User blog:ExdeathsBagel/Centaur WWYD by SteveDuck

WWYD by SteveDuck in the Centaur comments section: http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Centaur ''You and your party of adventurers are resting at a caravan rest site by your coach. About an hour after you arrive a caravan consisting of two coaches drawn by a centaur each. Besides the ones pulling the coaches there were five other centaurs walking beside them, they all looked sullen withdrawn and dazed, with messy short hair and ill maintained coats.''

''The coach in the front looks unusually chirpy and expensive, made of cherry wood and having stain glass windows through which a warm light emanated. On top were two humans, the first was a shorter than average man dressed in a suit and top hat, he was grinning ecstatically at the woman next to him, who wore matching clothes and a sulk.''

''The coach behind them was made of iron and had no windows bar a closed grate. It is covered in various wards and symbols but you notice one is smudged. ''

''Upon approaching the camp site the man gets off to say hello. "Those are some business associates of mine" he says gesturing towards the centaurs "they aren't particularly chatty". you feel an odd sensation coming from the iron coach. Eventually the pair retire to there coach to sleep. The sensation keeps you from sleeping so late in the evening you see a rider enter the camp, nail two posters to a board an leave. On the posters you see them, their names are Lu and Hank Fitzroy they have a combined bounty of 200,0000 gold and are wanted for the capture and sale of monsters as slaves, particularly centaurs. You now recognise the sensation as a voice, resonating in your mind from the iron coach. It's saying "help me".''

''What do you do? ''

As the coach stops at the nearby Inn, I thank the coachman, offer him a tiny sum of gold, and bid farewell to my fellow adventurers as they ride off. They were more acquaintances than friends, but we did well in our dungeon crawl. Under the request of the head of the local guard we were sent to slay a few Lichs, and after showing them the ears of the accursed beasts, they gave us our pay and while the rest of party went to find further adventures, I decided to take it easy at the local Inn.

I stepped inside, eager to spend my gold on food, drink, and a place to rest my head for the next week. Before I could step in however, the sound of hooves met my ears. Thinking it to be my party turning back, I turned to meet them only to see it was a different coach. My stomach churned and I hid my disgusted look as I saw it was pulled by two centaurs, though three more were grouped with the oncoming caravan. I never found it right when Centaurs or other such mamonos were treated like their respective cattle counterparts. It must’ve been especially hard for the prideful Centaurs to fall under such treatment.

The two pulling the cart were traditional Centaurs, but the other three consisted of a White Horn, and two Unicorns They all looked poorly kempt, like they hadn’t washed in days as sweat stains were visible on the undershirts of their armor. Their hair looked to be shined with grease and scraggly. Their coats, especially the White Horn’s also seemed to shine with grease and looked very matted as if no one took the time to brush them. Worse of all was the dejected, hopeless looks on their faces.

I looked at the small sacks of gold around my belt. Perhaps the owner would be willing to sell them, disgusting as that was to treat them like animals, and I could then free them from whatever contract they were under.

The caravan door opened, and out walked two men, one short, stocky, and well dressed, while the other was tall, muscular, and wore simple chain mail. The short man, noticing my staring at the Centaurs, walked up to me in rather jovial gait, as if he was unaware, or simple apathetic, to their state.

“Hello good sir, interested in my business associates are you?”

I looked at the Centaurs behind them, they all had a desperate look in their eyes, and I suddenly began to hear a ringing sound in my head.

“Yes, I am.” I say, trying to shut out the ringing sound. “How much for them?”

The man laughed, “My dear friend, I’m afraid they’re not for sale.”

I pulled off the gold sacks from my belt, “Really? Even with this?”

The man looked at my six sacks of gold only for a moment, as if they were nothing to him. He chuckled, “I’m afraid you’ll need more than that.”

I did my best to hide my shock. Even all this gold wasn’t enough? How valuable were these ‘associates’ to him with how poorly they were being treated? I decided then to take a gamble.

“Then how about all of this just for one?”

This time the man actually took more than a passing glance at my gold. As he did the larger man came close, looking none too pleased that I was still trying to make a deal. He even had his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice.

The smaller man stopped him by extending his hand, “You’re persistent, I like that. Fine, I’ll give you the White Horn. Deal?”

