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>My horse trots along at a tired pace, the day's journey having worn the old mare down

>My guide, a centaur with a jet-black coat of fur on his lower body and a hefty spear slung across his back, raises his hand signaling us to stop

>I gently pull back on the reigns and my mount stumbles to a halt

>I scan the forest, why did we stop?

>With the day coming to an end the floor of the forest is cast in dim shadows and a distant mist, the last rays of the sun shining just above the treetops

>Tall pine trees, berry bushes, and a floor of moist dirt and loose foliage fill my vision

>After having scanned every possible angle of attack I see nothing out of the ordinary

>I urge my mount into a slow walk and stop just behind my guide

>His hand is still raised and he stares intently somewhere in front of us, as if observing a distant threat

>Yet to my eyes our front appears to be nothing but low branches and a barely maintained dirt trail

>"Armon, why have we stopped?" I whisper

>His hand slowly lowers

>"Scouts. Two wolves. They smelled us then took off. The tribe will be aware of your arrival." He flatly states, speaking in the same dry monotone voice he always did

>I have to assume most centaurs speak this way, I've detected not a single identifiable emotion from the horse man since hiring him some days ago

>I squint into the distance and see nothing still

>"I believe this to be a good thing Armon. If we've encountered scouts then we must be getting close. Think we can make it there before nightfall?"

>He looks to the darkening sky and huffs

>"Doubtful. We could make it there today but we would have to travel in the dark." He retrieves the spear from his back. “I've told you how dangerous these roads can be after dark. I do not recommend it."

>I suppress a chuckle and reach behind me, fetching an oaken staff

>I raise the stout piece of walnut in front of me and look to Armon, like most residents of this land he was not used to the kind of magic that I practiced

>"I'd like to take that chance. May I?"

>His eyebrows wrinkle in confusion

>"May you what?"

>"Light the way. Like I said, I'm a mage."

>He shrugs

>"That's an odd torch, but you may."

>I give him a thankful nod and hold the staff even higher

>I think of the magical incantation for brilliant illumination and the head of my staff explodes in a bright bluish-white light

>Armon gasps in surprise and turns away, nervously pacing back and forth as he takes in the vibrant display of magic

>"Fields of thunder!" He bellows. “I've never seen a torch burning without flame before!" Armon shouts, eyes wide with wonder as he stares at the ball of light glowing from my staff

>I smirk, silently happy to have finally gotten a rise out of him

>"Like I said Armon, my magic is foreign to the people of this land. All the more reason I need to make it to the village and meet with Nella. We have much to learn from one another."

>He retakes his position in front of me

>"Mages. Druids. Strange folk. Odd inclinations." He mumbles under his breath

>With our path lit by my staff we resume the journey to the village, passing over small hills and across shallow streams

>Every now and then I'll see the glowing yellow eyes of some forest dwelling beast in the distance but I pay it no mind, if it were dangerous Armon would surely warn me

>The sky is cast in near total darkness by the time we stop again, shadows cast in inky darkness and vague shapes filling my peripheral vision as I turn my head

>Once again I have no idea why we stopped so I trot up to my guide

>But before I can ask him he opens his mouth

>"We're here. The village is just a couple hundred yards in that direction. They have a bonfire going so they must be prepared for your arrival."

>He points to somewhere off the trail and my eyes follow, spotting a dim orange glow beyond the trees

>"Thank you. I believe this is yours." I reach into one of my saddle bags and retrieve a small leather purse. I grab a few coins and hold my hand out. “Ten gold marks, as agreed."

>They fall into his waiting hand and he bows

>"Our agreement is fulfilled. I wish you luck on meeting with Nella, she is a strange beast, even among the druids."

>"You've met her?"

>"Once or twice. She keeps to herself in the forest most of the time, communing with wild beasts and talking to the land. I would try not to anger her, she is gifted with the magical arts."

