Come with me

Part 1:3

"Do you even know where to find her?"

We have been wandering around the forest for decades. Cedric pretty much has us walking in circles. I'm pretty sure I've seen the same God damn tree a few times by now.

"I'm looking for a specific tree. When you find it, you should walk south."

It got me thinking how Cedric knows Babayaga. What's the reason for them to meet? He's a warlock, and she's...well, you know.

"By the way, how did you end up meeting her?"

I guess my question got Cedric thinking for a moment.

"Ehh, just needed to run some errands.  You know how I am just running around here and there."

That obviously didn't answer my question. That's weird. Cedric never dodges questions, just giving straight answers.  Maybe I'm just overthinking.

"Just a question. Why are you exactly going to Soulless Mountain? I don't think I ever heard an answer for that."

There it is. I have been wondering why he hasn't asked that question by now. He doesn't need to know.

"My grandfather told me."

Cedric just glanced at me. Maybe he's suspicious of me.

"Again with 'grandfather told me' thing.  What does your grandfather want from the Soulless Mountain? Didn't he die?"

I just nodded. I'm not going to answer these questions. And by the looks, Cedric understood that.

While walking, I suddenly heard a loud cracking noise. I stopped in my track, catching Cedric by collar to make him stop. Noise was definitely getting closer. Whatever it is, it's quite big in size.

Soon, something appeared behind a tree. It definitely saw us and started to walk towards us. As it was getting closer, I understood what it was.

Centaur. Half human half horse being.  It was carrying a long wooden spear and a shield.

"Hello. We are just by passers."

Looked like it was scared to approach us fully, standing a few meters away from us. The creature definitely looked majestic and strong. I don't want any trouble, so we should apologise for intruding there territory .

Glowball looked up at me and pointed at the Centaur. Weird. What did Glowball want from the creature?

"Who are you?"

Creature spoke up while pointing his spear at us. Cedric almost immediately got behind me. All I could do was roll my eyes at him. I guess I will be the spoke person.

"My name is Maria. We apologise for crossing your territory. We just wanted to go through quietly."

The creature just stayed quiet. His eyes definitely landed on at Glowball  for a second. The vibe was weird, and the air was too quiet.

Cedric shook my shoulder, but now I didn't want to pay him attention.

"Can we just pass through and go our way?"

Again, Cedric shook my shoulder. I just brushed him off my attention completely on the creature.

"Maria."

Cedric whispered. He sounded scared.

"What!"

"Maria, look around us!"

I looked around us and noticed more centaurs. All of them were pointing their spears at us. We were completely surrounded.

"Hey, we just wanna go. We apologise for crossing you. I think all this parade is unnecessary."