The Driver and the Centaurs

Chapter 2

The Driver and the Centaurs

Mountain Girl hummed as she wound down the butter-smooth dirt road. Curving with the land and towering trees, the dancing light of the canopy guided them. Bubba and Seraph didn't need to speak to share the same thought, “This road isn't normal is it?”

Bubba thought back to the totem's glow engulfing the RV, and checked the dash again. Sure enough, several meters were still glowing green and full. He grasped the totem again, causing Seraph to facepalm. Luckily nothing happened, it simply was warm, and yet… he swore he could smell Persephone.

“Are you listening, Seph?” He asked the totem.

“Are we gonna talk about this Bubba? We're lost in Dino Narnia, even if the RV is magic I'm not so sure about our chances.” Seraphina questioned as she drove the RV.

“I don't think Seph would lead us astray. No, I think this is a gift. I always liked Isekai. So I'm going to try to enjoy it!” Bubba smirked.

“Right”, she dragged the word out, “I'm predicting you crash into depression by lunch tomorrow big guy.”

“You bet, but I'll keep trying. For both of you.” He looked at her hologram, her own vision in his glasses and the RV cameras.

“Aww big guy… Okay, let's give it our best. Hold up, I'm reading changes in humidity, temperature, and flora changes consistent with an end to the forest.”

Bubba looked out the windshield to see the day brightened by a low sun. The canopy parted as trees became more scarce, the ferns giving way to grasses and finally they broke out into a hilly plain.

“Should I launch the weather balloon to give us a video feed of our location Bubba?” Suggested Seraphina.

“Is that smoke?” He asked.

“Hm? Oh, let's clear this hill…” she said.

They drove into falling ash and a red-grey sky, reaching the summit of an incline on the impossibly smooth road. They found the sight of large burning homes. They were definitely Native in design, with painted colors and animal motifs.

“Woven Mat Longhouses. Big ones too. I didn't know they were still in use, unless this is some kind of historical reenactment or open air museum. Wait, get your binoculars out big guy!”

Bubba did as instructed, hearing the panic in Seraphina's voice. He pulled them out of his console. He could see horses, no, centaurs? He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Centaurs were fleeing the fire and clashing spears.

“Oh my…” Bubba's voice trailed off as he witnessed large, tall green humanoids fighting the centaurs. There were people not moving. There were children in the settlement hiding.

“Seraph… drop the ATV.”

“Do WHAT?! You can't be serious. We need more information Bubba! Oi! Are you listening to me?” She raged in a panic.

“There are children, Seraph. I can't just sit here and eat popcorn. Drop the ATV, I'm going in with the Eagle and crossbow. The lights and vehicle might spook them, so hopefully it won't come to that.” Bubba gathered his contraband, a modern crossbow and styled Desert Eagle.

“Bubba those things? Orcs I presume, they aren't messing around. You don't even know if the centaurs are safe. Haven't you seen any television? Read a single book? I know you have.” She crossed her arms, pissed.

Bubba gave her a glare that could cut down a redwood, “Seraph, there are children. I just can't sit here. Please, if you're worried, then help me. Or I'll run down there instead.”

“Tsk. I hate that look, but I love you big guy. If you die, I'll kill you in your next life you jack wagon.” Seraph pouted, “Fine.” The ATV attached to the back of the RV lowered with a thunk and dropped. “I'll help you through the glasses. Go kick some green, and be home by dinner mister!”

“Thank you Seraph. Let's do this!” Bubba stopped at the door, frozen again.

Persephone wouldn't lead him astray, she knew him. This was his chance to have purpose again. He shook his head and pushed open the door. Stepping into the knee high grasses he rushed to the back of Mountain Girl to hop onto his ATV. The earthy, hot wind slapped his face, reminding him of home. Ash stung his throat as his breath heaved.

“Next time you're wearing the long boots. This grass is probably a snake's wet dream.” Seraph mentioned as he leapt onto the vehicle and shoved in the keys.

One twist and the ATV roared to life. With grim resolve he gunned it to the burning village below the hill. Settled against the smooth dirt road lay a few dozen buildings made of wood and woven materials. The locals beat back flames with woven cloth and hides. A few paths ran through the village for easy travel, now with Bubba thundering through them.

Several centaurs stopped, frozen at such a strange and unfamiliar sight. They wore earthy colored textiles, and hides with beads and pearls, along with decorative designs and symbols. Some of them wore painted skin of every color.

