In the Kingdom of Tallis, in which the good King Charles had ruled wisely and gently for many years, lived his twin daughters, Alexis and Andrea. Both were spitting images of their mother who had died in childbirth. Yet.. an Evil Wizard from another Kingdom was in love with one of the two princesses. But Alexis, the target of his affections did not care for him. Both loved their kingdom and one another too much ever to leave it. They also loved riding horseback. Their kingdom was known for the finest horses in the world. The Wizard had asked constantly and rudely many times for Alexis' hand in marriage, but she refused. One day while riding together on their favorite horse on their way to spend the afternoon at archery practice, the wizard stepped into the path with his evil looking staff and grabbed the reins of the horse.
"I have waited now for three months, Alexis," He growled, "I will have you for my wife, and your sister for my slave!"
Alexis reined the horse back, which struck the wizard above the eye with its hoof and knocked him to the ground. Andrea, who was riding behind, held on for dear life.
"No!" she shouted, "I love my sister, my horse and our kingdom more than I shall ever love you!"
The wizard rose to his feet with the aid of his staff. A dark, blood red light was now gleaming darkly from the magic stone mounted at the top of it.
"So, you love your horse and your sister so much, do you? Then that is what you shall have!" With that the glow from the staff increased to an arc of blood red light that blinded both of the girls and the horse. The Wizard spoke in an arcane language and as all three collapsed to the ground. They heard him finish his spell, and then curse once more, as they lost consciousness.
When the two princesses awoke, it was obvious that something was wrong. They both felt bottom-heavy, and felt as though they had more legs than they should. As their minds cleared, Alexis attempted to turn around and find her sister; Andrea already saw her and reached forward to see if she was alright. As they looked at one another, they both looked down upon their 'body' and saw that not only had the Wizard's magic torn off their clothing, but they had been attached to the horse they had been riding.
Neither girl was easily frightened, and they realized that the Wizard had made good upon his word, so to speak, they would be with one another and their horses, (at least this one) forever. With some trouble and missteps, Alexis picked up their favorite bows and they finally got their new body to its feet. With some embarrassment and numerous missteps, they finally stumbled their way back to the castle.
When King Charles beheld his daughters and what the wizard had done, he sank in horror. No one in the court knew what to do about this. The King's magician tried his magic ...to no avail. The grotesque caricatures remained unchanged.
King Charles sent his soldiers throughout the kingdom with orders to catch the evil wizard and bring him before the king. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. The wizard could not be found. Word passed throughout the lands. Suitors shied away in droves. The king's daughters despaired...
King Charles put a bounty upon the head of the wizard in hopes that his death would break the spell. He promised half his lands and his daughter's hands in marriage. Many good knights arrived to champion the King's cause but all failed to find the wizard. King Charles now believed the wizard to be gone from his kingdom and in the adjoining lands, and resignedly set aside his hope that his daughters' suffering would end. All was bleak.
---
One day, a young stranger arrived at the castle. When asked what he wanted, he replied that he wished only to help the good King and his court. The stranger was admitted into the royal chamber where the King had hidden his suffering daughters away.
"There, young stranger. This is our curse." King Charles gestured to his daughters as they were, part horse, part human, grotesque and ugly. "'Twas the wizard's curse that did this. I have tried to capture him without luck. I have offered a great reward to anyone who can slay the wizard and bring me his head as proof, in hopes that the curse can be undone."
"Great King," the young stranger said in a gutteral rasp, "the death of this wizard will bring thee no relief. His magic is greater than a mere mortal wizard. Thou art the victim of something unholy and evil. Thou needst something stronger than the evil I sense here. Thou needst a dragon's magic! Not any dragon . . . but one who is above the petty world... One whose essence is good above all. If the dragon consents to thee, he can break the curse, and bring happiness to thee once more. In doing so, the wizard's evil shall be destroyed once and for all, and he will thus be destroyed."
King Charles gasped and his hope took hold again. "Where can we find such a dragon?"
"There are many dragons like that, Great King." The young stranger turned away. "The question I put to thee, is will such a being be welcome in thy kingdom? Their law will not permit them to cause harm to the good. Can thou say he will not find harm to himself here?"
