Summons and Desummons

Having  wandered  extensively  as  a  one-eyed vagabond  years  before,  Garth  filled  in  many  gaps  on the  cartographers*  maps,  answered  many  questions and  rumors  and  stories  held  by  the  librarians.  One immediate  benefit  was  that  Garth  knew  the  lands  to the  south  of  Gish  and  the  Honeyed  Sea,  and  could  pin-point the  Green  Lands  of  the  centaurs  Helki  and Holeb.

So afternoon,  in  a  flurry  of  tears  and  hand- shaking and  hugs,  Garth  raised  his  hands,  spun  black webbing  around  the  lancer  team,  and  sent  them  home. He  had  promised  to  fetch  the  centaurs  back  in  a  week, to  see  if  they  had  indeed  found  their  homeland  and tribe,  but  Greensleeves  and  Gull  believed  they  would never  see  their  four-legged  friends  again  and  were  sad for  it.

(...)

Garth  walked  to  a  clearing  and  waved  his  hands. Gull,  Greensleeves,  Lily,  and  Rakel  with  Hammen  were there  to  watch,  along  with  many  members  of  the diminished  army.  All  hoped  to  see  Holleb  and  Helki,  if only  once  more,  and  learn  they  were  happy.

But  the  black  silky  nothingness  spun  first  one, then  two,  then  fifty  snorting,  stamping,  painted  and polished  centaurs  bearing  feathered  lances.  Two  of the  tribespeople  broke  away  immediately  and  galloped over  to  the  astonished  viewers.

Helki  and  Holleb  looked  sharp,  their  tack  and  har- ness new,  their  spears  and  armor  and  flanks  freshly painted,  their  coats  polished  a  glossy  red-brown.  They halted  and  saluted  formally,  but  grinned  as  they removed  their  helmets.

"Greensleeves,  Gull,  Lily!  Rakel,  you  most  of  all! See  what  we  bring!  We  find  our  tribe — Windseekers  of Green  Lands — and  make  much  crying  and  happiness! See  our  parents  and  brothers  and  sisters,  even.  We  tell our  adventures,  and  quest  you  follow,  how  you  make sacrifice  to  stop  wizards.  And  all  our  people — every one — wish  to  join  army!"

***

Shattered Chains, Chapter 20