Morpheus brought Nais pleasant dreams and sweet sleep for the first time since she\u2019d arrived in Olympia. The centaurs\u2019 appearance at Zeus\u2019 festival caused quite the stir in the polis. Admittedly, Nais initially felt uneasy over the prospect of her centaur\u2019s victory. Then she met, Amymone, a centaur\u2019s mate. Whether it was Amymone\u2019s calming influence, or Hera\u2019s providence answering her prayers, Nais felt drawn to her centaur in a way she had never felt about a man before.
Her stomach fluttered pleasantly at the thought of Petraios. She stroked her pillow thoughtfully, unable to remember how she\u2019d gotten to bed in her chambers. Neither her father or her betrothed had dismissed her from their company at the feast last night. Drowsy memories of her centaur carrying her to bed teased her consciousness. She bit her lip, blushing. She had fallen asleep on the dining couch in her centaur\u2019s arms before the entire assembly of her father\u2019s guests. Rumor and reputation had not held true of Petraios or she would have awoke in his arms still, and far from her father\u2019s household. Her centaur was honorable like Kheiron Khronides, and the gods themselves had arranged her fate with him.
Noises of a busy household pulled Nais from her reverie, making her aware of happenings beyond the door of her chamber. The Queen\u2019s voice, particularly distinct, barked orders which were answered by the clamor of footfalls as servants rushed to do her bidding. Her father\u2019s new wife commanded the servants with a vengeance that could rival the Furies.
Her time in her father\u2019s household had drawn to a close. Thoughts of her father brought a fond smile to her lips. The king had never spoken poorly of his young wife. He was too honorable to sully his reputation with gossip or ill will, but his marriage to the queen had, from the beginning, been one of pragmatism. Her father\u2019s estate needed a male heir.
The door to Nais\u2019 chamber creaked open.
\u201cGood morning, Princess.\u201d Her aging nurse hurried into the room with Nais\u2019 spindly young handmaid at her heels, shutting the door as though to hide themselves. Chione\u2019s greeting was an abrupt recitation rather than her usual chipper salutation. Neither woman met her eye, but bustled about the room attending their duties. Any encounter with the Queen drove the servants to more busied work, though rarely with quality results. Nais preferred her father\u2019s more congenial, but firmly ruling hand and she had always striven to emulate his example. The king\u2019s servants desired to please him rather than obeying out of fear. Nais\u2019 role and responsibilities in her father\u2019s household had been minimized with the Queen\u2019s arrival, and she had been content to restrict her activities to waiting on her father, perfecting her skills at her loom, and tending her mother\u2019s garden. She kept a modest personal staff, consisting only of her nurse and no more than two handmaids to wait on her. Only one accompanied her nurse this morning.
Khlidanope poured warm water in her wash basin.
\u201cThank you.\u201d Nais washed her hands and face. Khlidanope gave a weak smile and nodded.
Nais returned her smile appreciatively as Chione helped her dress. \u201cWhere is Beroe?\u201d Nais\u2019 second handmaid had initially joined her father\u2019s household as one of the Queen\u2019s ladies in waiting, but Beroe had been eagerly attentive to Nais since the king had returned from Delphi with news of Nais\u2019 betrothal.
The women exchanged nervous glances.
\u201cBeroe has returned to her duties with the Queen.\u201d Chione clicked her tongue dismissively as though the information were routine.
Nais blinked. If the Queen had merely loaned the services of her handmaid, perhaps it had been a gesture of good will after all. Nais had not needed additional servants, but she had grown accustomed to the girl\u2019s enthusiastic company. There was much more work to be done before her father\u2019s family returned home. \u201cOf course, the Queen will bear the responsibility of readying my father\u2019s household for the return journey to Boiotia. Certainly there will be duties for the Hellanodikis to finish with the magistrate and the Olympic council when they meet again with the Elean Senate. There will be a lot of work to do before my father can arrange my wedding to Petraios. I\u2019m sure the kentauroi will\u2026\u201d Nais\u2019 voice trailed off at the reactions of the women. Both wore grave expressions more characteristic of mourning than celebration. They waited on her with solicitude.
Nais bit her lip. This melancholy was quite a contrast from the festivities of the previous night. Shouldn\u2019t her betrothal be a celebrated event?
A shrill cry echoed throughout the house. The women\u2019s eyes grew wide before they composed themselves with more nervous glances.
