The Centaurs Passion

Tara'li

When we are about to take off the leader finally shows himself. 'Council member, I have thought about your words for a long time. There is a lot of wisdom in them. We will be reconvening to talk about them soon. Hopefully there is time before you go to battle to discuss the outcome of our decision. In the meantime I wish you luck.'

I get on Rashter and strap my legs in. 'I will be going to the Centaurs and then the Emerald Realm on my way to the front line. Hopefully we can arrive before the Orks do to prevent half my army being chopped up before the Demons even drew a sword. Then the hunt is on so Tresh'ta can die before the Dwarves show up, who are working on making their wonderful machinery. All in all, we have no time to spare.'

The leader turns his head to the side. 'Please put some leeway into your battle plans. Though we to are preparing for war, the Dragon Guard can not be armed and armored in the timespan you are talking about. You will be in it alone for quite a while as the Dragon Forges are out. No one knows how to use them any more.'

I raise my hand to send the squad into the air. 'You go about the slow ways of doing things the old ways. Let me do things the way that gets results. Maybe we will see each other between battles, but I'm nog going to wait for to long. The Demons may notice the gathering army and respond to it soon enough. Even now with the Elven armies having taken a defensive position it will get them asking questions. Tresh'ta knows I'm the queen and still tries to get me to falter. I have to be quick to distract them from finding out my plans.'

The leader nods. 'Hopefully until next time, queen Tara'li. May fortune follow you into battle.'

With that Rashter takes to the sky.

Below me the Emerald Forrest lays, however it isn't what we have been looking for. Right at the edge I see more forrest, though this is in darker colors. We keep flying over it until I see a clearing. There I motion to land. As we dismount I look around, bow drawn and an arrow knocked on. I listen carefully and hear some sounds I don't like, however I don't aim my bow yet. Then I hear a whisper in the wind. 'What is an Elf with a crown doing here with the Riders?'

I speak up. 'We are here to talk.'

The whispers in the wind change. I hear them changing direction. 'For someone who comes to talk you are very armed. It seems you came to kill.'

I put my bow away. 'I put my weapons away, now please reveal yourself. Had we come to fight this part of the forest would not be standing any more.'

No answer comes. After a while a shimmer in the air appears some distance from us, revealing a female centaur. She is almost as graceful as an Elf, with a lot of jewelry on her body. A golden and gem encrusted belt is around her waste, below which she is what I think a white horse. She also wears some kind of noble metal bra, three bracelets on every arm and a couple of rings, as well as a rich necklace. She seems to be richer than even the Dwarves, however I see no clothing whatsoever on her entire body. She is clutching a staff of sorts that has not a single straight edge in it. As she walks up I walk to meet her. 'If possible, I'd like to meet with your leader. It is urgent.'

She motions with her staff to follow her. My squad wants to follow me but I motion for them to stay. 'Sha'iva, I'm going to need only you for this. This is a delicate situation and I have to figure out what went so horribly wrong.'

The centaur stops for a moment and turns around with a surprised look when I mention Sha'iva. Then we walk into the thick of the forrest with a lot of trouble. The Centaur seems to have no issue, however Sha'iva and I seem to get stuck in every vine and plant on the way. At one point I'm getting sick of it. 'Hang on a moment, miss centaur.'

She looks around and sees me grab my Lamia staff. As I start chanting she steps back and raises her staff but she doesn't respond yet. Then the eyes of my staff glow bright and a path forms between Sha'iva and the centaur. With a lot of strain I manage to say: 'Please go on quick... I don't know how long I can keep this up...'

The centaur picks up the pace a bit and Sha'iva and I quickly follow her as the magic starts taking its toll on me...

When we finally reach some kind of rough build village with a lot of centaurs the female turns around. 'As promised I took you to the leader. Me.'

I look around. 'My apologies for asking this but why didn't you reveal before that you are who you are? It would have saved us quite the trek through the thick undergrowth and me nearly dying from magic usage.'

