Centaur Love Ch. 11

"I can't speak for the Elves, but I know their Eldar has already decided, to follow this General. He is the best choice to lead both armies. The High King has given the both Nations, Centaur and Elven the best field Marshal it can. So quit bickering about who is going to lead this combined army and decide if you want to form an alliance with the elves. I know which way I am going to vote. They offer us resources that the centaur nation lacks. Ground troops and a mage corps. With just these two additions, this war could be over sooner with less loss of life to both nations. And in war, it's the job of the army to make the other army bleed, not yours."

Mathew turned looking at all the Herd Masters, "Think not of your pride, but of your herd. They follow you because they believe you are wise and have the Herds best interests in heart."

Mathew sat down. No one said anything for a few moments.

< Sorry had to admonish the Herd Masters. I am scared to have two apprentices at once. Also, having Rebecca join our herd. What do I do? >

"I say we take a vote, those in favor of forming an alliance with elves say 'aye,' those who oppose say 'nay'."

Mathew stood, "Aye."

"Aye."

"Aye."

Mathew counted the Aye's, but he didn't have to. No one opposed joining with the elves. "Ambassador Goldenroot, please inform your Eldar that all the Herd Masters of Midvale agree to join the alliance. Now the question, Ambassador, what do we do now?"

Mathew mentally heard Zane announce to the Elven Nation that the Centaur Nation whole heartily agreed to join with them to destroy the Goblin army. Mathew felt the Eldar pull Zane into a small closed off spot, a private pocket inside the Heritage. Clan Master Benton looked at Ambassador Goldenroot.

Mathew spoke up, "The elves can converse over great distances. It is a form of a joined Clairvoyance spell. Ambassador Goldenroot is talking to Eldar ReLanna."

< Nothing to fear my Stallion. Inform Herd Master Anderson that Rebecca Drewsdaughter has been confirmed, as a mage. Then inform him that she wishes to join your herd. She is of age and majority, so it should not be a problem. >

< Does she even want to join my Herd? >

Mathew sat there in thought. He was now responsible for someone else in his herd. He looked up at Sir Fellis, who was quietly talking to Herd Master Dover. He wished he could talk to him. 'Two apprentices', he thought. Was he ready to take on that kind of challenge? He needed another trainer box and magic books. He hasn't even gotten time to go through the Elven one Master Sexitorius gave him. He needed two more. Mathew closed his eyes and thought.

< Yes, she is so excited. You do not know how badly she wants to join 'your' Herd. >

"Clan Master, and Herd Masters, I have spoken with my Eldar, She has consulted with her general and she wished to send an aid to Clan Master Benton, who can communicate with General Silverbranch's aids to start the flow of information. General Fellis, she also wishes to send you an aid so all three of you can communicate instantaneously."

Clan Master Benton nodded, "Did you inform your Eldar that a small segment broke off from the main army and is marching their way?"

"Yes, Clan Master, and she thanks you for that information. That is why she would like to send you an aid so information could be shared any time."

He nodded yes. Then looked at Sir Fellis, "Well General, what do you plan to do?"

"Well Clan Master, I think we need to go over your plans for the defense of centaur nation, and what troops and supplies you have available. Then I need to get with your Elvin counterpart and do the same. Then depending on where this Goblin army is, we will make our plans."

"Fair enough, does anyone else have something to add?"

"Then I will call another meeting in a few days after Herd Master Fellis has reviewed ours and our allies' situation. Then this meeting is at a close. Enjoy your day, Herd Masters."

Mathew stood and walked over to Sir Fellis, "A moment of your time Sir?"

Johnathon nodded and took a few steps from the group. Mathew explained about Felicia asking him to test Rebecca Drewsdaughter yesterday. And Felicia retesting her this morning. "Sir, she has re-genitive klatha, making her a potential mage."

Sir Fellis nodded yes, "And you want to bring her into your Herd?"

"Yes Sir, but I am not sure if there is a procedure?"

Johnathon laughed, "No son." Looking up, he yelled, "Barret a moment of your time."

Herd Master Anderson walked over, looking at Mathew, then Johnathon. "Your cousin Rebecca, my daughter's friend," Johnathon asked, "is she promised to a herd or craft?"

Herd Master Anderson shook his head no, "None will take her."

Johnathon nodded at Mathew. Mathew explained about testing her yesterday and Felicia testing her this morning.

