Re: The Centaurs in Winter
"As we look for lands in Belgica, we should get to know others there, build connections with the folk who live there. We'll live alongside them and...well, settled folk will wonder why land that could be farmed is set aside for us to roam. The king won't forget, nor likely the children he and Aelasuria bring into the world, but in a hundred years or more, the children of those children and those that come after will have their own Huns. Human folk are...few now, but in not so many years there will be many. It is...best our roots run deep, that their children and ours live, play, and work together."
Eadoin is suddenly surprised at himself, considering generations ahead when he's not yet finished his own. His day in the sun hasn't yet passed; he hopes he's at the beginning of a long and fulfulling life.
Thayer, long ago agreed as war leader, picks his score and makes for the boats. Here, Eadoin is divided. He's asked so many to come voluntarily into danger, all because his goddess had asked it of him. He walks down with them to the riverside, saying his farewells to each. He has little to offer besides his best wishes, an admonition to Thayer to bring them home safely, and a collective prayer to the gods to bring them home safely. Epona moves the people to action, but other gods rule in the places they'll go. Eadoin pays each His or Her due.
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More than four score Centaurs departed Raviniacum, a little more than half that return, though Thayer's band will have passed through or close by while travelling with the army. Besides the forest and elven approach to infrastructure, some of those following are wounded. That they arrive within a day of the others is quite astounding to Eadoin.
If anything, the young druid adapts all too easily to the approach his folk take to leadership. First, state what you are going to do, then why you are going to do it and why it's the right thing. If others agree with you and think you're the leader to get it done, they go with you. Otherwise, they seem largely to do their own thing, but leave you free to do yours. Occasionally, Eadoin's seen others, say Mayez, argue with points Thayer has made, but no one's argued with him...sometimes gone their own way about things, but never argue. Eadoin is a a bit amazed by the discussions of what he really meant. There's little need to wonder what he meant by something. It's a very small community. "Ummm...just come ask me," he offers. On another point, he says with a small degree of caution, "Most of the time, if someone is trying to tell you what I meant about something, it might be more about what they wished I'd meant."
Eadoin is happy to see the Hybsils, the Elves, and everyone else behind in Raviniacum, but he's almost relieved to be drawn away. He's grown taller in his short time away, and shaggy with winter's chill. His hair has grown long and he's sporting the first hints of a beard and mustache. His embrace is not the sudden collision that heralded his return from the Nethershires. Here, he just sets down his burden and folds his family close, hugging them each and together. Apple Blossom is treated to a kiss that's a little past the near side of chaste, one that'll hold the cold at bay for a few days, at least. Eadoin's nearing his fourteenth year and perhaps sees his betrothed in a different light than before.
The young Centaur is quite content to be trooped away in the care of his family. For a time, he doesn't worry about whatever it is that comes next; there'll be time for that soon enough. He admires the thatch on the sturdy cottage, what he imagines to be a garden well-tended against the season. "Something smells good," he says. "Have you been cooking?"
Later, after a meal, Eadoin shares some stories of what he's seen and done. Carefully worded for the little ones' sake, he spins the tales from real to imaginary so that that Orieus can fall asleep a hero and Ocyrhoe, a short time later, a heroine.
Afterward, alone with Apple Blossom, he's less circumspect. "Thayer and about twenty more went east towards Lucimburic with the king. I can only hope they'll do what they can to stay safe. They...try hard, perhaps too much so, to prove themselves."
He less sure what comes next. "Heal those still injured, make ready for the families to come in spring, maybe help Titus to fix things in Belgica. Theoderic's offered us more land there, room to roam a bit, really."