I wasn’t about to lose what could be my only opportunity, even if I was only able to free just one. “Deal.” I shook his hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">The smaller man motioned the larger man to the caravan with his head. Taking his hand of this hilt, the man grunted and walked to the caravan. I noticed it was covered in seals, and the man pulled out a hammer and chisel and after grinding an X into one of the seals, the White Horn stumbled before regain her balance.

<p class="MsoNormal">As the large man approached her, the other Centaurs shuffled back, even the White Horn. Grabbing her by her reigns around her neck, how disgusting to fashion such things on her, the man pulled the White Horn to us.

<p class="MsoNormal">I took the reins while I handed the man all my gold. I still had a spare sack in my back pocket, normally an emergency supply. My week of food and drink probably just dropped to a day or two with this White Horn, but I didn’t care, I wanted to help her, even the others if I could.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you, I hope you enjoy your purchase.” The man wasn’t even trying to hide his sleaziness as he counted his gold. Perhaps I could alert the guards to the treatment of his ‘associates’ after I took care of the White Horn.

<p class="MsoNormal">The taller man grunted and leaned down to the smaller one, whispering something in his ear. The smaller man nodded and began walked to the caravan, the taller one in tow.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Do you need anything else?” He asked as he turned back and noticed I was still there, barley able to hide his annoyance.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No.” I say, watching him as he simply grunted and turned back to the caravan.

<p class="MsoNormal">I took off the reins of the White Horn, I was honestly expecting her to bolt then and there, but she instead mouthed a ‘thank you,’ and motioned me into the Inn. The Inn was very mamono friendly, being built especially for them. This was done intentionally, as our neighboring kingdom, Salvavos, isn’t a mamono friendly kingdom, and this Inn sits on the edge of the border between our two kingdoms. As such this place was a safe haven for mamonos, and it wasn’t uncommon to see them in various states on injury as they stumbled in asking for help.

<p class="MsoNormal">I still got a few stares as I walked in with the White Horn by my side, though I was able to get a room with little difficulty.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are you okay-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you so much, please, you need to save my friends.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I-I will do what I can but are you okay?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t worry about me. Please just save my friends!”

<p class="MsoNormal">She was becoming anxious, I couldn’t blame her but judging from her fidgeting she seemed eager to bust through the door and attack the men holding her friends captive.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Look, if you’re not going to help me, I’ll find someone who will!” She tried to move passed to the door but I stopped her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I want to help you, but I don’t think rushing in head first will help us. I don’t even know how to help you guys, please, tell me what I can do.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The White Horn stopped, and took a deep breath, “Right, my apologies. It’s just- I haven’t tasted freedom in so long. Those men, those sickening men, here, this will tell you about them.” She reached into her pocket before pulling out a piece of paper.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’ve managed to hide it from them for months, hoping to be set free so I could give it to someone to help us. Please, if the money isn’t enough I’m sure we can think of some way to repay you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked down at the piece of paper, it was a wanted poster with a sketch of the two men. The short man was named Lu Fritzroy, and the taller man was his brother Hank. They were wanted as members of the Mamono Slave trade, and reportedly specialized in Centaurs. The reward was 200,000 gold, nearly as much as what I had given to Lu for the White Horn.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course I’ll help, but what do you -” The ringing in my head returned, but this time with such intensity that I gasped in pain and clutched my head.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What’s wrong?” The White Horn asked

<p class="MsoNormal">“My head, a ringing noise. It hurts.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The White Horn’s eyes went wide, “The Unicorn, her name is Licia, she’s trying to get you to help. Unicorn’s can use their horns to project thoughts into other people’s minds, though with the binding Lu and Hank placed on us, all she can emit is a telepathic signal. She knows you’re the best bet on saving us, no one has offered enough gold to Lu to get one of us before. Please forgive her, she just want your help.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The ringing in my head began to dissipate, “I’ll help, don’t worry. You said something about bindings? Were those the symbols on the coach?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, they keep us unable to loosen our restraints, get too far from the coach, keep us silent, hell they even put us to sleep at a certain point at night. On top of that, Hank wears special gloves that make only him able to drive the coach.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt sick to my stomach, “God that sounds terrible. Are you okay? Is there anything I can do? Aside from rescuing your friends of course?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No. Please, just rescue them. We are all part of the Centaur family, a tough warrior race you know? It’ll take more than that to break us.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I nodded, though amazed by her willpower, I felt like she was simply focused on saving her friends, not that I could blame her.

