WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 79

Julia

The Pale Redback tribe lived deep in the steppe. The centaurs did not depend on life right next to the river, as they specialized in building wells. The fabric of their tents had been decorated with dark red paint. Flordelis said that according to rumors, the paint was made with blood.

"A color made with blood?" Josefine raised her eyebrows. "What kind of blood?"

"That of their enemies!", Tiyam said with a grin. "It's better if we show our best side."

"I don't have to", the dragon girl grumbled.

"And that's where we really want to go?" Finn muttered anxiously. Marko nodded and sniffed as if he smelled something. "It definitely smells like old blood here", he muttered. Josefine nodded.

Nervously, Julia looked at the tents, and at a group of centaurs approaching them. There were three centaurs. All male with dark red hair. The centaurs looked at them fiercely. Their greeting was unpolite. Instead of a hello, they were asked what they wanted from the tribe. At this with the threat of chasing her and her friends away. By force, if necessary.

Jane grimaced. "We were invited. From your... Tribal chief? The elder? At least Julia was invited, right?"

Julia took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I'm Princess Julia. I have something to discuss with the elder. It's important!"

"Is it?", one of the men grumbled.

"Yes!" Julia replied forcefully. "Ask him if you don't believe us."

Reluctantly, the centaurs agreed to inform their tribal elder and await his decision. One of them galloped back to the tents, while the other two stood sullenly in front of them to block their way.

"Very good", Cleo whispered to Julia. "Stand up straight and demand what you want."

Julia nodded and looked at Leopold, who smiled at her encouragingly.

It took some time for the centaur to return. And as expected, he confirmed Julia's statement. They led the group to the elder's tent. "He's happy to have you", murmured the centaur. He looked at the other two men with a furrowed brow, and then let Julia's group go into a large tent. There stood the centaur who had been talking to Julia by the river. His long braid was decorated with feathers and pearls. Amused, he looked at his visitor with dark eyes.

"Princess! And you brought visitors! Lev, Flynn, and Tomke were polite, I hope?"

"Polite enough", Julia said faintly. "They wanted to chase us away."

The three centaurs, who now also entered the tent, scratched their hooves. But the eldest, Julia, remembering that his name was Rasmus, laughed. "They are our watchdogs. They chase away unwanted visitors. Good, reliable men! Three brothers, their parents are friends of mine. I trained them myself." He nodded at them. "So, Princess? What brings you here? And that with such interesting accompaniment. A harpy, yes? Very interesting. And two young centaurs. Is this your latest collection? Next to elves, wolves, and dragons?"

"No. My friends and family. And what brings me here can be summed up in one word: war!", Julia replied. It was time for her to show strength. These centaurs were not allowed to look down on her, otherwise, she had no chance. "I'm here because the Witch Queen threatens the freedom of all of us. I want to go into battle against her. But I can't do it alone. If the queen wins, it won't be long before centaurs become slaves too. You've heard of the binding spells?"

Rasmus played thoughtfully with his long braid. His gaze wandered over Julia's friends and family. He briefly looked at the magic lines on the wrists of Julia's former servants, then he let his gaze linger on Flordelis and Tiyam. "Isn't your tribe pacifistic? Or will you all go into battle? Has Finja finally gained courage?"

"No. Our tribe helps in other ways", Tiyam grumbled angrily. "Only Flordelis and I accompany the Princess."

"Ah." Rasmus looked at Julia again. "And harpies? They've already joined, yes? What exactly are you up to, girl? With dragons and harpies? These aren't good playmates. They are much more dangerous than we are." He looked at Josefine restless, but he regained his composure again.

"In summary, I collect a big army and then we run over my mother's castle", she said. "I'm hoping to get the help of wolves, mermaids, elves, and some humans too. Four dragons will also accompany me. I'll let you know about the exact plans if you join us."

Now Rasmus turned pale. "Four? This is... Disturbing. And you brought one with you. The Dragon Girl... And what can I expect if I refuse?"

Josefine growled softly, after which the three brothers flinched.

Rasmus's question was a trap. But Julia was prepared. She had had enough time to think about what she wanted to say. "My displeasure. Nothing else."

"Displeasure?" Rasmus looked at the three brothers who had greeted her so rudely. "Do you hear that? It doesn't sound like much, but this is probably the most terrifying threat I've ever heard! This young lady is not to be trifled with. Even if she looks like a child."

"Indeed", grumbled one of the three. Probably the oldest. How old might they be?

"Good." Rasmus fixed Julia again with an iron gaze. "I suggest a trade."

"A trade?", repeated Cleo, frightened. "What kind of trade? We will not agree to anything that would be bad for us!"

"And you are?", asked Rasmus, annoyed.

"My sister. Cleo", Julia quickly introduced her. "So? What kind of trade?"

"Well. It would be difficult for a distant queen to enslave us. We can very easily stop her from doing so. Purely mentally." He winked at Julia. "I still want to offer you my help. All I want is for you to do me a favor later."

"What kind of favor?", inquired Leopold. He looked at Julia. "This is a trap. Absolutely!"

"I know", she replied under the watchful eyes of the elder. "So?"

"That remains to be seen", the centaur replied with a dangerous grin. "I never set traps. Do we have a deal?"

He lied. Julia was aware of that. "I have a counter-proposal. You help us and you will keep your freedom in return. The queen will find a way to bypass your mental abilities. I saw it in a vision. The soldiers will be equipped with special bracelets. You won't win against this magic. You can't escape her greed forever. But if you help us, and we win, then your people will remain free. And I think that's a good trade. What would you like? Freedom? Or an existence under the rule of a tyrant?"

"Stay overnight", Rasmus muttered. "You can stay with my family. We need time to prepare everything for such a trip. You can inform me about your plan later. Lev?" He looked at one of the three centaurs.

He stepped forward restlessly. "Yes?"

"Lead our guests to my family, please. Flynn and Tomke? Gather all the warriors. The pale redbacks are going to war!" He hissed annoyed and shook his head. "But she looks so cute..."

"Thank you!" Relieved, Julia smiled. She ignored his last comment. "We will first leave for Finja's tribe. From there we will go on. In groups."

Rasmus sighed. "Good. And now, go. I'm sure my youngest, Caius, is cooking right now."

"If someone tries something stupid, I'll eat that person!", Josefine hissed before they followed Lev.

Lev looked at the dragon girl frightened, after that he looked at Julia and nodded nervously. "We are good hosts. That's something our tribe attaches great importance to."

(c: sasi)