King Charles hesitated.
The young stranger looked back. A wry smile crossed his lips. "I leave thee with thy conscience. Dost thou have the trust, and can said beast trust... thee?" He whirled and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.
King charles ran to the door. "WAIT. . . !" He flung the door wide, but the stranger had vanished, and noone had seen him go. . . .
The girls galloped after their father, hoping that the young man would return and help them, but he was gone. Both Alexis and Andrea were terribly disappointed, but they were proud and strong and would not let the Wizard's evil curse make them wallow in shame and fear. They decided to make do with what blessings they had, and adapt to their new form. The girls, once hoping against hope that they could return to normal, concentrated on adapting to their new form. They soon found that by having one girl relax, the other could take full control of the horse body, including their tail. This was hard at first, but they soon got used to it. For a while, they thought it was a good joke to have Andrea in back walk through the castle while Alexis in front read a parchment. They also found that they could individually control the legs beneath them, but working the legs independently while walking led to so many humorous, and nearly disastrous accidents.
Because they were twins, had lived together all their lives, and gotten along exceptionally well with one another, one would relax while the other "drove", and they soon adapted well and graciously to their new form. Knowing there was no apparent way out of their situation, they each made concessions to the other in where they would go and what they would do. Life for the girls was nothing like it had been. The finest veterinarians, blacksmiths and groomers in the kingdom were brought in. Of course, the fine gowns of court were replaced by clothing designed to accommodate their new form, but the beautiful slippers; shoes and boots were replaced by "foot protectors". Gently nailed to their hooves by the finest blacksmith, they were made of a soft substance that became a pliable cushion for their feet. Never referred to as horseshoes, these allowed the princesses to appear at court and move through the castle in comfort, and not damage the fine wood of the floors. They also found that maintaining their horse body was an almost constant effort.
Both girls found that their appetites had also quadrupled, and their tastes had changed. They found they now preferred vegetables and grains much more than meats. An occasional sweet treat was enjoyed now more than ever. Still, as they worked and adapted to their new form, the words of the young man echoed through their minds, 'A dragon could reverse the spell..a dragon.' No dragon had been seen in the kingdom for years, yet stories of them were constantly brought from other lands. They hoped and hoped, but none of the kings men, his contacts or wisest associates knew what would attract one to Tallis.
One evening, the girls made their way to the balcony outside their room. The night sky glowed with stars, and glittered with a sense of wonder and hope. The girls watched a shooting star streak across the sky, it's tail glowing and sparking.. but as they watched, the tail of the comet blinked out of site for a moment. It was obscured by something in the sky.. was it a bird? No, too large... a cloud? The sky was clear. What could it be? The girls looked at one another and hope rose in their eyes. The shadow moved across the sky to Mount Yisir and then disappeared. The girls galloped out of their rooms and down the hall to the King's chambers.
The girls ran into the kings chamber and pointed out the window excitedly. "Father! There is a Dragon in our land! We saw the shadow pass over the mountains!"
The king looked up and nodded. "Yes... I have sent a message, welcoming them to this kingdom. They will come by some night this week to see me."
The girls grinned from ear to ear and trotted off to their room happily, thinking what it would be like to not have to stay together all of the time anymore.
A few nights went by and finally the Dragon did come to the castle, landing on the stone wall and looking about with its eyes of gold. People watched it from afar as it sat there. Soon the king came out with his knights and walked boldly up to the Dragon. "Sir Dragon. I would like to welcome you to this kingdom."
The dragon nodded. "I had heard that this kingdom was willing to except one of my kind." He cocked his head. "There was also word that there was some magic to be undone here as well?"
The king nodded. "Yes, there is that. Do you think that you might like to try undoing some magic?" The kind sent for his child, and when they came out the dragon spread his wings.
"Very evil magic is that." Said the dragon and folded his wings again. "I will help thee. Come here, Centaur."
Alexis and Andrea stepped forward and stood with pride in front of the dragon and looked into its golden eyes. Its wings came down over them and hid them from view, and it breathed upon them for over an hour as the king waited. When it lifted its wings away and leaped into the sky flying away, what was there before the king was two normal Centaurs.
