Four

My head swims when I wake up. I look down at my gown and find that it is no longer the beautiful lavender it originally was. It is covered in grass stains and mud.

I sit there, leaning against a tree. I feel like crying, but I don’t. I remember last night’s events, and a feeling of frustration comes over me.

I stand up, wobbling, and mutter, “Stupid…” to myself. I look around and see that I am standing beside an extremely wide tree trunk. It’s a weeping willow, and the branches are hanging down in a circle around it, making a wall. Some go so far as to touch the water in the river in front of me.

I walk to the water, and push apart the branches. The river is glistening from the perfect morning sun. I step into it, and close my eyes. The water is cool on my feet, so I just let myself stand there.

There’s a movement to my right. My eyes snap open and I almost fall over. “Cathandra.” My mind gasps. I scramble out of the water and run for the shelter of the willow’s trunk. I am stiff with fear as the movement comes closer.

I walk around the tree trunk in hopes of escaping the Cats. It takes me a while, and by the time I’m all the way around, the movement has stopped. I look towards the river.

I scream. He screams. I scream, and he rolls his eyes. “Who are you?!” I gasp.

“No one the princess would know.” The great centaur by the river mutters.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, calming down a bit. He fixes an icy cold stare at me. “I live here.” He answers in a velvety tone, yet it cuts like a knife.

“Oh…” I sigh timidly. “Well…how did I get here, then?”

“I brought you here.” He says. I sputter in surprise and shock.

“What for?!” he now seems more dangerous to me.

“Well, let’s see…” he puts on a mocking face. “You were unconscious, and about to be killed by the Cats.” A simple explanation, but no. I can’t just accept it.

“Well,” I say with an air of dignity. “I could have fended for myself.” I look away when I say it, realizing how stupid I sound.

“Oh, but of course!” the centaur scoffs. “You’re a royal, how could anything happen to you?”

“Oh!” I glare at him. “How dare you!” suddenly, I realize how much of a pain I am being, especially to someone who’s just saved my life. I look down again. “I—I’m sorry.” I admit.

The centaur looks rather impressed. “Well…” he mutters. I look up to examine him, when he looks toward the river. His horse parts are blue-black, matching his wavy hair, which was cropped short at his ears. His massive hooves are also curtained by black hair. His tail reaches the ground. He is very tall.

After a short pause, I gather the courage to ask him “What’s your name?”

“Why would the Princess wonder?” he snaps.

“I just want to know!” my bad temper surfaces again. “I’m sorry. I want to know the name of the one who saved me.” I explain, looking ashamed. This centaur manages to intimidate me.

He sighs, in a state of indecision. Finally, he speaks in a soft baritone. “I’m Dominick.”

“Thank you, then, Dominick.” We stand in an awkward silence.

“You’re welcome.” Dominick answers.

Just then, the thundering of hooves erupts somewhere, not too far. “I—I’ve got to go.” Dominick looks determined to escape whatever is coming.

“Is it more centaurs?” I gasp, suddenly afraid.

“No.” he responds, and leaves the shelter of the willow.

“Oh, no…” I breathe.