>"I think I can deal with some minor spellcaster like her, I've yet to see a beast folk I could call truly magically gifted. Most are content simply knowing a healing spell or two, serving as village healers or shamans. They're barely above the common fraudster if you ask me."

>Armon shrugs

>"It is not my place to speak on matters of the mystical. Just be careful with what you show them. The folk out here are rarely exposed to magic, they may become frightened."

>"I agree. I should consult with Nella before exposing them to anything major. Wouldn't want to scare those under her care." I turn my horse towards the village. “Do you want to spend the night there Armon? You can follow me to the village."

>He sheepishly turns away with a nervous laugh

>"No, no. I…have a history with the village. It would not be good for me to make my presence known. I will make camp here then return to town tomorrow morning."

>I shrug

>"Suit yourself. Goodbye Armon."

>"Goodbye, Malik."

>I turn my horse towards the forest and begin moving towards the village, the orange glow becoming brighter as I approach

>I soon hear the loud whoops and hollers of the tribe members echo through the trees, their voices loud and guttural

>Yet as I draw closer I can't make out a single word among the cacophony

>Damn it, I should have asked Armon if these people even speak in the common tongue

>Silently cursing my lack of foresight I draw closer to the village, soon exiting the tree line and coming to the clearing the village is nestled in

>I see a number of huts and wooden cabins, all surrounding a massive bonfire in the center of the village

>The flames easily reach the height of five men, fed by entire trees worth of wood and surrounded by a circle of dancing beast folk

>They're prancing in a circle around the fire and shouting towards the sky in their strange tongue, arms held out with all their hands interlinked

>I survey the odd scene for a few moments, taking in their strange display

>What is this? A celebration? A ritual? Are they asking for help from the gods? Warding away misfortune? Preparing for a feast?

>If it's that last one I hope I'm not the one they intend on serving

>I grip my staff a little tighter and will the spell of illumination to die, my surroundings turning to darkness

>I urge my mount into a slow walk and begin closing the distance

>I stop a few dozen feet away from the fire and still they haven't noticed my presence, every single member totally focused on dancing and shouting

>I raise a hand up and shout

>"Hail!"

>As soon as my voice fills the air the entire tribe freezes, then turns around

>I grow uneasy as several dozen pairs of eyes meet me all at the same time

>I lick my dry lips and try again

>"I've come to meet with Nella! Is there a leader here I can speak to?"

>A single member of the tribe breaks from the rest and walks towards me

>From the silhouette I can tell it's a wolf, with tall, pointed ears and long muzzle

>The beast folk nears my side and I look down at them

>It's a male, on the older side, could he be some kind of tribe leader?

>"Hello, my name is Malik. I've come to see Nella."

>He cocks his head

>"Nella? Set har che coma? Kay Farth?"

>Fuck

>These guys really don't speak the common tongue

>I nod my head and speak slowly

>"Yes, Nella. I need to see Nella. She's a druid."

>"Nella! Druid!" He barks back excitedly

>Good, at least we have two terms in common

>I nod my head again

>"Yes, Nella."

>He shouts a few incomprehensible words back to the tribe and raises his hands in celebration

>The rest of the tribe screams joyously and rushes towards me, I have to keep a steady hand on the reigns to keep my mount from moving as a wave of beast folk swarm around under me

>Wolves, deer, bear, rabbit, rat, coyote, it's a wide mix of species

>They reach for my cloak and run their fingers over my boots, touching and feeling every part of me and my mount they can

>I nearly raise my staff in self-defense before the old wolf raises his voice, looking over the crowd

>He barks a few orders out and the crowd backs away

>He speaks once more and I see a curious sight emerge from the crowd

>It's a juvenile centaur with the lower half of a feral horse, like Armon, but instead of having the upper half of a human this centaur has the upper half of an equine beast folk

>So she's half feral horse, and half anthro horse

>Never did I expect to see such an odd combination out here

>The filly approaches the old wolf and they speak together in their strange tongue

>The small horse girl gallops to the fire and retrieves a torch, then returns to the old man

>He pats her on the head with a smile, then points to me

>The filly approaches cautiously

>"He says I'm to guide you to Nella's garden." She says

>I smile at her, happy to see that there's at least one person here I can communicate with

>"That's right, I'm here to meet with the druid of this village. Lead the way little horse."