"What! What is this!"
Alexis and Andrea looked at one another, and at their surprised and mad father. They both stamped there feet. Andrea looked at Alexis again. "At least we are not part of the same horse!"
The king was furious. He couldn't do anything as he had promised safety forever in his kingdom to any dragon that would come... Only he felt very very cheated.
Still the princes didn't come. Still his daughters were freaks.
Both Alexis and Andrea though, were enjoying their newfound freedom. They were just getting used to the new change when they heard a rumor.
A month passed. In that time, the two sisters reveled in their freedom, ...to be able to race the wind! They hardly spent any time in the castle any longer, and forsook their royal duties as often as they could get away. King Charles despaired that his daughters would remain that way forever. Yet, he did not go back on his word. Dragons came to his kingdom and walked the streets of the city, traded with merchants and joined in with the people. The commerce they brought made many happy. Kingdoms that would have warred against King Charles thought better of it and made overtures of peace to him.
Still, King Charles was unhappy. Despite all the good that the dragons brought, he felt cheated and it grated at his mind. However, he could not go back on his word.
During this time, a guard came before him and bowed. "My Liege, thou hast a visitor seeking audience with thee."
King Charles waved to the guard with a rolling of his hand. "Bring him in."
The guard opened the hall doors and a caped and hooded figure strode in. He stopped before the King and made a sweeping bow. "Good King, greetings again."
King Charles sat straight. That voice . . . that rasping gutteral voice! "YOU!" He pointed with shaking finger "'Twas thou that caused me to make a bargain with the dragons who walk amongst us unharmed!"
The hooded figure nodded. "Aye, Your Majesty. 'Twas I that told thee how to save thy daughters from the cruel fate the wizard had cast upon them."
"I was cheated! My daughters are not returned to me as they were!" King Charles grimaced. "The dragon made them into Centaurs!"
The hooded figure nodded. "They are better off than before."
"But not human" King Charles smacked the arm of his throne loudly. "I was tricked!"
"Tested!" corrected the hooded figure.
"Tested?" King charles blinked.
"Tested," the hooded figure said again, "and thou were found to be good and deserving. They can be fully restored and the evil wizard utterly destroyed."
"Wonderful. Why, Why did the dragon leave me in despair? Why the test?"
"Good King, a man's word is his bond. Thou wert tested to see if thee were like all the other kings in their lands when a boon was granted to them by the Kinds. Once given, the Kinds were hunted and slain or driven out. Verily, thou didst not, even though thee had cause. Thy daughters will be restored to thee. THAT is our word to thee." The hooded figure bowed deeply in respect.
King charles froze, startled. "Thy Kind? Thou. . ."
The hooded figure bowed. He laughed and waved it off. "'Tis a figure of speech. I, however, DO have one question. I have brought about thy daughter's release. Am I to be rewarded?"
King charles nodded. "Thou may have the reward I once offered. Half my land and my daughter's hand in marriage."
The hooded figure bowed. "I will return on the morrow and thy daughters shall be restored. I will take one in marriage as thee has offered."
King Charles nodded. "Granted! We will await thee!"
The hooded figure nodded, whirled and strode from the hall only to vanish from sight at the doors.
King Charles hurried to his daughters rooms to tell them of the wonderful news. He knocked on the door, and waited while hooves clip-clopped across the floor.
Alexis opened it, and greeted her father. "Oh Father.. how nice of you to come see us before we go to sleep!"
King Charles was, as usual, in despair at his daughters' appearance. Beautiful young women from their hips up, yet with the body of a horse... animals from the hips down. None the less, he smiled and hugged them both. "My Daughters," the King said, "I have wonderful news for you. I have made arrangements for you to return to human form, and for one of you to become married."
Alexis and Andria looked at one another in shock. "Change us back? ..marriage? ...to whom?"
The King smiled, "The man who told us about the Dragons and their power to change you, has told me that your change into Centaurs was a test of my word, to see if I would keep my promise to the Dragons. He has said that I have passed this test, and in bringing you back to human form, I must pay him the reward I offered once."
