Blurry eyed and no bushy tail…for once

[Girty Hubbles]

It had just gone past mid day and the castle was slowly starting to get louder. The sounds of students outside floated through the hospital wing window and woke Girty up. Her yes were blurry and her body hurt all over. There was no way she was going to get back to sleep again, so grudgingly after less then 4 hour since she closed her eyes to sleep, Girty climbed out of bed. At the end was a table where a pitcher of water was set, after draining her third glass she carefully began to put her robes on. She would have given anything to remain I bed however she needed to do the annoying task of finding her wand.

Slowly Girty entered the forest with a limp and winching in pain with every breath she took. Last night had been ruff night, the worst in almost a year and her head was still spinning. As she got deeper the trees became thicker, the path soon vanished and the air was forcing Girty to walk even slower. Straining her memory she tried to think of where she could have left her wand, but everything seemed to be a blur, panic struck faces, flashes of light and a duck…that was a new one, Girty had never remember ed a duck before.

“What was that?”

Girty spun around, she heard the sound of a twig snap, it was dangerous task to enter alone and wand less, it tested Girty’s nerves to the limit. Reassuring herself that there was nothing there she continued on once more only to hear it again. She was being followed.

[Valunce]

Luckily for the foolhardy human she was being tracked by a centaur, unfortunately he was a stocky broad shouldered towering male not quite so adept at moving silently as some of his kin were. Valunce frowned slightly as a dried twig crunched beneath his hoof, the splintering sound echoing throughout the stillness, should he reveal his presence to the human? He faced a dilemna and he knew not which path to choose, he had encountered this young human girl several hundred metres inside the forest; far from the boundary, she seemed to be searching hurriedly for something; crouching now and then to examine the ground, for tracks perhaps? She left an easy trail to follow nonetheless but Valunce stayed well back, cautiously trotting along behind assessing the situation from every angle.

She didn't seem a particularly vicious breed of human, one not accustomed to entering into dark places such as this abominable forest, forbidden the humans named it he thought. But he knew the truth of it, this one had entered before and the look of her could easily leave many feeling secure before her, if this indeed was the very same human he had tracked once before then he thanked the stars and fate that the full moon had just past; she was accursed he believed and a dangerous foe even when not in her vicious animal state.

Valunce erred towards the way of caution and secrecy for now, he yearnt to discover more about her but lessons taught by the elders he had learnt well; be ever mistrustful of humans they are a fickle race and never let their appearances deceive you.

Stay well back and out of sight, that was the way.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty looked around through the blurry trees, she could see nothing and all she could do was hope that no one could see her. Rubbing her eyes in vain hope it will help them work better Girty continued to limp and stumble around wishing that she had her glasses on her. After a few more meters she needed to stop again to catch her breath, her side was killing her, even the pressure from the bandages were painful. This was a hopeless task.

Flopping onto the floor Girty let out a sigh of defeat. The forest was so vast and every fallen twig looked like her wand, it may not even be in the forest in the first place. That last thing she could remember was walking back from Homemade with Jac and seeing Dan, Grace, a member from the ministry and that duck. Maybe they had her wand, it would make sense and it would have saved her a lot of effort if she went to find Dan straight away.

Shaking her head Girty tried to push herself off the ground to head back, but all the strength had gone form her arms and once more she fell onto the forest floor. The bump sent a sharp pain down her back that forced her to groan in pain.
“I think I will just lie here until the next full moon…or until something eats me.”

[Valunce]

With particular care now Valunce picked his way through the undergrowth, his eyes darting from the moving figure far ahead and the tracks beneath his hooves. Jumping lightly, for one of his height and muscular weight, over a low thorny bush, dust from the dry crumbly soil fwirled around his heavy hooves which crunched dead leaves beneath.

The human had stopped after seemingly scanning the area, but Valunce's skill as a hunter meant she caught no sight of him as he leapt behind a tree. Listening intently his ears twitched striving to pick out the minute sounds, from what he could gather she had layed down in exhaustion and uttered a low groan. She spoke. His fears were confirmed, she was indeed a creature of the night when the moon shone it's brightest.

The tribe would wish her death instantly he knew, with matters of protecting the forest they were hasty indeed, each time she ventured into the forest she perhaps unwittingly, though he feared purposefully drew nearer to their grazing glade.

He had to protect the herd, plunge an arrow through her heathen heart and it would all be over; that's what his father would recommend. Yet Valunce's heart was a kinder one, he would never kill in cold blood and thus far she seemed quite defenceless...

Those younglings at the school appear nice and kind, but beneath is a heart of malice, so some centaurs do say. I know few knowingly seek hurt to others, but those at that place of learning are young and inexperienced, they meddle with magic they cannot comprehend or master, remember their power, with or without a wand they are a fearsome foe. Elder Patriar a wise one he was and Valunce had always hearkened to his teachings.