The centaur raises one front leg. 'It was mostly to see how willing you were to talk after the queen kicked us out of the Emerald city.'

I'm surprised. 'I never heard about this. Which queen did this?'

The centaur takes a couple of steps back. 'Why would you be interested in what queen kicked us out?'

As I put my staff on my back I draw moms sword backhanded and hold it up. 'Because there has been a shift in queens. I'm the daughter of Tresh'ta. When Tresh'ta decided to become a Dragon Rider she gave the crown to her sister and the one who adopted me, queen Reshilde. Then Tresh'ta, after getting me, betrayed the Dragon Guard and turned evil. I think it was three months ago now, mom fought with Tresh'ta and got killed in the fight. I'm the new queen of the Elves.'

The centaur approaches me while I lower my head, simply from thinking about mom the sadness of her passing returns. The centaur studies the blade for a moment and then walks back to where she stood. 'You wield her blade and wear the crown of the Elves. However, are you truly the queen is question I wonder about. Why would the queen of the Elves come here practically alone, when many centaurs here would love to kill you?'

I put the sword back. 'Whatever has been done to you, I wish to set it straight. To reveal why I would like to speak more privately with you, preferably also on better terms.'

The centaur stands there for some time. Around us I see many centaurs who either want to tear us apart or wish to do more evil things with us. Then the female speaks. 'I want to hear more. You came here without any guards showing at least a decent lack of hostilities. If you truly wish to put things straight then I will be in no danger.'

As she walks into a hut Sha'iva and I follow in. Then the centaur turns to Sha'iva. 'Is what this Elf claims true?'

Sha'iva nods. 'You know me as well. I was a kid when my aunt banished you and the other centaurs. Mother took over not long after that. She was a harsh leader at first and because of that I left to become a Rider. When my squad and I all had our dragons... she showed up. From the start she showed to be a leader like no other, however she was limited with her skills. Eventually I got mom to give her some of her time. After her assessment she gave my... sister her armor and weapons. And she adopted her. However my sister discovered her heritage through her visions. Back then she was still... looking human as she was a half blood. Mother came over and gave her a new name and heritage. After that... and after our squad helped defeat an attack on the Emerald Realm... mom lead the Elven armies to an attack against the Demons. Mom fought with Tresh'ta and died in my sisters arms...'

The centaur looks at me now, while I got my head lowered and both hands on the sheet of mom's sword. 'Hmm... it seems that there is some imbalance in the room. What do you have to say, queen of the Elves.'

I look up at the centaur. 'Only that my only wish right now is to kill Tresh'ta. She isn't my mother, no matter how hard she tries to get that thought in my mind. I will not stop until my mothers blade is in her chest. After that I will lead the Great War against the Demons and eradicate them from existence, or die trying.'

The centaur seems surprised from my words. 'There is a fire here. Now why would you come here if you didn't know about us at all?'

I grab my shield and hold it in front of me. 'I'm gathering all the free races to lead a charge against the Demons. The Dwarves, Humans, Elves and Orks have already joined. However we don't have spell casters. I could order the Dragon Riders into battle as well however the Dragon Riders under the lead of the council have become to saturated on peace and are not armored up. I have no intent on forcing them into battle if their leadership is this lacking. I would like to ask you to join us.'

The centaur shakes her head. 'I cannot accept. Though your intentions are good, I cannot let you lead the centaurs into battle, nor can I have you ask them to go into battle for you.'

I glare to her. 'You are a part of this world to. You have seen it, in its good and in its worst. So have I. If you don't join us, the chances for victory are slim. Are you willing to go that way? To let your people die to Demons just because the one who gave birth to me did something out of spite before I was even born? Even if I'm willing to set it all right?'

Later in the evening the centaur asks me to join her in her hut again, with Sha'iva. When we arrive we see a male centaur standing there as well. The female turns to us. 'I think we have to get some answers here. First up: what do you want to do to make up for your mothers banishment of us?'