\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d Nais furrowed her brow.
Chione and Khlidanope hung their heads and stared at the floor.
Gathering her skirt, Nais headed toward the sound, stopping short at the scene in the hall.
Servants scattered or cowered as the Queen rebuked one of her handmaids.
\u201cNo!\u201d Beroe wailed at the sight of Nais. The cry had been hers. \u201cI won\u2019t go with the Princess. The ixionidae are beasts. You can\u2019t send me away.\u201d
The Queen struck the maid across the face. \u201cHow dare you disrespect me. Such ill manners may have been permissible to the Princess, but I will not tolerate such offense. You should have considered your fate before you abandoned me for another.\u201d
Beroe stood, mouth agape, in horror.
A young girl, not quite in her maidenhood, stepped toward them balancing Nais\u2019 little brother on one hip. The little Prince had taken a fancy to the Queen\u2019s little handmaid. The girl reached for Beroe\u2019s arm comfortingly. \u201cI don\u2019t think the kentauroi are beasts. They followed all the rules and the king trusts them. The Princess-\u201d
\u201cSilence! I\u2019ve had enough of both of you.\u201d The Queen\u2019s voice rose with indignation.
The young girl shrank from her mistress\u2019 censure, clutching the young prince.
\u201cYou will both go with the beasts, since I cannot count on loyalty from either of you. Let your insolence serve the Princess and her beastly new master. Get out of my sight.\u201d The Queen snapped her finger at another servant. \u201cBring the king\u2019s son.\u201d She turned to discover Nais watching. Contempt soured her otherwise lovely features. She stuck her chin in the air before stalking off.
Beroe slapped the little girl\u2019s hand away, scowling venomously.
The girl looked around, her jaw hanging agape as she fidgeted with empty arms. She hung her head at Nais\u2019 gaze.
Chione ushered both girls toward the door in a hushed but firm tone. Khlidanope followed in chagrin.
\u201cI won\u2019t go.\u201d Beroe stomped her foot, resisting the woman\u2019s direction.
\u201cYou\u2019ll do as you\u2019re told, girl, or the Queen will have you whipped and sold, or worse.\u201d Chione\u2019s voice brooked no argument.
\u201cThe ixionidae are worse.\u201d Beroe whined, shoving the little girl ahead of her.
Chione gave her mistress a weak smile and bowed. \u201cThe King waits for you in the courtyard, Princess.\u201d
Nais nodded briefly and turned toward the gate. Surely her father could explain this melancholy chaos that preceded her wedding.
Beroe crossed her arms in defiance, bitterness and resentment evident in her expression. The women followed Nais outside.
The king greeted his daughter briefly with a smile and a kiss on Nais\u2019 forehead. He held her hand on his forearm, a clear indication he was aware of of her, though preoccupied with the business of directing servants and soldiers.
A team of oxen stood outside the courtyard, hitched to a wagon. It was loaded with Nais\u2019 dowry, which was a small fortune; her weaving loom, which had been disassembled for travel; her mother\u2019s bronze mirror, and trunks of all her possessions, along with all of Petraios\u2019 winnings from the Olympic Games. Servants rushed about still loading provisions including food, wine, a small tent for Nais\u2019 privacy, and her favorite stool with the cushion embroidered by her mother. Undoubtedly, the servants had worked through the night to gather and load everything. More servants brought the last of her belongings from her chambers.
A pair of hoplites, waited to accompany them. Captain Sokos, her father\u2019s personal bodyguard, and another young man Nais was not familiar with. The soldiers did not look any more pleased with the prospect of travel in the company of centaurs than the women had.
Her centaur appeared out of the garden and entered the courtyard when he saw her. Petraios trotted boldly toward her. He had infiltrated her garden before. A familiar flutter in her stomach sent a pleasant wash of heat coursing over her and her breath shortened at his approving smile. Her father gave her hand a gentle pat before turning his attentions to her centaur giving Petraios a thorough inventory of the business at hand as well as his daughter\u2019s dowry. Nais had a drowsy recollection they had discussed all these arrangements the previous evening. Petraios listened attentively, nodding in intervals. Occasionally his tail mimicked the gesture. The movement reminded Nais of the wild undertones of her centaur\u2019s nature. The part of him that had earned his race an unsavory reputation.