“Just smile and wave boys.” Seraph joked in his ear, "But for real, I'll start decoding their language big guy.”

Bubba grimaced as he waved to them and continued to the village center, where the paths converged and a small clearing sat. There four remaining attackers, easily seven or more feet tall, were battling six centaurs. An orc swung a large tree stump, slamming one of the villagers several feet to the ground. The centaurs struck back with spears and arrows, bringing an orc to its knees before dispatching it.

Bubba drove straight to them, getting within a few meters before screeching to a halt on the beaten path. The orcs and centaurs both froze, unsure just what they were looking at. A man dressed in green and tan, Bubba flipped on the floodlights he had mounted and stunned them.

The giants faltered, stumbling with cries of pain. The centaurs groaned and gasped, shielding their eyes. Bubba raised his crossbow and fired between deep breaths, downing two of the orcs in quick succession. He had decided his Deagle was probably too loud for the centaurs when he saw their ears up close.

The remaining orcs swung their wooden clubs wildly as the centaurs began to circle them again. Bubba assumed they were using their ears to navigate in-between rubbing their eyes and committing to spear thrusts and arrow shots. Their language was foreign to him, but they were clearly able to fight while half blind, speaking to each other. A scream rang out to his right.

A child, and a small one at that, was limping away from an assailant. The orc swung and missed the child by mere inches. It roared in anger before continuing the pursuit. Bubba charged forward. He fumbled with his reload during his sprint, but then raised the crossbow and fired a bolt into the enemy's dominant arm. The orc groaned mid swing and dropped the large club they all seemed to have.

Luckily the child had continued towards him, hopefully understanding his intentions. The orc pressed forward again, raising its hand to swipe at the child. Bubba reached them, leaping over the child and using his crossbow to shield them.

The force of the impact knocked his breath out, but not before he used the back of his legs to scoop up the child as they went flying. Landing on his ass in a cloud of dirt and a cry from the child, Bubba raised his Deagle at the monster as it broke into a run towards them.

“Crap, wait.” his mind raced. Breathless he sat down the weapon and placed the child's own hands over its ears before he took aim again.

The stomps of the great beast shook the earth and his aim wavered. Tightening his jaw and arm he aimed for the green giant's head. A blue flash grabbed his attention, however.

Whoosh! Three spikes of ice impaled the monsters suddenly from their right, bringing it down in a loud thud.

“Huh? Ice?” his mind ran the possibilities and found none aside from, “Magic?”

A Centaur woman with painted skin stopped beside them, her footfalls grabbing his attention. The child stood and limped behind the woman. She stared down at him, arm outstretched as though channeling something.

More footfalls stormed the earth as he was surrounded. The dust settled and his breath returned in ragged gasps. Coughing he breathed in the scent of sweat and smoke. The centaurs spoke over him, enraged, the woman looked from him to her companions. They spoke more calmly, but clearly still shaken.

The child tugged on the woman's shirt, and spoke clearly despite its hurt leg. The woman snorted and lowered her arm.

Bubba realized with growing anxiety that she must have conjured the ice spikes with that arm. He looked around, past the circled villagers, and didn't see any more fires.

“Great, village secure. Now what?” He holstered his side arm and stood with effort. His fall had left throbbing pain in his tailbone and he winced while straightening out. A voice spoke more clearly from beside him.

An older man with waist long grey braids similar to his own outstretched his hand to him and this time the meaning was clear. Bubba took his hand and shook it firmly, receiving a strong grip and nod.

“Klahowya.” He said, but Bubba couldn't make heads or tails of the meaning. Bubba briefly wondered just how he could explain the language gap.

“Well big guy, I've got good news and… well news.” Seraph said in his ear.

This startled the centaurs, some took steps back and the older man gave him a stern but inquisitive brow. Perhaps they could hear the voice in his ear.

“Good news, I need it.” He wheezed, his voice and maybe language caused more puzzled looks to be sent his way.

“I've translated a chunk of their language. It's a bit of a hodge podge of several native languages. I even heard some nahuatl. They seem to have accepted that you helped. But are clearly confused as to just who and what you are, along with your things.” Seraph explained.

The older man pointed to his ear and Bubba simply nodded and did the same before grabbing his glasses to show them to the man. The man tilted his head with a raised brow.

“And the, uh, other news?” Bubba asked, his voice taut with tension.

“I think I know where we are.” Seraph said.