"So you want her for your herd?"

Mathew nodded yes, "Yes Herd Master Anderson."

Herd Master Anderson stared at Mathew, "This is good. Life has been rough for Rebecca Lynn. Now to find out she is a mage, this will make her parents happy. They have asked about moving to Western Hills and taking over one of the wine vineyards. With Rebecca in your herd, they can move without a heavy conscious. And Felicia will gain a sister mare her same size. A Herd Master with two mates is a busy Herd Master."

"Huh?"

Johnathon and Herd Master Anderson laughed.

"Two mates? I already have a mate?"

Herd Master Anderson looked at Mathew. Johnathon spoke up, "Herd Master Lindrose, are you asking for Rebecca to be attached to your herd. She is an unattached mare in her majority. You are not asking for a second mate."

"What? Are you saying that any mare who joins my Herd becomes my mate too?"

Herd Master Anderson frowned, then with some heat he asked, "You don't want Rebecca as a mate?"

Mathew opened and closed his mouth a few times until Johnathon started laughing. When he got himself under control he said, "Peace Barret. Young Mathew here grew up next to a centaur community, not in it. So some things like asking my permission first to walk with my daughter had escaped him. Mathew Rebecca is an unattached mare, 'And' in her majority. What 'unattached means, she hasn't pursued a mate, or chosen one. In her 'majority' means, she is old enough to refuse your request for her to join your Herd."

"Most of the time when a Stallion asks for a mare that is unattached and her majority, means that they talked and are agreeable that she would join his herd if he is a herd Master, or form a sub herd under his Herd Master as a mated pair. Now all Stallions can have multiple mates in his herd. It's not uncommon, among the Herds. When you are asking for a mare or stallion to be added to your herd as a student mage, you ask the Herd Master to release claim and attach that centaur to your herd."

Mathew nodded yes.

"Have you talked to Rebecca Lynn, Herd Master Lindrose to know her desires?" Herd Master Anderson asked.

Mathew grinned, not about joining my Herd, directly. She is with my mate this morning and after finding out she has the potential, she told my mate that she wants to 'join' my Herd."

"Are you sure she said join, not attached?"

Mathew held up a hand, < Love, Rebecca said join, not attached? >

< Yes, join. Sister mates. Why, you dislike her? You do not want her as a second mate? >

Aw shit, Mathew thought, < No just getting clarification. >

< Are you asking Herd Master Anderson? >

< Yes, just making sure she wants to 'join' my Herd, and not just be attached to it. >

< No love, she says she wants to 'join' it as your second mate. >

< Oh! >

Mathew opened his eyes, then nodded yes, "Felicia says she explicitly says join."

Johnathon laughed, "Congratulations son, two mates."

Mathew had a sinking feeling, as Herd Master Anderson smiled, "Congratulation's son, you have made Herd Anderson proud. This is good, she has found a mate her size. Burden of care is lifted from her parents. I will talk to Drew and Shawnee tonight, along with Rebecca Lynn. If they agree, we will come after supper to put her hand in yours."

Johnathon nodded, I will have refreshments prepared, and we invite your herd to witness." Then seeing Clan Master Benton's nod. "Herd Master's Anderson, Lindrose, I will see you both this evening."

Herd Master Anderson stuck out his hand, "until this evening Herd Master Lindrose."

"Until this evening, Herd Master Anderson."

Mathew made his way over to Zane, "Do you know if you have plans tomorrow for three or four hours?"

"Not that I am aware of, you thinking of testing the colts tomorrow?"

"Yes, but I was going to stop by the apothecary and see if they need more Dragon Claw powder and talk to him about using his store front as a place to test the colts."

"Where is this apothecary at?"

"The main road and Fifth Street."

"CV me in the morning and I will ask Clan Master Benton to send out town criers."

"Great, you coming to dinner tonight?"

"I don't know it depends on how long this meeting will last with Benton and Fellis. I am their only link to the elven nation until the Silverbranches aids show up."

Mathew nodded, "Well hopefully we will see you tonight, if not will CV in the morning."

Mathew went and pulled his mare out and mounted up. The ride over to the apothecary was nice when several centaurs nodded his way saying morning Herd Master. Mathew smiled as spied Dustin's apothecary. His family had been dealing with Dustin's for four generations now. It took no time to arrange the sale of all five jars of Dragon Claw. Mathew did not push for a higher price but traded on the going rate for use of the shop's front porch to test the colts for magic.

