The Weasley met your eyes easily, smirking as she stepped forward.
"I've got some girls waiting just outside the limit, but they can't cross in unless we want to be answering to Dumbledore about what exactly we're doing here, so we've gotta get our princess here out via other means."
Part said, she looked towards Hagrid, who blinked, before realizing her part.
"Well, there are a few options. First-"
You listened as Hagrid laid the options out for your group.
Going through the castle just sounded goddamn stupid.
It had all the trouble you'd possibly had coming here, multiplied by the fact that you were now four people.
It was out near instantly, and you glared at Charlie when she snickered.
The Lake, on the other hand, was somewhat more reasonable. Remote, you'd be on brooms, so none on the ground would be able to get to you, and it was a somewhat straight shot. The only problem…
"I'm really bad at flying." You said, bluntly. There was no use in trying to hide the fact or shying away from it. Smok crossed her arms and looked away.
"I could fly you." She stated firmly. You looked over at her clear lack of wings before raising an eyebrow. She flushed. "I just… don't feel like it."
Charlie, who was listening in, stepped forward, a hand coming down onto your shoulder, before lingering; she rubbed it back and forth, squeezing at different parts.
"You could always sit on my lap." She offered, leaning in just a bit so that her breasts pressed against the back of your neck.
You stepped away and made a show of shivering in disgust before turning and glaring at the amused redhead.
She raised her hands in a placating gesture.
"Or not. I understand if heights still scare you. Brooms are scary things."
You glared a bit longer at the patronization before turning back to Hagrid, who continued.
The Road…
It was a bad idea, all things considered, but it was too visible for your taste. Too much risk to stumble across someone randomly.
Which left-
"The forest," Ruby said, smiling. This was the option she seemed the most comfortable with. It made sense, too. If you were taller than literally everyone else and twice as wide, you'd be more comfortable in dangerous places as well.
You nodded.
"It seems like the best choice. You know the way?"
Ruby nodded.
"I guess I'll let my people know to be ready on the other side of the forest," Charlie said, stepping past you to leave temporarily. You dodged the grasping hand, aimed low. You weren't interested in whatever she was trying to do.
She stepped out the door, wand coming out. You heard talking as she did.
That left you, Smok, and Ruby temporarily. The half-giantess was busy gathering the supplies needed and stuffing all of it into a large sack, which left-
You felt a hand on your shoulder. Looking to the left, you caught a glimpse of the clawed hand that had you, before you were spun around.
.
--------------->
.
"What-" You began, only to be cut off by Smok lunging forward, lips capturing your own. There was no romance to the kiss, and you were skeptical of exactly how much experience she had.
Smok didn't kiss like it was a mutual sport; instead, she mashed her lips against your own, violently wriggling her tongue as if fighting for dominance. You were too stunned to mount a proper offensive before she pulled back, panting slightly, a bridge of saliva connecting the two of you only briefly before falling. Her eyes were heavy.
"You are mine, Herman Granger. Do not forget that, lest I have to teach it to you." She let go, turning away as she shivered once more.
As she did, Hagrid finished packing, and Charlie came back in smiling once more. As everyone got ready to go, your eyes were stuck on Smok's back, as a fire grew within you.
The fire of competition.
You were no one's servant. You just had to teach her that fact.
-x-X-x-
You had been in the Forbidden Forest before.
That was with Nora, and was guided by her somewhat questionable skills of navigation.
Travelling with Ruby, Smok, and Charlie was a much different experience.
For one, the noises of the forest were oddly muted, but rather than it feeling like they were being stalked, it felt as if most of the denizens of the area felt that you were the threat.
Which, honestly, is fair.
You didn't know how willing you would be to attack, and/or otherwise inconvenience a group of four strong, including two wizards, a High Drake, and a Half-Giantess.
It felt a little bit like a Dungeons and Dragons game, to be honest. A fighter, two magic users, and a Druid.
You eyed Smok speculatively.
Maybe not a Druid, Dragonborn rogue maybe?
You'd play with the thought later.
Still, the point was, tromping through the forest at this point felt less like a dangerous journey, and more along the lines of a Night Hike. It was actually somewhat pleasant, your jacket keeping you just warm enough, and the Forbidden Forest having no bugs at all. The stars, when you could see them through the thick foliage, were shining bright and actually quite pretty.
All in all, this couldn't be considered a negative experience.
It's just…
The company you kept made it so that it was… interesting, to say the least.
"I am cold."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! What kind of imbecile is not sure of their own temperature? Knave."
"I mean, you were the one who asked so…"
"I made a statement!"
"Are you sure?"
Veronica's older sister was, evidently, a bit of a shit stirrer.
And Smok proved to be a very easily available target for her needling.
The High Dragon was stomping along, a large cloak alongside numerous blankets covering her. The blankets were dragging on the forest floor behind her, and you winced, for Ruby's sake, at how much debris the fabric was picking up.
You were pretty sure you'd seen her own bed stripped clean of sheets and blankets in the hut, and you suspected, from the size of the ones Smok was wearing, that you knew where they had gone.
Charlie, on the other hand, moved in a way that could only and solely be described as a 'saunter'.
.
------------------>
.
And you were quite certain that she was walking at just the right pace to stay directly ahead of you on purpose.
Only a few feet in front of you, and swaying her hips in quite a distinctive way, you'd caught the older woman, multiple times, slowing down at random moments, nearly driving you to bump into her.
When you tried to deviate to walk a bit to the left or right, she adjusted as well, all without looking back.
Given the recent events that had happened in the Hut, you were hesitant to give her the benefit of the doubt and instead resolved to simply step carefully, so that you weren't at any sort of risk of an accident.
Finally, Ruby was walking quite a bit ahead, holding a large steel lantern in one hand and brandishing her umbrella in the other. She, interestingly, looked more at ease now that you all were in the forbidden forest, rather than her hut.
You were near the end of the pack, ostensibly to keep watch. Really, it just meant that you were an audience to all the new ways Charlie could get Smok to gasp and growl with words alone.
Still, the forest seemed to be getting thicker. You had a feeling that you weren't out of the woods yet.
…
Metaphorically.
You knew you were still in the woods.
Partially through the forest, and you'd perhaps been a bit too optimistic about your chances.
You weren't surprised about something attacking you, no, that situation remained as it had been at the start. The forest was silent of all natural sounds, with few creatures being willing to approach your group.
No, the thing that you were truly worried about was just how loud both of your companions were.
Even Ruby, who regularly tolerated comments from Malfoy, seemed to be wearing thin, patience-wise. More than once, she stopped, looking back with a grimace, as if hoping the two would notice.
And the thing was, you were relatively certain that Charlie did notice.
She just didn't give a shit.
The only thing the redhead was really focused on was winding Smok up as far as she could go. The conversation between the two of them consisted of Charlie making mild, snide comments, Smok reacting loudly and aggressively, only for Charlie to rebuff with another comment.
