WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 91

Agathe

Shortly after sunrise, soldiers brought her three tied centaurs. One of them defiantly craned his chin. The other two stared at her, lurking. Waiting. As if they were trying something... Agathe smiled happily as the wild creatures were brought into her bedroom. She played with the bracelet she wore around her left wrist. Marlon sat on a small sofa and looked at the prey with interest. "Pretty little horses", he murmured. He, too, wore one of the magic bracelets to protect himself from the abilities of the half-humans. And they noticed this disgruntled. All defiance vanished from their eyes. Agathe stroked her bracelet contentedly.

"Isn't it?" She walked up to the three centaurs and stroked the cheek of a muscular and tall male specimen with almost black skin. The centaur looked at her with hatred. "Strong and beautiful."

"Congratulations, my dear!", Marlon announced. Then he looked at the soldiers holding the centaurs. "Well done!"

The soldiers, two vampires, and a wizard, nodded gratefully.

Agathe enjoyed tying the half-humans to herself with a binding spell. And she did so especially solemnly. Marlon now stood behind her and watched in awe as fine lines formed on the wrists of the centaurs.

"We don't need to wear the bracelets anymore", Agathe said. "They can't influence us. The spell forbids them to go against my will. Mental manipulation is part of it."

Marlon looked at the simple, magical pearls. "I think I'll keep it on my arm. I like it."

"As you wish!" Agathe smiled at the centaurs, who now looked at her with fear. "On your knees!" And they got down on their knees before her. Agathe smiled contentedly. "You're mine now. You will obey me. You will not try to use your abilities against anyone. You are Mine and you will remain Mine. You bow your heads to me! And you only speak when I allow it. Kiss my shoes!"

The centaurs bowed their heads tremblingly, which made Marlon laugh. Then, one by one, they kissed Agathe's silver sparkling shoes.

Agathe winked at Marlon. "I'm going to present them at our wedding!" Then she looked at the soldiers. "Take them to the stables. To the other horses. That's where they will stay for the time being. Give them water and some bread. They might be hungry. Or fresh grass if that's what they prefer!"

Marlon chuckled. "To the barn? Grass? How fitting." The horse stables stood behind the castle garden. Next to it was a barrack for the guards and some soldiers, as well as a small horse pasture.

Julia

Some sirens and merpeople stood on human legs on the riverbank. They got ready to swim to the Elf territory. They wanted to look for the princess's army on the riverbank. Joris and Charlie had the task of finding the right place and waiting for the 'soldiers'. Nanno stood next to his mother, who inquired about more details of the plan.

"The camp will be set up by the river, won't it?", asked Delphine emphatically. "How else are we supposed to find you?"

Julia nodded. "Yes. Close to the river. Do you have any suggestions on where? I'll pass it on to my sister Cleo and the others."

"There's a clearing, right by the river!", Joris said. "That could be a suitable place. In the Elf Territory."

Charlie grinned. "Between two villages. Grünhain and Kleewies. Do you know the villages? Leo?"

Leopold shook his head. "I've heard the names, but I've never been there. They are said to be close to my former home village."

"All the better!", Julia murmured. "No one would suspect us there." She remembered seeing tents near a river in one of her visions. "That's where we're going. Can you find the clearing? Charlie? Joris? My army will join you there."