<p class="MsoNormal">A sudden growling echoed throughout the room, I noticed it was coming from the White Horn.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hungry?” I asked

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, but we have more important things to do. I won’t be selfish and eat while they’re in danger.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Feeding yourself isn’t selfish, and I’ll probably need your help for whatever we need to do.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The White Horn down for a moment, before looking up to face me, “Yes, you’re right.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Leading her back to the main hall, we took a set as a waitress took our orders.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Please, get whatever you want.” I tell her.

<p class="MsoNormal">The White Horn looked at the menu, before looking back up at me, uncertain.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’ll need to get your strength back, don’t worry, I have the gold to spare.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“O-okay. I’ll have the rib roast and a salad please, and some water.” The waitress took her order.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’ll just have the chicken, water too please.” The waitress hurried off.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you so much, you’re sure you have enough?” The White Horn asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, still got some to spare too. By the way, I never got your name.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The White Horn smiled, “It’s Claire.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m Thomas.” I shook her hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">The food came shortly after. Claire wolfed hers down with ravenous intent to the point a few other patrons turned and gave her a look. She didn’t care and neither did I. If her treatment was anything to go by I doubted they fed her and her friends well.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How long do you think Lu is staying here?” I ask

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire swallowed her last prime rib, I swear she didn’t even chew. “He normally stays in a town for a few days. That should be more than enough time for us. Remember when Hank carved out my rune on the coach? He used a special chisel that dispelled it. Once we can get that chisel, we’ll just need to carve out the other runes and my friends will be free.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh, my good man this is such a delight to see!” I recognized to voice long before I turned to face it, Lu was approaching us, but Hank was nowhere in sight. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, “It’s such a joy to see you taking care of my precious White Horn, be careful though, she’s a big spender when it comes to food!” He laughed as if he just told the greatest joke in the world. I simply smiled and went along with it, but a passing glance at Claire showed me she was just looking into her salad, despite her blank expression I could see fury in her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course sir, I always take good care of my associates.” I say, “Once we suit up we’re going on a quest tomorrow you know?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Really? Well I’d love to see you off but alas I need to be out of here by tonight, a messenger came by and said a man in a distant town is interested in my associates.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire just barely managed to keep her fork from dropping. We can’t have him leave by tonight, I had to think fast.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Really? That’s a shame, I know a man here who could really use a Unicorn from you as a wife.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is that so? Well, he’d have to be even more loaded than you to make me get rid of one of those prime beauties.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“He is. What, you think any commoner has to gold to ask for a Unicorns hand? The man’s a nobleman, regular quest giver I work for.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Really? Okay, I’ll bite, where is this nobleman?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Before I could come up with an answer a messenger suddenly ran up to Lu and whispered something in his ear. I heard Lu utter ‘fucking Hank,’ under his breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Looks like I’m needed elsewhere right now, but I’ll tell you what, you show me this nobleman and this afternoon and I’ll see if we can strike a deal. Until then, I must take my leave.” Lu got up and quickly followed the messenger out.

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire slammed her fork into her salad, causing the table to jump and few patrons to look at us again, “Fucking asshole! To be that close and I couldn’t do anything – I had use every ounce of strength not to strangle him then and there!” She took a deep breathe, “I’m sorry. Thank you, you’ve bought a precious amount of time.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t give me too much credit, I’m a bad liar.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s a good thing he thinks with his coin purse and not his brain then, so, where is this nobleman?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We’re about to find out. I have an idea.” I turned to a nearby patron. He looked to be a fellow adventurer like myself, his green tunic, brown pants, and long bow draped across his back told me he was an archer.

<p class="MsoNormal">I got his attention, “Excuse me sir, care to help out a fellow adventurer?”

<p class="MsoNormal">He turned, mug of ale in his hand, “Depends, what’re you ask’n me? If it’s to take your nutty girlfriend of your hands forget it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">We ignored his snark, “How good are you at acting?”

