Ava

7 - The Atlas

“How do you know this place?” Ava asked.

“Dwarves hideouts.” Black replied, not turning to look at her.

“D-dwarves?” Ava ask for confirmation and then looked around further.

“Yes. We will be passing by their mines later.” Black said sternly before finally turning around, looking at Ava straight in her eyes. “Let me warn you. Though these place is safe for hiding from those peace keepers and dragons and for traveling underground, once we reach the mines, you should never wander around. The dwarves have placed bombs around and one explosion could crash this whole place and bury us alive. Understood?" 

He warned and Ava nodded. For the past few weeks that they’d been together, this is the first time that she heard him talk this much. Ava realized the moment he came back that Black may appear icy cold and dangerous, but in reality, he does care. Something about him warms her up.

True to his words, the mines were huge, empty and eerie. Though the trails and carts and machines there aren’t that old, it is still abandoned. Ava can’t help but feel bad about all the dwarves who used to mine there. This place was theirs. But just like all other magical creatures, they too were purged out of the comfort of their homes, hunted and then killed. And now, it happened again to the centaurs. She can’t help but blame herself. Ava turned to look at Casix who was quietly following them, occupied by his own thoughts. She wanted to talk to him for a while now but she knew the man needed time to sort out his feelings and such.

Black halted when he felt that the two creatures tailing him are getting slower and slower. And so he decided that they would stay there for a while until the two is a bit rested and ready. Besides, they are almost halfway before the tunnel’s exit. 

“Rest. You need it.” Black said coldly before creating another white flame and taking the other with him, he began walking away.

“Where are you going?” Ava asked right away.

“I’ll check if there’d be anything to eat here. You both stay and wait.” Black answered sternly, eyeing the centaur with a hard expression on his face. “Keep her safe.” 

“No need to tell me that.” Casix answered boldly. 

“Tsk.” Black scoffed before he’s gone.

“Are you okay?” Casix asked Ava as soon as they settled for a while after passing through the mines.

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?” Ava asked back and tried to catch Casix’ eyes. Then her eyes started to become teary. “I’m sorry for what happened in your village. If only you hadn’t taken us with you, then maybe that wouldn’t have happened. It’s my-“

“Stop right there, my lady.” Casix interrupted and bitterly smiled. “Like I said when you first woke up that time in our cave, we saw you coming. And all of this happened not because of you.”

“But-“

“What happened today was because of that master in the capital. The creature they call emperor of the new continent. He did all of these. Not you.” The centaur butted in, looking at Ava sincerely. “You haven’t done anything wrong. So I don’t want you thinking that what happened to my people is your fault.”

Silent tears streamed down Ava’s face and she immediately turned her back on him to wipe them.

“You don’t need to hide your eyes from me, my lady. I already saw them.” Casix commented.

Knowing that what he says is true, Ava then sat comfortably on her back and wiped her remaining tears. After fixing her eye patch, she began observing Casix.

“You can also cry out loud if you want to. I won’t judge you.” Ava commented softly and the centaur turned to her with his teary eyes.

“I still don’t understand how special you are but my father wouldn’t risk his life for nothing.” He eventually opened up.

Then he came closer and walked in front of Ava before kneeling.

“What are you doing?” Ava asked, surprised at his actions.

“I, Casix Eupeus, son of Chief Biron Eupeus, leader of the Western Centaurs, pledge my loyalty and allegiance to you my lady.” Casix declared and bowed. “I vow on my father and my people’s blood that I will keep you safe in your journey. I will protect and help you.” 

“Casix.” Ava blurted out, flabbergasted by the centaur’s words and gesture. She somehow had the gut feeling that Casix wasn’t just a centaur but she didn’t expect him to be Biron’s own son. This fact broke her heart even more.

Then the centaur reached out for a small bag tied with a cloth around his sword. Opening it, he took out a ring and presented it to Ava with his open palms. It was a silver ring with a huge round stone. 

“My father wanted me to give you this.” Casix said and took her hand after a while, putting the ring on Ava’s palm. “It’s Green Onyx. For the centaurs, it is a symbol of purity and restfulness. It has the power to relieve you of your worries, fears, tension, and stress. Its green soothing color will give you strong and positive feelings, and it will give you the mental support that you need to make the wisest decisions during times of difficulty.”

“But, why are you giving me this?” Ava said while her eyes was still focused on the ring. It was ornately blackened by age; the band was indeed an antique silver. It was as pretty especially when viewed as a whole with the green stone.

“Because it is the ‘Atlas’.” The centaur replied which caught her attention.

“Atlas?” Ava asked curiously, now facing him.

“The sole map of the New Continent.” Casix answered. “My father once told me that the ring was passed on by our ancestors. It keeps us, centaurs, on track no matter where we go. But then when the second plague came, great earthquakes shattered the continent for months. This moved and shook the ground utterly that it jumbled all the places. The north became the west, the south became the north, the east became the south and the west became the east. It took everyone’s help to rebuild the new continent. Each creature has a part, magical or non-magical, they all were united to reestablish what was once lost.”

Ava listened quietly. It was the first time that she’s ever heard of what happened in the past in this way, before the purge. It was because people she met and made friends with before were either young just like her when it all happened, afraid to speak or have died before they can do so. 