This woman was supposed to be a Dragon Tamer!?
Where was the taming that was happening here?
Instead of focusing on keeping Smok calm, she was instead making her as loud as possible.
You weren't worried about the forest any longer, but rather about someone who might be nearby, hearing you.
If someone had been suspicious, like Hagrid and Charlie had thought back at the camp, this seemed like the best way to let them know exactly where you were.
Worse yet, it's possible that if you were noisy enough, something in the forest might decide that even your group might be worth the risk to get the noise to stop.
Hell, you were close to being willing to do it yourself.
"But are you sure you're a High Dragon, you're not very high?"
"I can assure you that I can be as high as needed; my wings are simply resting!"
"Oh~ That's pretty impressive, we usually need special potions for that sort of thing. But are you-"
Ok, you were done.
"Could you two, please, quiet down?" You asked aloud, interrupting the next exchange loudly. You had to raise your voice, and it echoed around the forest, bouncing off trees and other things. Both of them fell silent, turning to look at you suddenly.
Ruby had stopped up ahead, but she seemed more interested in enjoying the peace while it lasted than participating in the conversation in any way.
The silence lasted just a bit longer, and you thought, naively, that maybe, just maybe, you'd gotten through to them.
And then Charlie got this look on her face.
.
------------>
.
It sent shivers down your spine.
She leaned forward, breasts hanging low. You couldn't help it as your eyes were drawn downwards for a split second. There was a faint pinkness that slipped free in the motion. You understood immediately that the slip was part of the distraction.
Her smile widened, and you knew in that moment that you couldn't stop what was coming.
"Honestly, Hermy, out of everyone here, it's you who's being the loudest. Were you trying to announce to the whole forest that you were here?" She said in a teasing tone, waving a finger about as she notably didn't bother fixing her top.
Smok, seeing the opportunity to turn this around on you, joined in.
"Indeed, servant. I thought you to be an intelligent one. Stealth and quietness are of the utmost importance in this mission."
And just like that, the arguing two were suddenly arguing against you, and you couldn't help but scowl.
You were just opening your mouth to respond when a horn sounded in the distance, and suddenly the quiet forest was filled with noise.
A heavy sound roared throughout, and it took you a moment to place what you were hearing.
It was hooves.
The thundering of hooves was now echoing in the forest. Shadows passed between the trees, and your companions stiffened, turning swiftly as you did to try to locate the sound.
Only Hagrid seemed to immediately understand what she was hearing, and the low curse under her breath didn't provide you with any comfort.
"Centaurs." She said grimly, frown firmly in place.
"Centaur?" Echoed Smok, while Charlie just frowned, now looking more professional than she had in the entire rest of the time you'd known her. Her wand was in one hand, and in the other, the whip she'd wielded against you.
Hagrid was much the same, her back stiff, and her knuckles white around the handle of her umbrella. You would have questioned what exactly the pink bit of wood and fabric was going to do to help you here, but you'd had enough experience with magic that it shooing fireballs or lasers wouldn't surprise you.
The sound neared further, and with Smok's question unanswered, you found it in yourself to ask again, even as you gripped your own wand as if it would protect you.
Your notable lack of practice with many offensive spells suddenly hit you and left you feeling unprepared.
"Centaurs?" you asked again, echoing Smok.
Hagrid grunted, even as she tracked the shadows that now circled you. There was the sound of calls now, loud, inhuman, more than anything, and the pounding of hooves against the soft loam of the forest was more defined.
You couldn't count properly, but there seemed to be at least thirty, maybe forty, that you could see. You weren't willing to be on the number, though, with the way they seemed to blend in and out of the shadows of the forest.
"Half-Horse, Half-Human looking folk. Nice enough on good terms, those being arranged meeting and careful conversations."
Your mind snagged on the human-looking part, but you ignored it.
"And this, could we perhaps get through this with a nice conversation?"
Hagrid shifted uneasily.
"We are, technically, on their land. Without permission." She said haltingly.
"Meaning?"
She blinked and looked away guiltily. More towards the actions the group had taken, than the news she was about to tell you.
"The last meeting was, specifically, bout the consequences and importance of respectin' their territory."
Oh.
That explained the curse, didn't it?
The hooves came close, and finally, forms broke the trees.
Ruby's description was accurate. Horses with the torsos of people came out of the woods, carrying bows, swords, and spears. They were moving fast enough to blur, but you could make out horse ears on their heads, and their well-defined bodies, both parts rippling with muscle.
They also, in a method that seemed typical to the wizarding world, seemed to be made up entirely of women.
If there were any male riders in the midst, you didn't see them.
As the circle closed tighter, it eventually slowed until you were well and properly surrounded by Centaur women. They stopped, some brandishing their weapons threateningly, others simply glaring darkly. Their clothing seemed to be a mix of refashioned plants and cloth, with some hides mixed in, and most seemed to only wear enough to support their chests.
Everyone seemed unhappy, and cast in the dull light of Ruby's lantern, it made quite the intimidating sight.
After a moment, one stepped forward.
"Ruby."
.
----------->
.
Somehow, the bear-skin-wearing woman made the name sound like a threat, and the growl coming from her was distinctly inhuman.
"Bane. You're looking good."
Ruby's nervous compliment didn't seem to have the effect she wanted, as the now-named Bane pawed the ground with a hoof, seemingly shaking with rage.
"There was an agreement, Ruby. You weren't to intrude on our land. You know what the consequences are to be."
Her hands were twitching towards the rather gnarly-looking broadsword strapped to the side of her lower body, and the flex stretched the scars across her body in a grotesque fashion.
Ruby chuckled, even as the three of you shifted closer, Smok looking, properly fearful of the situation.
"Now Bane-"
"NO…"
The words tore out of the centaur's throat, sounding beastly.
She growled and reached for her blade properly this time.
"There are consequences to your actions. Ruby. Humans, you always expect to be able to talk your way out of everything. No…"
She unsheathed the blade.
"You all die here, as a warning to your castle, to keep to the agreements."
The others stamped their hooves, sounding like a mix of applause and a Warcry, and the sound of bowstrings being drawn filled the clearing.
You held your wand in front of you and desperately tried to review the steps to the Protego charm in your head. Charlie looked Grim, and Smok shifted to hide behind you.
Then-
"Excuse me."
.
-------------->
.
Another centaur trotted forward, this one the opposite of Bane in nearly every way. Where Bane was angry, she was calm. Where Bane was hard, she looked soft. Where Bane was scarred, her flesh was unmarred.
Her clothing, as well, was oddly fashioned compared to the rest, and each step sent a movement through her barely confined breasts.
She moved to stand beside Bane, and it seemed her presence held some weight, as the arrows were lowered at her entrance.
Bane growled, but it was more annoyance than anger, and she gave the other a side-eye.
"Fiora. The law is clear."
The white-clad Centaur merely nodded.