The weight of Petraios\u2019 massive body shifted gently in his hindquarters and his tail swung against his leg as if he were aware of her gaze.
Nais bit her lip trying not to stare. She waited dutifully at her father\u2019s side, acutely aware of her centaur\u2019s stolen glances, lingering eagerly, just short of being rude to her father, and how his tail twitched in her direction each time her father monopolized Petraios\u2019 attention with some new detail.
He winked, the corner of his mouth lifting in a covert smile as she blushed.
She returned his smile demurely, but her father had not noticed the exchange. Appearing modest and genteel was not difficult. Nais had years of practice in propriety, but distracting her mind from her centaur\u2019s presence proved impossible. All the new emotions and sensations of sitting at his side the previous evening returned in force.
His companions appeared at the gate. Petraios lifted his chin in their direction and his tail snapped between his legs. The yellow centaur grinned and elbowed his young black and white companion. His brother crossed his arms over his chest and stomped a rear hoof on the ground, his own tail drumming a beat against his bronze hide. Unspoken communication had passed clearly between them, but Nais had no idea what it meant.
She had never given much thought to interpreting body language before. It was a subconscious effort, yet the novelty of a centaur\u2019s form and movement brought a sudden awareness that made her blush at the effort to understand. His human form was generally straight forward. A smile and a wink made heat rise to her cheeks and she instinctively understood he communicated pleasure and the intent to flatter her by sharing a secret. His equine half was more a mystery. This silent language was foreign but enticing, both compelling and terrifying. His body responded in a way that betrayed his awareness of her observations. His hide twitched beneath her traveling gaze, and the weight shifted in his hind legs when it lingered. His tail snapped as if to communicate more than awareness, but also the ability and desire to command her attention. He met her sheepish eyes and grinned. With his teeth exposed, his tail snapped more forcefully. It was an intimate thing to communicate in such a silent manner.
Her father patted her hand again. His smile told her he knew more than he let on. He nodded to Petraios before releasing her to motion for his steward. \u201cOpen the gate for our company.\u201d
Four more centaurs entered the courtyard. Petraios trotted to meet them. First was her centaur\u2019s Alpha brother, the leader of their herd. They looked very much alike, save for the Alpha\u2019s darker bronze coloring in comparison to the slightly honeyed tones of Petraios hair and tail. Standing next to each other these slight differences became exaggerated by their temperament. Petraios lighter coloring complimented his easy smile and made Nais feel warm and comfortable. His brother\u2019s scowl only darkened beneath his hair, making him look imposing and stern. The Alpha was taller and trimmer than his brother. He surveyed the courtyard, his dark tail snapping between his legs, accompanied by the intermittent stomp of his hoof against the stone ground. A harsh and agitated gesture compared to Petraios\u2019 easy flirtations. The Alpha\u2019s disapproving gaze settled on her.
Nais shivered. A flash of yellow and black provided an unintentional rescue blocking the Alpha\u2019s view. Isoples\u2019 long, lanky hide glinted golden in the morning sun. The youngest centaur, Melankhaites cast an ever vigilant glance at the Alpha before taking in his surroundings.
Nais took a deep breath as her centaur\u2019s companions clattered into the courtyard. Despite her growing admiration for Petraios, the herd still made her uncomfortable.
Isoples thrust an elbow into his young companion\u2019s black hide before pointing at the women. He reared beating his yellow legs in the air laughing as they scurried to avoid proximity.
Beroe shrieked in disgust but Isoples did not pursue.
Last through the gate was Petraios\u2019 trainer during the Games. Aristaios was a stocky centaur with a solid build and long, braided hair, not only on his head and tail, but around his ankles too. His hide was a rich red, like clay, but the hairs of his head and tail were black. A woman rode on his back, still wearing Nais\u2019 gown and jewelery she gifted the woman the evening before. Her eyes found Nais immediately.
Nais was relieved to see Amymone with her mate. Surely Amymone would provide some calm to temper both the agitation between her women and the centaurs, but also her own nerves at the prospect of their equine escort. Amymone had already cast a ray of sunshine on the otherwise bleak affair which her women threatened to make of her betrothal. They had become fast friends, a blessing from the gods.
The king greeted each of his guests and began including the centaurs in his orders of business.
