Awake(Alex, Serataom)

The smell of food filled Alex's nostrils causing her to finally wake. She had a terrible headache from sleeping so long. She glanced around her trying to get a barring on where she was.

The bed she was lying in was enormous. Her whole family could have slept on it comfortably and still have room for the three dogs and maybe her horse too. Everything about the room was on a giant scale - the windows, doorways, furniture. Alex suddenly felt very, very small and vulnerable. How big are these people? she wondered.

There was soft humming coming from another room causing Alex to think of her own mother. Wanting to see who was making such sweet music, she quietly climbed out of bed and went to the door of the bedroom. To her left Alex spotted the kitchen and the location of the music. Carefully she worked her way to the kitchen and peeked inside. She found a sweet looking older woman cooking and humming softly.

As if sensing that she was being watched, the woman stopped and turned to face Alex. "Oh, hello there. I'm so glad to see you're awake. I'll get you a cup of broth." It was the same soothing voice she had heard in her sleep.

While the woman dished up the broth she continued to talk. "Come, sit down over here," she gestured toward a large chair that sat in front of an even larger table. "You must be famished after sleeping through both breakfast and lunch. This should tide you over until supper."

Alex took a seat on the stool and proceeded to study the woman. She was maybe in her late 40's or early 50's and wore her hair in a bun. There was a sprinkle of gray around the temples but otherwise it was a beautiful brown color. Her skin almost had a golden hue to it and seemed to be glowing. It reminded Alex of how the dessert sand looked just before the sun went down. Her eyes were a stunning shade of green with gold flecks. She was truly vision to take in.

The woman stepped out from behind the counter where she had been working to bring the cup of broth to the table. Alex's mouth fell open. The woman's body was that of a horse. She felt the room spinning around her but willed herself not to faint again.

"Oh, dear, are you all right child?" the woman rushed to Alex's side, placing a delicate hand on her back to steady her. "Do you need to lie back down?"

Alex shook her head no. Slowly she brought her heart beat down to normal. "What are you?" she asked just above a whisper. She wasn't sure if the 'thing' had even heard her.

"You must have never seen a centaur before, no wonder you fainted earlier. My name's Serataom, I'm Salmurk's mate. You'll meet him later. Here, eat." she pushed the bowl of broth towards Alex. "You'll feel much better once you have something on your stomach."

Not knowing when her next meal might be and hearing her stomach growl with hunger, Alex decided to do as Serataom requested. Her body seemed to rejuvenate with each bite. Serataom seems friendly enough, maybe she can answer some of my questions.

But before Alex could even open her mouth to form a word, Salmurk stormed in. The room seemed to shrink with the presence of his large form. By the look on his face, he was not too pleased to see Alex sitting in his kitchen. "What's going on here?" stormed the rather intimidating figure.

Serataom didn't seemed to phased by this sudden outburst. "We're talking and eating a little broth. Would you care for some?" She walked over to the cupboard and pulled out a bowl but before she could put anything in it the angry centaur spoke again.

"I will not eat with such a beast as that,"He glared in Alex's direction.

She glanced about her looking for the 'beast' that he was talking about. After spotting nothing else, she realized that he was referring to her. Not wanting to cause any problems for Serataom, Alex stood up to excuse herself. "I really appreciate the bed and broth, Serataom, but I can see my being here isn't a good idea. I'll just be on my way now."

The large centaur let out a deep, cruel laugh. "You're not going anywhere, human."

Alex briefly thought of using her pistols but quickly decided against it. She had no quarrel with these creatures. She'd just have to try and talk her way out of this. "Listen, I don't know who you think I am but I'm just trying to find my way back home so I can finish some business. I really appreciate your hospitality but I really should get on out of here.If you could just tell me where I am, I'll be out of your hair."

To Alex's surprise Seratoam spoke next, "I'm afraid ,child, that it's not that easy. This forest belong to us and all the other creatures that call it home. You can't leave until you meet with the council, then you will know your fate."

Alex wasn't quite sure what to make of this information. I reckon I should just go along with things for right now. I certainly don't want to get on the bad side of these folk. Besides I've not done anything wrong so surely there wont be any problems. Maybe they can even help me answer some of my questions.
"Alright,"she spoke up at last, "I'll stay put for your council meetin' but then I'll have to be on my way."

"If the Council's wise, you'll never see the sun rise again," barked the angry centaur as he left the house.

"Don't pay any attention to Salmurk, he can't let the past go. Now finish your broth, dear, you'll need your strength for the Council."

Alex picked up her spoon but found that her hand was shaking too much to eat. Placing her spoon down upon the table she looked up to see that Serataom was watching her with her piercing green eyes.

"Ask me your questions, dear, and I'll answer what I can."

"Where am I?" Alex asked, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over.

"Hmmm, now that' s a big question. I guess I'll start at the beginning with the Humans coming..."