He kicked the mare into a canter, hoping Rebecca was still there with Felicia. He rode up to the barn with thoughts of putting his mare in the pen and unsaddling her later, but Tarn walked over and took her reins. "Are you done with her for the day?"

Mathew was lost in a thought and shook his head at Tarn, "Huh?"

Tarn laughed, "Something on your mind, oh mighty wizard?"

"Uh, ya," He replied dismounting, He looked up at Tarn, "As crazy as this sounds, I think I just inherited a second mate."

Tarn was unloosing the mare's reins, He froze and looked at Mathew. "You inherited another mate? How do you inherit a second mate?"

Mathew explained about testing Rebecca Drewsdaughter yesterday and Felicia retesting her this morning. "Then Felicia asked me to ask Rebecca's Herd Master, Herd Master Anderson, that she join my herd."

"Wait, is she old enough?"

"I was told she was unattached and in majority."

"And Felicia, had you ask for her to join, not just be attached to your herd?"

Mathew nodded yes.

"By the seven gods, little brother. Mated less than a month, a herd Master for two days, and you're already adding another mate to your herd. You sure work fast." Then he grinned, "Now Rullis and I will have to find a way, to peak in your windows some night."

Tarn looked down at Mathew. He didn't laugh at his joke. "What? You didn't want a second mate, or second wife?"

Mathew looked up at him, "Its..., well, humans don't take two wives, Tarn."

"That doesn't matter anymore, little brother, you are no longer a human. You are a centaur, Herd Master. You have a centaur ma..., wife. Learn to be a centaur."

Mathew nodded his head.

"And think about this, Mathew. Rebecca Drewsdaughter has HGDM. If you don't take her as a mate, and only have her attached to your herd, she will never have a mate. You, my little brother, are her only chance at finding love."

"But what if she doesn't like me, hell Tarn, we just met yesterday!"

"You said she was in her majority, Mat. That means she is an adult in a centaur society, capable of making her own decisions. She knows what she is agreeing to. Just like my little sister, she knew no full sized centaurs would not have her. That she found you is amazing enough. With the stigmata surrounding a human, centaur love affair. But I see the way my sister loves you. The way she laughs and smiles with you in her life. She is the happiest I have ever seen. Now she wants to share that happiness with her friend."

"Don't worry over it Mat, besides, having two mates is like making love to tits. You can only lick and suck on one at a time. But you can stick your face in between and enjoy both of them."

Mathew nodded and laughed at Tarns logic. "That's true."

Tarn heard the laugh and knew he was better. "Go talk to your prospective mate. I saw her this morning hanging with Felicia." He pulled the mare over to the hitching rail and tied the leads.

"I can unsaddle my own horse, Tarn."

"Nope, I am playing stable boy for the next five days, remember?"

"Maybe not, I talked to your father this morning. I told him it was not a big deal."

"Thank you, but he was right, I should have checked the barrel, more thoroughly."

"Bet you won't make that mistake again."

"Nope, now get out of here, I have a date with your mare and a brush."

Mathew laughed and turned to leave saying, "If she winds up pregnant, you're raising the colt."

Mathew could hear Tarn laughing as he walked towards his tiny, bunk house. He tried the door, but it was locked. He jiggled the handle several times, nothing. He banged on the door yelling, "Felicia it's me, unlock the door please!" Mathew heard someone open the door to the fourth tiny longhouse, turning as Felicia stuck her head out.

"No, it's not locked."

Mathew walked over, turning his head to look at middle one and the one Felicia was currently in. Felicia laughed and leaned up and kissed him. "Aunt Joyce insisted we move into this one, with the change in your situation." Felicia pulled him in.

This longhouse was slightly bigger with two and half-double stalls, or two double stalls and a single. Mathew looked around, all of their stuff was here and neatly packed away in the single stall. Felicia turned him to face her as she started unbuckling his armor.

"Did Rebecca already go home?"

Felicia shook her head, "This is her home now. She's part of your Herd now. But no, she is up with Aunt Jocelynn and the ladies' group. I imagine she's getting a crash course in her mare finishing school." Then she laughed, "Which is going to shock Rebecca when we get to our home since you also insist about helping with the cooking and cleaning."

Mathew grinned, "I could stop if that upsets you?"