The oxen bellowed as centaurs drew near. The women, also fearful in the presence of the centaurs, avoided any close proximity. They huddled near the cart and the hoplites, as they worked to arrange Nais\u2019 belongings in the wagon. Only the young girl stood her ground, watching the centaurs with wide-eyed curiosity.
The centaurs themselves obeyed the king\u2019s orders, though by their expressions, perhaps a little less tolerably than they pretended. Nais avoided the Alpha\u2019s gaze. There was no misinterpreting his body language. Impatience was apparent in his manner as he alternately paced, barely inside the gate, and crossed his arms over his chest, his tail lashing at the ground with each interval. His companions eyed the hoplites warily and the women eagerly. Still, they did not object to her father\u2019s wishes.
The little maid looked around, obviously unsure what her duties were. She hung her head when she saw Nais watching her.
\u201cCome here, girl.\u201d Nais motioned to her. \u201cTell me your name, child.\u201d She was several years younger than Nais and on the brink of her maidenhood. She would not be a child for much longer.
\u201cMelanippe, Princess.\u201d The girl bowed and kept her eyes downcast.
\u201cAnd how old are you, Melanippe?\u201d Nais watched the girl sneak a peek at the centaurs.
\u201cEleven, almost twelve.\u201d
\u201cMy father\u2019s wife dismissed you?\u201d
The girl nodded uncomfortably. She did not look up, but observed from the corner of her eyes.
The Queen had never been happy with Nais\u2019 lingering presence in her father\u2019s household, nor with her father\u2019s decision to delay her betrothal. It seemed the woman wished Nais gone from the moment she\u2019d wed her father and joined the family. The servants had whispered that she resented the competition of Nais\u2019 presence, and so Nais had mostly stayed away from her. At least she maintained an emotional distance even when a physical distance was beyond her control. Nais didn\u2019t see why the woman should resent her father\u2019s love for her, but who knew what insecurities the woman harbored as a man\u2019s second wife, despite that her father had been nothing but benevolent and gracious to her.
\u201cAre you prepared to accompany me to my new home among the kentauroi?\u201d
The girl nodded. \u201cI am obedient, Princess.\u201d Her voice cracked, and she fidgeted nervously with her feet, her hands behind her back.
\u201cI believe you, Melanippe.\u201d The girl bit back a smile and Nais turned toward Amymone. \u201cDo you see the woman riding the kentauros?\u201d
This time the girl looked up, her countenance brightened. \u201cThe one who looked so pretty last night?\u201d
Nais smiled. \u201cI want you to stay with her and serve her. She is my dear friend and she will be your mistress. Understand?\u201d
The girl nodded again.
\u201cGood, then follow me.\u201d
Amymone smiled as they neared. She took her mate\u2019s hand and lighted off his back. Her hair hung down in loose waves about her shoulders framing her face prettily.
\u201cI will return your dress.\u201d Amymone began to unclasp the necklace around her neck.
Nais shook her head. \u201cThey are gifts, I wish you to keep them.\u201d
Amymone tried to object, handing her the necklace.
Nais held up her hands. \u201cThat dress never looked so well on me, it suits you much better.\u201d
Amymone blushed with gratitude.
\u201cThis is Melanippe. She will be joining us from my father\u2019s household. I have instructed her to wait on you.\u201d Nais passed the necklace to Melanippe, and ushered the girl toward her new mistress and her imposing equine companion.
Amymone furrowed her brow, looking toward Nais\u2019 other women and back. She didn\u2019t question or object, though curiosity hung in her brow. She smiled at the girl.
Melanippe fidgeted nervously.
\u201cHello Melanippe, I am Amymone.\u201d Amymone bent down and lifted the girl\u2019s chin to look her in the eyes.
The girl\u2019s gaze flitted nervously to Aristaios and back to the ground.
\u201cWill you not look at me, child?\u201d
\u201cI am not supposed to look in my mistress\u2019 eyes.\u201d Melanippe stole another glance at Aristaios\u2019 hooves.
Amymone clicked her tongue and took the girl by the hand. \u201cThen we shall just have to be friends instead.\u201d
The girl looked up hesitantly and returned Amymone\u2019s smile. Her expression returned to nervousness when Aristaios stepped forward.
\u201cThis is my mate, Aristaios.\u201d Amymone rested her hand on his flank. \u201cHe will not hurt you. He is gentle as a pony.\u201d
Aristaios snorted and pranced at the suggestion, but did not argue.
