Chapter 25

“He actually knows the old magic?” he asked. “Your father was right; young Mattis was lucky he still has his legs!” A new respect was forming in Tonk’s eyes. Was this really the one spoken of in legend?

“I will have to stay here a few more days to make sure you are healing properly. I hope no one else is injured before then.” Tonk got the meaning and quickly spread the word. Though there were no more incidents, many still glared at him as he passed. The day he was to leave, Tonk gathered the village before him. “My people, as many of you know, this is the Mage Tom. He has saved the Queen Ellen and spared a few others. He is in a battle against Malamon,” at this, many shouted in anger, “Tom found that Malamon had put a spell on the Queen to die with the babies when they were born. Tom prevented this and saved all three. Today he departs to resume his fight with Malamon. For this, he was made a member of the herd temporarily, but without your say, he will not stay that way. Before you say either way, I will let him speak.”

Tom stepped up, prepared to be booed or have things thrown at him. When this didn’t happen, he began. “People of the herd, I ask for nothing. I want for nothing but one thing: the ending of Malamon’s rule. Unlike many of the beings in the magical world, I will not directly kill him—I cannot. Though, as I told Malamon myself last week, there are many things worse than death that you can live through,” here many of the older centaurs snickered, “I saved the Queen because it was the right thing to do, not because I want rewards or fame. Screw that, I got enough going on without that. I just know I have to end this with Malamon, with or without you and the other magical beings in this world. I know many here do not like me. I smell like a human, I smell like a mage. I tell you now, I am both and I am neither. I also do not trust humans or mages.”

Many of the centaurs yelled at him, calling him a liar and saying he was just the same as the others. Freezing them all, the shocked looks they showed only seemed to fuel their hatred more.

“Now, as I was saying, I don’t care if you help me or not. I don’t care if you like me or not. Had I been a killer, then this village wouldn’t be here anymore. I am going to fight Malamon; I don’t have time for your petty mistrust of me. If I die, therefore, I won’t blame you or anyone else.” Looking at a shocked Tonk, Tom continued, “I am pissed off at most of the centaurs. Pray I don’t get more.” Bowing to Tonk and the Queen, Tom was about to flash out, having released the others, when Tonk handed something to Tom.

Arriving back at his home, Tom sat in his recliner. Damn, it was good to be home. Frilly flew nearby to Tom. She’d been worried about him. Though she’d been in constant contact with him, the centaurs weren’t the easiest people to get along with. Tom noticed her flying nearby and motioned her to him. “Frilly, remind me next time the centaurs want something from me not to go unless it involves life or death. I’m going to bed. I haven’t slept on anything softer than a board. I need sleep, real sleep. Wake me tomorrow morning.” Frilly stared at Tom, not believing that he was as calm as he was after the last few days and the shunning he had received at the hands of the centaurs.