"Move!" Guchugur yelled. "Get out of the way!"

The Centaurs guarding Khan Dorgar’s camp barely had any time to intercept Guchugur's furious charge. He pushed them aside and barrelled into the camp. Relief washed over his body, his horse's legs trembled and buckled, sending him careening onto the red dusty ground of the Conflagration. Nearby Centaurs, women, children and the old, rushed to his side. Guchugur barely felt their hands as they lifted him up. His mind was still in a daze as one of the guards he had toppled over ran up to him, a mixture of fury and disbelief.

"What was that all about?" The guard spluttered, unable to think of a better response. "You could have hurt me, or any of the little ones."

"Where's the rest of your herd?" The other guard asked, more composed than the second. "Over a hundred Centaurs left with you and now there's just you. What happened?"

Guchugur's heart pounded. Memories came flooding back: the stench of burning fur and flesh, the screams of those dying around him and the heat. The heat. The unimaginable heat radiating from the pillars of flame. His own wounds, such as they were, did not even enter consideration.

"Was it a Hydra Lizard?" An elderly male Centaur asked.

His horseback was stooped low, his upper half was not far behind, and his coats had more streaks of grey than brown. Why he had not been left to die, like the countless generations before him had, was a mystery. It wasn't actually a mystery, the only mystery was why Khan Dorgar had decided to change it.

"No." Guchugur shrugged them off. "Where-"

"A Rainbow Monitor?" Another asked.

"A Red Crystal Eel?" A Centaur foal asked. She bit looked at Guchugur in awe, he was supposed to be a leading example for the others, and yet he had returned in shame.

"No," Guchugur said firmly. She and the other young foals backed away, nervously stomping their front hooves. "I don't have time for this. Where is the Khan?"

"I believe he's still in his tent." The second guard said, pointing his spear towards the centre of the camp. Guchugur only then realised he was without any weapon. He would be mocked relentlessly for leaving it behind, but he still had to survive his next meeting.

Guchugur grunted and slowly walked towards the raised tent at the centre of their camp. It was impossible to miss, not only did the Khan have the first privilege to decide where to place his tent it was also the most luxurious. The tents Guchugur passed were simple but effective, a long thin piece of wood rammed deeper into the dry red soil, onto which large sails were attached which radiated outwards. Bones from giant creatures were woven along one edge for strength and stability. It was the most time consuming part of establishing a camp but also one of the few. Once they had been set up there was little else to do, apart from rolling out some blankets so their undersides were not stained by the red dirt. The Centaurs Guchugur passed looked up, resting their bodies on the rough mats, as they prepared food or maintained their weapons. Guchugur realised that their lives were rather simple, it was either that or rutting. He saw many in the throes of passion, Centaurs cared not where they copulated but even Guchugur thought it was strange with children around.

Am I going to get another chance? Probably not…Well, three of the females that came with me carried my offspring.

Guchugur glanced back towards the Qaiviel Kingdom, far beyond the horizon. He said nothing as he continued towards the Khan’s tent. Questions were thrown at him without a care for his expression, mates and friends of those that had journeyed with him but Guchugur was too deep in worry. Even one whose mate carried Guchugur’s child elicited nothing. Only when a pair of obsidian tipped spears were thrust into his face did Guchugur realise he had arrived at the Khan’s tent.

“I need to see the Khan.” Guchugur’s voice was devoid of emotion. “Now.”

The guards, some of the largest and physically strongest Centaurs in all of the Conflagration, wearing a modest set of leather armour, refused to move or even blink. Guchugur held their gaze, he hated these staring contests. It was ultimately a pointless game.

“Is that Guchugur?” A deep voice called from underneath the gigantic tent. Unlike the others drapes hung from the outside, granting the Khan and his visitors a modicum of privacy.

“It is, Khan Dorgar.” A guard said softly.

“Well let him in.” Guchugur saw a shadowy hand move behind the drapes. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

Guchugur’s legs felt cold and refused to move.

This is it. This is where I die.

Guchugur resolved himself, as best he could, and stepped past the guards. Unlike the other tents, the Khan’s had many items strewn about, things that Guchugur knew could not be made by Centaur hands. Guchugur had seen these things before, in previous Qaiviel raids; pottery, wooden furniture designed for human rears rather than the bodies of Centaurs and barrels of wine. The presence of a yellow flower emblem brought a bitter taste to Guchugur’s throat.

