Chapter 194: Centaurs!
"Right o'er here!" One of the men instructed him, waving his hand over toward a large boxed in building with large brown curtains draped across the entrance. A few guards pulled the curtains back revealing the way for Felix to pull the wagon inside before releasing the reins. While he stepped off the front seat, he was met by another of the workers dressed with a large banner across his armor plating, with no cap or helmet on exposing a stubbled face with hazel blue eyes and a wrinkle snaking across his brow. beneath his shaved head.
"Ye came at the right time," He said, standing by as Felix moved toward the front freeing the horses. "Lotta these lads been craving fer sumtin' meaty to chew on. I get that Father Perdilius has kept busy, but faith won't keep our bellies full 'ere am I right?"
Felix nodded blankly as he worked on removing the harness, barely paying attention to the older man's ramble. His eyes were focused on the two horses instead, brushing their fur to keep the calm while he freed them.
Two other guards climbed aboard the back of the wagon, hunching over to fit their heads in. One of them rubbed his hands together as his eyes settled on a crate of apples, licking his chapped lips before plucking an apple off the pile. His friend took notice before nudging him from behind, lifting his chin and holding out a hand. He smirked when he received the free apple, taking a large bite and savoring the juicy flavor.
"Fuck, never thought I'd be salivating for an apple." He mumbled through chewing, taking another greedy bite.
His friend shrugged and grabbed two more apples, exposing Spi'Reto's face as the elf's eyes flashed wide open. The guard was blissfully unaware, stuffing one fruit into his pouch before both of them climbed down the wagon.
"S'all good there, plenty to feed the lot." He reported, tossing the spare fruit to the older man. "Could use another batch, this one will be ravaged by sundown."
The older man ripped a chunk of the fruit through his teeth, enjoying his snack before turning to Felix. "Where's the other guy? Deliveries often come with two men. He sick er something?"
"Uh yea, came down with fever." Felix answered quickly, hushing one of the horses as it whined and lifted its head. He stroked his hand down its back with another on its head, soothing its nerves until it composed itself.
"Got us a horse whisperer here," The older man joked, "You familiar taming animals? Do us a favor and fetch the horses at the stables while we grab the cart for shipping."
"I'll be needing the wagon to return shortly."
"That's why we need a cart to unload."
"Which way are the stables?" Felix asked, with the man pulling the curtain back and pointing at a wooden lodge not far off.
"Two should do, make haste now. Let's go boys. Sooner we finish up, sooner we can enjoy our meal." He sneered, ushering the other two guards out before following behind.
Felix breathed a sigh of relief, removing the leather cap off and using it to wipe the sweat from his brow. He glanced around, reveling in the darkness with only a torch hung at the opposite wall as a source of light. "Okay, it's just us now."
Spi'Reto climbed out from the crate of apples, sending dozens of fruit rolling by his feet. Sans accompanied him as she jumped out from the crate of peaches, and Nukka brushed the wool draped over her as the last one to step out from the wagon. Sauza crawled out from below, adjusting his quiver and patting his clothes as he stood up.
Spi'Reto wasted no time pacing around the building, scanning the opened gaps high up on the walls before peaking through the curtains.
No'Vak looked around, slapping his hands down on his sides in disappointment. "Nothing but empty shelves and cobweb in this storage unit."
"Nukka, you'll need to hide here for the time being. Sauza will keep you company." Spi'Reto instructed, keeping a watchful eye out through the sliver opening between the curtains.
"What!?" Nukka shouted in distraught, "Why?"
"Because you insisted to follow inside when I suggested otherwise, and stealthiness isn't your best approach." The elf calmly explained, locking eyes with her. "Sauza will keep you company. Felix, play along and figure out where their supplies are stored. Alma asked for powder, I'm thinking they'll keep them in or near the armory. Sans, keep an eye on him. No'Vak, you and I will search for allies here."
Nukka's ears perked up. "Someone's coming!"
