The first day of travel passed without incident. About halfway through the second day we had to cross through a main road. As we got closer I 'felt' the presence of human mages, rather poorly concealed human mages I might add. Before we reached their magic range I halted the procession.
"There are human mages ahead," I told the Elder. "I don't want to worry the young ones, but they may be on the look out for 'rogue' centaurs."
The Elder paled visibly at the mention of human mages.
(Historian's note: The human mages of this era were generally arrogant, self-confident and extremely prejudiced against the non, and part, human races. They are also magically stronger than Centaur Magicians, Ogre Shamans and Dwarven Clerics. - AL)
"Perhaps if some of the Elders remain behind the others can escape unharmed?"
My opinion of the Elder was quite reversed at this point.
"No doubt you will be blessed for such selflessness, but today it is not necessary. My magic should be quite sufficient for the task. All I would like you to do is protect your people by leading them into the surrounding forest. I will create a shield around you that will act like a mirror. If they use magic to look for you all they will 'see' is trees."
"What about you?"
"Trees, and one very human minstrel."
"You aren't registered, they could arrest you!"
There have been many nasty rumors, passed onto me by the centaurs, about the treatment of unregistered travelling performers.
"If they do, keep heading east. I'll give you my map now."
I took the map out of my bag and gave it to her.
"The shields I have put on you will last for quite a while so no humans are going to see you."
"What if you are caught though? We'll have no one to speak to the Ogres on our behalf!"
"Well, if the worst should happen, they won't attack a group of females and older males."
"Very well. Be careful."
(There's a reason Elven patience is legendary. - AL)
"I will. Thank you for your concern."
I cast my own illusion spell then continued along the road, with my harp in my hands, keeping the same pace and pretending I had no idea I was being watched.
"Halt, in the King's Name!"
The King's name? That's a new one!
"Of course, Sir." I replied politely. "How may I help you?"
"What's your business on the King's road?"
"I'm a travelling performer. I play the Harp."
I held up the instrument so he could see it properly.
"How do I know you're a real music player?" he said suspiciously.
What does he think I am? A ghost?
"I could play for you, to prove that I know how."
He thought about it for a minute or two, road guards are obviously not chosen for their intelligence.
"Go on then. Play something interesting though."
See me restraining myself to mental eyerolling, he is so lucky I need to use my harp to get out of here!
I started playing a popular tune one admired and sung by lower class human males everywhere, though never in polite female company.
Gradually I started threading magic into the tune and sending it towards the mages and other guards. Once I was confident they could all hear the music I began changing it.
I think I should take a short moment to explain how some of this is done.
Elven magic is all set out according to strict spoken formulas. To cast some of the music speels all I did was translate the words to something I could play on a harp. This makes it more difficult to detect because the power is being threaded through another medium between the target and the caster.
Anyway, that is what I did in this instance. A simple sleep spell cast through harp music. Five minutes later everyone between the centaurs and myself was unconscious.
I considered borrowing a horse to get back more quickly but decided it would probably be considered insulting. So I walked back to the centaurs, the Elder was (of course!) the first one to see me.
"You are back so soon?" she exclaimed. "Were you unsuccessful?"
"On the contrary I was very successful. All you need do now is pass this road and then there is nothing between us and the border but some easily avoidable villages."
"Very well. We would be grateful if you would continue to lead us."
This seemed a great change in her attitude, I wondered if one of the others had commented on her earlier bluntness.
"I don't want you to leave us," piped Darrell, the young centaur I had befriended. "I like you and your pretty music!"
"Why thank you Darrell, I certainly had no intention of leaving you. Now we had best be moving, my magic won't work for quite so long on human mages."
So we continued, without anymore problems, until we reached the border.