\u201cEven a pony kicks when you upset it.\u201d Melanippe wrinkled her nose, staring up at him in curious awe.
Aristaios and Amymone laughed.
\u201cI think I\u2019ll like her.\u201d Aristaios grinned and kissed his mate\u2019s temple.
\u201cMilady.\u201d Melanippe held up the gold necklace. Amymone bent and the girl fastened it around her neck once more.
Amymone took the little girl\u2019s hand smiling.
\u201cPrincess.\u201d Aristaios gave a courteous nod and left them to join his companions.
\u201cMy father has already taken the liberty of seeing that my things are packed and loaded properly. Nothing remains but to bid farewell to my father.\u201d Nais spoke to Amymone but watched the group of centaurs uneasily.
\u201cYou are nervous.\u201d Amymone took her hand.
\u201cYes.\u201d Nais sighed with a small nod.
\u201cI understand, I was too.\u201d Amymone gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
\u201cMy women are either scared or obstinate. The hoplites are on edge, ready to draw swords at any moment, I\u2019m sure. The oxen are disturbed. The Queen wishes only to be rid of me. My father is distracted by duty and protocol. It is obvious I will be consumed with diplomacy between all parties, including my own nerves.\u201d Nais took a deep breath. \u201cYou are the only one left to be happy for me.\u201d
\u201cI am happy for you, but you should be too.\u201d
Nais gave a weak smile, grateful to her friend. She bit her lip as her tone turned to teasing. \u201cWell, you saw how your mate could not keep his eyes off you last night. All the others admired you, even my father paid the highest compliments.\u201d She nodded toward the centaurs.
Amymone laughed. \u201cYes, I believe with a little bit of makeup and a new gown you managed to make a simple goose look like a swan.\u201d
\u201cNonsense, this little bit of finery can only serve to enhance the beauty which is already present, it cannot conjure beauty where none exists.\u201d
Amymone shook her head. \u201cYou are too generous.\u201d
\u201cSurely you had some treasures and fine things in your father\u2019s estate, did not your women dress you even for your own betrothal?\u201d
\u201cI had a nurse who had cared for my brother and me, but never a retinue of servants and handmaids. I learned and performed many of the household duties and also much of the work in the kitchen and garden usually done by servants in grander estates. I did not know any different. My father\u2019s servants could not be spared from their duties in his fields, and my nurse met the All-Receiver before the years of my maidenhood.\u201d
\u201cWell, you have one now.\u201d Nais rested a hand gently on Melanippe\u2019s shoulder. The girl didn\u2019t avert her eyes but smiled hesitantly back. Her smile vanished as she looked around and met the disapproving scowl of Beroe. She hung her head.
Nais\u2019 gaze flitted back to the centaurs. The Alpha and Isoples watched her. Beroe\u2019s disapproval was not the only ill regard she faced.
Isoples grinned when he saw her looking their way, and spoke to the Alpha. Nais couldn\u2019t hear what passed between them in conversation, but their respective expressions did not change. Their seemingly opposite reactions to everything around them made her uneasy. As if Isoples were eager to cause trouble as the Alpha wished to avoid it. When Isoples grinned, she couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that she was the trouble he wished to cause. For the first time she felt glad Petraios was the Alpha\u2019s brother. Her stomach flip flopped. Would that even matter?
Nais turned her back to them, avoiding their stares. She lowered her voice. \u201cWill Isoples challenge Petraios?\u201d
\u201cIt is unlikely.\u201d Amymone chuckled. \u201cIsoples is an eager flirt, though not entirely harmless, but he is loyal to the sons of Arktos.\u201d
Nais raised a brow. \u201cBecause Petraios has already won?\u201d
Amymone shook her head. \u201cNo formal challenge has been made for you according to their law.\u201d
\u201cWhat about the contests, my father awarded my betrothal to Petraios?\u201d
Amymone opened her mouth, but it was Petraios\u2019 deep voice that answered. \u201cThe games of men do not satisfy the laws of the kentauroi.\u201d
Nais blushed as she turned to see her centaur standing over her with Aristaios at his side. She hadn\u2019t noticed them approach. It was uncanny for a being so large to move so silently.