"Yes, it is, Bane, so I ask why you are not adhering to it."
This seemed to offend the other greatly, and she reared back, the effect quite dramatic when one is part horse.
When her hooves were back on the ground, she snorted, stomping once, before replying.
"I am. Cease speaking in Riddles, sister."
The other smiled, although her eyes still did not open.
"Even if they have broken the law, as per the agreement, they are allowed to face trial before execution."
Bane blinked, as if this hadn't occurred, before shaking her head.
"That law is meant for our kind."
"And yet, the word of it does not mention Centaur or Wizard."
That caused a bit of a stir, and murmurs filled the clearing.
The martial of the two seemed conflicted, biting her lip and glaring at the ground as she thought. For a moment, you worried that she was just going to say to hell with it and attack anyway. When she looked up, you braced yourself for her answer.
Raising her drawn blade to the crowd, she jumped up onto her hind legs, gaining height, before roaring out to the crowd.
"THEY FACE THE TRIAL!"
The responding roar was deafening.
All the while, the White Centaur trotted towards you, her eyes still closed. Despite that, she navigated closer until she was standing directly in front of your group.
"Greetings, travellers. You've picked an unfortunate night to cross this forest."
Her head tilted upward, as if looking. There was something in her smile then.
"Luckily for you, Venus is bright tonight. I am Fiora, do not make my choice in helping you a poor one."
-x-X-x-
The group of you, Smok included, were herded, which felt like a bit of irony, which your minders evidently felt as well, given their humorous attitude towards it, away from the clearing, and off further into the woods. A questioning look towards Ruby and Charlie went unanswered, and both seemed to follow along, rather grimly, without complaint.
You did the same. You'd always had good luck trusting in authority figures, and you didn't expect that to stop this time. So you followed without much trouble, tucking your wand away into your sleeve, rather than its holster.
A bit more dangerous, but you were wary of them trying to strip you of weapons, so you figured it was safer there.
Smok, in the duration of the walk towards wherever they were taking you, seemed to have regained some of her earlier confidence. That seemed to take the form of her growling at most centaurs that strayed too close, all the while keeping withing a foot of you. She crowded the blankets around her as if they were a cloak, rather than being there to warm her.
The centaurs, for their part, actually were not very pushy in guarding you. They used the shaft of their spars to nudge you in the right direction, but otherwise kept their distance most of the time and said nothing. You caught a few, particularly the blonde one, glance towards you, but otherwise, there was no interaction.
In little time, you made it to what looked like their camp. Or at least, one of them.
There were several tents scattered around, alongside many fires. More cantaurs milled around them, but it seemed only the elderly or sick had stayed behind.
Once into camp, you and the others were herded into a center area, where the rest joined you. Some sat down, while others stood watch. Bane and Fiora headed towards a rather elderly looking female Centaur, who was lying near the fire. You noted she seemed to be missing both an arm and a leg, but both still greeted her with deep bows.
There was a hushed conversation before they stood and began dashing about the camp. As activity seemed to pick up, you deemed it a good time to turn and ask what was going on.
Taking a few steps towards Hagrid, you opened your mouth to speak, when-
Crack!
The butt of a spear tapped down into the ground beside you.
One of the guards had trotted up, and as you attempted to approach the older woman, she had intercepted and was now staring down at you with a firm but calm expression.
"There will be no contact between the older prisoners and the young. Go back to the girl, boy. She will defend you should anything happen."
There was something faintly patronizing about the way she'd worded that, but, at Ruby's subtle nod, you assented and went back to Smok, who quickly stepped closer again.
"Servant." She whispered, looking around wildly. "What is your plan to get your master out of here?"
You thought for a moment before responding.
"We escape."
Smok's eyes bulged a bit.
"That is not a plan!"
Before you could explain the intricacies of your totally in existence plan, Fiora and Bane came together once more, and the larger of the two banged her sheath against a spare shield, gathering the attention of the clearing.
"The trial has been declared. These four-" She pointed at you all, "-have been found trespassing on our land! They have chosen to have a trial, rather than face summary judgment."
There was a cacophony of boos and cheers before settling once more. Fiora, this time, stepped forward.
"First, the defendant's champion will be decided. Elder Tres will decide."
The elderly centaur from before, supported by two others, stepped forward. She approached the group until she was within ten feet, before staring for a bit. The old woman, and she was truly the oldest woman you'd seen, was missing a tooth, and, evidently, an eye, to go alongside her arm and leg. Still, the one she had remaining seemed to work just fine, as it scanned over you all.
A moment passed, and then another.
Finally, after what felt like nearly ten minutes of silence, she let out a raspy cough before raising a hand.
"They boy!" She declared, thrusting a finger at you. Smok stiffened, and you saw both Charlie and Ruby's eyes widen as well.
Ruby, in particular, stepped forward, lumbering nearly into the raised spear of her guard. The tip poked into her frown, but she didn't seem to notice. The casual disregard for her weapon seemed to make the guard in question nervous, and she flicked her tail,
The declaration seemed not to sit right with others in the clearing, as well. You saw more than a few centaurs toss odd looks at each other.
"Now wait here. 'Erman's just a student. 'S'not far to make him-"
The older centaur raised a knobbled finger, grinning that gap-toothed smile.
"It will be the boy." She said again, this time with more vehemence. There was something you didn't like in her eyes. "Venus is bright tonight, after all." Her smile was openly malicious.
.
---------->
.
It was the same thing Fiora had told you, but this time, it was announced to the entirety of the clearing. The white-furred centaur had a scary smile on her face, but your interest in it was drowned out by the loud and raucous cheering and whooping from the crowd, whose eyes had now locked onto you. Tails were flicking, and there was a lot of odd shuffling going on.
There was a nudge on your back.
Your guard was pushing you forward. A look back showed you that Smok was blocked by another from following. Reluctantly, you did step forward, feeling exposed as you did.
The Elder stepped forward, barely stable on two or three limbs, to examine you. She walked around, pausing and humming as she did.
After a full rotation, she stopped and turned back to the crowd.
"Now, the defendant shall choose his trial!"
A cheer.
"His options are-"
She turned towards the crowd, arms in the air.
"Archery. Wrestling. Jousting. Lumbering. Pulling. The Race!"
She moved along the circle, studying the faces of the cheering centaurs.
"The ancient arts of the Centaurs. The sports we have held since Chiron, and beyond! These are the trials!"
She turned.
"What is your choice, challenger?"
You still really, really didn't like the look in her eyes, but, put on the spot, you considered your options.
Looking down, you threaded your fingers together and thought.
Archery wouldn't work; you had no experience whatsoever. You didn't have the equipment, bodily wise, for jousting. Pulling was too vague. You weren't going to get into a race with someone who was half horse, and you didn't know the first thing about lumbering.
…
Did you really want to get into a wrestling match with a centaur?
That felt really stupid.
Your wand burned against your wrist.
Cheating was an option…
Either way, you didn't see any other option.