>The crowd of beast folk return to their fire and resume their wild dancing and shouting as the filly and I make out way into the woods, our way lit with her flickering torch

>Growing tired of the silence I decide to make some small talk

>"So, what's your name?"

>"Freia."

>"That's a pretty name. My name is Malik."

>"Your name is ugly. Sounds strange." She responds in that same dry tone Armon talked in

>Guess they really all do sound that way

>I shrug off her comment and change the subject

>"Freia, if you don't mind me asking, are you the only person in this village who speaks in the common tongue? I couldn't understand a thing the wolf back there was saying."

>"Just me and my mom can speak it. Everyone else talks in the old way. And the wolf who greeted you earlier is our chief, our most respected elder. His name is Arin."

>"Noted. Are you the only centaur in the village? Everyone else I saw back there walked on two legs."

>"Yes, it's just me. My mother is a mare of the two-legged kind while my father was the one I inherited my lower half from. Don't ask me anything about him though, he was banished from the village soon after I was born. Something he did made my mother very angry, but she refuses to tell me what it was. Something about not being able to keep his sword in its sheath, I think. Perhaps he cut someone with it."

>It's beginning to make sense why Armon didn't want to step a single hoof in the village

>"Oh, sorry for bringing it up."

>I awkwardly face forward until her voice draws my attention downward again

>"So why are you here Malik? Have you come to help us?"

>I sigh, a rush of unpleasant memories flooding my mind

>"I've…come here on a mission of learning. I'm a member of the grand college of mages back in the capital."

>"And you came out all the way out here to meet with Nella? Why?"

>I grind my teeth as the answer pops into my mind

>The truth is, I'm a fuckup

>Failed every arcane test at the college, was tutored by every wizened old mage only for them to quit in frustration when my magical abilities failed to progress beyond a novice level, I even lit the head mage on fire with a horribly miscast fireball one time

>The only reason they didn't kick me out was because my father is a well-respected professor at the college, with his connections he was able to prevent me from being outright expelled

>Yet after the little incident with the head mage they had to get rid of me, or at least send me somewhere far away where I wouldn't bother them for a while

>Hence my journey to the ass end of the kingdom, to the land of the backwards barely civilized beast folk, to meet with a druid of dubious magical ability and 'learn' from her whatever I can before making the long journey back home

>My father tried to soften the blow, say that they were only sending me out here so I could 'find my niche', whatever the hell that means

>But I can read the room well enough to know they sent me out here to get me out of their hair

>After all, what could I possibly learn from some dried-up old druid lady? Learn how to talk to plants or something? Ha!

>I clear my head of unpleasant thoughts and turn to Freia

>"My colleagues believe Nella to be a powerful druid capable of many unknown and novel abilities. I came out here to learn what I can from her, then return to the capital to share my knowledge."

>"That she is-that she is!" She repeats with an excited whinny. “You'll learn much from Nella! She's helped our tribe through many hardships. Making sure our crops don't die during droughts, taking care of our cattle when they become sick, she even grants blessings of fertility and good health to the whole village every year!"

>"She sounds like a most powerful druid. Hopefully our meeting bears fruit." I flatly respond

>The filly chuckles slyly in response

>"What?"

>"Nothing." She blurts out. “Look Malik! Her hut is just up ahead."