“Is something wrong?” A deep voice called from near the central pillar. “I sent you away with over a hundred warriors. And yet…”

Guchugur said nothing. The few meandering thoughts that he had managed to cobble together completely evaporated in the presence of the Khan. He was an impressive Centaur, not so much in size or build but in presence. His pitch-black coat, unusual for a Centaur, glinted in the faint light, along with the thin layer of hair that covered his human upper half. Many scars adorned his skin, but all were shallow and small, a testament to his skill in battle. His square and powerful jaw lay behind a thick black beard, long braids cascaded down his back.

“And yet you return by yourself.” Khan Dorgar sighed and stretched his back out, the muscles twitched under the movement. It wasn’t hard to see why he was popular with the females, not that he ever laid his hands on any other than one.

“Yes,” Guchugur said softly. He held his head low, only because he could not bear to look Dorgar in the eyes without fumbling his words.

“Well…” Dorgar sighed again. He nodded to a nearby large mat, very expensive but clean and rugged, clearly made for guests. “Why don’t you sit and tell me what happened.”

Guchugur did as he was bid. Most Khans would have yelled at him until he cracked, barely have listened to his explanation and then killed him on the spot. Either that or banishment or gelding. Guchugur did not know which was worse.

As Guchugur laid himself down, tucking his front legs neatly underneath his body, another Centaur shifted. A thin layer of cloth moved, a female Centaur poked her head through. Guchugur immediately recognised Togene, Dorgar’s wife. The Khan’s choice in a monogamous relationship baffled Guchugur and almost every Centaur he spoke with. She wasn’t ugly, that much was certain, but she wasn’t the prettiest. Sparse knots covered her pale brown coat, her tail was lopsided and stringy, while her human half would be considered thin and gangly, even the coat covering her upper half was thin and patchy, even for a female. Female Centaurs did not have the muscles of the males but she was particularly thin. Guchugur had never seen her fight before, but being Khan Dorgar’s mate she had no reason to.

“What’s happening?” Togene asked, yawning and stretching her arms out. “I thought I would be able to have a nap.”

Dorgar smiled and held her chin. They stared into each other’s eyes, both a deep blue, again something very rare amongst the Centaurs. Guchugur had not seen any Centaurs as in love as these two.

“Sorry, love.” Dorgar kissed his wife. “But something important has turned up.”

Togene winced as she rolled onto her side. “They’re just getting so restless.” She rubbed her stomach, it was so bloated that it almost reached her knees and lifted one set legs high. “The Herbalist said it would be before spring, perhaps even a few days if I’m lucky. I want to be able to run again.”

“But who’s going to take care of our foals then?” Dorgar teased. Togene stuck out her tongue as she pulled the thin sheet back over her body. Dorgar rubbed her stomach. “But I’m glad that I’m not pregnant. I have the feeling that what I’m about to be told would do none of us any good.”

Guchugur grimaced as he clasped his hands tight. “May I-”

“No,” Dorgar spoke with finality. “You will tell me what happened. Exactly as it happened.”

Guchugur winced as he recounted exactly what occurred. He dared not lie, he was certain that Dorgar would behead him if he did, while the two sat and listened in perfect silence.

“And then you ran all the way back here?” Togene gasped as she looked towards the east. “But…But it takes days to travel that far. Especially as I am now.”

“Not if you ran with everything you have,” Dorgar said softly. “Did you see any of the creatures of the Conflagration? It’s nearing dark, they should have been readying to hunt.”

“No,” Guchugur replied. “I only stopped running when I reached the camp.”

Dorgar stroked his bearded chin. “At least we know that we can make the journey in under a day. But we’d be in no state to fight.”

Only then did Guchugur become aware that his entire body was shaking. It was nothing more than a slight tremor but his hands refused to obey his thoughts to stop.

“I…I didn’t realise…” Guchugur trailed off, his trembling body in the presence of the Khan was the least of his concerns.

“It doesn’t matter.” Dorgar folded his muscular arms. “I’m surprised they threw back my generous offer.” Dorgar chuckled. “But I’m surprised that they even pretended to entertain it.”

“But over a hundred Centaurs died.” Togene’s slender fingers reached for Dorgar’s arm. “That’s terrible.”

“It is.” Dorgar held her hand. “But nothing compared to what will happen if we do not leave these lands soon.”

