Astra Falls

Chapter 6

Three days later.

I felt better and I could move around without any help. I had just had my bathe and was dressed in something Eke gave me. We only knew each other for over three days and it seemed like we've been friends since birth. I already told her everything from when my mom disappeared to how we got to Astra falls where she met us-excluding the content of the letter-and she volunteered to help train me and fight the evil. She was such a sweet girl but tough notwithstanding but like my mother said I couldn't trust her yet.

Today I was finally going to meet the elders who would decide if I was 'worthy' of their assistance. I wore a short skirt made of leather and a blue cotton top, both given to me by Eke. I pulled my boots over my feet and pulled my leather jacket close around me. I looked around. This was where I was allowed to stay and heal. Not so fancy but nonetheless generous and one wrong word could ruin a place to stay and a friend. I sighed standing up.
"Dawn! Come on." I heard Eke say as she walked in. I turned and my eyes met hers. I was quite sure she could see my nervousness. It made my healing arm seem too heavy and painful.
"You can do it. I've already spoken with them so they would most likely take it easy on you." I nodded as I went out with her. Vincent was waiting by the door and I gave him a little smile when he looked at me. He had been acting like my bodyguard for the past few days.
"They live on top of the mountain."
"Why?" I asked
"Well it's safer for them, and when there's trouble coming, they see and come down to notify us."
"Well they must be really quick in the notification." I joked.

"Is it far?" Vincent asked.
"You'll know when you get there."
We continued our journey in silence, which was only broken by Vincent's incessant complain of how far it was. n enough, we got to the top as Eke had shown us a shortcut, so the walk was shorter and we could stop listening Vincent whine about the distance.
"We are here." She said
"Finally." Vincent sighed.
"You're so lazy. The one with an injury didn't even complain." she replied as he made a face where he scrunched up his nose, stuck out his tongue and squeezed his eyes slightly at her. She stuck out her tongue back as she knocked lightly once and opened the door. She stepped in and looked around.
"We're here Chiron." she yelled looking around. We followed her quietly as she led us to a place that was empty with mats spread around, about five or so, I couldn't count because the bookshelves and a cupboard caught my attention. There were vials of different colors in the cupboard and brown covered leather-bound books in the bookshelves. Rows and rows of it leading into the next room.
She took a seat on mat told us to do the same. I sat beside her with Vincent by my other side. I heard what sounded like hooves come towards us. The door frames were really high and I saw a man come through. He was really tall and I saw why. He had long thick, black hair and black hide. He was half-man, half-horse. I widened my eyes in shock.
"You never told us we were meeting a Centaur." I whispered to her.
"You never asked." was all she said and before I could respond, I heard the deep baritone voice of the Centaur.
"Welcome Dawn. I'm sorry the others couldn't make it to this meeting. I've heard so much about you and the attacks which left you bedridden. I must say you are one lucky lad for surviving the saber and recovering quickly as well. You are the first to have escaped with minor injuries." he said as he sat across us carefully tucking his feet, rather hooves beneath himself.
"Minor? I was practically disabled for 7days." I said as politely as I could. I mean what could possibly be worse. Chiron as he was called let out a hearty laughter and shrugged.
"Well you're the first to make it out alive. That's by the way. I see you have a claim to the throne?" he said as a little Centaur ran into the room bumping into the bigger ones black hide.
"That's Charon, she's Chiron's only daughter. She was really close to her dad because they had a lot in common but since the war started he has been really busy so they try to make up for it anytime possible." Eke said to Vincent and I as I watched the little Centaur whine to her father.
"When will you play with me? You promised." She pouted
"I'm busy now dear. We have visitors."
"But I wanna play with you." she whined.
"Okay come sit with me. Let's take care of the visitors."
That seemingly lifted her spirit because she giggled and took her place beside her father putting her hands on her waist.
"But on one condition. Everything you hear here stays here. Do not tell a single soul. Even your brothers. OK?" he said with a look of seriousness. She nodded her head and had a look of confidence and maturity and what seemed like triumph. I wondered how long she had wanted to do this with her dad.
"So where were we? Right your claim." he turned to me.
"I don't have a claim, and how did you know? I never told anyone. It's what I was told though and I know mom would never lie to me. But I also have something that may or may not convince you." I blurted while he listened without a word.
"Show me." he requested calmly. I mentally slapped myself as I pulled out of my cloth the necklace, and let him see it.
"That definitely looks like the royal diamond and turquoise necklace. But it's been missing for nineteen years along with the queen."
I gave a light laugh.
"Exactly. I'm going to be eighteen in a few months. My mother left when she was pregnant during the war."
"Can I have a closer look?" he asked and I looked at Eke who nodded as what I guessed was I could trust him. I unclasped the necklace, stood up and then handed it to him. Then something odd happened.