Looking up, you stated your answer.
"Wrestling."
If anything, the old woman's smile grew wider, and she nearly cackled at your words.
"The Champion has chosen wrestling!"
An array of cheers, laughter, and jeers. You got the sense that the perception of your chances wasn't great. A flush came to your cheeks at the response. You looked over to the others.
Ruby was holding up her crossbow with a frozen look of despair on her face, Charlie seemed a mix between worry and amusement, and Smok…
Smok had her arms crossed and a look of utter confidence on her face.
"I do not understand what you are all laughing at." She said evenly to her guard. "I have full faith in my servant's abilities. He is my servant after all."
Normally, the utter self-absorption would be grating, but honestly, you appreciated the vote of confidence.
You gave her a nod before turning away.
The elder continued her speech, having given plenty of time for the others to laugh.
"Should the Champion win-"
Laughter, at this point, it was getting irritating. Even Fiora, who you'd thought had been on your side in some way, shape, or form, was laughing, a hand covering her mouth delicately as her shoulders shook. Suddenly, those closed eyes seemed much more devious than they had been.
"Should the Champion win-" she restarted, "-he and his companion will go free, as a friend to the Clan until the next winter."
She paused, dramatically, looking around.
"But should they lose, the lives of the defendants, and the champion, will be in the tribes hands, be it death, or…"
She gave a creepy, perverted sounding chuckle, a noise that you did not favor coming out of her mouth. It was echoed by much of the crowd.
Funnily enough, the only one who seemed relatively unhappy with the state of events was Bane, who was standing with her arms crossed, a frown on her face. At the announcement by the elder, rather than laughing like the rest, she rolled her eyes and looked away.
Not finishing her previous statement, the Elder turned back to you.
"Do you understand the trial, Champion?"
You nodded.
She nodded back.
"You will have time to prepare, up to an hour. Converse with your comrades. I suggest you prepare yourself well. Maybe send a letter to your loved ones explaining your expected absence…" She was helped away, cackling.
Returning to the group, you met the others with an uncertain stare.
"So…."
Ruby groaned, and Charlie slapped her hand to her face.
Smok, meanwhile, put a hand on your shoulder.
"Do not lose. If you can deal with Goblins, you can deal with Centaurs."
Well, at least someone was positive.
-x-X-x-
There was a bit of a whirlwind of activity from there. You were brought to a tent, alongside the others, and left to yourselves.
The centaurs informed you that there would be a single guard positioned outside. Thenna. You were also informed she was deaf, and would be unable to even hear your planning, let alone attempt to sabotage you.
The Centaur in question, taller than Bane and twice as thick, rippling with both muscle and scars. There was a clear sense that being deaf did not affect her ability to prevent any possible escape attempts.
Still, none of you were harmed, and you were shepherded into the tent with minimal fuss. Honor and fairness seemed to be a rather central concept to the Centaurs culture. They refused to harm you, abided by their own laws, even when they didn't want to, and were now taking steps to ensure that the upcoming competition would be as fair as possible.
It was somewhat startling. Personally, in their position, you'd have been trying to find all the upper hands you could.
Unless they thought they already had one. Which, honestly, might be true.
Still, you appreciated it all the same, and as the flap closed, you turned to your compatriots.
"Well." You began, ignoring Charlie's own skeptical eyebrow and Hagrid's cringe. "I think that went well."
The red-haired woman, looking as if she felt naked without her whip, rubbed a hand over where it used to be as she responded.
"Lots of experience wrangling centaurs, then, Herman? Maybe you've been on a ranch or something?" Her voice gave away more irritation and frustration than her body language did, and after speaking, she groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose while looking up. "Sorry, this was a bad situation either way. I'm just a bit frazzled."
Her voice was even, and surprisingly scratchy when she wasn't attempting to tease you with it.
You allowed the barb to slip past you.
"Don't worry about it. I'd be the same. But still." You held your hands out, as if you were opening yourself for anything." I am open to suggestions?"
A moment of silence, before Smok, standing, still wrapped in her blankets, approached with a serious look. She put a hand on your shoulder and leaned in close.
"Win."
With that solemn intonation done, she turned and walked back to her seat, looking quite satisfied with her expert advice.
You turned back to the rest of the room, smile stiffening a bit.
"Anything else?" You pleaded. Hagrid shuffled a bit, and you turned towards her. She refused to meet your eyes for a moment before finally sighing.
"Well…" She trailed off, still looking uncomfortable.
You stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder and trying your best to convince Hagrid with your eyes alone. Then you figured that was stupid, and used your voice too.
"Please, Hagrid. Anything will help."
That seemed to finally convince her, and she sighed, shifting a bit, before opening her mouth again.
"Well. I don't know a lot abou' Centaurs, but I do remember hearing once that if you put yerself on their back, 'ike you do a Horse, it, well…" She blushed before leaning in as if telling a secret. You obliged.
"It's part of a 'arriage 'posal." She backed off, face bright red. "I figure, well, if you wanted to surprise one, you could do that."
You leaned back.
That was… certainly an idea. Good to know, though.
But you needed more of a plan than that, and it seemed like it was up to you to figure it out.
-x-X-x-
Alright, so, first things first.
You needed to figure out whether you were going to use magic or not.
It was technically against the rules, but there was surely some way you could get around that.
It only took a moment of thought before you reached a possible conclusion.
What if you simply cast the magic before the actual fight?
There wasn't likely a way for them to check if you had or not. Even if there was, it wasn't actually against the rules.
Or at least, not the letter of them.
You wouldn't have, after all, used magic during the fight.
The only question was what spell to cast.
You tried to recall your Charms notes and some of the extra reading you'd done during your spare time. Anything dramatic, like breathing fire, laser beams, or brown notes, was out. That'd be too obvious; they'd catch on instantly.
Instead, you thought back to the Quidditch book you'd only read on the behest of Ron and Harry.
Particularly, the section detailing the Magic-Doping incident of '49.
The incident had occurred when one player had accused another of artificially improving their skills with magic. It hadn't been with anything harmful, but the player in question had received a suspension for a few games.
The name of the spell, though…
That had also been in the book.
You pulled your wand out of your sleeve, worrying your lip as you did your best to review the movements in your head.
Vigor Velox.
That was the name…
Flick, Flick, Downward stab.
You practiced a few times, as the others watched on.
Neither Hagrid nor Charlie said anything, although from the way Charlie's eyes sharpened, you suspected she had an idea of what, exactly, you were practicing.
Finally, after a few more attempts simply with your finger, while mouthing the words, you felt comfortable enough to try it.
Flick, Flick, Stab.
"Vigor Velox" You intoned, sharply, as you felt a warmth fill your body, and suddenly, a moment later, your clothing felt tighter in a way it hadn't before. You were uncomfortably warm, and you could hear your heartbeat in your ears.
Charlie turned to Hagrid with a sharp smile.