But he had also taught teaching...one must always be open to, open your minds to all around you.

Valunce breathed deeply and trotted quickly forward staying behind dense cover, he needed a closer look before he made his decision.

[Girty Hubbles]

The forest floor was surprisingly comfortable, Girty supposed however that a board full of hair would be as well with the lack of sleep she had had. She closed her eyes and lay in silence, she did not know how long she lay there for it could have been hours or only minutes but which ever it was relaxing. She was awoken from her relaxed state though by the sound of an approaching animal. Sitting straight up Girty looked around to see a rather large Lizard type creature walking towards her. She frowned for a second wondering if she was still in her own dream world, until the heat and smell form the creatures breath hit her. This creature was very much real and Girty knew she had to get out of its way.

Struggling to get to her feet winced in pain as he whole body refused to move, eventually she managed to stand up, but she was not yet stable. As she put her first foot forward to start running her knee went extremely week and she dropt to the ground again.

“When I said I wanted to be eaten I was only joking”

Girty tired to push herself up once more, screaming with pain form her ribs, her back and her legs she tired to get moving. Everything was going against her today. The sound of the lizard grew closer and closer and chance of escape for Girty was getting slimmer and slimmer. She was left with just her brain now, she had to think of something. Looking around her she noticed a rather large stick lying beside her, she may be able to bash the lizard a few times before its teeth bite her arm off.

“Maybe it is vegetarian.”

Girty thought allowed as she took hold of the stick ready to strike if it came near her.

[Valunce]

The burly centaur listened his ears pricked, he heard the unmistable sound of a small sized animal crawling through the leaves, making a scuffling noise as its claws scrambled across small rocks protruding from the dry cracked earth. With it came a faint smell, a type of lizard he surmised, and with a faint smell of burning wafting in the air he had it; a fire lizard, one of considerable size due to the sound of its leathery tongue flickering about, tasting the air; it would make a ample meal, though the hide was tough to tear through, only he had to keep an eye upon the human so lunch would pass him by unfortunately.

But then he heard movement from the human and he knew they had spied the approaching danger, a fire lizard could even pose a minor threat to a fully grown centaur who knew precisely how to handle it, the human stood a good chance of being receiving a few minor burns if unlucky; but she could easily deal with it; humans slaughter all manner creatures with a flick of their wands, they are hunters, nay not from birth but they do have a killer instinct.

The human spoke once more, her voice quavered slightly, she seemed not confident about dealing with her small foe, but maybe it was a pretence to lure him out into the open. He knew not, waiting silently Valunce decided by now the human would have dealt with the lizard if they were able, apparently they were not, unless he was falling into a cunning trap he would rush to their aid; never would Valunce stand by in dangerous circumstances. He only hoped the human wasn't lying in wait.

Bounding from his cover his searching eyes found the belching fire lizard readying itself to ignite the human who held a stick defensively, trust a human to not know how to handle such a weapon. Leaping forward his hooves now pounding across the earth Valunce increased his speed dramatically slinging his curved bow from his belt and notching an arrow with apparent ease from many years of long training. The fire lizard's eyes sparked in terror as it turned and began to flee, but too late, keeping his arrow poised towards the human Valunce sprang upon the small creature killing it instantly beneath his iron hard hooves.

With suspicious eyes he now gazed upon the human bow taut and ready to plunch an arrow through her frail skin if need be.

"What brings you here?" He asked in a gruff commanding tone, pacing uneasily.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty watched the lizard get ever closer, gripping the stick even more and getting ready to strike with the little strength she could muster. However she was saved by the most unexpected of creatures. A centaur jumped out and made sure the lizard could not do any more damage. Girty would have hugged the creature but not only could she not stand up he also had a very sharp looking arrow pointing at her.

If Girty could shrink any lower into the undergrowth she would have done, the situation had gone from one bad event to the other. She may have stood a chance against the lizard, but she had no hope against a centaur. As his ruff voice sounded out Girty jumped a little where she lay, and for once now she was glad the creature was just a blurry outline. It was a simple enough question, but Girty had a tiny problem of not being able to find her voice. Taking in a few gasps of hair she hoped that some kind of answer would form.

“I…I cam here to…find my wand. I think I lost it in here last night.”

The few rays of light that filtered between the trees where shinning onto the point of the arrow meaning a bright light shone straight into Girty’s eyes. It was like how muggle cops integrated their captivates in the movies, and Girty had never felt more like a prisoner then now in her entire life. She could to move and one wrong word the centaur could let the arrow fire straight into her chest. She just hoped that she had not already said it by meaning last night, Girty knew centaurs were not stupid animals they were most likely more intelligent then half the Slytherin’s put together.