“I was still young back then and cannot really remember how it happened too.” Casix continued and gave out a small smile. “The centaurs were given the responsibility to travel across the continent and explore the ruins of the past kingdoms which has fallen. One day, whilst they’re travelling, my father noticed how the green onyx changes its color and shows him places depending on their location. That’s when he realized that the Atlas has adapted the new regions of this new continent. It has become a new map for this new world. Using this ring, they were able to reestablish the kingdoms with a bit more ease. My father says even up to this date; no one has fully explored this new continent yet and that this ring is the only map there is.”

Picking up the ring, Ava observed it closely.

“Put it on.” Casix said and she slowly did.

A flash of different places came tumbling on her mind, one by one, and that made her close her eyes. When she opened it, she looked at the gemstone and to her surprise, it looked like it was a moving cloud of green smoke. Before it slowly fades, it showed her the cave they are in.

“It’s showing me this cave.” Ava blurted out, amazed and surprised at the same time.

Casix smiled and nodded.

“But still, why did your father want me to have this precious ring?” Ava asked once again.

“Tell her that this will help her find it. She must find it. Only then will her questions be answered.” The centaur answered and Ava’s eyes widened. “Those were his exact words.”

“He knew?” Ava uttered and breathed out loudly, after unknowingly holding her breath.

Did Biron knew her?

Her parents?

How does he know about the fountain?

How does he know that I wanted to find it?

“My lady?” Casix asked but she was so occupied with her thoughts.

“I am Biron, leader of the Western Centaurs.” He introduced himself and held out his hand which Ava took.

“I apologize but I don’t wish to-“

“Disclose your name.” Biron interrupted and finished the sentence for her. “It is understandable, my lady. And I hope you continue to be that way.”

Ava then had a lot of question in her mind that she wanted to ask.

“You have to heal first and take your rest. Your queries will be answered as soon as you are doing well.” Biron stated before giving her a nod. “Rest well, my lady.”

He knows. Ava concluded and stared at the centaur in front of her.

“Casix, can you please tell me more about the things you know that happened before the purge? What else do you know? What else do you remember?” Ava adamantly demanded as she grabbed Casix’ hand. “What else is there? I think your father knows me. Don’t you know me too? Please tell me everything!”

“Hey. Are you okay?” Casix asked instead as he tightly held her hand, she was a bit shaking. “Please calm down first.”

That made Ava took several deep breaths before nodding. “Sorry.”

“I will tell you everything I know and remember, my lady.” Casix assured her and she nodded once more. “I was only three when the second plague happened. That’s why I don’t exactly remember what really happened except for what my father told me. And by the time I remembered what’s happening, the new continent was already reestablished. The centaurs may have helped out it rebuilding everything but we were not so fond of associating ourselves with other creatures. Thus, I grew up in our secluded village away from humans and other magical beings. So except for stories, I am not aware of many others." 

Ava’s heart faltered a little upon knowing that Casix didn’t know her nor her parents. However, she became more hopeful that she’ll be able to find the fountain of life with his help especially with the Atlas on her finger. 

“But though I may not know or remember that much, I knew that life was great. It was years filled with peace and prosperity. We were happy. Everyone were catered on, taken care of and treated fairly.” Casix added and made a soft chuckle. “Life was a bliss. All thanks to the dragons, half of who you are. As we all know, thanks especially the Dragon King and his wife who saved us all from the second plague. Without them, everyone should have perished. They gave all of us a second chance to live.”

Hearing those words made Ava’s heart pound wildly.

Dragon king and his wife?

“It was too bad that it didn’t last so long because of that evil master, the New Emperor.” The centaur uttered with disgust, clearly controlling his anger.

“Casix. This dragon king, who is he?” Ava asked.

The centaur’s eyebrows raised like he cannot believe that she doesn’t know who he was referring to. “Seriously? You don’t know who he is? I thought everyone on this continent knows. The great white dragon who breathes the ancient white fire." 

Ava’s face flushed with redness, a bit embarrassed that she doesn’t know. She’s a Zmeu, a half dragon, but didn’t even know anything about her kind. Then she slowly shook her head. Seeing that she really didn’t know anything, Casix sighed.

“His name is Cas-“ The centaur started when a dark shadow suddenly covered his mouth to keep him from talking. Then Black emerges afterwards, covering Casix’ mouth.

“Black.” Ava uttered, shock was an understatement. 

“Careful, centaur. You should never speak of the late dragon king’s name with your mouth.” Black warned gravely before pulling away his hand. Then he looked at him seriously before turning to meet Ava’s gaze.

“Why?” Ava asked boldly.

“A curse follows everyone who speaks of his or his wife’s name.” Black answered shortly before standing up.

“That’s ridiculous! We freely speak about him in our village and nothing happens.” Casix commented.

“That’s because you had a protective barrier concealing your precious village.” Black replied with a side glance. “But the moment you got out and took us in, the barrier faltered.”

“That’s how we were found.” Casix whispered, now fully understanding how their village was found.

“Be careful of what you speak of from now on. You are not used to the outside world, centaur.” Black cautioned seriously. Then he looked at Casix from top to bottom. “And that’s why I don’t like sheltered boys.”

Then he proceeded on creating some fire for the birds that he caught.

***