Page 61 of Wind and Water
“Safe, but alone and without any way to know if you were alive or dead. No. I couldn’t have borne that, baby girl. I brought you into this world, and I’ll defend the right of that until my dying breath. I’ll not be back in Texas with no idea if I’ll ever see you again. I’d suffer a thousand hours with that horrible witch rather than leave you.” She lays her head on Wren’s shoulder and closes her eyes.
“I don’t know about the magic.” Corell’s voice is soft, and he smiles gently at the humans. “But the love of parent for child is the same as what we have here among the centaurs.”
It’s two more days to the point where the main river splits. The Giants’ Bridge is within sight, and figures are crossing over the stone bridge. Its name comes from the heavy rocks that look as if they could only have been set in place by giants. In reality, no one knows who built the ancient bridge that has stood for a thousand suns.
Before I can pull my sword in case defense is necessary, the centaurs break into a gallop and start calling out the names of their loved ones from the village. A moment before, they’d been dragging and tired. Now they are imbued with a sudden burst of energy.
Farress stands on this side of the bridge, making sure each male, female, and foal crosses safely. Her blond hair blows in the wind. She turns in our direction, and even at this distance, her eyes brighten, and a broad smile shows off her beauty.
Suddenly out of place, I slip from Pallon’s back and give the centaurs some privacy for their reunion.
I find Wren, and we walk to the river. She splashes water on her face, then wipes it with the shoulder of her short-sleeve shirt. “I’m happy to see the others are alright.”
Taking her hand, I lead her to the bridge, and we sit on the stones where they meet land. “I’m sure it’s a great relief to them all to reunite.”
She cups my cheek. “You must miss your family.”
Birdie does not attempt to give the centaurs space. She hugs and greets them as if she has always been part of their community.
Farress embraces her for a long time with tears running down her face.
“I am a soldier. I am often away from home for months at a time.” Still, I worry about my brothers and pray they are already back in Tús Nua, safe and with the humans they were sent to collect. They will be preparing to harass me about how long it took me to complete the mission. I kiss Wren’s palm. She’s so much more than a set of orders. She’s everything.
“You know, Liam, you don’t always have to pretend to be impervious. At least, not for my sake.” She taps the side of her head, and her smile is soft and teasing.
Everything about her feeds my soul. “I miss them, and I’ll be happy to get home. Now that the centaurs and your mother are safe, I will speak with Corell about our departure from the party. There’s a portal not far from here. We could be home sooner.”
“You want to leave them?” Horror and disappointment register like a blinking sign on her face.
Leaning over, I kiss her forehead. “It’s you the witch queen wants, my love. The centaurs will be safer if we are away from them. Venora shouldn’t be able to use her magic on this continent, but clearly, she’s found ways around the oracle’smagic. The farther away from these people we are, the better off they’ll be, and they’ll have a better chance of reaching the capital city.”
“How do you know your city is safe?”
It’s a fair question. “I can only hope the magic my mother and the oracle use to protect Tús Nua is holding better than that which is meant to protect this part of Domhan. For thirty years, the witch queen and her magic have been contained on the eastern continent. I don’t know how she has breached the wards.”
Wren leans into my side and rests her head on my chest. “Will you think less of me if I admit I’m afraid?”
“I’d think you foolish if you were not.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her tight.
As soon as the reunion is over, I speak with Corell. He agrees that Wren’s presence puts the herd at risk. To protect the children, he’s more than happy to allow Jadar, Wellon, and Pallon to carry us to the portal that stands half a day’s ride from here.
Corell grips my arm near the elbow in a traditional way, as friends and soldiers do when parting. “I will see you at your mother’s home in a few days.”
I dig in my bag, pull out my uniform jacket, and tear the patch from the shoulder. It is the deep blue of my mother’s rule, with a green diamond at its center. I was given the royal color green at my birth, and this patch will let Tús Nua know I am alive, and these centaurs are my friends. There are no guarantees that either party will reach the new capital. I hand him the patch. “Should you arrive first, give this to my mother and tell her of our friendship. She will see that your people are safe and cared for.”
His eyes flare with something unsaid as he turns and orders the centaurs to head north.
I get on Wellon’s back, and the six of us watch the others ride away. Some weep over the loss of Belloc and Toball. Others hug their sons who returned unharmed. Worry for my brothers does me no good, and I push it aside as best I can.
“We should put distance between us before the witch queen regains her strength.”
Jadar nods as he is the senior of the three soldiers. He turns, and we ride northwest.
I send up a prayer to the old gods that the portal will bring us to safety. I’ll not deny that the idea of sleeping in my bed tonight is motivating. The thought of lying in that bed with Wren in my arms makes me wish centaurs had wings.
Long grass gives way to rolling hills. Deeper greens and tall trees remind me more of home. It’s harder riding, though the centaurs show no sign of tiring. They’re remarkable creatures. I’ve come to admire their sense of honor and intelligence. In the short time I’ve known them, I’ve seen no dissidence, no betrayal, and no improper use of magic. They mostly use their magic to heal, preferring bow and arrow for battle. They transfer their magic to boost mine, but I’ve seen no magic used for offense.
It’s shameful that elves have avoided knowing them all these many generations.