"No," Felicia said. "That makes living with you special. A human, slash centaur household." Felicia removed his arm and pauldron armor. She walked over and set it on stalls rails, opposite of hers. He noticed that his sleeping pad was already set up in the center double stall. Felicia came back and knelt down to unbuckle his leg armor. Felicia pulled his boots off then his leg armor.

With the armor's weight off of his hips, he felt better. He walked over to the corner where someone had thoughtfully brought in a lounge chair from outside. He sat down to relax.

"You are home earlier than I expected. Did the war meeting go ok?"

"Yes," Mathew said as Felicia walked over and stood next to a high wall shelf. She had a large cup of tea. "There wasn't much that needed deciding on, The Herd Masters agreed to join into an alliance with the elven nation. Now it is all up to your father. He stayed behind to get an update of troops and supplies. Zane is there to talk with Benton's counterpart, a General Silverbranch. They are going to send a couple of aids so they can share information through the Elven Heritage with each other."

The Tea pot started whistling, Felicia went over and made Mathew a cup of tea in a normal sized human mug. As she came back, she saw him just staring at the sleeping stalls. She set it on the wide arm of the lounger. "Mathew are you upset that Rebecca is joining our herd?"

Mathew looked up at her for a few moments. "No, not at all..., well not upset, more like scared." Then he thought for a second, "No not scared, more nervous than anything."

"What are you nervous about, love? You said Herd Master Anderson is happy about it, Rebecca knows it will thrill her parents. And having her as a sister mate would be a dream come true of mine."

Mathew nodded, yes I know its...," He waved his hand trying to say what was bothering him.

Felicia knelt and set his teacup on the ground and took his hand, "What is it, love?"

"It's, it's...,"

Felicia saw he was still staring at their sleeping stalls. "Is it you don't find Rebecca attractive?"

"No, it's not that Felicia, She is beautiful. Its...,"

Felicia smiled and reached up and touched his head. She felt his whirling thoughts through their shared farm link. She opened herself to him as Mathew opened his. She read his thoughts and feelings. She felt his anxiety and concerns. She felt why he was anxious.

Mathew felt her surprise at his feelings. Then he felt her love and understanding.

Felicia smiled; she reached down and turned his head to look at her. "So what you're feeling and nervous about, is a human thing Mathew. You did not grow up in a centaur household. So some parts are still a mystery to you. Growing up, I have often seen and heard my parents making love. It is part of a longhouse environment. What you are feeling is a human hang up. It is ok to make love to your mate in a full longhouse. You need to learn to let that part of your humanity go."

"When Rebecca moves into our longhouse, she will be family and my sister mate, she knows we are going to have to share you. And that means taking turns making love to you. Yes, she might be there when we make love Mathew, just as I will when you two make love sometimes. That is what you are finding difficult. Don't worry Love, it is a shared love, a special love between all three of us now, do not be embarrassed to be seen making love to your mates. It is all part of a natural life in a centaur community."

"Another thing I heard or felt deep down in your mind, is you feel I might not love you as much if you make love to Rebecca in front of me? That is the furthest from the truth, Mathew. I already know you love me. I feel that through our link. In time, you will feel the same for Rebecca, and when she learns how to use her link, she will feel that love between you two. Growing up, I knew, I might have a sister mate. It is a centaur thing, and something you will need to get used to."

Mathew reached down for his teacup and took a big drink of the lukewarm tea to wet his dry throat. "I still feel nervous about her. Hell! I know nothing about her, and visa-versa. What if she doesn't find me attractive?"

Felicia laughed, "You do not have to worry and that account love. Ever since meeting you yesterday, you have been all she has talked about."

Mathew looked over at Felicia in disbelief.

Felicia smiled, "Remember love, a full size stallion is too big for a mare with HGDM." Felicia put her hand on his crotch, and gave it a squeeze. "You are the first person, or stallion, that she has met that would fit her in that way. She has been so excited thinking about it. To meet a stallion that she could have sex with, and to finding out the following day that he asked to have her 'join' his herd. If she wasn't in heat, she is now."

Mathew blushed, "Felicia! Don't you think we should wait a little and get to know each other before we think about having sex?"

Felicia laughed, "You can think that love, but to a young centaur full of raging hormones who can't even pleasure herself, then meet a stallion that could..., you, my love are in for a long night ahead of you. Seeing Mathew blush and look down, trying to hide himself. "I can sleep in an open stall at the main longhouse if that will make you more comfortable."