59 Winey Ides (2/2)

Nelda shrugged.”It sounds like this Asbolus guy is only friendly when he is drunk.”

”That would be a fair comment, fair lady,” said a new and unfamiliar voice.

To the side of them, through the trees, a figure approached.He was a centaur taller than any other Nelda had seen.His beard was a glossy black as was the hair that melded into a long sleek mane falling over his body, which was brindled black and dark brown.His face seemed calm and amused, and the overall effect was a cross between a better kind of pony with an ancient philosopher.The latter suggested further by a loosely draped grey cloth he wore over the human part of his body vaguely suggestive of a toga and belted at the waist.

Nelda looked around to see her companions, barring SmithGuild who seemed quite unmoved, gaping at this new arrival.

The centaur stopped a careful distance from them, cocked his head, and looked at them.”And who is this creature who can read the centaur script. You seem familiar, and yet you are not.”

”I know it has been a while since we last met, Asbolus,” SmithGuild replied. ”But have you forgotten your near neighbor so soon?”

Asbolus's eyebrows raised in exaggerated surprise.”My dear SmithGuild, you would have to concede your aspect has changed more than might be expected for the passage or a year or two?”

”That I suppose cannot be denied.”

The centaur came closer.”And this form,” he said.”I do not know it. Did you choose it to accommodate your…”

”This is my new friend. Ah, all my new friends,” SmithGuild said hastily.”And not as such. It is a long story, and we have brought a gift of the nature that you so transparently suggest.And with it… perhaps some requests of our own.”

Asbolus nodded, looking at them each in turn.”It is an unusually diverse company that you keep, but we are all united in the enjoyment of wine.”

He turned, with a swish of a tale that easily reached the ground, and began to lead the way.

Nelda dropped back to Typho at the rear to make a hushed accounting of her prophecy priorities.From that vantage, she could watch her transformed human friends regarding Asbolus with what seemed like an initial instinct of respect.

[Well, he does seem a bit like an amphora decoration come to life—and bringing the gravitas of a hushed museum display with him.It lacks only a small arial-font label saying: note the depiction of the centaur seer Asbolus bearing up gracefully in the presence of assorted idiots.]

[Also note the human-formed gryphon who was in a real big hurry to avoid any particular association with moi.I know he didn't want to become human just to play Ken to my Barbie, but dude—don't act like I'm such a bad catch! I mean, Asbolus even called me a 'fair lady,' but I suppose that could be just out of courtesy--]

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Nelda tripped over an exposed root and faceplanted herself into the slimy clay soil.Fortunately, Typho was the only one to see it, and he silently offered a hand to help her up.

”So, tell me more about Echidna,” he said.