"I don't think Hogwarts was teaching that spell when I was there~ What changed, Ruby?"
The half-giantess turned to Charlie and gave a slow blink.
"I don't teach Charm, Charlie. Why would I know?"
Smok just looked smug. You ignored all of them.
If they weren't going to be any proper help in the planning, then they could just stay quiet now, while you got them all out of this.
Spellwork done, you slipped the wand back into your sleeve before rethinking the action, and instead handed it over to Hagrid for safekeeping.
You didn't fancy carrying a slim wooden stick into a wrestling match with a horse. That felt like you were asking for it to break.
As it changed hands, you got the sense that, through pulses of feeling, emotion, and premonition, your wand was laughing.
It sent a shiver up your spine, so you resolved to ignore it and deal with whatever that was later.
Surely it couldn't have done anything too bad.
Now, you just have to figure out a plan. An opening play.
You tried to recall what you had read about Centaurs, your mind instantly going back to the Karma Sutra.
As… lewd as the book had been, it had served as one of your greatest sources of knowledge during your time at Hogwarts.
And, once again, it was serving you well now.
Honestly, Hogwarts ought to just make it an assigned reading. They could just, well…
Remove all the bad stuff!
You ignored how terrible of an idea that was in favor of trying to recall what you knew about Centaurs.
Hagrid had already told you about the cultural implications of riding them, but what about something you could exploit…
Ah!
There was that one bit.
The graphic, particularly, had stuck with you.
.
--------------->
.
'How to surprise your big-titted centaur GF'
An interesting read. The information within, though, was useful. The article itself was a description of how Centaurs possess slightly more sensitive breasts, and how a partner could take advantage. That was not the important part.
It also spoke of the poor peripheral vision they tended to have, not just behind them, but to their side as well.
Flanking.
That was a maneuver you could use.
… And maybe the breast thing.
You'd think about it.
Maybe if you could dodge her initial charge, and then use her losing track of you to somehow mount her. Grab onto… something… to prevent her from bucking you off, and then attempt to take her down proper.
It was simple, but as far as plans went, it was a plan.
Better than none.
You nodded firmly before turning to the others.
"I've got it!" You smirked, snapping your fingers.
You were met with Hagrid blushing, wide eyes, Smok nodding as if in agreement, and Charlie smirking.
"Do a lot of studying with the Karma Sutra, then do you, Herman?" She asked lightly, a smirk curling even wider.
Ah.
You'd said all that aloud.
Your face began to warm, but before you could stutter out a perfectly reasonable explanation, there was a knock.
Which was odd, because you were in a tent.
You looked to the others before approaching the door yourself. The knock happened again, and you slowly opened the flap, leaning out to look, only for your gaze to trail upwards.
.
------------------>
.
Fiora tilted her head with that same smile.
"Hello, Herman. I didn't want to interrupt your planning, but I figured I'd just pass along my own bit of advice."
You stiffened. Suddenly, the 'good' centaur image you had of her melted into something somewhat more threatening, as she towered over you, toned midsection revealed.
"And what is that?" you asked stiffly.
Fiora just smiled maternally before leaning down. Her hands came up to cup your face, and she hummed happily as she examined you. Not like you were a person, but as if you were some sort of object. Livestock.
"Give up quickly."
You blinked.
"Excuse me?"
She nodded.
"You heard me. I'd like for you to give up the moment you enter the ring. You will not be able to defeat Bane, and I'd rather you not get hurt and be injured during your first week in the Clan."
Your back stiffened, and you backed up, slightly, her hands falling away.
"So certain you'll win?"
Fiora laughed quietly. It was the laugh of an adult at something a child said.
"You are a Wizard, with no magic. You stand no chance, and the only option is to give up. I've read it in the stars. Your fate is sealed." She stepped forward again, getting into your personal space.
.
------------------->
.
"Besides, you'd grow to like it, being our stud. Sometimes good things come when you don't want them to, boy, and you just have to accept them."
Her yellow eyes glowed malevolently, and you gulped before suddenly, the air lightened, and she stepped back, eyes closing again.
"If it makes it better, I'm prepared to offer a deal." She hummed.
You tilted your head to show you were listening, even as you seethed.
Fiora smiled, softly, kindly. You didn't fall for it this time.
"I am prepared to convince the tribe to let your friends go if you give up without a fight. We only want the male, after all."
She let that hang for a moment before giggling.
"Don't feel the need to answer now. I'll see if I can fight myself. Just know…" She smiled, and a sliver of yellow made itself known once more, for only a second. "Bane's got a bad habit of being rough with her sparring partners, and she likes them." She turned fully away. "Food for thought."
She trotted off, and you let the flap close.
A hand came down on your shoulder. You looked up. It was Charlie, her face uncharacteristically serious.
"I think we're gonna have to kill that woman, Herman."
There was a dangerous edge to her smile. You sighed.
"Damn."
-x-X-x-
The ring for the event about to take place, as, by happenstance, or perhaps simply because there wasn't enough room for a Stadium in the camp, the same area that you'd been gathered into when you first entered.
The centaurs had, by and large, cleared the area of any debris or other items that would block it, and instead made a large circle, done with a red colored stone you didn't recognize, around the center.
It was about the size and shape of a Boxing Ring, although perhaps a bit larger.
You assumed it was to compensate for the additional size, and to allow your opponent room to actually use her size.
That wasn't a huge deal for you, though. Honestly, more room to avoid the other might even be useful.
You didn't want to think about how the fight would go if the other got a good hold on you with those arms. Even with your increased strength, which still hummed under your skin, like an electric blanket, you didn't know if you would be able to overpower them.
The Clan, it seemed, had also decided to all show up. As you left the tent, guided by your deaf guard, you found yourself surrounded by a surprisingly respectful, hooting and hollering crowd of rowdy women.
You couldn't count how many, definitely more than you'd seen during the hunt, and more than you saw when you first entered the camp. It was somewhat overwhelming.
You half expected to be hearing inappropriate comments, given Fiora's actions, and the entire event itself, but the group seemed to be mostly cheering, and oddly enough, cheering for you.
It felt rather like you were the wrestler of some sort, feeling the roar of the crowd.
The path into the ring was clear, and in the center stood three figures.
The first was Bane, who, well…
.
----------------->
.
The taller Centaur was stretching, one arm at a time, as she stood there. She was unaffected by the cheering and, in fact, seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the whole affair. As you stepped past the red line, she spotted you and stopped her aerobics, letting both arms drop to her side as she glared, lightly.
It wasn't as intense as it was before, though. There seemed to be a hint of pity in her gaze as well, and she turned away after a moment, crossing her arms as she instead surveyed the crowd.
Beside her was Fiora, with that same smile on her face. It widened at the sight of you, and she mouthed something that you barely caught.
'Make the right choice.'
Yeah, you were going to hit her before you left.
Something about the way she smiled, smugly, assured, made you want to throw a fist, something you had never felt so keenly before.
