Away and Beyond

[Valunce]

The assembled centaurs quizzicaly raised their eyebrows, that little imp fight? They couldn't imagine it, but on closer inspection they saw the wicked, mad gleam in her eyes and the numerous scars she sported. Some had seemingly even cut deep and would never heal. Perhaps she had fought afterall.

The leader of the band named Rogan stepped forward, acknowledging them both with a wave of his spear, which he weilded as a staff directing one of his fellow centaurs to gather up her belongings.
"We expected no combat from you," he snarled moving up close to loom over the pitiful whelp before him, how this foal had survivied the wilderness was beyond him.

"Valunce son of Mercutio, what a surprise that you bring her in." He stated without mirth or warmth, merely calm and controlled.

"Hardly Rogan" answered Valunce curtly. "Your search has barely past the glade itself."

Rogan sniffed dismissively not falling for the bait. Signalling for a centaur to unsling some rope to bind Neku as a procautionary measure. Valunce stepped in, speaking in a commanding tone, that would have made his father even a touch proud.
"There will be no need for force, she is worthy of trust and your respect." Such was the startlement of the centaur who wished to bind up Neku, that he accepted the command without question.

"The Elders shall decide that factor Chieftan's son," said Rogan his voice dripping with sarcasm, but the argument had worked, Rogan didn't press the matter, merely gestured for the two to fall in on their way back to the Tribe's resting place.

The group moved off at a slow pace, keeping Valunce and Neku between them. Though their grim faces had softened a little and a few conversed in low tones.

Rogan was a mean hearted centaur soley due to a terrible ache from when his own Mother had dropped him as a tiny foal, never had his temper been the same since. Accepting orders without question was the main reason why he had been put in charge of the guards; a perfect servant for Mercutio's protectionist, sometimes cruel ways.

"Ye were elusive," Rogan remarked meaning it as a compliment. "Scouts searched long for ye." Rogan would give credit solely when it was due, he also wished to learn why she had been so elusive and believed she had some secret to hide.

[Neku]

Neku could tell that they were as wary of her, as she was of them. She knew that they were inspecting her, and she didnt try to stop them. What would be the point, there was many of them, and one of her. How she hated the thought of her fate if they had found her and not Valunce.

Neku stepped back a bit when he began to wave his spear, "Such is not expected of me?" She questioned, "Then why not expect it?" She wasnt going to be ploughed over by some big nut centaur, she had a sharp tongue, and despite the fact that he was huge, and Neku was not, she would not be spoken down to. By anyone. Neku looked up at him through cold blue eyes, the colour slowly begginning to fade and go into a stony grey, like her fathers.

Neku did not like his tone, many times she had to fight the urge to use his own spear against him. Ravenous great oaf Neku thought Never shall I truly be taken in by you Still she remained quiet, not speaking so much as a word while the others seemed to converse.

Neku, at the thought of being tied up, again, began to step back, but soon found the cold sharp end of a spear. She steeled a glance behind her and frowned. Of course they had encircled them, what more could she have imagined.

"Is there much point in needless sarcasm?" Neku quieried. "Much as i'd like to stay around and be held at spear point, i would like to get this over with" she snarled, beginning to grow impatient.

Finally it would seem that they began on their way. Neku keeping her head down, still aware of the spears that were close, she neither looked at any of the centaurs, or Valunce, she kept her eyes on the ground. Hearing now the other conversing with one another, she let off a small sigh, How did I get myself into such a situation?

Neku looked to the centaur that seemed to be in charge, he was huge. At least four times the size of Neku. He seemed to be a cold one, she could recognise cold when she saw it now, being through it herself. So I am to believe he's the leader of this lot?

Neku heard what he had to say but tried to make it as though she didnt care much. She had been elusive, mainly because she knew they were searching for her, meeting Valunce was just by chance. "I shall not be found by scouts" She told him in a quiet voice, barely audible.

