FanStory.com - A Place of Wonderby davisr (Rhonda)

Background
A fanciful tale of adventure. Phoebus, son of Poseidon, is a god turned Centaur by Zeus. Diantha, is a young lady in peril. Together, they must face an evil foe, and make some difficult choices.

End of last chapter:

“Have you ever wished you weren’t a Centaur?” Diantha asked. Her eyes fluttered expectantly at her mysterious rescuer.

Atrius flashed an enigmatic smile, expressive eyes now betraying pure pleasure.

He reared up on hind legs, his forefeet pawing the air. Magnificent muscles rippled beneath the ebony skin of his horse body, and the abdomen and arms of his human parts.

As if in one motion, he pulled a bow off his shoulder and placed an arrow from his quiver. Pointing them upward, he pushed off from the earth in a motion intense enough to shake the earth beneath his feet.

He leapt so high, Diantha had to bend her head almost 90 degrees to see him. Legs pumping, he twisted in mid-air and let loose the arrow.

A branch from the top of an oak fell to the ground at her feet, a silver arrow pierced through its tissues. Moments later, he landed with a thunderous rapport, crushing rocks beneath his hooves into powder.

The majestic Centaur stood for a moment, heaving his mighty chest and gazing at her through the eyes of countless ages. No longer her doctor, king, or any of the other titles he’d claimed, he was now the substance of legends.

“Have you ever wished you were?” he responded.

New Chapter Begins:

Diantha gazed wide-eyed at the beauty of the rocky trail. It stretched before her and Atrius in the shimmer of early morning light. It wasn't just serene in the way of many wooded trails in the early morning, but almost magical.

There were hundreds of glistening wildflowers showcasing a part of the woods that uttered a whisper of ancient secrets. There was more permeating these woods than the aroma of flowers and fragrant trees... more present than just physical beauty... more, even, than the pervasive serenity.

Were they whispering to her now? Were they telling tales of dashing warriors and gentle maidens? Were they warning her of impending danger? Whatever their messages, she felt the tangible presence of mystery.

Beside the path grew enormous trees, their magnifient branches reaching up to the sky like so many soldiers guarding the way to their precious town ahead. Diantha wondered if she would ever want to leave this land and return to a world that held only boredom and uncertainty.

Looking back over the last two days, she realized she had spent most of her time sleeping. It left her feeling rested and more at peace than she had in years. She had the sensation of being a baby wrapped in her mother's tender arms, then awakening refreshed and energized as small children do.

Her strange companion was quiet as he picked his way through the dew covered grass. She could feel the tension in the muscles of his equine back as he carried her carefully away from his home, her refuge for the last two days, and towards Concorde Valley.

"How far is it to the village?" Diantha asked.

"Not much further," Atrius answered. "As I said yesterday, the whole kingdom isn't more than a day's journey in any direction. No vast expanses like what you're used to in your world."

"Close is good. We're so spread out it takes TVs and computers to connect us. It sort of makes us lose the personal touch."

"You won't find any of those things in this valley. We send messengers to each other if we can't talk directly."

"What if you can't find someone to carry your message?"

"Then we send a letter by mail."

"Pony express?"

"Funny, no, we have what we call mailhacks. They're horse-drawn mail wagons, similar to what your civilization had about 50 or so years ago. It's a bit slow, so if you're in a hurry, you either take the time to go yourself, or find an eager youngster who wants to make money."

"I'm guessing you don't have telephones?"

"No. I thought about bringing the technology here, but I find phone lines ugly and cell phones invasive. Besides, it's hard to be a hidden valley when you're broadcasting electronic signals."

"Good point."

"So, how are you feeling this morning?" Atrius asked, changing the subject.

"I'm kind of nervous," Diantha admitted. "What if these people you're taking me to don't like me?"

Atrius glanced over his shoulder where she could see his chiding expression. "Why wouldn't they?"

Diantha shrugged. "I'm a stranger from another land. I have no money, no extra clothes, and nothing I can offer as payment for my care."

Atrius nodded in recognition of her concern. "You can earn those things once you settle in. They'll find work for you."

"But I don't know how to do much. I've never had a real job before. I'm in college to be a nurse, but haven't finished."

"We have a full-fledged hospital in the village. They can find work for you there while you continue your studies. I can even teach you some myself when I have the time."

Diantha smiled at the thought of Atrius being her instructor. At least it was a relationship of some sort.

"Do ya'll have medicine like we have back home?" she asked.

"Somewhat, but we use herbs and natural medicines as well. Since we're isolated from your world, we don't carry a lot of your diseases."

"That makes sense. I'd really would like to learn what you have to offer. Are you sure they'll accept me, though?"

Atrius chuckled. "Stop worrying. No one's treated like strangers in Concorde, not even lost waifs from Tennessee."

"But they don't know my world."

"They know sometimes people show up from outside our valley. You're not the first. The family I'm taking you to are kind and open-minded. They'll be happy to help you fit in. The father, Burke, is one of my captains, and can get in touch with me if needed."

Diantha paused in thought as they plodded along the trail. She took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. "Okay, but promise you'll come see me sometimes. You currently count as the only friend I have in this valley, apart from Champion."

"She's a good friend to have, and so am I. I won't desert you."

Diantha nodded. "And what about Champion, when will I see her again?"

"Of course. When she's well, I'll bring her to you. Remember the festival I told you we're holding this weekend? Opening day is Saturday, which is just six days away. I'll try to bring her when I come. If you decide you want to leave before then, just ask Burke to contact me."

"Ok, and I want to thank you, again, for everything you've done. I'm aware you could've just left me sitting on the ground beside the mountain."

"You're very welcome, Diantha. Please don't be afraid to give this valley a chance. If nothing else, you need time to heal and to think about your life. Take advantage of the rare opportunity you've been given by your very determined horse friend."

"And my very determined rescuer."

"That's true, too. But if you decide to go back, I'll be happy to take you. I'll not hold you prisoner."

"Will I remember this place if I go?"

Atrius shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I'm the only one that leaves and retains memory of the place."

"But I don't want to forget you, or this valley."

"Don't worry about it right now. Remember, you're on vacation."

"I remember."

"Good, now take a deep breath and close your eyes. We're about to go over the last hill before we reach Concorde Valley. It is one of the most beautiful sites in the world, and I've seen my share."

"How? I can't imagine you'd fit in too well outside this valley."

"My dear, if I wish anonymity, a person could look straight at me and never see a glimmer."

"Another power of Centaurs?"

"No, the practice of illusion. People tend to see what they expect."

"So, you're a magician, too?"

"And the layers just keep adding on, don't they?" Atrius uttered a musical laugh that tickled Diantha's soul.

Why was it she had searched for just such a man her entire life and ended up finding him in a creature she could never attain?