Guchugur was one of the few that understood what Dorgar spoke of. He looked beyond the Khan’s tent to the Conflagration. The desolate red wastes could not sustain much vegetation, and very few of those could actually bear edible fruit. To put simply there were too many Centaurs for their meagre supply of food.

Togene rubbed her stomach. “I want to raise my children in a land without having to worry about whether or not they’ll be able to eat.” Togene’s brows furrowed. “Having to cram dirty, red water into their bellies to stop the cries of hunger.”

“The lands of Qaiviel and beyond are fertile.” Behind Dorgar something moved but neither paid it any mind. “They will be able to provide for generations of Centaurs. We’ll still be warriors…” Dorgar laughed. “I wonder what they’ll think when they discover they’re going to be farmers.”

“Do you mean for us to become like them?” Guchugur asked. Dorgar’s eyes were devoid of emotion, for better or for worse. “Living in cities and tending the land, like the human peasants?”

“No.” Dorgar smiled. He looked to the source of the sound. “I have something better in mind…” A deep frown creased his face. “But…But this Mage worries me.”

“You’re worried about one man?” Togene smiled, her face full of innocence. “What can one man do against your entire Warherd?”

Guchugur knew she had heard how one man had killed over a hundred Centaurs seemingly without effort, quite the opposite in fact. During other raids on Qaiviel, Guchugur had seen how dangerous one of these human mages could be. Each commanded unnatural forces, conjuring fire, lighting and stone from the very air and flung them against the Centaurs. Guchugur shuddered as he remembered the screams of the Centaurs as their bodies were torn apart, the laughter of the mages and the soldiers heaping praise upon them.

“Quite Easily.” A soft male voice called out. “If it’s the one I’ve heard about.”

Dorgar and Togene glanced back to the source. However, it refused to reveal itself.

“I thought the lands of Qaiviel were suffering from the aftermath of a civil war,” Dorgar said, frowning again. “That they would be weak and divided. That they wouldn’t think we’d attack until the spring. There was nothing about a mage that could kill over a hundred Centaurs in one attack.”

“It’s worse than that.” The voice laughed. “My spies tell me that a Mage was instrumental in defeating the usurper king. My reports match the destructive potential.”

The voice rose up, much to Guchugur’s disgust as he watched a human crawl over the piles of precious goods, like an actual animal, knocking them over followed by brief apologies. It did nothing in Guchugur’s mind to change his opinion of humans.

But…But they did beat us back. For generations…

The human came into the light. He was a tall man, wearing loose white clothes stained with red dust, open leather sandals on his disgusting human feet, and carried a metal goblet containing a deep purple liquid. He sat next to Dorgar and rubbed his own rear. Guchugur had seen this human before but never up close. Something was off about him; the people of Qaiviel all had light skin, Guchugur had never seen the humans beyond, but this man had skin considerably darker, perhaps halfway between the light skin of Qaiviel and his own coat. Even more curious was his hair. He had seen, and killed, humans with black hair but had never seen blue hair. Patches scattered his head, one either side of his ears and another right in the centre.

“Impressive destructive potential.” The man sipped at his goblet. “Well, not so much potential, is it?”

All eyes fell on Guchugur. “No.” He said softly. “Not, it was not.”

The man clicked his tongue. “This complicates things.”

“Does it?” Togene asked. “It’s just one human?”

“And…” Again all eyes fell on Guchugur. “Who is this human?”

“This is Gustavo.” Dorgar patted and shook the man’s shoulder. “A human I am indebted to.”

Gustavo scoffed, waving down the Khan, even swatting his hand away. Guchugur had never seen something so outrageous directed at a Khan. Had Dorgar been the previous Khan, Gustavo would have been dragged across the most rugged terrain the Conflagration had to offer until he was nothing but fleshy ribbons.

“Indebted?” Gustavo laughed. “I wouldn’t call it that. But we do share an exciting history, no?”

Dorgar failed to elaborate what the man had done for him, but Guchugur knew it must have been truly incredibly, likely lifesaving, for a Centaur to willingly converse with a human. It only reinforced the powerful control Dorgar had over the Warherd. No one had touched him, if anything he appeared to be living better than most Centaurs.

“But I am worried.” Dorgar folded his arms. “If there is a mage this capable, and he’s allied with the King, then it sounds like that it’ll be impossible to take their lands. I don’t want to annihilate the Centaurs because I doubted how strong this mage is.”