The girls looked at one another, "But Father, "Andria said, "We don't know this man.. how could either of us love him, and.. well.. Father, we like being Centaurs.. the power, the speed, the freedom. We have talked about this, and we aren't sure we want to be human again."
The King's face fell in woe... His only hope was to make his daughters happy.. but to have them in this form, to be part -animal- and they liked it? He was at a loss for words.
Alendria took her Father's hand, "Father, we will meet with this man.. if he wishes betrothal to either of us in this form, we will accept.. you have made a promise, and you are a man of your word.. we will not force you to renig on it. But to go back to human form? We would rather not" Alexis nodded in agreement.
King Charles had a sleepless night as he waited for the morrow. He would offer the hand of one of his daughters to the man with the raspy voice and hoped that he would except them as they are. Finally though, he did manage to sleep.
Alexis and Andrea were both down in the court early the next day. They were a little figity about meeting their mate to be, but didn't show it too much on the outside. A few Dragons showed up to stand on the outer walls of the castle. Charles sat in his throne and waited.
Hours later, one of the watchtower guards came running into the room looking like he had seen a ghost! He bowed before the king. "Sir, there is a small army coming from the north. They trot here at a brisk rate!"
The King sat up in his chair very straight. "How many horses? How many men?"
The tower guard looked a little at a loss for words. He was just about to speak when the messanger came into the room. "There is someone here to see you Sir."
The King sat back. He waved his hand. "Bring him in."
Everyone within the court looked to the door expectantly to see who would enter the room. Both Alexis and Andrea held their breath.
There were the soft sounds of clipping and clopping from the other side of door and three centaur warriors entered the room. One of them stepped forward, and in a raspy voice said, "Hello Sir."
The warriors clip-clopped up to the throne and bowed at the waist in respect to King Charles.
The Centaur in the middle moved forward.. "Greetings, your highness. I am Prince Thomas of the Kingdom of Seaward. We have heard of your daughters and the way in which they were changed. We came as quickly as we could to prevent further harm."
The King greeted Prince Thomas, "I am glad to meet you Prince Thomas.. but harm?.. what harm would bring so many Centaurs into my Kingdom?"
Prince Thomas stood for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "We are as you can see, a race of Centaurs. Humans and Horses blended into one form. But we were not always like this."
King Charles looked shocked, "Dragons? Dragons did this to you?"
"No," the prince replied. "Dragons only helped us after the change, they offered assistance and advice as we adapted to this form." It wasn't Dragons who did this, but a wizard, and evil man who is now in your kingdom."
"Here in Tallis? Who is this man, bring him to me?"
The Centaur prince shook his head, "He has no name, yet he has many.. he has been a wizard to kings, and a traveling storyteller. Yet all he does is for profit, or for his lustful desires."
Prince Thomas walked to the window, followed by the King. "That man, the one who hopes to marry your daughter, he is the one. And he has been here before, in pursuit of your daughter Alexis"
The King's eyes widened, "But he is the man who has saved my daughters, and promised to make them human again!"
"Yes" said Thomas, "But only because of his desire for Alexis, If changed into human form, not only will this evil man have your daughter, but half of your land, and a powerful voice in the council because of it. He must be stopped."
The King thought for a moment. "Prince Thomas, I talked to my daughters last night, and they have agreed to marry him to uphold my promise to that man. How can I stop it now? Even though he is the cause of misery and heartache for me, I cannot go back on my word.
Prince Thomas looked at the King, "That is why we are here, I have an idea."
Alexis looked at the Centaur closely after listening to all that he had said. "Is this man that helped us the one that turned us into that monster that we were to begin with?
Prince Thomas grinned and nodded. "Yes... he is. Join us now so that you can hear the plan."
The King held up his hand. "Wait a moment. If they are one and the same, then my promise to him does not count. For I asked for my daughters back to what they once were and an end for all time to the evil wizard. If they are one and the same... then he cannot possibly keep that second part of his deal!
Alexis blinked and looked at her father, then she looked at Prince Thomas. "How does that effect your plans, Thomas?"