<p class="MsoNormal">He tilted his head, “You ask’n me to pretend to like your girlfriend?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire slammed her hands on the table, “Look asshole, just answer the question.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So you are his girlfriend.” The archer quipped. “Look if you really want to know, I’m rather subpar.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Really? Would some gold help pay for some lessons?” I ask pulling out my sack of gold.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Consider me a theatrical master, one who’s totally into your nutty girlfriend.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I swipe the sack away from his grasp, “One, she’s not my girlfriend. Two, you’re going to play the part of a nobleman.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is that all? Ha, you don’t need to be good at acting to pretend to be one of those slops. Just let me guzzle down a few glasses of wine and I’ll be convincing whoever you want in no time.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Good. We’ll also need you something that resembles noble clothes. You’re not convincing anyone in those rags. Now come on.” We all stood up and I left some gold on the able and a tip for the food.

<p class="MsoNormal">We quickly found a nearby parlor, The Sacred Silk, owned by an Arachne.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You want me to make ''what? ''Sweeties I don’t think you have the gold to cover that, even if it a forgery. But -” She suddenly wrapped the archer in webs, “I think I can accept a different kind of payment.” She said with a lustful smirk as she dragged him to the back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey, come on now, help an adventurer out!” The archer pleaded.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Just lie back and think about the gold.” I say as he got dragged off.

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire and I waited in the waiting room for a few minutes in silence.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So, any idea on getting Hank’s chisel?” I asked

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire sadly shook her head, “No. That man keeps it on him at all times. Yet judging from Lu’s frustration from what the messenger told him, Hank got in trouble with something. That happened a lot in the other town’s we’ve been in. Hank picks a fight with someone or drinks a little too much and causes a ruckus. Not that it matters, they’re rich from the slave trades, and easily pay off any guards that get nosy. I’m worried about that, he could just as well pay off his crime and get away scot free.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We won’t let that happen. We’ll make sure to free your friends and they get justice.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire smiled, “Thank you. I’m truly grateful for all of this.”

<p class="MsoNormal">After what felt like an hour of waiting, the archer suddenly stepped out in what looked to be a beautiful outfit buffeting a nobleman. He looked exhausted as the Arachne had to push him to us.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Sorry about your friend. He owed me a little interest too. Goodbye now!”

<p class="MsoNormal">After recovering from the ordeal, we waited at the entrance of the Inn and I told him what to do next.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You want me to do all that? After all that I just did?! You better pay me good or-”

<p class="MsoNormal">I handed him the entire sack of gold.

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire looked shocked, “Thomas, you-”

<p class="MsoNormal">The archer looked into the sack and smiled, “Done deal.”

<p class="MsoNormal">After waiting for what felt like another hour, the sun began to set. Just when I though Lu wouldn’t show, Claire gasped as I turned and saw him and Hank approach, just as I was hoping.

<p class="MsoNormal">The archer walked up to Lu and Hank and did a bow, “Good evening; my good sirs. Are thou the proprietors of a unicorn this man hath told me so much about?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lu stared at the archers well-dressed attire in awe, particularly at the buttons that, while painted gold and polish, probably fooled him into believe they were gold judging from Lu’s unhinged jaw. Hank grunted and Lu composed himself.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why yes. Yes that’s us! I have two unicorns in fact, and had heard you sought one of their hands?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, indeed. To be married to such a noble steed has been my dream since I was a lad.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank stepped out from behind Lu and glared down at the archer, “Is that so? What is your family name, nobleman?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hank, please, this man is trying to make a deal with us.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh no, I understand.” The archer clasped Hank’s shoulder, “A bondservant should always look out for his master first.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank gripped the archer’s hand, “I am no servant! The name’s Hank! Hank Fri-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hank, there’s no need for such a debacle, release this young man’s hand this instant or-”

<p class="MsoNormal">In the commotion the archer slipped his other hand around Hank’s waist unnoticed and took the chisel from the belt. In an equally inconspicuous manner he motioned his hand behind him and I quickly moved to retrieve it, fortunately unnoticed, and handed him a handkerchief.

<p class="MsoNormal">The archer wiped his hand finally free from Hank’s grasp.

