That evening saw us camped, in the Southern Wildlands of Sandar, and myself under the intense scrutiny of both Sallan and Karlina.
I sighed, and looked at Sallan who immediately looked away.
"I don't bite," I exclaimed irritably, "whatever it is just say it!"
"Alright, how did you do it?"
"what did she do?" asked Karlina.
"Moved the pair of us from half way to the border to the outskirts of the city!"
"How?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"The same thing you do, Sallan," I replied knowingly.
"Lora, don't play games. Why didn't you tell me you were a mage like me?"
"I'm not a mage 'like you' Sallan," I corrected him gently, "but I suppose I am a Mage."
"You're not like the other human mages though, or they would have recognised you."
"Well, I suppose that would be because I'm not a human." I spoke quietly, as though it would somehow make a difference to his reaction.
It didn't, the pair of them gaped at me for several minutes.
"well what the hell are you then?" Karlina burst out.
"Not that it matters," added Sallan sincerely.
"I'm an Elf."
"I don't believe, you're way too...too..." he stopped talking briefly.
"Human?" suggested Karlina.
"Friendly," corrected Sallan, "not at all like the others I've met."
"And what are you doing wandering so far from the Trade camps!"
"Yes I heard, and have been told by the Elves, that they never leave the camps!"
"I'm an exile," I admitted carefully.
"Like me," said Sallan.
"what?" I replied in astonishment, I knew there weren't many centaurs in Sandar, Kalthar, and Fasthar, but it never occured to me that there was any reason other than their general dislike of humans.
"I have been exiled from the plains, on pain of death."
"As am I, because I followed him," added Karlina.
"That is a story I would like to hear, will you share it?"
"Yes," agreed Sallan, "but afterwards you will share yours with us?"
"Agreed."
"Very well," began Sallan, "first of all, you must understand that Karlina, myself and any other Centaur you meet outside the plains - who isn't a Trader, are not typical Centaurs. We are musicians, performers, artists, entertainers of all kinds. We are creative, we are different, we are not acceptable to the scholars and historians that form the majority of our people."
"That explains a lot," I agreed, "but why wasn't Karlina with you?"
"When I was a young man, I travelled with my parents who were traders. On one of our trips, I sneaked away, as adolescents do and met the man who would become my teacher...