Prince Thomas looked a little perturbed at that last. "The man who we think will come is the evil Wizard. I don't know, Sire, what this means. It turns all of my plans to mush, though."
Alexis stamped a hoof. "I will not marry that wizard. Ever!!"
Charles looked at the centaurs and help up his hand. They both became quiet. "We will wait to see. You both.. --stay by my side.."
An hour went by and the doors to the court opened again and man in a dark cloak entered the room. He walked accoss the room and looked up at the king, then in his gravely voice greeted all. "Sire. I am here as I said that I would be."
The King looked at the man and was quiet for the longest time. "I have heard things about you... things that are not pleasing to the ear."
The man in the dark cloak looked around at the hostile stares of the people in the court. "Ah good and kind king. What ill have you heard about me?"
Alexis stamped forward after she had gotten a good look at the man in the cloak. "I will not marry you, Wizard. I would never marry you!"
The man in the cloak stiffend where he stood and then bowed his head sadly. "I am not who you think that I am."
Prince Thomas blinked. "Are or are you not a wizard?"
The man in the cloak grinned. "I am a Wizard."
Alexis was agree. "Then you did this to us."
The man in the cloak only shoke his head sadly. "It was not me. It was my twin brother."
"I believe thee not!" King charles said flatly.
"Sire, thou has only to allow me to do what I am here for. The proof of it will be enough. If thou cannot accept me, go to the dragons and hear their words. They will tell thee what is right. And, I say it again. . . . Thy daughters must be restored and 'he' will be ended!"
"What proof can you offer of a dragon's word?" demanded Prince Thomas.
"Think thee on that, good Prince. Thou knows dragons and the 'company' they keep. Is that enough?" asked the wizard. He turned to King Charles. "Magic is what it is. It cannot be subverted. If I am the evil one, then by what I do, I end myself. If not, I will still be here and the true evil one will be done!"
"I do not accept that!" said Prince Thomas. "You attempt to make us believe other than what we know to be truth!"
The wizard held up a finger toward Prince Thomas and winked. "Brother, thou are done!" He gestured toward the King's daughters. A swirl of fire rose up around them, became a whirling column of stars that raced upward into the sky and left behind the King's daughters whole and human once more.
The wizard turned and gestured with open hand at the flaming ashes where once Prince Thomas had stood.
"Evil is what evil is. It cannot stand the light of truth!" said the wizard who lowered his head. "I only regret that I had to do what I did. I could not let him continue his ways . . ."
"Prince Thomas! Where is he?" The centaur guard galloped toward the wizard.
The wizard upheld his hand and stopped the raging guard. "Thy prince is fine. I knew my brother's plan and have hidden thy prince from harm. He will come. The dragons guarding him will bring him safely to thee here.
The wizard turned to the King's daughters. "Alexis, I know thy feelings toward the likes of me and the delight in thine eyes at the prospect of marrying Prince Thomas."
Two dragons descended through the window with another centaur, which they set to its feet and then stepped aside. The centaur trotted to King Charles and bowed. "I am Prince Thomas, Your Majesty." He grinned at the wizard. "So, it would seem that our ploy worked."
"Now to set things straight. Alexis?" The wizard smiled, and Alexis was caught in a swirling cloud of brilliant sparks. When it cleared, Alexis had become a delectible centaur mare. "May I present thee to Prince Thomas."
Prince Thomas smiled and bowed.
"Andrea?" The wizard smiled. Andrea was surrounded by a swirl of fire and sparks. When it was clear, she had become a sleek fast centaur mare. "I would like thee to meet Minister Darus. He gestured to the centaur guard that had challenged him earlier. "Darus, mind thy manners with this fine young filly." He looked to Andrea. "I am sure thee two will find something to talk about. . . ."
Six months later, Prince Thomas and Princess Alexis, along with Minister Darus and Princess Andrea, were wed in a beautiful double ceremony. Dragons and Centaurs, along with people from both Kingdoms attended, and both Kingdoms were happy and prosperous. By the way, King Charles found that with his daughters and his land happy, he too, was happy. They all lived happily ever after... The End!