<p class="MsoNormal">“My sincerest apologies, please my good sir, let me show you the Unicorns.” Lu said after shooting Hank a glare.

<p class="MsoNormal">We approached the coach, in the same place as it was earlier. The Centaurs and Unicorns looked up at us, and my head suddenly began to ring. I looked back at Claire, she mouthed something they all looked surprised, something sparked in their eyes and the ringing in my head suddenly ceased.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lu motioned to the two Unicorns, “Well, what do you think Sir…”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Sir Leeroy, and I must say these Unicorns are in detestable shape. How often do you bathe them?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lu’s expression dropped, “Uh, yes, forgive me, I haven’t had the time to bathe them. Been on the road a few days you know? But I normally bathe them every day.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Really? I know of a bathing spot here that would be perfect, come, I’ll show it to you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We don’t have the time, either you pay for one now or we’re going.” Hank said, growing impatient.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hank, I think we can take time out of our schedule to find this bathing spot. Show us the way, Sir Leeroy.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Never met a noble willing to get his clothes dirty.” Hank earned another glare from Lu.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’ve never met a bondservant with such a filthy mouth.” The archer replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank stomped forward and Lu held out a hand to stop him. Hank brushed it aside but that was when Lu kicked him hard in the shins. As Hank cried out in pain and nearly fell over, Lu turned to the archer.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Forgive my brother, Sir Leeroy. Always had a fierce temper, worry not, sometimes he just need a good kick. I swear having a little brother can be like taking care of a child.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The archer laughed, “Yes, yes I know the feeling. I have a younger brother myself, quite younger than I, always wishing to tag along to meetings and the sorts. So, you are the eldest of the two?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The archer and Lu continued their conversation, Hank limping in tow, and we waited until they disappeared. Claire practically pushed me to the coach as I pulled out the chisel. Pulling out a dagger, I used its hilt to hammer the chisel in and crossed out the first seal. I regret not somehow getting a hammer, as after what felt like a few minutes I only got two done, freeing the two Unicorns.

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire supported the two Unicorns as they were freed, giving them water from a container and explaining to them what was happening. My arms felt like rubber as I moved to the third seal.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Stop!” I heard Lu shout. I turned and saw him and Hank, who was holding the archer against him with a blade to his throat. “Drop that chisel or we’ll kill your friend.”

<p class="MsoNormal">A few guards quickly showed up after hearing the shouting, and a few others ushered civilians away.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Halt! What’s going on here?” One of the guards said, as soon as he saw Hank’s sword drawn he drew his, “Drop your sword now!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not until you arrest these thieves! This one here tried to distract us while those two are trying to steal my Centaurs!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wait! Please listen to us.” Claire said as she approached one of the guards and handed him the wanted poster. “Those men are wanted for mamono slave trading.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“They’ve held us against our will for months, under control of seals that are surely illegal!” One of the Unicorns said

<p class="MsoNormal">The guard looked at the poster, then back up and Lu and Hank, before showing it to another guard.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That ‘poster’ is but a forgery. Many try to undermine me and my business.”

<p class="MsoNormal">After all the guards looked at the poster and looked around, they all began to laugh. “Of course Mr. Fritzroy. Yes, now the name comes to me. Honest, wealthy, businessmen are always in trouble nowadays. Maybe if you better spent you wealth, this wouldn’t be such an issue.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lu quickly caught on, “Yes, of course. I could always use a bit more security. And you men seem to be just the type to prevent forgers and thieves such as these.” He tossed a guard a large sack of gold.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Men! What is the meaning of this?!” A voice boomed from behind the guards. I recognized the voice immediately. The quest giver of the Lich quest I did a few days ago and head of the local guardsmen, a Hellhound named Sam. The guards stiffen and the ones who didn’t step aside quick enough were pushed to the side.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sam took one look at sack of gold in the guard’s hands and spat at the floor, “I certainly hope that’s charity in your hands guardsman and not a bribe.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, yes. It’s charity, and I’m feeling pretty charitable if you’re interested.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sam shot Lu and look so fierce he paled and hid behind his brother, and that’s when Sam noticed the archer with a blade to the throat. “Care to tell me why you look like your about to gut that man like a fish?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank gave her a glare of his own, “None of your business, nosy bitch.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“What my brother here is trying to say is that these two are trying to steal my Centaurs. We could really use your help.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sam looked at me and Claire, “Not likely, I know this man and he’s very trustworthy, and those Centaurs look like they’re about to be sent to the slaughter house.” She turned back to Lu, “Now tell me what’s really going on here or I’ll make you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Lu simply froze, stuttering and stammering under Sam’s glare. “K-kill her Hank!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank, glaring at Sam, kept the archer as a shield and raised a shaking sword against Sam.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Fighting me with a human shield? Some knight you are.” Sam scoffed

