Skia ducked down as she scanned the woods. She couldn't see movement, but that meant nothing. The attacker could have simply hidden in the trees.
Skia mentally ran through her list of monsters. Dementors were out; they had no need of flimsy arrows. Black was a possibility, but wouldn't he use magic instead of resorting to cave-man weapons? Unless he had no wand, which was also likely. Whatever it was that just attacked her had to be part human.
A twig snapped behind her and she whirled around, wand ready. If it was Black, then she might need her wand. If it wasn't, then she definitely needed her wand.
A magnificent chestnut centaur stepped through the darkness. Skia's eyes widened and she dropped her wand hastily into her robes. Of all the humanoid creatures alive, centaurs were the proudest.
"I apologize for entering your lands without notice, Forest-rider. Please do not take offense at my ignorance of your boundaries." Skia sank into a deep bow and waited, her neck prickling slightly. Diplomacy was her best chance, but it was still a weak option if this herd was particularly testy to humans.
The sounds of more hooves made her sweat slightly. This was not good.
"A human!" roared an infuriated voice. Skia peeked up to see a wild-looking centaur give her dirty look. Skia winced. This was DEFINITLY not good.
"Forest-riders, I am a human foal from the school and I beg passage through your forest. I was sent here at my headmaster's bidding, to search for a kin-slayer. Had I known that you dwell here, I would have sent a message." Skia rose from her bow and looked at them.
There were about twelve of them, stamping restlessly as they looked at her. The wild-looking one held his hand close to his bow, as if longing to send an arrow through her heart.
"How would a dirty human have been able to send a message? By your enslaved owls?" he snorted.
No. By me, you impudent nag. Jake rested on a nearby branch, glaring fiercely at the centaur. As for you, he added, turning to Skia. How DARE you enter this forest without me? I saw a werewolf and other unsavory things in here. Yet, you enter this forest without me to guard you! You're the most impudent, irresponsible, reckless, insane fledgling I've ever had the misfortune to meet!
Jake, now is not the time, Skia said out of the corner of her mouth. The centaurs were moving restlessly. They didn't seem to understand hawk-speech, and were assuming that she was doing something magical.
Look, she said, turning to the irritable hawk. They won't harm me, I'm protected by their precious laws. By centaur law, they cannot harm fledglings. If I follow the forest etiquette, they probably won't touch me. Get out and find Krys. Things might get messy if they won't listen to reason.
"How do you know our laws, human?" Skia jumped as the deep voice came behind her. A proud-looking centaur cantered into the clearing and faced her. Jake puffed up to three times his size in fear and took off. One of the centaurs watched him go, as if gauging the distance an arrow would fly.
"Forest-rider, I did not see you," Skia said carefully. "If I had known you were there, I would have greeted you along with the others." The proud centaur fixed her with a piercing look as Jake made his escape.
"Magorian, what lies was she telling the hawk?" The wild-looking centaur demanded. Magorian tore his gaze away to meet the angry centaur.
"Bane, you will remove your hand from your bow," he ordered frostily. With a scowl, Bane obliged. "She was telling the hawk about our laws."
Shouts rose in the clearing as every centaur voiced his opinion.
"-How could a filthy human-"
"What traitor told our secrets?"
"-dares to enter our forest!"
"-kill her, before she peddles our laws amongst the humans!" Magorian held up a hand.
" We will not harm her, for she is yet a foal," he said calmly. Bane stomped angrily.
"She is nearing womanhood! Already, she is bound by the moon. Surely the law makes an exception for her!" He growled. A palomino centaur stepped forward.
"Are you so eager to draw blood, Bane? Such eagerness for death is not our way," The new centaur argued. He had astonishingly blue eyes and long, white-blond hair. Briefly, Skia wondered what Parvati and Lavender would say if they saw her now. Probably that the new centaur was a hunk.
"Firenze! You dare to defend a human? First you let them ride you, like a common mule! Now you chose their side? Next, you'll be peddling our secrets to their foals!" Bane snarled. Anger flashed in those shockingly blue eyes as Firenze turned to Bane.
"You accuse me of that?" He said in a calm voice. Bane stepped closer, his face twisted with anger.