[Valunce]

Rogan prickled somewhat at her comments, he firmly believed that his warriors could find anybody with ease; especially some little centaur barely able to read the stars. Disgruntled he whinnied and growled; "ye'll be found and taken if the elders wish it."

Valunce immediately saw the danger, tempers were rising fast and he was the only one that could forstall the inevitable explosion of pure fury by the impetuous Rogan.
"I know you haven't fought in a while Rogan, but there's no need to pick a fight with our own kind."

Rogan simply glowered and muttered "she ain't from our tribe, I says we get her out of our land now."

"That's for the elders to decide as you yourself said." Countered Valunce with a warning glance. Severely disgruntled now Rogan duly dropped the subject, knowing deep down that he was almost baying for blood, it was true he hadn't seen action in a long while, too long for one so seasoned as he.

As the group slowly winded its way along through the denser foliage conversation ceased, Valunce looked with sympathy upon Neku, this would be a difficult time for her, but he knew she'd pull through. The glade was close now, the sounds of many centaurs could be heard, braying and stamping of hooves, the hustle and bustle of a busy tribe hard at the days labours. Foals ran about here and there, some coming over to view the spectacle of the wild centaur being brought in. They gaped in open eyed amazement, somehow through rumour alone she was transformed in their eyes through awe. The glade proper was close, these foals should have been busy learning but had broken free on hearing the trees talk of the mysterious ones approach.
"Get get," grumbled Rogan quite affectionately to those foals running about them quite ecstatic. He wafted his hands in a peaceful manner but glared once more upon viewing Neku.
"Quickly," he ordered gesturing for the group to quicken its pace.

[Neku]

"If that is true, the elders wished me to be found long before i was. How come that was not so?" she bit back. Neku was not one from taking idle insults nor half witted remarks from one she barely even knew, and who knew her even less.

"If you wish to pick a fight Mr Big Shot, please do. But be warned, it is not me who shall be carried back to wherever." She had battled bigger things than this Rogan or whatever his name was, and she was not going to be held back in a stupid fear of someone else. She was not one for that.

Neku kept her silence now and no longer spoke another word, she could tell her and this male centaur would never get along. Though she minded this none. She neither cared nor worried about being alone, as she had spent over three years alone and was now used to it.

The sounds from their home was drawing near. Neku remembered this, this was their home, not hers. And it would never be hers, for she had no intention of sticking around, even if granted solace. She was a free soul, and did not want to be entrapped by the rules of another Glade, which she was sure were completly different to her own. It was a difficult time for her, being around other centaurs made her realise how much she missed her own tribe. How much she wished she could go back, but she knew it was pointless as no one would be there, and everything was ruined anyway.

They entered the glade, it was slightly bigger than her own, and the foals were running around like idiots, staring at Neku like she was some kind of alien. Keeping her blue eyes ahead of her, not taking any notice of anyone else, she carried on.

[Valunce]

Valunce could feel and see Neku's uneasiness, he didn't need the trees whispered warnings though they only quantified his own uneasiness, if she used such tones with the elders they would not be best pleased, he really began to wonder how she would fare, much more time in the escort of Rogan would only compound her frustration. Before Rogan could comply with her near request of a fight Valunce held up his hand saying
"enough Rogan you'll have your chance if the elders decree it."

Rogan clearly bristled in anger but saw the wisdom in Valunce's words, he would only be hauled in front of the elders himself if he didn't comply with their wish of bringing her to them unharmed.

They came to the glade proper; with the trees gradually thinning out being replaced by once long lush grass, now somewhat trampled and broken by so many hooves treading the worn pathways threading throughout the vast expanse that was the forest. Three centaurs could walk abreast this warn path either side the lushness of the grass was evident in its shining glory. The main glade was of considerable size yet was filled with centaurs of all shapes and sizes, foals lay gazing in wonder as elder centaurs told awe inspiring tales of centaurian glory in days gone by. These were the youngest not yet able to fully comprehend the lessons being taught to those a little older. Here the centaurs didn't begin their learning proper until they had passed into their twentieth season, five was an early age to start, yet lessons began simply gradually growing in diversity and difficulty.