[Valunce]

The human was scared. He knew from the fear in the corner of her eyes, but there was a deeper gleam, she would fight to the last if it came to it. Valunce wondered how humans could be so ignorant, for that was where their courage came from, they knew not the dangers so could quench their fear.

Valunce relaxed a touch as he discovered she was weaponless, the stick she weilded with little skill would simply bounce off his tough flanks. Wandless he stood a chance against her if the situation got out of hand, but he remembered the words of his teacher and heeded them, some humans could utilise magic without wands, simpler spells he knew but dangerous nonetheless. The way of diplomacy was called for and one much more suited to Valunce's way of thinking. Relaxing his muscles he allowed the bow to go loose and steadying it by holding the arrow itself. In the blink of an eye he could draw and loose, he now felt moderately safe.

"One should be more careful of your possessions," he stated without really thinking, such comments rolled off his tongue and were normal for centaurs; perhaps that would cause offense? Hastily he began to smooth over what he guessed to be a blunder.

"I have seen no trace of it hereabouts and have been riding here all day." He hoped that would help but then a pressing question surfaced.
"The moon shone its brightest last night and the howls of the dark creature were heard, it wasn't safe for it as centaurs destroy what threatens them." Valunce came straight to the point wishing to prevent harm befalling her, even now a warband could be heading their way prepared to slaughter the beast, it would be so much easier in human form.

"Human you especially are not safe here, I mean you no harm, yet others do. I advise you to flee now." He commanded shuffling and pawing the ground and taking a few steps backwards. He looked sympathetically upon her, perhaps given human weaknesses in their hooves his eyes would have brimmed with sorrow.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty’s eyes grew slightly wide in fear as the centaur mentioned something about the night before. Her reputation seemed to proceed her, which was not really a good thing. With a small nod of the head Girty laughed nervously as the centaur began to talk once more, but to her relief he lowered the arrow. However his words were almost as dangerous. With a roll of her eyes Girty looked at the canopy of trees above her.
‘Flee the forest, there is an interesting idea…now why didn’t I think of that…oh maybe because I can not move. Stupid creature.’

Girty however was not stupid enough to say her thoughts out loud, not only was the arrow still looking very dangerous she had seen what his hooves could so. So instead of her rather rhetorical and sarcastic remark she tied to find some other form of words that would not put her in so much danger. She tried to muster a smile up through her fear and glared at the creature.

“Well you see my strength has not returned from the whole ‘fiasco’ of last night. And well I seem unable to stand up. Whether it has anything to do with pure terror I do not know but what ever it is please understand I am not purposely ignoring your suggestion no matter how wise it is. But I thank you for your warning and will avoid the forest for as much as I can.”

After her rather prolonged speech Girty shuffled backwards a little in the forest floor to try and give herself some room on the beast.

[Valunce]

Valunce shifted uncomfortably his hooves crunching the crackling leaves spread across the heavy topsoil. He didn't know how to act around humans, and he feared he never would know, their ways were so utterly foreign to him, even their speech was from time to time; they spoke so much quicker than centaurs, who prefered to deliberate more upon what they said and emphasise, centaurs clearly pondered longer before they spoke out too. But this one was relatively diplomatic and not so ignorant and unfeeling as many humans he had come across appeared to be.

"You are wiser than you look young one, your lack of strength had not crossed my mind." He meant it as a compliment yet unwittingly may have hurt her feelings.

Valunce immediately felt protective of this human, she had treated him indifferently, and he believed she would do the same for her fellow kin too.

"If you will allow it I shall remain here to protect you," and escort you from the forest presently. He thought grimly hoping it wouldn't come to more extreme measures.

"One should never walk in the forest, especially not alone," perhaps I should allow her to ride upon my back, she would weigh nothing. But he knew how indecent that would be, the shame other centaurs would feel if he were spotted, no only if danger reared would he permit it.

"But something inexplicable draws you here, fate perhaps?" He mused aloud feeling more at ease given a problem to ponder upon.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty raised her eyebrow as the centaur mentioned about her lack of strength. She was sure he meant o offence but with very little sleep and pain spreading through her body Girty’s calm nature did not seem to be around like normal. But she was thankful for the creatures request of protecting her, Girt knew she would need it if anyone else came across her, someone how was not as forgiving.

“Thank you kind sir, I do not wish to trouble you. You must have far better things to be doing then making sure no overlarge lizards come and eat me.”

Girty gave a soft laugh only to cringe in pain as her side burnt, and every breath she took was like a dagger through her chest. Trying to relax some more Girty lay as still as possible in hope for the pain to subside and her strength to return. She wanted to thank the centaur more, he could be risking a lot to help her, and Girty prayed that this was not the case, if only she had her and or Dan was with her then none of this would have happened.

