14 Fishy Prophecy (2/2)

”So, you want to know what we were doing up in the mountains.I was just telling you guard there.I was discussing the where-abouts of a unicorn horn with Echidna. It seems that she has such a treasure in her possession.” Nelda tried to sound enthusiatuc.

In unison the centauresses brows furrowed into matching frowns.

All but the BellMare who continued to look as placid as a Madonna. ”Is that so?”

BugleHead broke in. ”Oh yes, the big snake creature said Nelda could have the unicorn horn for some flying leaf.”

Now the BellMare looked somewhat amazed, but more pleased than concerned.”Is it you goal to return life to the unicorn?We would be very interested in the return of our brethren the unicorns? Or even just one of their number.”

”You're part unicorn?I thought you were more part horse?”

”Did she just call use whores?” exclaimed an appaloosa centauress with her hair in pigtails. Many heavy hooves shifted on the ground in a menacing manner. In the background a persistent centaur was still smacking a sack with a stick.

”No, no.” Nelda raised her hands. ”A horse is a creature like a unicorn but with no horn on its head.”

The BellMare waved for her followers to settle.”I have never herd of such a thing.But the world is large.And, in any case, the tales passed down by all our kind assure us that our people's descent is from the unicorn.”

”Ah, well. You would know.”

The BellMare's equanimity was slipping a good deal now; her smile now more irritated than agreeable.”And where is this flying leaf found, exactly?”

”Oh, that's found near our village,” BugleHead piped up again. ”It's all around on the mountain.”

”Interesting.”The BellMare.”I may have been over-hasty in sending world to the Gryphon.He is not the only one with an interest in you.”

[Altogether too many creatures have an interest in me of one sort or another.]

The BellMare deigned to explain: ”I believe the Gryphon has taken an interest in a prophecy that speaks of a creature such as you.I am not sure why he places such weight on it.It is a mermaid prophecy and those people are very prone to florid religiosity.”

[Mermaids.Great.] ”A prophecy?What does it say?”

”I have no notion.Centaurs have no truck with prophecy. We make our own fate. But the Gryphon is a friends of the centaurs so we are inclined to oblige him.”