Oh damnit. I haven't thought about it yet. Quickly I think something up. 'Though it isn't much I can let you all back into the Emerald Kingdom, reinstating you as full citizens and possibly even supporting you in getting jobs and homes.'

The female centaur doesn't seem to pleased. She continues to ask. 'And this war. What would you even deploy us for?'

Now the answer is right on my mind. 'We have many squads in the joined army without a mage to support them. The idea is to assign the centaurs across all the squads and act as support, hopefully never seeing battles themselves.'

The male centaur now interrupts. 'And if we do actually see battle, how would we be defending ourselves? Your oh so nice mother declared we would never be allowed to have any weapons of ourselves.'

I close my eyes for a moment. 'Tresh'ta is not my mother. She may have given birth to me, but I'm still going to run her through with moms sword. She means nothing to me. If they wish so I'll have them rearmed, either by the Dwarven smiths or by the Elven smiths, whatever suits their style of fighting best.'

The male centaur lifts up an eyebrow. The female centaur turns to the male centaur, but neither speak. Eventually she does turn to me. 'You have been most... convincing. As I suspected you are mostly a warrior, not a peace time leader, however I will accept on three terms.'

Now I lift my eyebrow. 'Let me hear the terms then.'

She lifts her staff. 'First up, everyone who joins in your "Great War" is armed and armored so they can't be killed by just about everything.'

I nod. 'Agreed. I'll notify the smiths once I see them.'

She takes a step towards us. 'Second up, we get a full pardon. All past problems are kept there, as are we fully reinstated in the community. This includes you taking me as your advisor.'

I take a sideways look to Sha'iva who also nods slightly. Then I turn my eyes to the female centaur again. 'Accepted. You'll all be welcomed in the Emerald Kingdom.'

She takes another step towards me. 'Finally I want your armor. Not any armor but yours specifically. As a payment for your mothers sins.'

My mouth drops open. 'I... cannot do that. This armor is one of the few things I got left from mom. I have nothing but this, miss centaur. You are asking me to die.'

The centaur seems aggressive. 'Then you die. In the end it does not matter because you are the daughter of a traitor.'

Sha'iva steps forward. 'You cannot ask that of my sister. If she dies, then all the races will split up. If she dies, then I'll be the new queen and I will not forgive you for that. Nor will the Dragon Guard of which she is a council member.'

The female centaur keeps her eyes trained on me with a serious look. 'I want that armor or the deal is off.'

I'm feeling badly conflicted and hold my hand on the front plates with tears in my eyes. I need these centaurs on my side but... they ask this from me. One of the last gifts mom gave me. Softly I speak. 'Fine, but let me get a new set in the Emerald Realm first...'

Sha'iva puts a hand on my shoulder. 'Sister, you cannot do it. This stupid centaur thinks she can claim everything you own for herself. Let them stay in this forest. Let them get overrun by the Demons and slaughtered like animals because of their leaders stupidity!'

I turn to her. 'Sha'iva, I cannot do that. You know it. As much as it pains me, they are people to. They got families as well. You really want to punish all those people because one person feels to noble for the world? My armor is useless for her. It was made specifically for me and no one else can wear it. Even if that wasn't the case, we need them. Without mages we are nothing but a though road for the Demons to walk over.'

Sha'iva has her hand on her sword. 'Sister, if they want to play it hard, let them play it hard. Let them realize their mistakes.'

I turn to her fully. 'Remember your oath to the Riders. Our oaths. To protect the innocent and be a shield of all races against evil. I know what the armor means to you. It means even more to me, sister. It is one of only few things mom gave me. But I cannot keep it for myself if it means saving so many lives. I'd be breaking my oath.'

The centaur female makes the final step and holds out a hand. With much pain in my heart I shake her hand. 'To finalize the deal, my squad will be leaving towards the Emerald City tomorrow morning. You can send ten of your centaurs with us, as four of our dragons are most likely not able to take off with the weight of an adult centaur under them.'

