"Oh, my sire and dam would not betray a confidence,"
Che said. "But do you wish to do this, Gwenny?"
"With you, yes," Gwendolyn said. "I would be afraid otherwise, but already you are helping me to see, and if your folks are like you—"
"They would not have extended the offer, were they not prepared to meet the attendant commitments," he said. "They will treat you well and prevent your private situation from being known. I assure you that you can trust them in this regard as you do me. They are centaurs."
Gwendolyn must have looked at her mother, for Godiva spoke. "This is true, dear. You will be secure with them."
"But you, mother—won't you be lonely?" Gwendolyn asked.
"Yes, dear, I will. But I would be more lonely if anything were to happen to you. I think you will be safer with the centaurs than you will be here, until you are of age and experience to handle the magic wand. Perhaps you will visit regularly, with Che."
"Oh, yes, mother, of course we'll visit!" Gwendolyn said. "Just the way Che would have visited his folks. Oh, this is wonderful! I must pack some dresses."
"I don't think there is time," Jenny said. "We have to be back at the surface within an hour or the attack will begin again."
"I will bring your dresses out later," Godiva said. "Once you emerge, the siege will stop, and it will be easy to complete arrangements."
"Oh, good. Then we can go now."
"Give your other message, Jenny," Godiva murmured.
"Oh, I forgot! Che, your dam says to remember the Night Stallion's creed."
There was a pause. Then Che spoke, subdued. "I shall do that. That aspect had not occurred to me."
"What does it mean?" Gwendolyn asked.
"It is a certain code enforced in the realm of dreams, but relevant here," Che said. "I think my dam thought I would neglect it, and perhaps I would have. I must consider its application carefully."
Jenny was frustrated. What was the mystery here? Why should Che keep it secret? But if he didn't want to tell what it meant, then he didn't have to. Right now they had to get on up to the surface, before the attack resumed.
"I will lead you out, Gwendolyn," Godiva said. "Che will walk with Jenny."
"Yes, mother." There was motion in the room. Then a shape loomed near Jenny. It was Che. He took her hand.
"Sammy!" Jenny exclaimed. "Where's Sammy?"
A ball of fur rubbed against her legs. She stooped to pick up the cat.
They trooped out the door and into the tunnel, two by two. It was a great comfort to have Che guiding her, for Jenny knew he could see perfectly and would not lead her into any mischief. She understood more clearly how important his companionship to Gwendolyn was. When a person couldn't see, trustworthy guidance was essential.
They came to the bright surface. Jenny blinked. The fact that she couldn't see well did not mean she wasn't sensitive to light; it just meant that shapes at any distance were blurred.
"I think we understand the nature of the agreement," Godiva said.
"We do," Cheiron's voice came.
Jenny knew why they weren't saying more. Goblins and winged monsters were surely within hearing range. Jenny's incapacity of sight was known, but Gwendolyn's had to remain secret.
"Gwendolyn will ride on me," Cheiron said. "We shall be afoot, because Che will walk, but there is no need to tax your daughter with a long walk."
"Understood," Godiva said, and helped the girl get on him. Jenny realized that this made it clear to monsters and goblins alike that Gwendolyn was under Cheiron's protection and that the siege was over. It would also make it impossible for others to tell that Gwendolyn could not see.
So it was done, and all was well. Jenny suddenly realized that her part in this was done. She was no longer needed.
It was time for her to say farewell to her friends. She fought back her tears, not wishing to embarrass herself or them.
Then Che was beside her. "And you will ride my dam, as I believe you did before," he said.
"Me? But that was just to—"
"Do we not remain friends?"
"Yes, of course, Che!" she exclaimed. "But now you are safe, and you have other things to do."
"I would like to have you remain with me, until you are able to return to your home."
"But Che! You have a companion, and your folks—"
"I have a companion and a friend. I do not wish to lose my friend."