>I turn forward and see Nella's home come into view, Freia's torch illuminating the small abode as we draw closer

>The hut is nestled into a small hill and made primarily of compacted dirt and dried clay, several round windows are placed haphazardly at varying heights along the outward facing wall with a single flickering candle placed behind each one

>The roof is flat and extends into the hill itself, it must be made of soil since there's short grass growing on its surface

>The door, if it could even be called that, is nothing more than a massive piece of bark, presumably stripped from one of the nearby trees and cut to a rough rectangle

>To be polite, Nella's hut could be described as 'cozy' or 'humble'

>To be impolite, it looks like a barely maintained hovel, fit only for the most destitute of beings

>It's also exactly what I expected, druids are known for being in tune with nature and that rarely means complex living spaces with any sort of modern amenity

>We approach the entrance and Freia trots forward, ripping off a piece of parchment that was pinned to the door

>"She left a note for you Malik." She says, reading the note in torchlight

>"What does it say? Is she even home right now?"

>The filly shakes her head

>"She says that she anticipated your arrival but is currently collecting nightcrawlers out in the fields. She welcomes you to her home and says that you are free to use the bed. You may also tie up your horse at any of the nearby trees, and not to worry as there are no predators nearby that could harm her."

>No nearby predators? Ya right! Me and Armon saw all manner of feral wolf and bear on the way here

>I just about roll my eyes when a realization hits me

>"That no nearby predators could harm, her?" I say to Freia

>The filly nods

>"That's what the note says. You are riding on a mare, yes?"

>Sure, anticipating that I would arrive on horseback is an easy thing to guess given the distances I'm crossing, but correctly stating the gender of my mount is a little odd

>I step down from my mount grip my staff

>"Well Freia, I believe this is where we part ways. Thank you for guiding me here and have a safe trip back to the village."

>"I hope you learn a lot from Nella, Malik. Do you need this? Nella tends to keep the interior of her home dimly lit."

>She offers me her torch but I turn it away

>"No, I can light my own way from here."

>I hold up my staff and will it to light again, my surroundings now bathed in more bluish-white light

>Freia gasps and backs away, then slowly turns toward the village

>"I should head home before mother begins to worry. Goodbye Malik."

>I wave her goodbye and she trots back to the village, her torch soon disappearing among the trees

>Funny, so far every beast folk I've shown that little light trick to has been awestruck by it

>But I doubt Nella would be so easily impressed

>It's something even the most novice of mages can do, often without any sort of instruction due to how simple it is

>It's also one of the few spells I can perform on a regular basis without screwing up

>But the reason isn't because of my own magical abilities, no, it's because of the staff

>Imbued with all manner of assistive enchantments and powerful energies it amplifies, corrects, and guides my own spells, ensuring that any spell I can at least kinda-sorta-maybe perform is casted without trouble

>I'll just have to make sure that Nella doesn't find out lest she discover how poor my own abilities are and ruin my pride

>I tie my horse up to a nearby tree and walk to the large piece of bark masquerading as a door

>I pull it open and shine my staff inside

>As soon as the light hits the interior I hear the scurry of tiny feet and spot a few pink tails run into the darkness

>She has rats in her home

>Of course

>Why wouldn't she?

>I sigh and close the door behind me, looking around at what will be my new home for the next week or two

>The inside is much like the outside, walls made of dirt or clay with a few slender supports holding the ceiling up

>The supports seem to be made of a bone like material, they must be the leftovers of some large animal

>She puts nothing to waste, that's plain as day

>A few chairs and tables line the interior, they're all made of rotting wood or scavenged material from the forest

>Like Freia said the space is dimly lit, the only light aside from my staff are the melting candles placed by the windows

>I move forward and-

>Huh

>This place goes deeper into the hill than I thought

>The entrance opens into a large hallway with paths going left and right

>I choose right and pass more tables, bookshelves, and other miscellaneous furniture as I venture deeper under the hill

>Eventually my staff lights the end of the hallway

>Against the wall is a sizable bed tucked against a corner

>The sheets are mostly clean and the cloth blanket seems to be filled with cotton, honestly it's better than I expected, and after a hard day of travel I couldn't ask for more

>I set down my pack and take off my boots, getting into bed before turning the staff off

>Surrounded by inky darkness and the smell of moss I drift off into a deep and welcome sleep