Several golden unicorn foals flew merrily toward Allen. Their clumsy, slightly wobbly flight patterns were undeniably endearing, bringing a sweet smile to anyone who witnessed them.
Allen was no exception; his face no longer wore the gentle, polite mask he usually presented to humans, but rather glowed with pure joy and affection, like a devoted cat lover reunited with their beloved pet.
Allen carefully adjusted the trajectory of the foals' heads to prevent their newly sprouted horns from accidentally pricking him, then gently scooped them into his arms and stroked them fervently.
A while later, when Allen set the small unicorns down, the creatures still rubbed their velvet noses against him and arched their backs, refusing to leave his side. "Allen, have you come back just to see us?" The littlest foal, Lucy, huddled affectionately into Allen's legs, her large eyes moist and hopeful.
"I'm sorry, Lucy, I actually came to see Gaia. But seeing all of you is a wonderful surprise," Allen admitted with sincerity. He knew that honesty was paramount in human relationships, and even more so when dealing with magical creatures who possessed an innate ability to perceive deception.
The little unicorns were neither disappointed nor disheartened. Lucy sprang out of Allen's immediate vicinity and sweetly ran back toward the passage leading to the main settlement, calling as she did so, "Allen, I'll summon Gaia for you!" She had remembered to fly upon her arrival, but now she returned with an elegant skip and a graceful leap.
Though still immature, she radiated the unique, innate elegance of the unicorn species. It seemed the younger generation was quickly adapting to their developed wings.
Soon, the cheerful clatter of hooves echoed in the distance. Gaia appeared, carrying a wide, woven basket piled high with colourful, luminous berries. The fruit looked plump, incredibly fresh, and distinctly delicious.
"Allen, you must taste these berries! The tribe knew you were coming and gathered them for me as quickly as they could," Gaia said, gently placing the heavy basket on the soft earth before Allen.
Allen picked a few of the glowing berries, ate them, thanked Gaia, and then, in turn, fed some to the waiting little unicorns, who, upon Gaia's arrival, had instantly transformed into docile, quiet creatures. Evidently, even within the utopian unicorn clan, there existed a strong sense of hierarchy and respect.
"Allen, little Lucy informed me that this time, your visit to the unicorn colony is not merely a social call, but that you require my assistance. How might I be of service?" Gaia looked at Allen with compassionate, perceptive eyes. She had never encountered a male wizard as genuinely kind as Allen. Being in his presence was like standing in a gentle, warm spring breeze.
"Gaia, you and Firenzo are quite well-acquainted, aren't you? He invited me to visit his tribe some time ago, but I neglected to ask him for the exact location of the Centaur territory," Allen admitted, scratching the back of his head with a slight blush of self-consciousness. "So, I need you to help me find the way."
"Pfft," Gaia snorted gently, then burst into light, melodious laughter. "You truly are careless! The host forgot to tell the guest the address, and the guest forgot to secure the host's contact information!" Gaia, of course, had completely forgotten that she had been present when Firenzo extended the invitation to Allen.
"However, I would be delighted to guide you." Once her laughter subsided, Gaia readily agreed, indicating she was ready to depart instantly. She then executed a ladylike gesture by bending her front legs in an exaggerated curtsy—or at least, the closest a unicorn could get to one.
"Thank you, Gaia," Allen returned the greeting with an equally dramatic, low bow. He quickly picked up a few more tart cranberries, popped them into his mouth, and respectfully returned the remaining fruit to the storage area.
After waving farewell to the cluster of reluctant little unicorns, Allen followed Gaia, and they set off purposefully toward the nearby Centaur territory.
"It has been far too long since I simply ran through the Forbidden Forest!" Ever since Gaia had acquired her wings, she behaved like a child with a new toy, revelling in the unbridled joy of flight.
Their destination was not far from the Unicorn colony, located just beyond a wide, winding bend of the local river. Gaia offered to fly Allen, but Allen politely declined, out of profound respect for her.
Although Gaia had carried him through the sky on previous occasions, Allen knew how highly the unicorns, having been magically liberated from their constraints, valued their freedom of movement.
They descended a soft, grassy slope until they reached a wide, secluded valley, at the base of which a narrow, swift stream flowed. Along the riverbanks grew vast, wild fields of foxglove and blooming wild roses, where fat, industrious bees bustled everywhere.
"Attention! Attention!" Gaia suddenly whinnied loudly, the sound startling Allen out of his appreciation of the magnificent scenery.
A moment later, Allen heard the distinct, heavy clatter of hooves. The sound grew rapidly, and the entire valley seemed to vibrate slightly.
Suddenly, Allen saw several magnificent creatures leap from the dense undergrowth: the imposing Firenzo, the melancholy young Ronan, and the fierce, aggressive Bane among the centaurs.
Behind them were several other centaurs of various coat colours whose names Allen couldn't recall, but their overall appearance vividly reminded him of the stoic, proud Native American tribes from across the ocean.
As Allen prepared to offer his greetings to Firenzo, the centaurs separated into pairs, bending their forelegs, bowing their proud, muscular necks, and curving their backs as if offering homage to a superior.
A truly massive, powerful centaur strode forward into the clearing. Although it was still full daylight, Allen felt as though starlight emanated from him with every deliberate step.
His powerful physique shone with a deep chestnut glow, his noble head was held high, and a thick tuft of golden-red beard waved across his chest. His deep, captivating eyes seemed to hold the entire star-studded night sky within their gaze.
"No wonder so many young witches fell head-over-heels for Firenzo when he temporarily became the Divination teacher. They truly are handsome. I wish I could meet more centaurs. I wonder if they're all this strikingly handsome?" Allen's thoughts briefly drifted into a frivolous, observational daydream.
"Welcome, Allen. I am Magorian, the Chief of the Centaurs," the massive centaur announced in a resounding, deeply resonant voice.
"I have heard of your actions from Firenzo and Gaia, and have long desired to meet the young wizard who shows such respect for our kin. The stars last night foretold that a most distinguished guest would arrive today—a great honour for our Centaur Nation."
The Centaur Chief radiated a regal, imposing air, yet his manner was remarkably calm and dignified.
Allen immediately heightened his caution. He knew better than to underestimate them. Centaurs traditionally disliked meddling in human affairs. They possessed formidable martial skills, exceptional knowledge of astrology, and accurate prophetic abilities, and their intelligence was certainly equal to that of humans.
Yet, they lived in fierce seclusion and actively fought to be classified by the Ministry as "Beings," not "Animals." Proud and sagacious, the Centaurs had maintained their unbroken lineage and racial integrity despite wars and immense hardship, a testament to their strength and profound wisdom.
Now, the Centaur Chief, a being naturally proud and loath to be guided or limited by human authority, treated Allen with such deference. While this filled Allen with a measure of pride, it simultaneously made him intensely wary.
"Mr. Centaur Chief, is there a particular service I can offer you? What exactly do you require?" Allen cut straight to the core issue. He had no desire to engage in lengthy, riddling games of prophecy with the Centaurs.
"There is indeed something we require your assistance with, young Allen," Magorian admitted openly.
"Following his encounter with you, Firenzo observed a significant, unexpected shift in the celestial events. We Centaurs have meticulously studied the orbits of the stars, and confirm that their path has indeed altered. The stars compel us to believe that you possess an object or influence of extraordinary importance to the future development of our people, and we are, quite unusually, in genuine need of your aid."
Magorian was direct, understanding that for a mind as sharp as Allen's, prevarication and circling rhetoric would be a waste of time and an insult to wisdom, even if it defied typical Centaur cultural traditions. After all, they were the ones requesting help.