"I would just be in the way! Your sire and dam will be so busy, and—"
"When a person challenges a decision of the Night Stallion in his realm, he dictates that the one who takes the part of another shall share the fate of that other. This is part of his creed, and it is a formidable one."
"Share the fate?" she asked blankly.
"When Prince Dolph tried to protect Grace'l Ossein from the punishment of the Night Stallion, he had to share her fate. She was vindicated, and so was Dolph. When Grey Murphy tried to help Girard Giant, they shared fates. My dam reminded me of this policy in the realm of dreams, and I agree with it, though it is only an analogy. It was her way of alerting me to the appropriate procedure and signaling her acquiescence."
"But what has that to do with me?"
"You took Gwenny's part, though perhaps you felt it weakened your position. Now Gwenny is coming to my home. I would like to have you share her fate."
Jenny was nonplused. "But that's not bad, that's good! Gwenny will be happy with you."
"Will you not be also?"
He was finally getting through to her. "You mean—me too?"
"That is what he means, dear," Godiva said. "You would have been welcome in Goblin Mountain, but I think you will be better off with the centaurs, with your friends."
Jenny just stood there, unable to speak.
Chex spoke. "Ride me, Jenny. We welcome you."
"Thank you," Jenny said, somewhat choked.
Godiva lifted her, and she was on Chex's back, still holding Sammy.
"I am glad that we were able to settle this matter amicably," Cheiron said to Godiva. "We shall be in touch."
"Agreed," Godiva said.
Then the centaurs walked down the slope and away from the mountain.
It was a long walk, for they were limited by Che's pace. Jenny knew that Prince Dolph could have assumed a large form and carried the foal quickly there, while the two grown centaurs flew, but evidently they preferred to go at their own pace, and by themselves. They stopped to pick fruit and eat it, and to see the sights of Xanth; indeed, their course seemed to weave around somewhat. Jenny wondered why—and then she found out.
"There is one, dear," Chex said.
"Very good," Cheiron said. "Che, please lead your companions to the spectacle bush."
A spectacle bush! That was what they had been looking for! Jenny got down and found Che's little hand. In a moment Gwenny had his other hand.
"The ground is rough," Che said. "You must step cautiously. I will guide you by small pressure on your hands." And he did so, so that neither of them had any difficulty.
"I think this pair would look good on you, Jenny," Che said, picking a pair and giving it to Jenny. She put them on her face, and suddenly the world came clear again. It was wonderful!
Che picked another pair, and put them on his own face. Jenny laughed. "You look so funny, Che!"
"And this pair should look nice on you, Gwenny," he said, picking a third pair.
"But I can't—" Gwendolyn protested.
"It is not nice to express it, but the spectacles make Jenny Elf look odd," he said. "It would be courteous to don a similar pair, to share her oddity and make her feel more comfortable, as I have done. My spectacles have no effect on my vision, of course; they are merely decoration."
"Oh, I don't mind—" Jenny protested. But he made a NO signal that Gwendolyn could not see, and she stopped. What was he up to? His sire or dam must have told him to do this, somewhere along the way.
"I don't want Jenny to feel odd," Gwendolyn
said. "No one knows me out here, so I suppose I can wear a pair." She put the spectacles on her face.
She stood for a moment, her mouth slowly dropping open in amazement. "I can see!" she exclaimed. "I can see everything, no matter how far away!" She tilted her face up. "Is—is that a cloud?"
"Yes," Jenny said, now understanding. They had given Gwendolyn a reason to wear the spectacles without commenting on what the lenses did. Now she could see as well as they could, without having to admit how it was without them.
"But if we encounter goblins, we may all remove our spectacles," Che said. "Until we are away from them. So that they will not make fun of us."
The two girls nodded, understanding very well.
They returned to the adult centaurs, wearing their spectacles. Even Sammy had a pair, now. "I see you children enjoy playing games," Cheiron remarked. "Perhaps the two of us should complete the effect by donning similar pairs."
"No, Sire," Che said. "Only children are permitted to be childish."