“I hope you heard will not punish you for helping me. I have heard and read about how Centaurs and humans have never truly got along. I would hate to think that you kind gesture may turn on you, or that you reaming here could make you prey to something else….not that I am saying your small and will be defeated easily….you showed that with the lizard …”

Girty broke off into a low mumble, she had even managed to confuse herself with her ramblings. She hoped that the centaur would not take offence that Girty really did not know what she was saying or the fact that she seemed to think he was potentially weak.

[Valunce]

Valunce chuckled softly this human was a kind hearted being which would never purposefully harm another. In fact he doubted she had ever hurt a fly, when not in her animal form of course. All humans were not cannibals as his father had once called them, along with other much harsher words.

Setting his bow back across his back Valunce felt more comfortable in her presence. He respected her greatly for the respect and formality she offered him, having heard humans preferences to yell at each other fiercely. Often their alarming harsh voices had he heard around the lake, perhaps it was only friendly banter but he thought it quite horrible.

"Your books hold wisdom then." He found it curious how humans memories where so insufficient that they had to write everything down, rarely did they seem to only use word of mouth, it used up such less time simply telling tales of the old days, as the elders so often did around the campfires.

"My herd would punish me if it could," he said truthfully "they detest my interest in humans, but it cannot be abated so easily." He smiled warmly, for a centaur, down at her.
"Fear not for me little one, though your concern is duly noted and appreciated. Need you more rest before continuing your journey homeward? Perhaps some refreshments will give you added strength and vitality?" Slinging a pack from his broad back he handed her a small leaf wrapped roasted deer, one he had taken just yesterday for the tribe.
"Open it," he coaxed presuming she knew what it was.

[Girty Hubbles]

With a small sigh of relief Girty watch the centaur put his bow away, although she knew the power of his hooves she felt a lot safer now that the point of an arrow was not aimed upon her. However she soon had a reason to try and shuffle backwards a bit more when the creature went for his bag again but this time produced a small object, wrapped in a leaf and he was handing it over to Girty.
His kind words had washed over her as she studied the object, all she could work out was that this may be some kind of centaur remedy to help her find some energy. But as soon as Girty slowly undid the meat all she saw was the browned meat. Glancing up at the Centaur he seemed to be smiling, and as he had professed a love of humans and offered to protector the chance of him poisoning her were slim.

Taking a small nibble of the meat Girty’s mouth instantly began to water. The tender meat fell apart in her mouth and the juices ran down her throat. She had tasted this type of meat before.
“Veal.” She mumbled as she looked closely at the roasted meat before taking another bite. Slowly she could feel strength retuning to her, her stomach rumbled as the smell and taste became stronger. She must not have eaten last night in her wolf form…maybe that was why she was so weak.

“I seem to be saying Thank you a lot to you today. But I must, this meat is lovely. Did you poach the deer yourself?”

A small smile spread across Girty’s face as she looked wide eyed at the centaur, waiting to hear his story and wishing they served meat like this up at the castle.

[Valunce]

Valunce watched with growing mirth as the girl ravenously tore into the meat, taking another two similar sized leafed wrapped bundles from his pack, he passed them over with a shuffle of his hooves; due to her many compliments.

Somewhat bashfully he divulged "yes I poached it, you can have more seeing as you love it so." Never before had Valunce been complimented on the quality of his cooking, which to most centaurs was simply average.

"I've been told time and time again to keep my strengh up, perhaps you should bring supplies when you venture into the forest," he said smiling as he knew she would doubtless be back.

"There's a watering hole not far from here, perhaps that will be the final cure for your weariness?" Waiting patiently for her to finish off the remaining meat he held out a strong arm to help her upon his back.

"It'll be quicker that way," he reasoned.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty happily ate the rest of the meat that she was given, it was not everyday you go to eat such a rare and tasty meat. Once she had eaten her fill, which was a fair amount for Girty did indeed have a rather large stomach, the idea of a drink was very tempting. Summoning all the straight she could Girty reached up and using the strong and sturdy arm of the centaur she ignored the pain in her legs and stood up. Her head went light for a second, a buzzing sound filled her ears and the ground where she stood seemed to sway. However she did plan to ride on the creatures back, so that she was certain.

Slowly Girty removed her hand from the creatures arm and waited for a few seconds till she gained her balance and then carefully she moved her left foot forward and began to take a few steps. Once she was a few paces away form the centaur she turned around and bowed her head slightly.

“I thank you for the offer but I shall walk. I do not want to do you the dishonour of ridding on your back. You have been very kind to me and I want to pay you back, but at present this is the only thing that will do. I would not have your heard turn against you simply because I have a small limp.”

With that Girty began to carefully walk deeper into the forest, she did not know where she was going but she did not want to stop again. She was trying to keep her mind off the pain in her chest, ribs and legs but also something told her that the water whole was in that direction. Maybe she had visited one night, if that was the case then at least she could remember something.