Aristaios grinned. \u201cHowever, as my lovely mate has pointed out, it is unlikely as neither Isoples nor Melankhaites could beat Petraios and they know it. A challenge would only give Petraios an opportunity to humiliate them for trying.\u201d
\u201cThat\u2019s probably not a bad idea.\u201d Petraios slapped his friend\u2019s shoulder jovially.
Nais bit her lip. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t stop their flirtations though.\u201d
Both centaurs laughed. Even Amymone smiled at the concern on Nais\u2019 face.
\u201cYou needn\u2019t fear any threat from Isoples.\u201d Petraios cupped the side of her face in his palm. \u201cBy Kheiron\u2019s hand he would pay dearly for any trespass against you.\u201d The gesture was pleasant but hardly reassuring.
Nais swallowed. The bustle of packing had stopped. Her father stood with his steward across the courtyard. The moment had come. Her life was about to change permanently.
\u201cI must say boodbye to my father.\u201d Nais\u2019 voice was a whisper.
Petraios nodded and offered his arm, taking her hand in the crook of his elbow without waiting for her to accept.
A lump rose in her throat at the tender expression on her father\u2019s face as she approached.
Petraios stood behind her, his hand rested against her back. She took a deep, resolute breath. \u201cFarewell, Father.\u201d
\u201cI am proud of you, my daughter. Your mother would be proud too. You look so much like her.\u201d Her father embraced her. \u201cI wish you every happiness in your new life.\u201d He paused and blinked as he kissed her forehead. \u201cYou will forgive an old man for his emotions. I will miss you as I have your mother.\u201d He pulled her close and held her again, tightly.
Nais felt weight in the finality of his farewell. She would not see him again. Tears flooded her eyes.
Petraios addressed the king. \u201cMy brother is impatient to begin our journey. We have been away from home longer than anticipated. You will forgive our abrupt departure, but we do not wish to prolong the upheaval our presence has caused in the polis.\u201d
The king released his daughter slowly, and reached to clasp Petraios\u2019 hand. \u201cTake care of my daughter.\u201d
Her centaur nodded.
\u201cPrincess!\u201d A frantic voice called from the house.
The king turned to see his son\u2019s nurse come running into the courtyard carrying the child. She looked nervous as the king surveyed her.
\u201cI thought the Princess would like to bid farewell to her brother.\u201d The woman bowed awkwardly and attempted to catch her breath with discretion.
Her father\u2019s wife had not come to bid Nais farewell. She knew they had not been close, but she\u2019d not expected the Queen to shun her either. Did she honestly think that permitting a farewell to her brother and sending her off with a pair of serving maids would suffice as a gesture of well wishes?
Nais kissed the little boy\u2019s head. He was a sweet child. She wished him a happy life.
\u201cAnd my wife?\u201d Her father frowned.
\u201cShe sends her best wishes for the Princess\u2019 happiness.\u201d The nurse avoided the king\u2019s stern glare as she stammered.
Nais doubted the Queen even cared.
Her father exhaled through his nostrils, visibly upset that his wife had not appeared. Nais wondered what words would pass between them later. He did not take it out on the poor nurse, however, and thanked her for bringing his son. Nycteus took the child from his nurse\u2019s arms and waved goodbye encouraging the boy to do likewise.
The boy cooed and reached toward Melanippe.
The girl stood with the other women watching. She grinned hesitantly until the king nodded his approval and beckoned to her.
\u201cYou have taken good care of my son, child.\u201d Nycteus patted her head.
\u201cBye, little Prince\u201d Melanippe sniffled, hugging the boy.
Nais embraced her brother and father a final time. It would not be the Queen who would take Nais\u2019 place in her father\u2019s affections.
Petraios knelt as Nais seated easily, but gently, atop his back, rather than swinging her through the air as she had seen Aristaios do with Amymone. His movements were startling, but Petraios held her securely. She clutched his shoulders as he stood.
Amymone smiled from her own perch atop Aristaios\u2019 back. Petraios held Nais\u2019 hand on his shoulder. It was exhilarating to feel his powerful body beneath her.
Her father, brother and the nurse watched from the courtyard as the centaur turned and headed toward the gates.
Nais held her breath. The walls of the courtyard held everything familiar about her safe, comfortable life. Outside the courtyard the mountains stood in the distance. Riding her centaur\u2019s strong back, it was Fate that truly carried her. She was headed straight for the wild unknown of life among her centaur\u2019s herd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n