After your meal, and spending some time to put Deirdre and Felicia at ease, you and Rachel are called away by Michael. Leaving your still-human friends with Marina and a pair of male centaurs who've just walked into the hall - Rachel and you follow Michael to another table, where the centauress Lara has just opened up a first-aid box. Michael treats your wrist wound with some gel.
"No need to worry, Ben," he says cheerfully - seeing your worried expression. He pats your shoulder. "The magic of your initiation will have freed you from the weretiger infection, for good. You're our brother now, for the rest of your extended life." He and Lara smile at you and Rachel. They're happy to have you both as new, kindred friends.
"Thanks! You say 'extended life'. We're not immortal, then?" you ask.
"Oh, no! We may be charged with a life-force beyond human reckoning, but we must eventually all die, some day. Even Ixion and Themis," Lara announces sadly. "Both they, and the others who were born hoofed, were in a form of suspended animation for much of the time they were in their home realm, hidden from this earth, during the last 2000 years. That is why they are still alive now, long after being seen by the ancient Greeks. Otherwise, a born centaur would probably live for something like 500 years."
"And you guys... From your names, I'm assuming you're converts - like us?" Rachel asks. "How long do you...? I mean, do we...live now?"
Lara grins. "Old age for us would be around 300 years old! You are right, Rachel - Michael and I were both born two-legged. In fact, I was one of the hotel staff on this island, until over a year ago! Some time after joining the haras, I hooked up with Michael."
"And I was once Mr Amiacing's apprentice - he's one of the wizards who set up th arrangements for this island resort with the non-human races, here," Michael tells you. "But I came to realise my place was not to practice magic, but to be something magical, instead! Now, we're both very happy with the choices we've made." He and Lara smile at each other - and you can tell that their love is profound.
"Come now - brother Ben, and sister Rachel!" Lara beams. "Let's take you to the showers!"
The idea sounds wonderful. It's been a long day. Rachel and you walk slowly, still getting used to the reality of being four-legged (as well as your new height). Still, you're co-ordinated enough as you follow the other centaur couple through the main hall exit and over to a nearby stone building fitted with large baths and showers. There, Michael and Lara wash you both down, in the equine parts your arms can't reach with the soap -then after a sauna treatment and massage treatment from your new friends, you and Rachel try off. From a locker, Lara pulls out a green bikini top, which fits Rachel perfectly.
Amongst exchanging talk of your collective interests and human histories, you and Rachel learn that in addition to the original ten centaurs of the haras, there are now seven members who were all willingly initiated from the human race. In chronological order they are: Stephen, Michael, Lara, Theo, and now - after today - Marina, Rachel, and yourself.
"The haras has indeed been blessed this day, for you two and your friend to be made complete!" Lara idly brushes her long black hair as she speaks animatedly. "You will find that you won't need to ask many questions about the history of our race. The knowledge - plus the learning instincts of centaurs - will appear in your minds, in parts, over time!"
"I already know that me and Rachel, as members of this haras, are now devotees...," you begin.
"...of our noble predecessor, Chiron," Rachel automatically completes your thoughts. She freezes, and you stare at each other in amazement.
Michael laughs in good humour. "You are already both becoming wiser! But now, we ought to return to the main hall." He and Lara rise up on their hooves.
"We'll join you in a few minutes," you reply. Rachel nods in agreement.
Michael and Lara wink at you, and head outside - giving you some privacy.
Your tail swishes as you snuggle up alongside Rachel on the floor, kissing her on the neck. She sighs, retrieves her now-dry spectacles, and nuzzles against you in contentment. She feels warm and soft. Her horsey scent smells wonderful to you.
"I feel great!" Rachel purrs. "How about you, Ben?"
"I don't think I've ever been better! Still, I can't help thinking... Back home...our folks are going to forget we ever existed! All our possessions - any reminder of us... They'll all go. And, today, it's the same for Harry, Krista, and Marina. I feel sorry for Harry and Krista... Right now, they're prisoners of the moon!"
"I feel sorry for them, too. I hope...they're be okay... That they'll regain human sentience." Rachel strokes the fur on your equine chest. Her light touch makes you feel good. "But I still don't regret our decision to be transformed, Ben!"
"I don't regret it, either," you reply as you hold her. "I'm so happy we've got each other - and that we're now centaurs! I love you, Rachel - with both of my hearts!"
"Ditto, Ben!" She smiles warmly. "Are you up for some racing, tomorrow?"
"If fate allows us to - definitely!"
You kiss each other tenderly - then break off. Rachel starts to fiddle with her drying hair. "This is tickling my shoulders, now it's longer," she grumbles. "I wish I had a..." She breaks off, as a flexible red hair band drops onto the stone floor in front of her. It's just appeared out of...nowhere.
"Whoa! I recognise this, Ben!" she tells you. "It's mine! But I left this one back home!"
You cotton on fast. "Then our former possessions aren't just disappearing from our human lives..."
"...Some of them, at least, are coming here - to us!" Rachel ponders, then passes it to you. "Can you make up my hair, please, Benjamin?"
"Sure! How do you want it doing?"
"Fashion it into a ponytail!" she replies, giggling.
And with that job done, the two of you carefully get up upon your hooves and trot over to the main communal hall again, to rejoin your kinsfolk - wondering what else the night, or the dawn, will bring.