There was a pause as Vadik started to move a bit, but not wake up. "I think we should take him back to my heard, we can make sure he is okay." The creature looked back at the woman, who looked skeptical. "My name is Rafa. My heard is not far from here, just a mile or so away. I promise not to hurt you." Rafa put his sword back into its sheath, on the side of his horse body. "Please, follow me. We can get you cleaned up and smelling better as well... I think you should keep the weapons, they might do you some good." Rafa walked over to Vadik, who was moving his head a little, like a dog having a dream. The centaur knelt down low, picking Vadik up like he was as heavy as a pillow. Standing up Rafa put the writer across his back, face down. He looked back at the woman, then started to walk through the trees.
The walk was simple enough, staying on the cliff, which lead into a forest. "Those ruins were the Kings and Queens palace at one time. Cair Paravel is what it was called. It was our capitol over 1350 years ago, when the sibling rulers were still with us. It was a beautiful place, I've been told. My grandfather served in the royal army, fighting side by side with the two brothers. He told my father his stories, and then my father told me." Rafa smiled at all the memories. "The Kings and Queens grew up here, ruling all of Narnia. But then they disappeared for 1300 years. Humans found their way here, and tried to push us magical creatures out. The siblings came back, but young again. They fought side by side with our current king, Caspian, then left once again back to their lives in London, what ever that is. Then King Edmund and Queen Lucy returned one last time to help King Caspian. That was fifty years ago. They haven't been seen sense. We're all afraid that they will never come back." Rafa was no longer smiling. He looked tired and ragged, worry making him look older. "We magic folk face persecution once again. This time, however, we have the Wizard Adjorn with us. He will push out the humans, make Narnia pure again." Rafa glanced at the woman, his eyes widening slowly. "Humans no longer belong in our world."
Rafa stopped, his hand reaching for his sword. Before he could draw it, however, Vadik shoved himself from the ponies back. Drawing his own sword, he slashed at the stunned centaurs side. The blade easily sliced through Rafa's hide, blood spraying from the 3 foot long cut. Rafa yelled in agony, bursting into a gallop, running through the trees. Vadik looked stunned, clutching the sword handle with both hands, shaking slightly. Looking at Derowynn he asked, "Are you okay?"