“Yes…” Gustavo ran a finger around the rim of his goblet. “They are an issue-”

“They?” Dorgar asked.

“They indeed.” Gustavo smiled. “There were more than just that mage. And it sounds like most of them were there, so I’m not going to doubt it’s the same person.”

“That still doesn’t help us,” Dorgar grumbled.

And it doesn’t explain why a human is helping us.

Gustavo dismissively waved his hand. “The Mage is not an issue. There are many measures you can take against mages. They’re not as big a threat as you might think, if you’re prepared.”

“Really?” Guchugur couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “He killed everyone without swinging a weapon, barely even moving. Then there were the others-”

“It’s fine,” Gustavo spoke calmly, perhaps deliberately holding his voice flat and calm. “Even the most powerful mage can’t stop a dagger to the throat, nor survive a poisoned meal. Right?”

“I…I don’t know.” Guchugur looked to the Khan.

Dorgar slowly nodded. “I’ve met some Mages before. They’re normally not the best fighters. Usually old and frail, but still incredibly dangerous.”

“Exactly.” Gustavo drunk what liquid remained in the goblet. He frowned realising there was now nothing left. “They won’t be a problem. And don’t forget that your Warherd could easily cover the entire horizon before the border of Qaiviel. So don’t worry about them.”

“Then-”

Gustavo frowned. “But I’m more concerned about what they were doing at the border. Sure, they might have seen some of your Centaurs roaming close but that doesn’t necessitate the presence of the King and so many soldiers. Guchugur? What were they doing there? Surely you saw them doing something? Something odd for soldiers…”

Some dawned on Gustavo as he laughed before Guchugur could answer. “Let me guess. Some of the ruined walls looked a little fresher? Like they were building it further?”

“Y-Yes.” Guchugur nodded. “Some of the stone did look brighter. At least I think it did, I wasn’t paying that much attention.”

Gustavo turned to Dorgar. “Looks like you’ll have to move very soon. If the King is deciding to actually finish the wall then it’ll be extremely difficult to invade Qaiviel. If not downright impossible. Centaurs aren’t known for their siege ability-”

Something within Guchugur snapped. He didn’t know if he considered his life forfeit from his failure or that a human was seemingly Dorgar’s advisor, perhaps it was a combination of the two, but words began to flow from his mouth.

“Why would a human be helping us?” Guchugur blurted out. Togene raised her brows and glanced at Dorgar. She said nothing and allowed Guchugur to continue. “We want the humans gone from the lands beyond. Not as slaves, like how the United Empire kept our ancestors-”

“Where did you hear that?” Gustavo raised a brow. He reached behind for a small leather skin, from which he poured out more purple liquid.

“From our elders.” Guchugur remained as calm as he possibly could. “They pass on the stories of our ancestors to future generations.”

“Not that reliable.” Gustavo drunk more of the purple liquid. “Things can change from one person…” Gustavo raised his hand in apology. “Centaur, to the next, and you wouldn’t even know it. But you are right about the United Empire treating-”

“Continue,” Dorgar said softly. “Continue your thought, Guchugur.”

Guchugur didn’t know if Dorgar was trying to intimidate him to stop, offer him a way out, or genuinely wanted to know. Regardless, he continued.

“I just don’t understand why a human would help us.” Guchugur curled his fists. “It doesn’t make any sense they’d work against each other.”

Gustavo held Guchugur’s gaze, slowly his brows furrowed. “Tell me something.” The human leant forward slightly. “Do you Centaurs fight each other?”

“Yes…”

“And have you ever used the beasts of the Conflagration to your aid?” Gustavo smiled. “Never once run an opposing warherd right into the maws of some savage beasts?”

“I...” Guchugur clicked his tongue. “We did once push a small rival warherd into a nest of Hydra Lizards. Quite a few of them.”

Dorgar said nothing, Gustavo slowly nodded.

“And they killed all of them, I imagine? And how many did you lose?”

“None.”

“Then it was a good strategy-”

“So you’re using us to deal with your enemy?” Guchugur’s fists gripped even tighter, if that was possible. Even Togene looked to Gustavo in surprise.

“Well…I wouldn’t put it like that.” Gustavo smiled. “But it doesn’t mean that we can’t help each other. We want Qaiviel destroyed and you want more land.” He pointed to the near-endless plains of red dust, in the distance the giant floating rocks grew brighter for their nightly discharge. “There’s nothing like that in Qaiviel, or the lands beyond.”