Spi'Reto cursed under his breath, rushing over for a spot to hide. Nukka panicked seeing everyone else run around, finding corners or empty barrels to hide in.
Acting quickly, Felix plopped the leather cap back on and stepped outside with the two horses, greeting the guards as the dragged a wooden cart with four large rimmed wheels squeaking with each drag, only for them to let go upon seeing him.
"The hell is this? Where are the horses?" One cried out with his arms spread in bewilderment.
Felix froze, his eyes darting between their tired, pudgy faces before turning to the wooden lodge. "Right, just on my way to grab them is all."
One of the guards slapped his friend, grabbing his attention with a knowing smirk before turning to Felix. "No problem at all, chap. We take you there."
Felix gave them a funny look, uncertain as to what they were playing at. Still, he nodded and had them lead him toward the stables. He looked behind, catching a glimpse of Spi'Reto and his two friends slip through the curtains without drawing any attention.
He breathed a sigh of relief when the guards nudged him forward, not realizing they held the wooden doors open for him.
He stepped in, noting the abundance of hay littering the ground floor as it crunched with each step. The stable reminded him of the Augustes barn back home as he navigated around the dimly lit space, spotting a few saddles hung over a wooden beam.
"Go on then horse whisperer." The guard teased, elbowing his friends. "Fetch us a pair o'mules."
"Don't forget to grab de saddles." The other man snickered, grinning through crooked teeth. "Dem horses are over there, get to it."
Felix nodded, frowning as he turned his back to them. They struggled to contain their frantic giggling and whispers, waiting for something to happen. He hadn't a clue what to expect, grabbing a leather saddle as he walked between the stables before spotting a few sleeping horses. The window was shut, casting a dark shadow over them as Felix could only see their back and hind legs.
He undid the lock and stepped inside, hearing the crunch sound of the other guards stepping in for a closer look. That was enough for the nearest horse to wag its tail, brushing along the yellow hay while Felix inched in with a steady hand brushing along the curvature of its back.
"Easy girl," He whispered soothingly, waking the horse up as it slowly began to stand. "Just need to borrow you for a quick moment, nothing to it."
The horse groaned back before standing up all the way, emitting an oddly feminine moan.
He tilted his head, eyebrows drawn together as he thought he misheard. With quick movement, he played the saddle over the horses back, adjusting the straps when he noticed a slender nude back of a woman standing up from his peripheral vision, her long flowing brown hair matching the brown fur of the horse.
He blinked, then drew back with an audible gasp.
The woman spun around and met him with a back hand across the face, sending his leather cap flying off. He fell on his butt, crawling back startled as the woman stepped forward into the light, revealing her naked form. Her dark chocolate eyes flared up as she stood up on her hind legs before stomping her hooves down, glaring menacingly at the intruder trembling beneath her.
"Don't you ever put a saddle on me! Never!" She whined, balling her hands into fists. Her outburst alerted the rest of the horses, each one alerted and watching the scene from their own stables. The guards stood nearby crying in laughter, snorting like pigs and wheezing out of breath.
Felix crawled as far back as he could until he was pressed against the wall as she stomped over him. His eyes traced along her form, realizing she wasn't a naked woman atop a horse. Her body resembled a brown furred horse with white spots, only for the fur to make way for smooth peach skin as her torso stood out the front. Her breasts stood proudly before her with a firm bounce with each step she made, somewhat covered by long running strands of fluffy brown hair that draped over her shoulders. She stomped her front hoof beside him, dragging it back and forth aggressively.
"You're not a horse!" He staggered as he picked himself up, staring with a red bruise on his cheek.
"I am a centaur!" She announced, stamping down grabbing him by his collar. "Remove this saddle off me at once!"
One of the centaurs with black fur and matching black hair leaned against the stable fence, pleading to her friend from across the room.
"Inui, don't! You'll only give them a reason!"
