As it transpired Salllan had not reached the city. I was some halfway along the road when I heard voices carried by the wind.
I moved closer and saw a group of rough looking men, surrounding a four legged figure, my Centaur companion.
"Oh no," I gasped quietly, creeping closer, it looked like he was still breathing and none of the men had noticed my presence, or so I thought.
A hand grabbed me roughly from behind,
"Well what have we here?"
"A lost traveller, looking for a companion," I said hopefully, I knew he wouldn't help, of course, but I needed time.
"And a mighty fine looking traveller you are too." He pushed me ahead of him,
"Look what we've got here gents," he crowed victoriously, the group of men turned and looked at me, I looked at the figure on the ground.
"Sallan," I exclaimed when I saw him closely, it looked as though this group - who were probably outlaws of some kind being so close to the border - had beaten him.
"What did you do to my friend?" I cried out, exaggerating the tone of a helpless female.
"The man-horse? He tried to stop us from relieving him of his valuables, so we had to talk him into it."
"With our clubs."
"Why you heartless, gutless...he was just an unarmed centaur!!"
"He's still an unarmed centaur," replied my captor with a vicious laugh, I lifted my free hand as if to slap him, he quickly grabbed my hand.
"Now now, play nice."
"You want nice, you shouldn't attack innocent travelers," I snapped, kicking him in the shin, he slapped me and I deliberately relaxed.
"Aww, dont faint now, we were just getting started," he protested, dropping me rather roughly on to the ground.
"Just leave her there, she'll wake up."
I smiled slightly as they turned their attention back to Sallan, who was beginning to stir, they were distracted for the few crucial minutes it took me to locate their nearby camp and supplies.
"Pardon me," I addressed the group, they turned to face me looking rather baffled, I pointed to a thickening pillar of smoke. "Are those your tents?"
Their reaction was predictable and almost instant, I jumped out of the way as they rushed back, each intent on saving his own possesions.
I knelt down next to Sallan, he was conscious but barely.
"Lora?" he whispered harshly, "thought the Ogres got you."
"You've been hanging around humans too long," I scolded. "Shouldn't believe everything you hear from them, now we need to get out of here."
"I don't think I can walk," he protested, I smiled comfortingly.
"You won't need to," I reassured him gently, "you see, my friend, there are some things about me that you don't know."
"Really like what?"
"This for example." I gathered a large amount of energy from an area near the city, but not close enough to be detected, using a technique Galeorhin had taught me I switched places with it.
Sallan stared around in shock, we were clearly not in the wilderness anymore.
"How did you...?
"Later," I scolded him, "you rest then I'll explain!"
"Lora."
"Rest," I reiterated, covering him with a blanket. "I promise not to leave."
"Good, I really want to hear this."
After Sallan dozed off, I examined his injuries and was relieved to find they weren't serious.
I settled down next to him, it was only the middle of the day but the magical transportation was wearying and I smiled at the thought of teasing Sallan about his weight, even as I dozed off to sleep.