"I stand corrected," Cheiron said, making a droll face.
Jenny did not know Cheiron well, but she could see already that she would like him well enough.
"If you must indulge in such foolishness," Chex said severely, "at least indulge in it while we travel, so as not to waste more time."
They quickly agreed. Gwenny scrambled onto Cheiron's back, and Jenny onto Chex's. The centaurs started off again.
But now it was different. Jenny could see all Xanth, and so could Gwenny. Gwenny's head was constantly turning that way and this, as if she wanted to cram everything into her eyes before it disappeared. Then she faced Jenny, and Jenny winked, and Gwenny broke out laughing, mostly from the sheer joy of being able to see such an expression at this distance.
Later in the day they encountered a giant land serpent. The creature lifted its head, hissing hungrily—only to discover itself bracketed by two arrows that thudded into a tree on either side of its body. It gazed at Cheiron, whose bow remained in his hands, and decided to hiss at some creature far away. In a moment it was gone.
Jenny had assumed that the flying centaurs escaped threats by flying away from them. Now she saw that this was not always the case. Cheiron had not missed the serpent, he had warned it. A centaur's arrow went as true as his word.
They came to a stop beside a pleasant pool. Jenny suddenly realized how thirsty she had become. "Oh, I could drink half of it right now!" she exclaimed.
"Me too!" Gwenny agreed.
"Caution," Cheiron said. "One must never take an unfamiliar pond for granted."
Jenny remembered the hate spring of the horde, and shuddered.
Cheiron looked around, and found several ladybugs being pestered by several gentlemenbugs. He caught two of the latter in his hand and carried them to the pool and dropped them in. They splashed, then began swimming for the bank. Cheiron lifted them out and looked at them. Both were wet, but otherwise unharmed.
He set them down beside a pennypede. They ignored it, instead scrambling back toward the ladybugs, eager to pester them some more. "This water appears to be neutral," Cheiron remarked. "No love, no hate, no poison."
So it seemed. Nevertheless, they sipped it cautiously at first. It was sweet and good.
It occurred to Jenny that Cheiron had known the character of the lake before coming to it. But he had wanted to make a point, so that children excited about being able to see did not take foolish risks. This was part of centaur education.
Che had remained silent throughout. He must have known.
"Dear," Chex said, "I believe I would prefer to spend the night in our own cottage, rather than in the field. It has been a wearing occasion."
"Very well," Cheiron said. "Girls, we shall need your help. Che can not ride readily, and can not yet fly, so you will have to hold him while we fly."
"But—" the two said together.
"In this manner," Chex said. "Get on us, and take his hands."
Baffled, they did so. Now each girl was riding a centaur, reaching down to hold one of Che's hands.
Then Cheiron flicked Che with his tail. Che became so light that the pull of their hands on his drew him into the air. "Don't let go!" he exclaimed.
The two centaurs flicked themselves, spread their wings, and jumped together into the air. Suddenly they were flying, perfectly synchronized, with Che floating between them.
Jenny realized that they could have done this anytime, but wanted to give the girls some experience on the ground, and with the spectacles, first. And perhaps they wanted to let the group get comfortable with itself, before risking such a maneuver. She was learning a lot about centaurs, already.
Chapter 15. Electra's Election
Electra watched the centaurs go. Gwendolyn Goblin was riding Cheiron and Jenny Elf was riding Chex, with little Che prancing along between them. Their family of three had become a family of five, and they all looked happy, and Electra was glad. She knew the centaurs would take excellent care of the girls; in fact, not only would they be happy and healthy, they would receive the best education available in Xanth.
And the siege of Goblin Mountain was over, before lives had been lost. Goblins were not Electra's favorite creatures, but she had come to respect long-haired Godiva. If a woman were to become a goblin chief, the goblins would become much better neighbors!
The winged monsters were departing. Some were evidently disappointed that they had not gotten to use their horrible weapons, but most seemed glad to be away from here before the arrival of the land dragons. That left Godiva and Nada and Nada's handsome brother, Naldo, and Dolph. Nada and her brother were talking, renewing their family ties, and Dolph was seeing the monsters off.