Then I turn around and start walking towards my squad.

There is the landing spot. Wait, that smell... something is burning. I signal for combat formation and immediately after that landing. After carefully dropping the centaurs on the ground the dragons land. I dish out the orders immediately. 'Sha'iva! Your squad stays here to keep the centaurs save! Flashee, get your Orks ready for a full frontal attack! I need the ranged attackers in the air making attack runs now! Noruk, gather every bloody guard you can find and get them on the front line yesterday!'

The centaurs are confused while I drop down from Rashter and charge towards the burning smell. There. At the edge of the Emerald city some houses are on fire and another Demon invasion is happening. Without thinking I plunge myself into the lines with my sword drawn and my shield raised. I hear arrows fly past me and Elves yelling war cries but I don't care. This is my home and I will not let it be burned. Not again. Then I got enough support to catch a breather. I look around and see the Elven guards all plunging into combat with the Demons. Then I see her nearby. The female centaur is standing there, looking. I shake off the feeling I got and then go straight back into combat.

Right then the lines of the Demons break. Another male Elf in dark armor is standing there. Without another thought I put my shield on my back and draw mom's sword, moving towards the Demon Commander. 'Your attack stops right here, and so does your foul life. Unless you bring me to Tresh'ta right now so I can kill her.'

The Commander steps back. 'Whoah, queeny, calm down. You wouldn't want to trip over your dress.'

I cross my swords and get into a combat stance. 'Try me, filth. I killed one of you before and I'll not think twice about doing it again.'

The Demon Commander seems to rethink it now and I hear him whisper. 'The Demon Lord never told me the guy got killed...'

Then I charge. Knowing I don't have the speed to get past the guys cover I'm using tight arcs with both swords to strike. That is when I feel a surge in my body. I see sharper and feel I move quicker. The Glider must have used that organ I felt before. The newfound speed allows me to even deal with the occasional Demon interfering while I place strike after strike, forcing the Demon Commander back. However he manages to get help from ten of his Demons which tips the balance in his favor. As they force me into the defense I can barely prevent myself from getting hit. Using every bit of my speed and agility I slash around managing to take out two, though a third cuts off some strands of hair with a lucky slash.

Seeing my hair flow down I get into a state of fury where I carelessly attack anything in range. I dance with death and to interrupt this dance is to die. One Demon tries to stab me, which I sidestep and shove a blade in his throat. I then kick his blade up which impales one of his comrades. The Demon Commander then yells and rushes me, though I'm more than ready for him. With my fury unleashing I start chopping into him relentlessly. The Commander steps back over the pile of bodies I left in my wake and trips over one of them. I see some vines come up to wrap around his legs to make the tripping into a fall. Before he can get up I step on his right wrist and place moms sword on his neck. 'Where is Tresh'ta?'

The Commander seems to panic. 'I don't know! I swear on my life I don't know where she is!'

I lift moms sword. 'Wrong answer.'

As her sword comes down I look around. The Demons seem to enter a state of shock and start running again. I put the swords into their sheets and turn to the fires. With a sigh I then grab the staff of Kai'chira. Then I start chanting but before I can finish I hear the female centaur call out. 'Stop.'

I turn to her. 'My home is burning, miss. Even if it kills me I will stop the flames.'

The centaur raises her staff and starts chanting loudly, which is followed by the nine other centaurs. As the ten chant the flames stop burning on their own accord. The Elves around me, who at first were distrustful to the centaurs, now start cheering them on. Meanwhile my squad gathers around me. Though there are some wounded among them, including Rashter, no one is lethally wounded. However I then notice my right hand is hurting. Several gashes have opened in my hand. I also see my armor has a couple of dents in it as well as two cuts on my right side, one going through and barely showing the golden scales below, and a gash through it into my skin. Damnit.

