Chapter 22
Chapter 22
A strange tightness pulls at my gut as I stand on the front porch, surveying the bountiful garden and the sturdy fence protecting us. It started this morning as a discomfort that woke me from an uneasy sleep. A feeling of having forgotten something, perhaps. It's grown stronger in the hour since sunrise to the point that I can't seem to settle. Not even the scent of maple pancakes topped with fresh fruit and cream can distract me from this insistent feeling.
"Whats the problem, Boss?" Merle drawls, stepping up to lean lazily against the porch railing.
"There's something out there I need to get," I answer plainly because that is what the feeling is about.
He hums thoughtfully, "Something or someone?"
I tilt my head, considering a moment before answering, "Someone, I think, but they may be other."
He nods his head, "Who do ya want with ya?"
"You and Daryl," I answer swiftly, "The others should be okay for a day at most."
He slaps his hands against the railing, pushing himself up with a, "I'll get us ready then."
He and Daryl are back in an instant, weapons in hand and a bag of supplies being carried out by Sofia. Merle must've explained to them because no one asks for clarification. Merle climbs into the drivers seat of the truck while I slide into the middle and Daryl tucks himself by the door, bag at his feet, while Sofia runs back inside.
"Head away from the city," I offer.
The truck rumbles to life, passing the gate that I spell open and shut to let us pass. Our area is still clear so it's a peaceful drive for the first little while. We roll down the windows, enjoying the cool morning breeze as the truck rambles along.
The tugging leads us on a slightly curved path through a smaller town and into a more wooded area. It takes a bit of trial and error to find the access road that will take us where we need to go. A large section of woods surrounds the dirt road on both sides, growing more uneven before suddenly stopping at a large tree.
"We can walk from here," I assure them, motioning for them to leave the truck.
Both keep weapons raised as we set off. The ground is wild here, lots of crawling underbrush and no clear path, but a few mild cutting curses get us through well enough. The tugging is easing the further we go.
We nearly stumble upon the first dead body. It's a diseased man, thin even before death and skeletal now with his innards missing. An arrow pierces his eye, trapping his still corpse against the tree at his back. Another in bloody overalls lay on the ground just past him with an arrow piercing through the center of his forehead and out the back of his skull with plenty of shaft visible. Both arrows have thick grey feathers on the ends of smooth wooden shafts.
Daryl leans closer to the body on the ground, tapping the large grey feathered end with one finger. His tone thoughtful as he comments, "Awefully long arrow."
Merle hums, eyes constantly searching our surroundings. I motion them further, noticing that they dart more fearful glances around now than they had earlier. The ground rolls steady upward before sharply dropping back down. At the top of the rise I feel a tingle, a barely there touch of magic.
It's the only warning I get before an arrow strikes the tree beside Merle's head.
I shout a 'Protego' protection shield at the same time Merle curses, raising his gun.
It happens in a blink. A sudden pounding of hoofbeats thunder around us. One moment we are alone and the next we are surrounded.
Centaurs! A whole herd!
Heavy bows are held in thick strong hands with full quivers hanging securly at their sides. Leather armor is stretched over their chests and arms. While their hair is braided back from their face, several with bone white or wooden beeds clicking as they shift their weight. Their hides range from the deepest black to warm cinnamon and even to the palest cream. A few are speckled like dalmatians and some have thick splotches of color to their coat.
"Why do you trespass!" One demands, his coat a paler brown with a heavy brow over dark eyes.
I offer a slight bow, maintaining eye contact and keeping my hands out at my side, "My name is Harry Potter. My magic pulled me here and I think it did so because you are in danger."
"All are in danger, young Harry Potter," he replies without easing his stance.
"True, but the last few times my magic was this urgent people would've died if I had done nothing."
He darts a glance to the dappled grey next to him before replying, "We shall weather this storm as we have those in the past."
"This is different, surely you can sense that," I argue. "It isn't safe to remain here."
The grey sighs wearily, tilting his head up to look at the bright blue cloudless sky. His voice is deep, a soothing rumble, "What do you suggest then, Harry Potter?"
"You could come stay with us," I offer but several huff or stomp their front hooves in displeasure. I quickly add, "Or I can try to put protections up to help you."
"What protections do you offer?" The light brown centaur asks.
"I could build a wall or fence?" I offer as more of a question.
"Cages," a speckled mare scoffs.
"We have a thick steel wall surrounding our place to keep us safe," I counter quickly. "It may take a while but my transfiguration is good and strong."
The mare sniffs but doesn't comment beyond the scrapping of a hoof. The grey nods wisly, "There are many dangers and a wall would be better protection for our herd."
"How large of an area can you protect this way?" The light brown asks.
I think for a moment, "What takes the longest is the rest time. Magic is energy and I need to replenish what I use so food and rest are key."
"Too bad ya can't just move a wall that's already setup or something," Merle grumbles, still looking at the centaurs with a stunned incredulous look on his face.
"What about stacking containers or something," Daryl offers, trying to hide his own shock at this meeting.
That could work. Containers are just hollow metal blocks so they should stack well. I would need a lot of them but if I can shrink trunks and boxes then I should be able to shrink contrainers easily.
"Where would we find enough," I ask, turning to Daryl who blinks startled a moment before answering.
Okay, so we have a plan. Shrinking and enlarging doesn't take nearly as much magic as transfiguration so I should be able to do more faster. Now, how big of an area are we talking about? I ask, blinking dumbly when the grey centaur answers. These woods, or at least the several acres in the thickest part, is their territory. Anything more than that would be a boon.
Merle leads the way back to the truck although we are trailed by a couple guards who continue to watch us suspiciously. Not that I blame them. Centaurs, well, most creatures and beings, don't exactly have the best relationship with wizardkind. Still, my magic pulled me here so obviously this is something I need to do. And since magic calls to magic, there may be other creatures or beings hiding in the fifty odd area of woods. Anything I can do to help protect even a few is well worth the effort.
It's is going to be a long day, that's for sure. But we have a plan and with Merle and Daryl helping me, I know we can get this done.