Exodus of the Centaur by Iraen

Runner Up for October 2005

Dark was the night many years in the past
When we huddled in fair Gloriana,
Our minds full of anguish and fear unsurpassed
As the Taint spread to flora and fauna.

But out of the darkness a glimmer of hope
Shone brightly in Nintoba's heart.
Before us he stood, full of courage he spoke:
"From this forest, our home, we depart."

"We strike out this evening," Nintoba decreed,
"Proud Raven has twisted to Crow.
Our children he hunts even now, we must flee.
Follow up, for to Serenwilde we go."

Murmurs of doubt now stirred through the tribe
How could we abandon this place?
But Nintoba was strong, and swore we'd survive,
For worse was the Taint that we faced.

From the wood, o'er the river and into the Moors
We followed our leader with haste.
'Cross the wide open plains with little detour,
Each hunter and colt kept the pace.

At the edge of the Moors, brave Nintoba ceased
And halted our thund'rous stampede.
To the west loomed the mountains, the sea to the east,
And an uncertain road in-between.

A shadow of darkness passed over the eyes
Of the Elder as north he surveyed.
Though a safe road it seemed, he sensed a disguise:
An illusion most foully betrayed.

His choice was the mountains, a difficult climb
But we followed him faithfully on.
Though rockslides and boulders fell time after time,
We had faith in our new home beyond.

The mighty Razines could not break our intent
And we made it through, every last one.
At the Estengare shore we began our descent,
But our troubles had only begun.

Deep waters we forded, our strong centaur folk
Sure-hooved on the rough riverbed,
But the strength of the rapids was hard for the colts
And they floundered, a moment of dread.

Nintoba turned back as the young cried aloud,
To their rescue he focused his might.
Every centaur would pass to the Wilde; he had vowed
Not a one would he lose on this flight.

Step by step he strode sure through the Estengare's run
And delivered the colts to the rest.
From the top to the bottom he carried each one
Without pause, 'til he finished his quest.

Before us now spread a broad river valley,
With green pastures lush and enticing.
'Twas tempting to linger but Nintoba'd not dally
For the rocs came, claws slashing and slicing.

We ran through the valley, the rocs in our wake,
Then abruptly we stopped in surprise.
Before us, a sight to make every heart ache:
The Serenwilde rose to the skies.

A vision so grand we had never imagined,
For what could be better than home?
But this forest was lively and we were impassioned:
'Neath these treetops we centaurs would roam.

Slowly we marched through the verdant display
And climbed to a hill, our hearts soaring.
Then southward we faced to the land far away,
Where black was the sky o'er Glomdoring.