In the aftermath of the battle I go straight to the smiths. I find the friendly smith who made my armor and talk to him. 'I need your help. This latest battle... it has caused some damage to my armor. I'm so sorry but can you repair it?'

He walks around me a couple of times. Then he nods. 'Two of the metal strips need to be replaced. But otherwise... I can do it.'

I nod. 'Can you also make a second set?'

I hear the centaur behind me. 'Belay that. Your majesty, you need that armor more than me. I've seen you fight now. Your fangs are long and they bite deep. I will drop my claim.'

The centaur then walks over. 'However I would like a full set of armor forged by an Elf in return.'

I nod to the centaur. 'All right. Leave the repairs for later. The armor isn't cutting me open yet so get her armored up and then report to the palace so we can get my armor done. Also... prepare the other smiths for a massive project. My dragon just got wounded in this battle. I need him to be armored up before we start the hunt for the Demon Commanders.'

Clutching my side a bit I move towards the palace. There I make my way to my quarters and lay on my bed. However it isn't long before I hear a knocking on my door. Somewhat tired I open the door seeing the female centaur again. Kinda annoyed I roll my eyes. 'Are you stalking me now?'

She gets in and kicks the door close. Then she turns to me. 'I know you are not a normal Elf. You fought to speedy. You were mega aggressive in your offense and that Demon sword should have done so much more damage to you. I don't believe it is just your armor and training that makes you like this.'

I put a hand on my sword. 'Then what do you claim? Me being some kind of Demon? Then what would my goal be? Murder you lot? I could have done that in your little town. I could have wiped you all out if that had been my goal.'

She steps towards me. 'You could be attempting to make us all fall to the Demons and use us to take over the world.'

I let go of my sword. 'No use there. I'm the queen of the Elves and the council member of the Dragon Guard already. I could take over the world already if that had been my wish. No, you are wrong.'

She quickly steps over and lifts my cape up. 'So that is why the armor wouldn't work for me. You have a Glider as well...'

I lower my head. 'Yes. It chose me when we were at the Human castle in the far north east, near the Demon lands. A golden Glider.'

She clutches her staff and bows her head. 'Then I have to apologize, your majesty. I will keep this a secret for anyone. Please don't hurt the Glider though. They are a rare phenomenon as it is and having one on your back is an honor of the highest kind.'

I turn away from her. 'It isn't just a Glider. It is a part of me, miss centaur. Those wings are my wings now to. I feel what it feels. It sees what I see. We are one in everything.'

The centaur kneels now. 'Your majesty, I apologize. When you came to our village I should have known you were sincere. A Glider choses only those whose intentions are pure. It seems your intentions, though based on hatred for your mother, are pure.'

I take moms sword out again. 'I have made an oath, when mom died. I swore I would run this sword through the heart of Tresh'ta and lead the armies of all the races to war, to end the Demon invasion. All the armies have gathered. Now I only need to do one more thing. To kill Tresh'ta. She took my mother from me, so I will take her life.'

The centaur looks intently at the blade. 'To swear such an oath is a huge step. Can you truly kill the one who gave life to you?'

As I put the sword in its sheet and unbuckle the sheet to put it on the stand I close my eyes. 'At my request many of my memories were taken away by mom. Locked away to where I can only see them with the help of my dragon. He carries them deep inside him now. However I can tell you one thing. She wasn't there. I remember saying that against her in one of my visions when I still had my full memories. Deep inside me I know it is true. I know that of my blood family, only Sha'iva remains.'

The centaur lifts her staff. 'Queen of the Elves, your strength is showing to be beyond your years, as is your wisdom. I, Tera'shi, offer you my services as your advisor and as I hope in the future a trusted friend.'

I turn to Tera'shi and wrap her fingers on the handle of her staff. 'I, Tara'li, queen of the Elves and the first Dragon Queen, accept your services. Now rise... and please give me some privacy. Any moment that smith can show up and I want to look at least somewhat decent.'