Electra approached the gobliness. "I guess it's hard to lose your daughter, even if it's for the best," she said.
"I would have lost her in a worse way, if this had not happened," Godiva said, but she did look sad. "At least they will be visiting." She shrugged. "But I don't see this type of solution for you, Electra. What will you do, this week?"
"What can I do? Che could be a companion to both girls, but Dolph can marry only one. Maybe if I looked like Nada—"
"You girls helped save Che Centaur, and that helped save my daughter," Godiva said. "Let me see what I can do for you."
"Unless your wand could make me beautiful—"
"Stop it, girl. Beauty is not the problem. It's just an aspect of it." She inspected Electra shrewdly. "You don't have a family here, do you."
"No. My family is centuries gone. But King Dor and Queen Irene have been very good to me."
"They have a conflict of interest. They have to look to the welfare of their son. I have no such conflict. Come into the mountain with me."
"But—"
Godiva smiled. "Not to stay, Electra. I want to try some dresses on you."
"Dresses? But—"
"My daughter is gone. I have to fuss over someone."
"Oh." Electra could appreciate that.
Godiva glanced to where the two naga were talking. "Naldo, may I have a moment with you before you go?"
"Of course, lady." Both naga slithered over.
"Naldo, we have resolved a crisis here, and I express my appreciation for the support of your folk. Your kind and ours are not normally allies, but you honored the covenant. We shall do the same, when the time comes. As goblins, we can not oppose our own kind in Mount Etamin, but when my daughter is grown and assumes power, we shall see what can be done politically to alleviate your situation."
Electra recognized the significance of that commitment. If Gwendolyn later became chief here, and married a chief there, she would be in a position to stop the goblin aggressions against the nada of Mount Etamin. It might indeed turn out to pay the naga well for their honoring of the covenant, because the goblins there were their worst nemesis. Indeed, it was the reason Nada had been betrothed to Dolph: to make an alliance with the human folk and gain power to push back the goblins.
"Thank you, lady," Naldo
said. "I am glad to have come to know you."
"But you may be able to do something more immediate for your sister," Godiva said. "You know she doesn't want to marry Dolph, and not just because she doesn't want to void your alliance with the human folk. You know Electra must marry Dolph or die within the week, and furthermore, she loves him. Now you are an astute observer of creature nature. I want you to put your mind to this problem and come up with a devious solution that will serve all parties best."
"But—" he protested.
"Within the hour," she said. "While I dress Electra." She took Electra's arm and guided her into the tunnel. With her free hand she lifted a smoky torch from its holder to light their way. The funny thing was that Electra, being human, was about twice as tall as the gobliness, but she felt like a child with this adult.
"He can't solve the problem that no one else has solved in six years," Electra protested belatedly as they wound down into the depths. "There is no solution! I mean, even if I didn't die, he wouldn't love me, and I don't want him to be unhappy."
"There are ways to solve any problem," Godiva said. "It's just a matter of finding them. Naldo has a clever mind; I have seen it in action recently. He will find a way, though the rest of us may not properly understand it."
Electra did not argue. She knew this was an impossible dream. Unless the Good Magician had an Answer. That was her only real hope.
Godiva brought her to her nice suite. "I make my daughter's dresses myself," she said. "Because it isn't convenient to go out and harvest from clothes hangers or dress mannequins.
I get material and I cut and sew. I believe they suit her well enough."
"They make her beautiful," Electra said. "And the elf girl—that blue dress made her beautiful too. It was amazing."
"It's just know-how," Godiva asserted. "A woman can be beautiful in just a hank of hair, if she drapes it correctly. It's all in the technique."
Certainly Godiva could! She had the most lustrous black tresses Electra had seen, reaching down to her knees. Her hair flared out and around, constantly caressing her. But Electra had no such asset.
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