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gathering.”
    The bonds that held Folgoo within their tight grip seemed to melt away. Folgoo moved slightly as if to test his freedom. Shaking his head in disgust at the actions of his brother, he said to Yarg, “Come.”
    Yarg shook his head. “No, I’m leaving.”
    But as he made to move towards the boundary a few metres away from them, Folgoo said, “Don’t be foolish, Yarg. You have chosen this path, it is time to follow your destiny.”
    Muttering beneath his breath, Yarg turned back into the forest. He walked a bit faster until he was abreast with Folgoo. “What’s his name?” he whispered.
    â€œCyan,” said Folgoo.
    â€œWhat does he want?”
    â€œTo take you to the gathering.”
    â€œThe gathering?”
    â€œA tradition as old as time, when centaurs come together,” Folgoo explained.
    â€œUh, that makes sense … but why does he want me there?” queried Yarg.
    â€œThey plan on having a judging,” Folgoo replied.
    â€œWhat are they judging?” Yarg asked.
    â€œYou!” hissed Folgoo, keeping his eyes fixed before him.
    Yarg was too stunned to say another word. He walked beside Folgoo until they stopped in another small clearing, this one ringed by trees so massive that their branches meshed overhead. The woods seemed eerily still here. Fog clumped on the woodland floor, hiding the ground from sight, and twines of the delicate mist wound their way halfway up the tree trunks. The faint fingers of light that managed to penetrate the leafy canopy did little to dispel the feeling of gloom, and Yarg shivered.
    As his eyes adjusting to the dimness, Yarg spotted something within the shadows of the trees that ringed the clearing—a huge centaur standing in front of several smaller ones. The centaur leader, for he must surely be that, moved forward assertively, each measured tread bringing him closer to Folgoo. His eyes stared into Folgoo’s piercingly, watching to see his reaction.
    Folgoo nodded his head and acknowledged respectfully, “Salvetor.”
    The centaur gestured towards Yarg as he hissed in anger, “How dare you try to aid this creature without bringing him to the gathering Folgoo. You know our laws.”
    â€œFor what reason would I have brought him to you, Salvetor?”
    â€œHas he not hurt one of our own?” hissed Salvetor, his eyes once more drilling into Folgoo’s.
    â€œUnknowing is not the same as knowing,” said Folgoo cryptically.
    â€œYou Dare to defend him?”
    â€œI do not defend,” said Folgoo. “I merely explain. This one is not corrupt, as we have been led to believe. I see the potential for redemption. But he must follow his own path first.”
    Salvetor considered this for a long moment, the anger in his face gradually fading. The giant creature closed his eyes and raised his face upwards, as if seeking guidance. After what seemed like an eternity to Yarg, Salvetor lowered his head, opened his eyes and addressed Folgoo. “Then you shall accompany the troll on his journey and ensure he does what you say he can. If he cannot, then you must return him to us and we will take care of the matter.”
    â€œOnly if Nemesis orders it,” Folgoo said quietly.
    Salvetor glared at them for a moment more, considering Folgoo’s words. He nodded once in agreement, then he and his attendants faded back into the shadows of the trees.
    Folgoo dropped his head and took a deep breath.
    â€œWhy does he want me returned?” asked Yarg, a bit confused.
    â€œWe are one of the hunter factions,” he said simply before turning away and heading back towards the boundary.
    Yarg blinked in astonishment. Hunter factions were elite secret groups in the service of Nemesis. Their role was to protect the immortal realms, but they were called upon only in the direst of circumstances. It was rumoured that beings sought by them sometimes just disappeared. Pondering