Krolat and Carica

The Macedonian herds had a long lineage linked to Chiron, the legendary centaur who was the mentor of many human heroes like Achilles and Perseus. Carica, a palomino centauress, was his granddaughter who ruled her Pridelands as a solitary Queen for many years before Krolat’s own herd came to join them after searching for greener pastures. Carica was unimpressed by his strong stature or fierce will, having seen so many brutes come and go in her domain after she chased them away for their violence, but she was intrigued by his more gentle and compassionate nature. They both shared in a great sense of respect for the Balance of Nature and all the living things around them from the crawling ant to the leaping deer of the forests.

Surprisingly, Krolat was far more intimidated by Carica than any of his followers expected him to be. She was cunning as well as brave, and had an incredibly volatile and fickle temper. Many correctly attributed it to the unicorn blood in her veins, creatures known for their eccentric and unpredictable mannerisms. However Krolat wasn’t one to give up on a hunt so easily no matter how “large” or fearsome the quarry may be.

It took many months of awkward and fruitless attempts of flattery, affectionate gestures, and conversing before Carica finally let Krolat come hunting with her much to the surprise of both Prides. And they were hunting alone. As a test of his strength and resourcefulness, she deliberately lured a chimera into an opening to see what Krolat would do to defend himself from the creature. Though instead of charging at the heavy-set blue roan, the beast went straight for Carica. Without a second thought Krolat threw himself between the chimera and Carica, battling the beast with his bare hands before finally wrenching it’s head to the ground and promptly finished it off with his front hooves. Wide-eyed and bloodied, he stared at the defeated creature beneath him, then at a very bewildered Carica. Much to her surprise, he actually apologised profusely for stealing her kill and for needlessly hunting an animal they couldn’t consume. She blinked a few times, still in shock from almost meeting her doom, then burst into a fit of giggles and embraced him. That was all the proof she needed. They’d won each others’ hearts.

At the next Spring Festival, they became life-partners under the blessings of the High Shamans and Krolat was welcomed as the new King to serve at Carica’s side. The two Prides became one just as the two centaur leaders had done. They ruled in peace and prosperity together for decades, though not without an air of uncertainty and unease. Neither of them had an heir, and they were starting to grow old. And the centaurs started wondering if one or both of them were barren. It wasn’t for a lack of trying in their privacy  either. One night, however, things were  about to change.

Carica had a bizarre dream under the first moon of Spring. A ghostly white centauress charging through a tempestuous black ocean followed closely by a stampeding herd of wild unicorns of all colours while the waves crashed around them. The water never quite touched them as they were enveloped in a ring of pale fire. They came to a halt on the shore, motionless like marble statues. The centauress then turned to look directly at Carica with two piercing azure eyes like nazar charms, as if she  were boring into her very soul. Carica awoke with a start, breathing rapidly, heart pounding in her chest. A smile slowly formed on her lips.