Brother of the Dragon by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya C. Cook Page A

to his people and gave them a rapid explanation in their own tongue. To Tiphan, he said, “From Arku-peli?” Tiphan admitted they were. “Your chief Arkuden?”
    The smile faded from Tiphan’s face. He forced it to return. “Yes, the head of our village is the Arkuden,” he said. “What brings you and your people to the high mountains, Miteera?”
    The old centaur’s face darkened, his gray eyes narrowing. “Pushed out eight suns ago. By B’leef.”
    It took Tiphan a moment to realize Miteera was saying “Balif.” To be certain he asked, “The Silvanesti drove you out? The elves?”
    Miteera nodded and spat on the ground. “Old Ones with fire and metal drive Miteera people out. Many die. We go to sunset. Leave B’leef.”
    With a few more questions, Tiphan pieced together the rest of the story. For some time, the Silvanesti had been systematically driving the centaurs from of the woodland between the two branches of the Thon-Tanjan. Eight days ago, Miteera’s tribe had fought a pitched battle against Balif’s army and lost. Many centaur warriors were killed. All that remained of Miteera’s tribe was now fleeing west to escape the conquering elves.
    “Long’go, Arkuden save Miteera from yevi. Arkuden friend. We find Arku-peli this way?” asked the old centaur.
    “Yes, the high trail will take you to the Lake of the Falls,” Tiphan replied.
    “Where you go? To sunbirth?”
    Tiphan admitted they were heading east. The centaur shook his head and twitched his long, gray-streaked tail. “Bad. Bad to go,” he said. “You meet Old Ones. Meet death.” He mimed a sword thrust into Tiphan’s gut.
    “We go on the Arkuden’s business,” Tiphan said. Mara arched an eyebrow at her leader’s easy lie. “Would you lend us one of your warriors, to go with us and help us avoid the elves?”
    Miteera looked doubtful, but he put the question to his band. Several centaurs seemed willing, and the chief chose a youthful one with a russet-colored horse’s body and like-colored hair, who stepped forward from the crowd.
    “Elu,” said Miteera, “most brave and strong. He go with you.”
    “Why does he want to go?” Penzar blurted, suspicious still.
    Miteera pointed a gnarled finger at Mara. “Elu like two-leg girl. He go for her.”
    Mara blushed, and Penzar sputtered, “Tosen, you can’t —”
    “We humbly accept your help, Miteera,” Tiphan said, silencing his acolyte with a glare. “Welcome, Elu.”
    “Him not talk,” Miteera said. “You point, he know.”
    Elu shouldered his bundle of belongings and took his place at Tiphan’s side. The rest of the centaur band trotted past the humans. Miteera remained until the last of his people was gone then bade the humans good-bye. To Elu, Miteera addressed an elaborate farewell, which involved much stamping of hooves and clasping of arms. At last, the chief cantered away. Elu raised his club in salute.
    Keeping his voice level, Penzar asked, “Tosen, why did you ask for this savage to accompany us?”
    “Isn’t it obvious? A centaur is the next best thing to a pack animal.”
    “But he has designs on Mara!”
    “Then he’ll work hard to please her.” Tiphan took the heavy packs from the acolytes and draped them over the unresisting Elu’s withers and back. The centaur’s bright green eyes widened slightly, but he accepted the new burdens without complaint.
    “Tosen, will we encounter elves, do you think?” asked Mara.
    “I doubt it. We’re not going so far east as the Tanjan woods. Once we get to flatter land, we will have to keep sharp watch for Silvanesti, I’m sure, but I don’t expect to meet them in strength.”
    Long clouds from the east overtook the sun. A cold wind rose with the shadows and teased wisps from Mara’s thick braid. She pointedly ignored the admiring look the centaur gave her.
    “Come,” said Tiphan. “We ought to reach the tree line before dark.”
    Penzar retrieved his spear, saying, “I’ll scout again.”
    “Let