And then there was the Elder. You tried not to look at her.
As you approached, the oldest of the three threw out her hand.
"The challenger approaches!" She called to the ground. The cheer picked up into a roar, and you felt you were in a football stadium, rather than the middle of a forest at night.
"You all know the score. You all know the rules. Neither shall cross the line. The battle is until one side yields, or is unable to continue, and they may not use any sort of tool or sorcery other than their bodies."
She turned towards the two of you.
"Fighters, state your claims!"
Bane stepped forward.
"I will win!" She said, simply, then stepping back.
The crowd had quieted down, expecting more, and the silence was awkward, and Bane simply pretended she didn't notice. The elder turned to you.
-x-X-x-
So maybe you were feeling vindictive.
And maybe it wasn't towards Bane.
You turned towards the crowd, and, coincidentally, towards Fiora, who was standing just off to the side. You gave a smile, sharp and curled at the edges. Teeth bared.
"I'll be having you biting a bridle by the end of this. When I've won." You said, simply. You may have been speaking to the crowd, but you were speaking to Fiora. And it was a threat.
The message seemed to be received, too, although maybe not the way you'd wanted it to. The white-furred centaurs gave a smile off her own, bowing their heads and trotting away. You got the sense that she was trying to sway her hips like a human might, but on a Centaur, it just looked kind of awkward.
You intended to keep that promise, although not in the way she might hope. The large rack was appealing, but a shite personality meant that all those looks went down the drain.
The crowd, having heard your "threat," cheered even louder than they had for Bane, and you got the sense that many were simply here for the show, rather than the result of the fight.
It brought back some of your faith towards the centaur community, at the very least. Maybe they weren't all perverted lechers.
…
You saw one of them hold up what looked like a cardboard sign, with an image of you on it, and you were…
You glare at the centaur, turning away.
Never mind, they were definitely all perverts.
Instead, you approached the center of the ring, feeling your limbs move easily and fluidly. The spell really had worked. It was almost impressive just how much stronger you felt in that moment.
The Elder looked between the two of you.
"Are our challengers ready?" She asked, tone amused. She evidently doubted your chances as well.
You nodded, as did Bane. Neither of you was very interested in small talk at the moment. The Elder nodded before raising her hand.
"The fight will begin when the arrow lands. Stay out of the ring, or render the results of the match forfeit." She called, before being helped away by Fiora.
Near the edge of the circle, a single centaur armed with a bow stood. She raised the arrowpoint, lit ablaze with a torch, to the night sky, and after a moment of aiming, let the arrow loose.
It flew up, and up. The only way it was visible was by the streaking flame. Eventually, it reached its apex and began falling. It was much faster on the way down, and eventually, just as it was above you in the ring, you tensed.
Thud
Whoosh!
You sprang to the left, lunging with every bit of speed you had in you as Bane immediately, and at a terrifying pace, thundered through where you once were, hooves leaving gouges in the hard ground.
Turning on the spot, you located the centaur again. Instead of trying to stop completely, she'd turned her charge on a wide arc and was slowly coming back around, lining herself up again for another.
You watched as her muscles tensed, and then-
Whoosh!!!
You barely dodged once more, this time feeling one of her arms clip your clothing, as she tried to catch your dodge. Merlin she was fast. Worst yet, it wasn't the type of speed that one might expect from a raging bull.
Bane was entirely in control, and while she evidently couldn't stop on a dime, she saved herself by simply not trying to, and instead bleeding of her momentum slowly as she kept her distance.
This was already not going to plan.
Thankfully, you'd always been good at thinking on the spot. You braced yourself as she came back around. You couldn't catch her stopping, and she'd already tried to get ahold of you once, while she was charging. You didn't fancy your chances of dodging again. Bane struck you as the type that didn't make obvious mistakes.
So, instead, you had to do something outside of the box. Thankfully, the magic running through your veins made just that sort of plan possible.
You braced yourself and watched as the centaur's muscles tensed once more. She leaned forward, but before charging, spoke this time.
"You have one more chance to give up, merely because I respect the balls it takes for you to fight me like this. You will not win, so do not waste both of our time."
Gritting your teeth, you tossed a glare back.
"I'm getting real sick of people telling me what I can and cannot do." You shot back, even as you ran some quick calculations.
You could totally make it.
She leaned forward, and then-
Whoosh!!
This time, you jumped upwards.
With the strength provided from the spell, you propelled yourself high into the air, much to the shock of Bane, if her wide eyes as she passed under you were any indication. She had both arms wide, prepared to catch you on a dodge to either side.
Unlucky for her, she hadn't taken into account your third option.
Taking advantage of the moment, you reach out, grabbing onto Bane's fur clothing, and tightening your fingers as time seemed to speed up once more.
Suddenly, it was like you were trapped on an amusement park ride, one you couldn't get off of.
As the world blurred around you, the speed didn't let you cry out as you landed roughly onto the back of the centaur; the bumpy ride combined with the force of the impact, causing you to wince in pain. The following wasn't much better, and Bane kicked and flailed, trying to get you off. Unlike your prediction, she didn't seem stunned at all that you were on her back.
She was certainly embarrassed, though, if the bright red across her face was any indication. She reached back, trying to grab you, grunting.
"G-Get off! This is improper and I-I- you haven't even courted- I mean- Get off!!"
She also seemed at a lost of what to say, as she flailed about.
You found yourself beginning to slip. And most likely bruise, if the repeated impacts meant anything.
That left you one option, and you refused to feel embarrassed.
You weren't a pervert, you weren't!
You just…
Was doing what needed to be done.
You reached forward, and-
.
------------>
.
Took a firm grasp of each of Bane's breasts, accidentally mauling the flesh pillows as the movement forced you to hold on for dear life. The cry Bane let out was a mix of surprise, outrage, and what sounded like a moan.
"Nnngh! Whattt are you doiiiiingg!" She whimpered out, face red.
Thankfully, it did seem to slow her down, but after a moment of adjustment, she began bucking again, hands coming up at the same time to grab at your own.
You couldn't have that, so you did the only thing you could.
Hands sliding across her breasts, and towards her barely covered nipples, you braced yourself, locking your legs around her barrel. A moment later, you took action.
By giving both of the terrifying centaurs an erect nipple, a firm tug.
The noise she gave the second time was definitely a moan, and she stumbled when it happened, hooves missing their intended target, sending you both to the ground.
You ended up on top, and she started to right herself. You wondered what exactly you were going to do next.
-x-X-x-
Of course, the only option, the correct option, was to continue your current course; it was working, after all.
You could feel your blood pumping as you held on tight, even as she slowly raised herself to her feet. Whimpers escaped her mouth as you ruthlessly teased her chest, legs locked on her barrel as you did your best to distract the centaurs whose arms were quite literally twice the size of your own, and who were obviously quite unhappy with your course of action.
