Centaur Tribe

"Belenus, please grant it life and vitality."

A trace of golden blood flowed from Kano's wrist, sketching Ogham runes across the ground.

"Arianrhod, please heal the wounds of the pure."

The little unicorn's breathing grew increasingly labored. Kano circled it, scattering his blood until it gradually formed a ring.

"Cernunnos, please watch over your kin."

Kano's blood formed a magic circle on the ground, its interior filled with a densely written prayer in Ogham runes.

Symbols representing the sun and moon stood at either end, while the holy emblem of the Horned Guardian appeared beneath the little unicorn.

Suppressing the dizziness caused by severe blood loss, Kano wiped his wrist and stopped the bleeding. He drew his wand and began chanting verses in the Druidic language.

Tender leaves flourished, herds bellowed, Floodwaters raced through the valleys, Torrents yearned for the sea;

The life-filled verse echoed through the Forbidden Forest, and the magic circle etched into the ground began to emit a faint glow.

Black mist was continuously forced out from the unicorn's wounds. Even its thick silver blood slowly flowed back into its body.

Hagrid finally arrived at the clearing. Knowing that Kano was trying to save the injured unicorn, he raised his crossbow and stood guard nearby.

"Hagrid, don't act rashly."

Two figures emerged from the darkness. They were centaurs.

They had the bodies of horses and the upper bodies of men, like Chiron, the teacher of heroes from Greek legend.

The two centaurs were Bane and Ronan. Both had black coats, though Bane's skin was somewhat darker.

"Strange. The stars did not reveal this." Bane watched Kano warily as he continued pouring out magic and reciting prayers. His four hooves paced against the ground with a clacking sound.

"We can discuss that later. He is trying to save that sacred life now." Ronan sighed in a melancholy voice. "I hope he succeeds."

"Hey, I don't care what the stars told you, but can't you help Kano?" Hagrid demanded angrily.

"We can try." Another centaur, with a silver mane and blue eyes, stepped out of the forest. Behind him was a large group of centaurs, all watching Kano with intrigued expressions.

"You should not have brought our people here, Firenze." Bane seemed deeply displeased.

"The elder said that the Child of Oak has come, and we should show the courtesy of centaurs." Firenze replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Upon hearing that it was the elder's decision, Bane said no more.

The centaurs gathered around the magic circle, carefully avoiding the glowing red lines on the ground.

They took out the longbows slung across their backs and adjusted the tension of their bowstrings.

After a brief adjustment, the centaurs began plucking their bowstrings, playing a simple melody. At the same time, they lifted their hooves and tapped out a soothing rhythm.

Firenze, Ronan, and Bane each led part of their people as they began singing ancient ballads together.

Firenze led a hymn praising the truths of nature. His voice brought peace, yet it carried an unshakable strength of will.

Ronan's voice was magnetic and mournful. The ballad he led described parting and death, as well as the yearning for new life.

Bane's voice was rough and bold. His ballad told of hunting, courtship, and feasting, brimming with boundless vitality and passion.

The centaurs tossed their manes and tails as three different melodies and rhythms merged into one. The magic in the air began to resonate as well.

Formless magic gathered into transparent streams and poured into the magic circle beneath Kano's feet. The emblems of the sun and moon shifted, forming a triangle with a newly appeared emblem of the stars.

All three holy emblems shone at once. Kano struggled to guide their power and channel it into the emblem of the Horned Guardian at the center of the magic circle.

A cloud of black mist suddenly erupted from the little unicorn's body, only to be shredded by the light moments later.

Kano's mind finally relaxed, and he collapsed onto the ground. Before losing consciousness, he saw the little unicorn rise to its feet again and happily run toward him.

The little unicorn ran to Kano's unconscious body and affectionately rubbed its face against his cheek, but Kano did not react at all.

"Let me." Firenze stepped forward, slung his longbow onto his back, and lifted Kano in both arms.

"Firenze, how is Kano? What are you going to do?" Hagrid stepped forward anxiously, but Firenze merely shook his head.

"Hagrid, my friend, do not worry." He pressed a finger to Kano's forehead to examine him, then replied with a smile.

"The Child of Oak has merely overexerted himself. Our elder instructed us beforehand to bring him back to the tribe to rest."

"Dumbledore has already agreed. He will receive the best hospitality."

"All right, Firenze. I trust the elder and Dumbledore. But once he leaves the Forbidden Forest, I want to be the first to know." Hagrid continued watching the unconscious Kano uneasily, but there was nothing he could do under the circumstances.

Firenze nodded silently. Bane snorted, seemingly quite dissatisfied with Hagrid's caution.

The centaurs quickly left the clearing, but not before burying the magic circle on the ground.

The little unicorn snorted twice, then followed the centaur party from afar and vanished among the trees.

Hagrid sighed, then viciously raised his crossbow again, determined to find whatever had hurt the unicorn that very night.

The next morning, at the usual time he woke each day.

Kano's biological clock roused him from deep sleep. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw the little unicorn staring intently at him.

"You've recovered well, little one."

Kano reached out and scratched the little unicorn's neck. The little fellow shook its head and dodged aside.

Kano surveyed his surroundings. This was a house made of wood and mud, and beneath him was a bed similar to a rural heated brick bed.

Just then, the door opened from outside, and a young centaur girl walked in carrying a small pot of porridge.

"You're awake? You don't feel uncomfortable anywhere, do you?" The young centaur set the porridge on the table and studied Kano curiously.

The little unicorn hid behind Kano, looking at her together with him.

"I'm feeling fine. What's your name?"

"My name is Abby. Hurry up and eat. Once you're done, I'll take you to see the elder." Abby flicked her brown hair, still staring fixedly at Kano.

Kano got out of bed, stood beside the table, and drank all the porridge. He could taste some medicinal herbs in it that refreshed the mind and replenished the blood.

"Let's go. Take me there." Kano wiped his mouth and beckoned to the little unicorn.

The little fellow immediately came over, following Abby out of the house with Kano.

The centaurs in the tribe were each busy with their own work, but whether they were weaving, drying things out, or even preparing to head out to hunt, they all turned their eyes toward Kano.

Kano found it a little strange, but he had nothing to fear. Abby led him toward the center of the settlement, where there stood a somewhat dilapidated little house.

"Come in, child of the oak," an aged voice called from inside. "Let the little ones wait outside."

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