"For all we know, it was you who told her our laws!" Bane snarled. Tension rose as both centaurs made for their bows. Magorian stepped between them.
"That is enough." Bane stepped back from the authority that clearly rang in Magorian's voice. Firenze's face was unfathomable as he stepped back. Magorian turned to Skia.
"Human foal, you are granted passage. Next time, be more wary of how far into the forest you wander. Another twenty meters and you would have walked amongst creatures who enjoy human flesh." Skia bowed.
"I offer my thanks to you, Forest-rider Magorian." Skia hesitated, then took a chance.
"Forest-rider Bane, I ask you not to accuse Forest-rider Firenze. It was not him that taught me your ways. It was a different centaur who taught me." It was the wrong thing to say. The centaurs erupted into anger.
"You see, Magorian? She walks amongst us, claiming to have been taught by one of us!" Bane roared. "She must not be allowed to walk amongst the ignorant humans, boasting of such a crime!"
Other centaurs joined in, agreeing with Bane. Skia waited impatiently for Magorian to control them. She tapped her foot, counting down the seconds.
"Silence! She is yet a foal. We cannot harm her," Magorian finally called. Bane stomped angrily.
"The law can make an exception! We must ensure that the pride of the Centuar race is kept!" That was the final straw. Skia's temper snapped.
"Kill me, and you break more than the ban on foal-slaying!" Skia hissed. She yanked at her robes to reveal her shoulder. On it was a tattoo of an outstretched hand with a hoof stamped on the palm. A picture of a desert wind was tattooed on the index finger. Another picture of a miniature mountain was printed on the pinkie, and yet another picture was of a wave, right on top of thumb.
Bane backed away, still spluttering a denial. "This…is…preposterous! It is impossible!"
"Oh, it's possible, Forest-rider Bane," Skia said sweetly. She let her gaze rest on Magorian. "I am initiated into the desert, coast, and mountain centaur clans. All have found me worthy of their mark. The mountain clan was the first to mark me. Next was the coast, and then the desert. All of you know the tests that one must pass to even be allowed to pass their realm. If they find me worthy, who are you to call me a piece of human scum?"
"It may be a trick. For all we know, you drew that on yourself," Magorian pointed out coolly.
"Of course. I allow you to examine it." Skia turned to display the mark to all of the centaurs. She heard someone move, and light fingers were placed on her shoulder.
Skia held still as water ran down her shoulder. A piece of bark was rubbed on her shoulder, until a grunt of satisfaction came.
"The ink itself is real," growled a gravelly voice. Again, light fingers were placed on the tattoo. "But did they put in the other ink?"
Again liquid ran down her back, this time, burning the skin. Skia muffled a cry.
"It's real. Not only that, she bears herself with strength even through physical pain. That is a common trait of the desert herd. She is truly considered a two-legged centaur. Consider yourself honored, human foal." Skia turned around to meet the gaze of an ancient grey centaur. She bowed wordlessly.
"Very well. Human, you-"
"My calling name is Skia," she interrupted. Magorian nodded.
"Skia, you have full access to the forest. We cannot deny your right as a centaur."
"I thank you for your hospitality. However, I must leave. The forest darkens, and I am anxious to return home." Magorian bowed. Reluctantly, one by one, the other centaurs bowed as well.
"I shall accompany you," a melodious voice interrupted. "You do not know your way around the forest, and there are many things your wand cannot defend against."
Firenze walked over to Skia and looked over at Magorian.
"Very well, Firenze. You may do as you wish." Magorian signaled to the others. The party of centaurs melted into the trees and disappeared.
Note
Note
Haha, I'm using my mom's laptop. US is great, I love the weather. Heh, someone said my writing was mature. :Giggles excitedly: How cool! Comsidering that most people who MEET me call me immature. LOL
Anyways, chapters might slow down now because I've finally finished my pre-edited chapters and now I'm posting brand-new, just written work:P poor me. Oh the pain, oh the horror. LOL
Btw, to my amazingly faithful reviewer KRP, The owl does not mean a dementor. Strangely shaped human is just that; a strangely shaped human. Think of it this way, the animals aren't fooled by any disguises or magic. Well, not the non-magical ones.
Anyways, I'll give you eternal love if you drag your little mousey over to the little button that says review!