"Damn, nggh. L-let go, you little-" She cut herself off, a high-pitched whine escaping through gritted teeth as you took both nipples and tugged. Her front legs buckled, and she fell to her knees, sending you tumbling forward against the human midsection.
This was, unfortunately, not a good thing, as it put you in proper range for her to grab. A large hand came up, latching onto your wrist, and you suddenly had yourself held in place quite firmly, even as Bane displayed startling flexibility in turning around to face you, face red and a growl on her lips.
Lips…
You suddenly had a very good plan.
Fantastic, even.
Totally unlikely to backfire.
Her grip was, after all, focused on keeping you from escaping.
As Bane turned to face you, the last thing she expected, although given the predicament she probably should have, was for you to lung forward, dashing your head towards her own.
Not for a head butt, you suspected that you'd lose the battle of skulls, but rather, your target was smaller.
"MMPGH!"
As you capture Bane's lips in your own, you give her nipples another firm tweak, prompting her mouth to open slightly, and allowing you full access for a proper assault.
The camp gasped as your lips met, and you engaged the much larger centaur in a deep kiss.
Bane's grip loosened, and you took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, a hand leaving her rack to grab the back of her head and pull her back in, prompting another squeak. Exploring the other's mouth, you found it tasted vaguely of red meat and ash. It wasn't fantastic, and certainly not the best kiss you'd had. But the threat of sexual slavery made one more enthusiastic in all things, if it meant escaping it.
So you engage Bane in the deepest kiss you could, practically shoving your tongue down her throat, before finally the need for air hit you, and you pulled away, pushing away from Bane and skipping a few feet away.
You caught your breath, even as Bane did the same, panting as she slowly rose to her hooves, unsteady but determined. Her face was shadowed, and the ring was silent aside from the sounds of many bodies breathing heavily, watching the scene with great interest.
A moment passed, and then another. You braced yourself for another charge. But when Bane finally looked up.
.
----------------------->
.
You realized that maybe you'd made a mistake.
"You know…" Bane began, stepping forward. "I'd planned to just kill you, like we should've done at the start. Spare you this life. The sort of life that had my father die miserable in this tribe. I've been denying my instincts, because I didn't want to be a degenerate monster like every other fucking horse in this clearing."
There was an unhappy murmuring at the sudden insult, but none dared step over the line.
"But of course, Fiora had to step in, bitch that she is. And then you just had to do that. Now I can feel my heart pumping. My blood is hot." The word was emphasized as she took two more steps. "Now that you've done that, I'm done holding myself back. If you want to play that way, then we can play that way. I'm going to crush you, little man." Another step.
Her expression darkened, but her grin remained.
"But first, I'm going to break that fucking pelvis of yours in front of all these people. Show you what really happens when you play these sorts of games." She stomped once, and then twice, and suddenly the clearing was roaring, as the Centaur woman cheered as one. You vaguely could see Fiora looking pleased in the background. Looking as if she'd planned this. Bitch.
"Speak plainly or not at all." You said, buying yourself time to think.
Bane snorted, smiling.
"I'm going to kill you, as a mercy. But first, I'm going to fuck you. Hard."
Your mouth moved before you could properly stop yourself.
"Not if I fuck you first."
You could hear a pin drop, but after a moment.
A roar of noise.
The centaurs were cheering for you. Bane was laughing; hell, even Fiora was giggling behind a hand. They were laughing at you.
Bane's chuckles died down, but she seemed lighter than she had a moment ago.
"Tell you what, little Man. I'll cut you a deal."
You waited, eying her.
"If you manage to be the last one standing, at the end of this. Stamina-wise, I mean, I'll yield properly. No need for blood to be spilt."
"And what do you get?"
Bane just shook her head.
"Denying the tribe of you will be its own reward. You're dealing with a Centaur, boy. What you think is a lifeline is just another stone to pull you down. What hope do you have to outlast me?"
'More than you would think.' You thought, but didn't say aloud.
"I'll take it." You spit out instead. Bracing yourself. You'd dealt with the Troll; there was no way this could be worse, right?
Your mind fed you information about horses and their impressive stamina, and you realized that you might have bitten off more than you could chew.
But it was going to have to go down either way. You'd figure it out.
Bane braced herself, ducking down, and the movement seemed more dangerous than before.
"I'd suggest dodging. Unless you want this over with fast, in that case, just stay still, and you might just enjoy the ride."
That was all the warning you had before; once more, you had to dodge.
Diving down and to the left, you narrowly avoided grasping hands and prepared yourself for what was likely to be a tough fight.
-x-X-x-
Warning: Sex with a Centaur
Smack!
"Two~ I'm sorry!"
"For what?"
Smack!
"Threeeee~ For being such an uptight bitch!"
Smack!
"Four~"
The clearing was silent, except for the heavy panting of many females who were getting off to something they definitely felt they shouldn't be.
The essence of forbidden fruit.
You couldn't blame them, although even you tried to, it would be hard to get out between the grunts you were making, caveman-like, and the pace of your thrusting.
Holding onto the centaur woman's flanks, as you pistoned your hips as fast as you could, alternating between slaps to either side of the ginormous ass in front of you, and trying not to think about what would happen to your sternum if she decided to react poorly to one of them.
It hadn't happened yet, but the thought was still on your mind.
Smack!
"Fiveeeeee~ Harder Daddy~ Please punish me more~."
And then there was that.
As you took Bane from behind, the muscular woman in an ass-up face-down position, thrusting into the surprisingly tight tunnel, you reflected on the numerous pieces of information that you'd learned today, some more desirable than others.
First, your knowledge of horses, or at least Centaurs, was mildly incorrect. Apparently, their stamina was not as impressive as you thought. Quite the opposite, actually.
It'd literally taken three thrusts before the horny mare came explosively, squirting juice all over you and causing uproarious applause from her fellows. As she panted, she looked back at you, as if expecting you to be similarly winded.
Only to find that you were already gearing up for the next thrust.
She only managed to withstand three more orgasms before her legs buckled, and she was begging. What for was unclear, but she was begging all the same as you continued to take her. Her pussy was an enthusiastic speaker on the matter, spasming around you all the while you reshaped it to your own liking.
You idly wondered whether, possibly, running stamina and sexual stamina were divided in some way in a centaur's body. The question of why lingered only for a moment before it started getting into the actual mating habits of real horses, and you decided that you didn't want to know.
The second thing you learnt came after you decided to start releasing some of your frustration for Fiora onto Bane, as a proxy.
Staring at the white-haired Centaur, who was watching, yellow eyes wide, instead of that stupid squinty look she preferred, you raised a hand, and-
Smack!
-brought it down harshly onto Bane's backside, causing her back to arch dramatically, and a noise akin to a strangled squeal to leave her mouth. She looked back with wide eyes, even as her body jolted with each thrust. There was something almost shy in them, pleading.
You didn't need the encouragement to continue, and on the fifth spank, she finally started speaking in words.