“But why-”

Dorgar raised his hand. “That’s enough. We have an agreement. Things are not always simple in war, especially this one.”

Dorgar shook his head, his brows furrowed for just a moment as his eyes searched for something. Something flashed through his eyes, Guchugur was certain he saw something move over his eyes, but it was gone the next.

“E-Even…” Gorgar coughed as Togene held his hand. “Gustavo has been a great help to us. Without him, we would have lost many more of our own.”

I wonder just how much of this the other herds know. If they knew a human was advising their Khan...I wonder if they really believe it or just think it’s lies thrown against him?

“But regardless, we have extremely little time. If they are trying to build a wall that stretches between the mountains-”

“Do you think they can?” Togene asked Gustavo.

Gustavo glumly nodded. “I believe they can. With Leo, or King Leo, now in command of the entire Qaiviel Kingdom, and this mage helping him, I believe he can. It would be a truly mighty effort to get it finished before you could arrive.”

The human stroked his chin as he stared into his goblet. “Maybe not a stone wall, like a castle, but they could certainly build a dirt wall, reinforced with wood. Yes...That’s what I would do.”

“We will begin advancing on the border-”

“But the mage…” Guchugur heard the screams once again. “He said that he would destroy every Centaur that did, unless you went there alone.”

Dorgar huffed, folding his powerful arms. “If some upstart mage thinks that I would make the journey alone he is severely mistaken. Especially since it did not come from their King.”

“Just ensure that your Centaurs are well spaced.” Gustavo took another swig. “That way his magic won’t be as effective.”

“He’d still kill hundreds of us.” Guchugur lightly shook his head. “Thousands.”

“But once these mages are dead their morale will collapse. Think about it. Would you, a simple farming peasant, stand firm against warriors such as yourselves, thundering towards them knowing their mage has died.” Gustavo laughed. “I know I wouldn’t, and anyone that says they would is a liar.”

“We will advance, but carefully.” Dorgar continued. “Ensure that we take all possible measures against this mage’s magic. As much as we can...It will still take us some time to begin the march.”

“How long?” Gustavo asked.

“Several days to inform the other Warherds,” Dorgar replied. “They have stayed in their territory, there’s not enough food for all of us in one place. At least, not for long.”

“I see...I will try and arrange something.” Gustavo sighed. “But I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything. Assassinations take time, and my spies and informants are having a difficult time locating where this mage lives. Apparently, he came from the west of Qaiviel but that’s where the trail ends. Somehow he’s very good at covering his tracks.”

Dorgar nodded. “Do what you can, even if it’s just information. Everything will be useful. Now, Guchugur?”

Guchugur’s blood ran cold. He tried to compose himself for his imminent death but he knew he was doing a poor job.

“Tell the messengers to inform the other Warherds to begin. I want every possible warrior at my call. Everything. Order them to strip the lands for supplies. If everything goes well we won’t be returning to these blasted lands.”

“And if we fail?” Guchugur‘s voice was a mere whisper at the end, realising he may have spoken out of turn.

“They will understand that we will have no future if we fail. That our only chance of survival is to take Qaiviel for ourselves. Anyone that does not will become prey for the other Warherds.”

Guchugur glumly nodded. Never before had a Khan ordered something so drastic or cruel. The wars between Warherds were always bloody but it never went to such extremes. Never, at least until Dorgar became Khan.

“I...I will do so immediately.” Guchugur slowly began to rise. Dorgar did not reprimand him as he quickly left.

Guchugur quickly left the tent. He looked back only once, the three were already in a whispered discussion, one which Guchugur could not hear.

The messengers, spritely Centaurs with a love of speeding through dangerous terrain, mainly for the thrill. Nevertheless, Guchugur found himself slowing. He had not been given a note to deliver, only a verbal command. Something gnawed at the back of his head. Something about the order to strip their lands for supplies. It just didn’t sit right with him. A thought flashed through his head. Surely Dorgar wouldn’t know if everything was stripped from the land. As long as it looked like it was Dorgar wouldn’t question it.

There’s something wrong with that human. I’ve fought and killed hundreds...Something’s wrong with him. But this is all I can do? When...When did I become so caring? I lost at least four children today...Maybe…

Guchugur did not understand his feelings as he formulated the message to be delivered to the numerous Warherds.