot! A tie is not a win! A tie means that you still lose!" Diana snapped at him angrily. "You dishonor both of us by being content with your mediocrity!" she shouted.
Diana splashed him so hard that he had to stop and wipe his face and spit out some salt water for good measure. By the time he cleared his vision, she had disappeared under the water and he could see from her wake that she had decided to swim across the inlet to get away from him.
Leu sighed and saw his father's hand come down, helping him get back up on the dock. Then he handed him a towel out of his cloak.
"That was a good deal faster than the last time I watched the two of you," Severus commented. "Perhaps we can come up with some strength-training exercises at the school to help push you over the edge."
"Maybe," Leu said with a sigh, watching as a couple of the centaurs in human forms retrieved their weapons from the water and began to make their way to the boats to get back to the other side. "She sure was angry at me, wasn't she?"
"Yes," Severus said evenly, glancing out at the water a moment before gazing at Leu again. "I am glad that you see the merit in equality. Perhaps there's still hope that the two of you will reach it."
"What, do you mean we aren't now?" Leu asked with a frown.
"Well, not until after you defeat her no," Severus replied. Leu flailed in exasperation.
"How does that make one lick of sense?" he exclaimed.
"Because Diana knows that inequalities exist in the world whether we want them to or not. It doesn't matter how much we want it to change or what we profess, the problem has existed since the dawn of time and there is no quick fix that will repair it," Severus explained quietly. "Like all unobtainable goals, we must do what we can to improve things a little at a time and in our own way... with consideration to our own situations and talents as to how to go about it."
"So you're saying that somehow... God only knows how... that my beating her in a race has something to do with her gaining equality?" he asked.
"Yes," Severus said.
"How in the hell does that help?" Leu asked.
"Because she trusts you." Severus replied.
"No, she doesn't," Leu said. "If she trusted me, she'd tell me what this is all about. Open communication has a lot to do with equality too, you know."
"Yes, that is quite true," Severus agreed.
"Then that's the way I'm going to go about it. Somehow I've got to convince her to open up to me," Leu said. Severus nodded thoughtfully at that, and Leu Apparated over to the other side. Severus followed behind only to find Leu looking even more frazzled than he was a moment ago.
"What do you mean she left?" Leu exclaimed.
"Well, she seemed quite angry when she Apparated over here, actually, and decided to head to White Mountain so she could clear her head," Arcadia explained, glancing at Sagittari. "Perhaps one of us should join her."
"I will go, Arcadia, that way you can say your farewells to your family properly," Sagittari offered, then glanced over at Severus. "I will see you back at the school."
"Yes, thank you. Enjoy the rest of your holiday," Severus replied. Sagittari nodded, Disapparating.
"Perhaps we ought to be thinking of getting back to our holiday as well, Severus," Jennifer suggested.
"I am glad you came to visit us," Thereus told them. "And you are always welcome to return and stay with us when you are able." Jennifer smiled.
"I'm so glad we had a chance to get to know you!" Jennifer agreed. "And thank you very much for setting up that race as well."
"Yes, thank you," Leu replied.
"Good luck to you, young Llewellyn," Thereus added with a solemn smile. "Trust yourself and your instincts, and I am certain you will find your intended path."