The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 19- Nora

By sunrise, we make it far enough into the forest that we feel safe. Our bodies aching & sweaty, we take refuge under a tree, falling restlessly asleep soon after, not even caring what we wake up to.

. . .

The next morning, I am the 1st to wake, & startled to find a face staring at me. A centaur with a round face & wavy dark hair looks at me apprehensively, startling slightly as I wake.

"W-what are you doing here?" He asks, voice shaking slightly & back hooves trembling. My eyes widen, not wanting to spook him.

"Uh- well... me & my... partner here... ran away... from our town... It's a long story but-" I sigh heavily. "We're in love... but that was forbidden back home... sorry to... bother you or whatever..."

He shakes his head slightly. "No, no... it's ok... So you aren't here to hurt us?"

I raise an eyebrow, frowning slightly. "'Us'?"

His muscles tighten. "Oh, I said too much! I should- I should go..."

I raise my hands in surrender. "No, wait! We could... really use some friends right now... We had to leave everyone we knew behind because they wouldn't accept us... we have no one to turn to &... we're awfully tired & defenseless..."

He frowns, eyes softening. "Oh, wow... I'm sorry, that sounds terrible... So your partner here?"

I smile nervously. "She's a Draconi... that's part of the reason they wouldn't accept us..."

His eyes sadden. "Oh. I thought she was a human or something... Well... If you... promise that you won't hurt us... If you swear it... I could take you there..."

My eyebrows furrow & I look at him. "Where?"

He smiles kindly, playing with his hands nervously. "The village..."

. . .

I eventually am able to coerce the centaur to guide us to the village he speaks of, after I wake Cal up, who's a bit confused about the whole situation at 1st, & we promise not to harm anyone, which is true. Soon after, the centaur slowly takes us further into the forest, where we find a stream & a clump of trees where a herd of centaurs is gathered. There are a few tree houses there as well.

Cal raises an eyebrow. "That's the village?"

The centaur frowns apologetically. "I know it's not much, sorry... But we do have some food... shelter & water... we know where some pretty good food sources are too if you aren't satisfied with what's there... Sorry... us centaurs are typically nomadic species, so we go around different areas in the forest throughout the year, with various treehouse locations..."

Cal frowns suspiciously. "But... wouldn't centaurs not be able to climb into treehouses?"

He nods slowly. "Well, yes, but... we aren't only a centaur herd... We occasionally have members of other species join us... We're more about the... family unit than what species we are... In fact... my child is an earth elf, actually..." He beams at the thought, seeming far off. I smile too, finding his joy contagious, but Cal still seems a bit apprehensive.

"Ok... can we... meet your herd then?"

He smiles excitedly. "Sure! I'm Koa, by the way."

I smile, shaking his hand politely. "Nora, nice to meet you."

Cal nods in his direction. "Cal... the Draconi..."

He laughs nervously. "Well, ok... let me introduce you to everybody..."

What'd you guys think? Koa's so baby, even tho he's in his 30s or something, lol :'D. Oh, btw, here's what he looks like. Cute, right? The flower in his hair is just- :3 <3

Oh, & I think I forgot to include what Indie looks like too, so here's her (sorry).

& also I haven't shown what Nora's parents look like, but does anyone really care? I mean... I don't really like them anyways, so I don't, lol :'D. Maybe I'll include them later or something, idk...

Welp, anyways, that's all for now, guys. Catch ya later :D