Centaurs learnt primarily from the stars; many lessons therefore took place at night so some younglings could be seen napping as they would mount a vigil of the stars that very night. A hunting party trotted past the slow moving escort, bringing in the mornings first kills, a couple of deer were strapped to the backs of two of the youngest who trailed behind at the back struggling to keep up under the heavy weight and calling for the others to slow their pace a little. But that was part of the initiation into the hunting teams, whilst others carried the lighter rabbits and birds shot down, the slightest were forced to build up their strength and endurance with the heavier game.

Mothers foraged not far from the camp whilst their foals were taught lifes lessons or played about in the small rivulet winding its way through the encampment. The place was very much alive, with laughter predominant, though humans saw centaurs as a grim and forboding race, directed by the satrs, they were in fact guided far more by their stomachs and spent much of the day foraging and hunting, whilst at night seekign solace from their guides. Here they were at home and at peace, they were at one with nature and lived solely by natural means, using their environment fully to sustain themselves, but also not taking overly from it, this forest had sustained many centaurs for many centuries, and they believed it would continue to do so for many more to come; as centaurs changed so little over the years, some said they resisted whilst others were simply too accustomed to life there that nothing better could they imagine. Valunce was one who found life here a little more stifling than properly allowing him to flourish, but still he loved it as his home and would never dream of leaving for long; only travelling abroad from time to time, to satisfy his yearning for learning from humans themselves.

Rogan abruptly stopped signalling for the others to depart, who promptly turned tail and began trotting back to their posts at the boundary.
Gesturing for Neku and Valunce to follow once more Rogan escorted them, now speechless as he wished not for his rising anger to show.

The glade thrived and was as busy as a hive, with scores of centaurs milling about, some gazing in curiousity at the little foreigner in their midst, but for most she didn't come into their daily lives so was ignored.

The elders were close...

[Neku]

Neku's uneasiness soon began to turn to dread as she knew the time she would have to come in front of the elders and give a full story would soon be here. She wasnt sure if she was ready to tell them about what had happened, but she knew they would tell right through a bogus story. Though, her uneasiness and dread were nothing compared to the annoyance that was rising within her, that would soon boil over to anger because of Rogan. She looked at him with a slight smirk, Hmm, he would make an excellent sparring partner. Though, i do doubt sparring is out of the question as I get the feeling he would rather send me to my death

Though she began to wonder, why brong her in if they could just settle it themselves in a fight. As arrogant as Neku's words were, she knew she would never stand a chance if they hit her full on, and she would most certainly be run out of the forest if not killed.

They entered the glade, it was full of life, busy centaurs. Some who looked upon her with wonder and awe, some who looked upon her with hatred and hid their foals from her. Others who just pretending to be oblivious to everything around them. Neku began to wonder what was to become of her, she wondered if she was going to be counsiled, or wether like in her tribe, they had rules for law breaking criminals, and whether she would be classed as one of those. Either way, it seemed her chance of sucess was not great.

It would seem to her they ran a hard testing force. Though Neku's own strength was much more powerful than any one of those. Though looking at Rogan, if faced with him, she knew there lyed a challenge. With him, she was not so confident. Looking even at Valunce, she wasnt sure if she could best him either. Though the rest, she was nearly sure she could. Though she wasnt prepared to find out, at least not yet.

Neku had spent many years roaming the wild, facing beasts these people probably thought myth. She wasnt worried anymore, she had grown past it. What would be thr point in worrying about an inevitable fight? If it was going to happen, what could be done to stop it.

She began to grow anxious. She wanted this to hurry up so she could leave. She didnt want to be here anymore, she didnt want to be here in the first place. I want to go home... though i dont have one anymore she hung her head as she walked, her hair falling over her face as memorys of home brought sadness into her feeling. She missed it. She still couldnt believe she was never going to see her mothers smiling face again.

"Are we nearly there?" she asked in a small voice, wanting this to be over as quickly as possible.