Canto 15 The Valley Of Shen-La-Ra

From the onyx and Red Mountains of the City of Dis, the three continued their way to the mountains of Centaur’s Pass. The roads were wide enough for the Centaur’s to travel as they used the roads to bring goods to the city.

Keisha rubbed the back of her neck for the umpteenth time. Her gaze fixated on her feet that bumped into Verona.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

Verona’s brow pinched. “I’m sorry what you had to go through. The brandings were started by Monarch Guerra’s ancestors and he’s continued it till this day.”

Verona continued with shaky breath, “Elra wasn’t always like this. She was kinder before she took the throne after her father.”

Keisha tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“We go way back, but things happened. I became an appointed Legacy, and she became Monarch... we lost touch and things weren’t the same after that.”

Keisha’s face crinkled. “How come?”

Verona shrugged. “Time, I guess. There were moments it would seem like we were good again, but it wouldn’t last.”

“I see.”

The mixed range of emotions churned in her gut, but there was happiness in there.

The two walked side by side in silence. Celra sauntered over to them and grinned as her ears flickered.

Verona raised her brow at the She-Wolf. “What’s got you so happy?”

“And what has you so grumpy? Look, there’s a bit of a setback, but when doesn’t that happen? Yes, you and the Monarch have an awkward past, and she controls Keisha, but if we mope around, we’ll be dragging our feet in the mud and be as gloomy as Shades.”

Keisha nodded. “Celra’s right. I’ll continue to prove I can be a different Legacy and once I’ve shown I’m not a threat, maybe Elra will remove the branding. This shouldn’t be a setback for us, and whatever it is you two went through, the past is the past. We’re your future, Verona.” She hooked her arm through Verona’s, and Celra did the same. Despite Verona rolling her eyes, her cheeks flushed.

“You both make it impossible to feel sad, you especially,” she said, turning to Celra with a glare.

Raising Celra’s inner brows, her eyes looked larger, making a ‘sad puppy dog’ face. “How can this face be anything but happy and adorable?”

Keisha squealed. “Oh my gosh, that’s so cute!”

It wasn’t until they reached a portion of the cliff did they see two Centaur’s standing ahead. Their half-horse bodies were chestnut color and strong. One of the Centaur’s had long goldilocks curls, and the other was an older Centaur with short pepper-gray hair and beard.

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“Hi, are you two the Centaur’s from Shen-la-Ra?” Keisha asked.

The gray-haired Centaur bowed his head and placed his arm across his chest with his fist over his heart. “Aye, Monarch Elravara told us of your arrival. We’re here to escort you. I am Chiron, Duke of Shen-la-Ra, and my second-in-command.” He held out his arm to the goldilocks-haired Centaur, who also bowed.

“I am Nessus, pleased to make your acquaintance.” His melodic voice rang out.

“I’m Keisha, and these are my friends, Verona and Celra.”

He bowed to each of them. “It is a pleasure, shall we?” Chiron extended his hand toward Keisha and pulled her on his back.

Nessus followed the same gesture and helped Verona. His hand reached out for Celra, who hesitantly looked at the sun-tanned hand.

“Are you sure I can’t just walk?” Celra said nervously. “I’d rather much walk.”

Nessus’s lips pulled into a boyish grin. “I promise that you are safe. I won’t let you fall.” His red eyes twinkled like rubies, and Celra’s ears and cheeks turned rosy. She placed her hand into Nessus, and he scooped her securely on his back, keeping his hand in hers.

Verona snorted. “Drama-pup.” Though Celra did not notice as her gaze was set on Nessus.

Chiron led the way down the mountainside ridge.

The City of Dis was behind them as they entered the green pastured plains of Shen-la-Ra. The trees were spread far out, but they were far greener than the Dark Woods, and the sky looked less than dreary and gray.

They trekked across the bridge of the Plebus River as its crystalline blue waters flowed downstream.

Keisha looked behind where Nessus trotted a few paces back. Verona sat behind Celra, staring into space at the majestic plains. Nessus and Celra had a quiet discussion that spread smiles and blushes on their faces.

“You look like him.”

Keisha pulled her attention away from her friends to Chiron.

“Huh?” Keisha asked.

Chiron turned his head to the side and smiled. “Your papá, Dante Alighieri.”

She chewed on her lip. “You know him?”

He hummed with a nod. “Quite. He was witty, curious-minded, a bit reckless, but a very imaginative individual. He and Virgil were here often during their times as Shikari. Though I was not a Duke then, I remember them well.”

Keisha has a goofy grin on her face. The way Chiron spoke of her papá was with respect, and he did not seem to hold a grudge as most Natura Borne, or Demi did.

“I would love to know more about his time as a Shikari. I’m new as a Legacy, and since this is part of my history, it would be amazing to know more.”

Chiron’s brow rose in surprise. “I would be delighted to tell you a story. Centaur’s have been esteemed companions, both travelers, and guide to the Shikari.”

“Yeah, that would be amazing!” Keisha bounced with joy. Her first question had been brewing in the back of her mind since finding out her papá may be alive.

“There is one question I’ve wanted to know—my father had left home, and he left somewhere with my uncle Virgil, but he came back, and my papá didn’t. He’s in the anomaly in Perdito, and since Centaur’s travel a lot, have you heard anything?”

Chiron rubbed his beard as he thought. The sounds were of the Centaur’s hooves clip-clopping along the wooden bridge and the river's trickling.

Chiron shook his head. “I am afraid not. Not much is known about the anomaly, or even where it came from.”

“Oh.” Keisha’s face drooped, and her shoulders sagged in defeat.

The clopping faded as the bridge ended, and their hooves met soil as they crossed the border into Shen-la-Ra. The quaint villa in the distance was amass of stone, and concrete buildings close together. There were forest trees that surrounded the perimeter of the villas and vines of flowers that draped along the roofs of the homes.

Keisha’s eyes danced, and her jaw dropped, taking in the beauty and peace that transpired throughout the floral environment.

“Welcome to Shen-la-Ra— the valley of floral peace.”