Her lip quivered as she seethed, her hands trembling with a rage boiling inside from months of captivity. Her brown eyes glanced at the men leaning over the wooden beam smiling at her temper, one of them whistling while waving a crossbow in hand. She took the warning and hung her head, gradually letting Felix slip from her grasp. He stumbled back, staring as she slumped down in defeat.
"Well done, horse handler." One of the guards mocked him from the side, drumming his fingernails along the wooden beam. "Ye gunna keep us waitin' till our hairs gray or what?"
"Ease up on him, he was good for a laugh." The other man chuckled, wiping his eyes.
"Pick her up and drag her out, and her friend too." The guard demanded, waving his group away as they left Felix on his own.
Felix remained still, watching Inui look defeated as her centaur friend cleared her throat to grab his attention.
"Forgive her. Captivity does things to one's mind after some time. She'll behave, just be gentle with her." The black-haired centaur explained, gazing at him with sincere eyes.
Felix nodded in understanding, reaching out for Inui's hands when she pulled back subtly. He got the message and stood back, waiting for her to stand as he led her out of the stable before grabbing her friend. The other centaur had a darker skin tone with fuzzy black hair, dark eyes and larger breasts with darker areolas. She wasn't as slender as her friend Inui, but seemed much more compliant, kneeling down to make it easier for him to adjust and strap the saddle over her.
"I didn't know there were centaurs in Faehorn." He admitted, being careful as he tested the straps to make sure they weren't too tight.
"There were more of us years before." The centaur cocked her head curiously, "Are you new here?"
"You could say that, sure." He nodded, stepping back as she spun around to face him.
"You're not one of them." She hinted, grabbing his arms to keep him in place. He froze as she leaned down close enough that her fuzzy dark hair tickled his face, only for her to nuzzle into his neck. She was taking in his scent, though her physical presence and the way her nose tickled his skin sent tingles through him. When she pulled away, she brushed some of his brown hair aside to reveal the love mark hidden on his neck.
"You mated with a cat girl, good for you." She teased with a warm smile before stepping back. "Those girls can be hungry for attention."
Her words caught Inui's attention as she turned to them. "You mated with a cat girl and still work for them? You fuckin' hypocrite."
Felix raised his hands defensively before glancing at the stable doors, making sure no one else was around. "I'm not working for them. I don't want anything to do with them. I'm wearing a disguise."
"What for?" She pried, the other centaurs eavesdropping.
"Came here to free you, see if maybe you can help us in return."
"You're too kind, but that love bite says more to the story." The other centaur spoke softly to him. "He took her, didn't he? That old man in the white robes."
Felix exhaled before nodding back. "Yea he did. I came this way to get her back."
"How do you expect to free us from here?" Inui scoffed with a hand on her waist. "You think we haven't tried before? Those gates are the only way in and out of here."
"Give him a chance, maybe he has something in mind." Her friend urged.
"I'm working on it. Right now, I need your help and trust. I came in a wagon with some friends, and these men want your help moving the food somewhere else. Play along for now while we get things going."
"Cute and confident, I like a guy who can take charge." The dark-haired centaur teased, tracing her fingers down his back.
Felix blushed by her remark and intimate touch, with bothered Inui as she rolled her eyes.
"Quit teasing him Valei, you barely met him."
"Alright, I'll play nice." Valei smirked, watching the young man's movement as her eyes peaked at his butt. "Lead the way, handsome."
Felix stood by the stable doors, waiting for Valei and Inui to approach. He was hesitant as he eyes a pair of black collars hung beside the saddles, only for Inui to catch on. She sighed and snatched the collars before tossing one to her friend.
"If you want to make it believable then we'll need these." She explained, irritated as she snapped the collar around her neck letting the leash dangle between her breasts.
Felix grabbed them both by their leash before giving them one last look. "Remember, play along."
With that, he pushed the doors open before stepping out with two centaurs behind him.