"Daddy~"
Bane, apparently, had Daddy issues. Rather severe ones. You theorized it came from whatever his fate was in the tribe, and the way he'd been treated. Maybe she dreamed of him finally standing up for himself and taking control. That never happened, evidently, but it'd left the desire festering.
It was also, evidently, rather pleasurable for her, so with your eyes locked onto Fiora's, the woman's cheeks flaming red at the sudden and intense eye contact, as you took her sister in the middle of their camp, surrounded by at least a hundred other centaurs, violently, dominantly, with Bane, who you surmised was rather well known for her strength in the tribe, moaned submissively below you.
It felt good to do so, frankly, and you sped up your thrusts.
"Who's in charge here!" You snarled, the words less of a question and more a statement. One that demanded a response.
Smack!
"Aiiie~ Y-you Daddy."
You growled, grabbing the tail and pulling harshly. You gave her another swat, this one on the same cheek, causing her to jolt, a moan of masochistic pleasure escaping her.
"W-what-?"
"You stopped counting, slut, start again!" You delivered another spank, ignoring the way that, frankly, your own palms were starting to ache from the constant impacts.
"Y-yes Daddy! Sorry Daddy! O-one!"
It went on like this for a while, as you fucked Bane through orgasm after orgasm, while the entire camp watched on, blushing and horny, tails flicking back and forth, like a bunch of lecherous voyeurs. None seemed willing to cross the line, as if afraid it would break the moment, or perhaps cause you to turn on them.
The Elder, Tres, if you recalled, was slumped on the ground, having passed out after the first set of spanks. You hoped she had a heart attack.
Unfortunately, all good things, even the vindication you were getting from this, had to end, and as you picked up speed, practically hugging the humongous hindquarters in front of you, you made another snarling demand.
"Yield slut!" You growled, the pattern unchanging. Only, your words weren't met with instant capitulation, as you expected. Like you demanded.
Instead, she was shivering and looking scared of everything.
"Y-your going to leave if I y-yield." She stuttered out, looking reluctant.
Yeah, no. You were going to nip that in the bud.
"And is that your concern?" You said, putting both hands to her hips with firm slaps, before thrusting as deep as you could. The effect that it had on her was obvious, as she shuddered, eyes rolling a bit.
"I d-don't want you to go. Daddy."
You rolled your eyes. Yeah, you felt a bit bad now, but this was getting kind of weird.
"I'll come back and visit you, and only you. But only if you yield right now."
That seemed to finally get the ball moving in the right direction, and after a few more thrusts, Bane brought her head up again, eyes wild, as she came a final time.
"I-I yieeeeeld~" She slurred, as, with one final thrust, you came deep inside her, seeding the mare, before pulling out, watching your cum dribble from her quim. Satisfied, you gave that huge ass one more smack before turning towards Fiora, and where the Elder was still slumped.
"Is that enough for you?!" You yelled, more to the crowd than to Fiora. After all, the ones who decided the winner wouldn't be her, not really. "Does anyone dispute my victory. Can anyone claim that I did not win?"
There was no voice, and, with a sense of finality, you stepped out of the ring, female Centaurs parting around you with needy, desperate, but ultimately submissive eyes.
You'd proven your dominance.
Heading towards your companions, you made a gesture, and the guard cut their bonds. Charlie had a bright red blush on her face as she followed. Ruby looked dazed, and Smok just crossed her arms and nodded once, a smug, if somewhat flushed look on her face.
"Mmph, good work, servant. Exactly as planned."
There was a growl beside you, and a spear was pointed at Smok for a moment. For what, the perceived disrespect? Of you?
Experimentally, you waved a hand, and, like magic, the Centaur backed off.
This could come in useful.
But for now, you four had places to be.
The Centaur woman parted around you as you walked away from their camp. None of you said a word until you were well away from the firelight.
-x-X-x-
"So…"
You steadfastly ignored Charlie, who was walking beside you, having recovered from her mild shock, with her arms laced behind her back, leaning down to be on eye level with you, and smiling merrily.
"Thinking of going back and conquering the rest of the Centaurs, Herman? It was quite impressive."
The note in her voice told you that responding would only result in embarrassment for you, so instead you faced forward and walked, ignoring the slight ache in your limbs that came with overuse and the backlash of the enhancement spell. It wasn't terrible, but it was certainly present. You wondered whether it would go away with practice.
"Charlie, maybe we shouldn't bother 'Erman right now. He's been through an… Ordeal." Ruby said, haltingly. She had snapped out of her funk a few minutes ago, but still had trouble even mentioning what had just happened without blushing furiously and stuttering. Frankly, it felt like a miracle she could even be around you, given the blushing side-eyes she was shooting you every so often, alongside a mildly unreadable expression.
"We should be grateful he managed to win that for us. We'd have been in for a bad time if he hadn't managed to f-f-fu-fill that centaur." She amended, pausing, as a pensive look came over her face. "With how much bigger than him, she was, it's a bit of a miracle he was b-b-big enough." Her voice had a faint note of consideration, and she threw you a side eye. You ignored that as well.
Smok, on the other hand, did not.
"Isn't it obvious. My servant was always going to win; to doubt him would be to doubt myself." She placed a hand to her own chest, smirking, "I am magnificent, so of course my servants are as well. Herman is indeed at the top of his class."
That was, perhaps, the first time you'd heard her use your name in a complimentary way. It had you raising your head for just a moment to get a look at her.
"I credit myself with the achievement. Conquering a Centaur tribe is a small feather in my cap."
And there she went.
It didn't take long, at this point, for the three of you to get to the destination. That is a small building on the other side of the forest. It looked almost like a log cabin, but after Charlie tapped three times on the uppermost shingle next to the door and opened it, it became clear that it was a little bit more than that.
Given the fact that it seemed much wider on the inside. And the fact that the log cabin had what looked like an indoor pool and hot tub.
You gave Charlie a look, and she shrugged.
"Hey, the Muggles know how to do luxury, what can I say?" She grinned before pointing down a hallway.
"There's a room down there with a shower in it, feel free to use it if you want. You, well…" Her smile dimmed. "You smell a bit like you spent a few hours sweating while hugging a centaur, Herman."
At least she wasn't teasing you about it this time.
"Which I'm sure isn't new to you-"
Nevermind. You'd get her later as well.
"-but it's not exactly a subtle scent. A shower may not hurt?"
You turned away without a word, marching down the hall.
"Towels are in the closet!" Charlie called after you. You didn't respond, instead entering the room, which seemed almost similar to a high-end hotel, and shedding your clothing. Once naked, you cast as many scent-erasing and scouring charms as you could, before turning away and heading towards the restroom.
A turn of the knob had hot water raining down on you, and it felt heavenly against your sore muscles. The heat and steam helped erase the stressors of the day.
The sound, however, was just loud enough that you didn't notice the sound of the door sliding open, then closed, until it was too late.