Wynn stood on the hill overlooking Aeden. The city was beautiful from far away. Of course, Wynn had never been there. Centaurs were not common visitors to Aeden. She smiled at the thought of her unborn son being able to wake up to the beautiful view of the city.
Wynn was a young, cream mare with a dark mane and tail. She was the daughter of a chief of the tribe of Centaurs that lived near Aeden. As a filly, she was playful and known to often get into trouble. Now, she was calmer and more refined, like her mother had trained her to be.
She heard footsteps behind her and felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to see a large, strong stallion. His black fur shone in the sun.
“How are you feeling Wynn?” he asked.
“I am alright, Ariul…” she smiled. “It won’t be long now…”
Ariul and Wynn had met the previous summer. Ariul was an orphan and had been raised by a faun. When the two met, the chief elder, Chiron, said that their union was blessed by the gods. Now, Wynn was going to have her first son. She smiled at her mate and then looked back at the city.
“Will he be safe with the humans so close?”
“Of course… humans don’t attack Centaurs… He will be fine, Wynn.” Ariul replied. “Our son will grow big and strong and when he is older, he will find a mare to bear his child and carry on the family name.”
Wynn smiled. She nuzzled her mate and the two headed back to their cave. It was dark inside, but Wynn took solace in knowing that her mate was close by. The two lay side by side, keeping each other warm during the night.
The silence of the night was disturbed by a wail of pain from Wynn.
“Ariul! It’s happening!” She cried out.
Ariul sprung to his hooves and galloped out of the cave to the midwife’s cave. They quickly returned and, after a long amount of time, Roan was born. Wynn held her son, smoothing his black fur and stroking his blond hair. His blue eyes opened and he looked up at his mother. She smiled and then looked at her mate.
“He’s beautiful,” Wynn whispered.
“Yes he is…” Ariul responded. “And he will grow up to be a fine stallion one day… perhaps a warrior for the humans…”
Wynn smiled. Perhaps the humans would take in her son when he was old enough… after all, Chiron had been a scholar for the humans and had even fought a war for them.
The family stayed huddled in the warmth of the cave as the night grew still once more.
The next morning was a busy one for the colt. He was to be presented to Chiron to be named. Wynn and Ariul led him to the elder centaur as the little colt played with a flower that had momentarily distracted him. The flower brushed the top of his head, sprinkling its red pollen into his hair.
“Son!” Wynn exclaimed when she saw his now red streaked hair.
It was too late to clean him up again. Chiron was already waiting for them at his tent. He smiled and squinted at the little centaur. His vision was very poor so instead of seeing a small, black centaur with pale skin and blond hair that had been colored by pollen, he saw a red blur that looked like a centaur.
“I have never seen a colt that was so red as your son…” Chiron said with a smile. “His name shall be Roan…”
Wynn and Ariul looked at each other.
“I can see troubling times ahead for your son… but he shall be protected, for he was chosen by the gods… I see a bull over him and a sheep with him… his guardians in this life… Perhaps even his teachers…” Chiron said.
“Why is he chosen?” Wynn asked.
“I do not know… I just know that he is important…” Chiron said.
Wynn and Ariul looked down at their son who was currently nibbling on the flower he was once holding. This was the colt that was chosen by the gods?
The next week was when Roan was to start his education under Andrea, a very strict, older centaur. She had lost her mate years back in a storm and was still bitter from it. She held her classes in an olive grove not too far from the city. Roan joined the other young centaurs in his class. They were already talking and laughing with each other. The moment they all saw him, they could tell he was different. He wasn’t talking to anyone and he seemed to be very shy.
“Roan, take your seat next to Sassacus,” Andrea snapped.
Roan looked around to see a red colt. The colt waved his hand and Roan walked over cautiously.
“Hi! I’m Sassacus… You must be Roan.”
Roan looked down at his hooves. He nodded quickly. Sassacus cocked his head.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you talk?” He asked.
Roan shook his head.
“But everything talks!” Sassacus said.
“Settle down, students,” Andrea snapped, causing all of the young centaurs to snap to attention. “Now I want you all to introduce yourselves to the class!”
Roan’s eyes widened. Sassacus stood up.
“My name is Sassacus. I have a big brother who fights wars for the humans and a sister who lives in the city and weaves tapestries!” the colt exclaimed.
“Very good. Next.” Andrea said.
Roan looked around. He was next. But he knew he didn’t want to talk to the other foals. He shook his head.
“Roan, introduce yourself to the class.” Andrea said, growing impatient.
“He can’t speak, ma’am,” Sassacus said.
“Nonsense! All creatures can speak. Even the rocks speak at times… Now tell us who you are.”
Roan gulped and rose.
“M-m-my n-name is-s R-roan…” He stuttered. “I w-w-w-w-was ch-chosen b-by the g-g-g-g-gods-s…”
The foals erupted in laughter. Roan began to cry and ran out of the olive grove. He could still hear the taunts of the others.
“He talks funny!”
“How could he be chosen by the gods?”
“C-c-come b-b-b-back, freak!”
Roan ran all of the way to his cave, tears streaming down his cheeks. Wynn was sitting in the cave and was there to greet him.
“Roan, what’s wrong?” She asked.
“Th-th-the other f-f-f-f-foals l-laughed at m-m-m-m-me…” He sobbed.
Wynn immediately knew the problem. She sighed.
“My son… do not feel bad that they laugh… some of the greatest human scholars have stuttered…” She whispered. “You were chosen by the gods… there is nothing that those children can say or do to hurt you anymore…”
Roan looked up at her. He shook his head.
“I d-don’t w-w-w-want to g-go to s-s-sc-school any m-more…”
Wynn sighed. She held her son close.
“I know that you don’t… you know what I’ll do.. I’ll take you to see someone who can help you speak… Then you won’t have to worry about the other foals laughing at you.”
Roan smiled and nodded. Wynn took his hand.
“Follow me, for we have to go to the City.” Wynn said.
Roan followed his mother as they ran to the city in full gallop.
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