<p class="MsoNormal">“Then I’ll get rid of it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Hank lowered his sword to slit the archer’s throat, but one of the Unicrons suddenly charged forward and delivered a powerful head-butt to him. In that moment chaos broke out. The guards around us quickly scattered, one tearing up the poster. Lu ran into the forest while the other Unicorn pursed him, the Unicorn that was over Hank was stomping him, her horn stained in blood and screaming about how he stole her purity. Sam was trying in vain to get her off him, not that it mattered, his body was motionless.

<p class="MsoNormal">I would’ve froze had Claire not gripped my shoulders, “Hurry, free my friends.” I heard her say to me. She put my hand in her and helped me carve out the final seals, freeing the last two Centaurs. The scene quickly calmed after that, with all of us working together to calm the Unicorn who collapsed in tears over Hank. She managed to calm down a little after seeing all her friends were freed. The other approached later, holding a still alive Lu by his shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t bother sentencing this man. Just get us some rope and a tree.” The Unicorn said as Lu squirmed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Sam looked at them, “It might be clear to you these men have done some serious harm,” she looked at the Unicorn with the bloodstained horn, “one has to be a real sick fuck if they can drive a Unicorn to kill. But I’d like to make what’s happened clear to me.” She pulled out a piece of paper and a quill. “Now, I want all of you to tell me what happened.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Sam took all of our statements, including Lu’s who, compared to us, was the odd man out. “I’m no judge, but I think we have a solid case on you, even more so if those chicken shit guards show their faces again. If you’re not hanged, expect imprisonment for life.”

<p class="MsoNormal">We had to wait until tomorrow for a judge to look over the case, fortunately Sam, being a captain, was able to get ours looked over first. It was an open shut case, in fact, the judge even had a copy of the wanted poster on hand. Lu was wanted on a kingdom level, so we had to keep him in the local dungeon until royal guards came and took him away, after which I was rewarded the 200,000 sum.

<p class="MsoNormal">I dispersed it equally to the Centaurs, 40,000 each.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’ve done so much for us. Freeing my friends and now giving us your reward.” Claire said.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You guys should have it after the hell you went through, don’t worry about me, a quest or two and I’ll be back on my feet.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well, you won’t be questing alone, we’re coming with you.” Claire said with a smile.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wait, are you sure? You guys just got freed and want to stick with me?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“It’s the least we can do for helping us, please, let us help you.” One of the Centaurs said.

<p class="MsoNormal">To say it was pretty easy getting back on my feet with five Centaurs by my side was an understatement. Even the highest paying quest were a cake walk to us. I was surprised by Claire, and the two Unicorn’s skills in combat. I guess Claire wasn’t kidding when she said all Centaurs were pretty tough warriors. I had to soon stop accepting all the highest paying quest so other could their share of gold, which suited us fine since we decided to leave town and look for the next one.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was at this point that the Centaurs decided to leave and reform their old group. All except Claire. She decided to stay with me, and gave each of her friends a long hug, all of which had tears from both. I was confused at why she would stick with me, but when initially asked she wouldn’t answer.

<p class="MsoNormal">Regardless, we made a great team, taking whatever a quest or simply life threw at us and supporting one when the other was down. It was after a few weeks of this, on a rainy day in an Inn not too different from the one we first met, that she gave me an answer.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I stayed with you because I was moved by your kindness. That wasn’t just something I could let pass by.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So you think you owed me something? You don’t.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Claire smiled, “I know I don’t, and that’s what I love about you. From our time together I know you might not have the strongest arm, but you have a strong heart. I admire that strength, and I admire you. You’re the only man I really trust you know?”