Yon Ill Wind by Piers Anthony Read Free Book Online

high,” Mom said, worried again.  “It wouldn't be safe.”
    “We can handle it,” Carleton said in the same tone he had used when assuring Karen about riding.
    Mom looked dubious, but didn't argue.  So the centaur trotted off, leaving them to make ready for the trip.
    Dad shook his head.  “I find today hard to believe,” he said.  “But I'll feel better when we get on that highway.”
    The others agreed.  The centaurs seemed nice, but this whole business was pretty weird.  Karen was looking forward to getting home and telling all her skeptical friends about where they'd been.  Nobody would ever believe her, that was the fun of it.
    Promptly at noon, a big raft poled into view, with four muscular centaurs at its corners.  At the same time, Carleton and Sheila Centaur galloped up from the village.  Again the boys' eyes threatened to pop at the sight of the filly's front, and even Dad's eyes might have strained a little.
    Mom's mouth tightened ever so slightly:  not the best sign.
    Karen was good at reading small signals; it kept her from getting into as much trouble as she deserved.  So she didn't giggle, quite.
    “I thought you would appreciate something to eat on the way,” Sheila said, presenting them with a big bag marked GOODIES.  “More milk pods, honey buns, nuts and bolts—”
    “Bolts?” David asked.
    She brought out what did indeed look like a bolt and gave it to him.  He sniffed it, then bit off the end.  It seemed to be similar to a nut.  “Chocolate flavored!” he said.
    “I could get to like this filly,” Sean murmured, though his eyes weren't on the bolt.  Sheila tossed back her lovely brown tress/mane and smiled at him, not at all selfconscious.
    The raft nudged in to the shore.  “Now, if you will have your house creature get on, we shall take it across to the mainland,” Carleton said.  “I have communicated with the Good Magician, who says he will send you a guide.  She will arrive in late afternoon with her companion; Sheila will introduce you before she returns here.”
    “Sheila's crossing with us?” Sean-asked, his eyeballs threatening to go into orbit.
    “We would not want it claimed that we of the Isle were inhospitable to those who found themselves here through no fault of their own,” Carleton said.  “Normally we discourage unauthorized visits, but we do allow for special circumstances.  We are doing what we can to see you safely on your way.  The Good Magician is competent, and you should be able to progress with the help of his guide.”
     “Uh, thank you,” Dad said.  “We appreciate your hospitality and assistance.  Perhaps we shall meet again.”
    “This is doubtful.” Carleton nodded, then turned tail and trotted off.  Dad went to the RV.
    “He is a bit saddened by the loss of his little sister,” Sheila confided.  “If you should happen to encounter her, I'm sure he would appreciate news of her current state.”
    “Why was she exiled?” Karen asked.
    Sheila's mouth tightened.  “She was found to have a magic talent.  She was a good person, but that is simply not allowed among centaurs of the Isle.  We consider it obscene.”
    “I guess you don't want to know what we consider obscene,” David said brightly.
    “If you are typical of your species, you consider your natural body and its natural functions, other than eating, to be obscene,” she replied evenly.  “Therefore you cover your body with clothing, evidently ashamed of it, and pretend that you have no natural functions, especially not defecation or reproductive capacity.”
    Karen looked at David.  “Well, I guess she flushed your toilet,” she said, drawing on an old saying she had researched from a book of dated vernacular.
    “I guess she did,” David agreed, bemused.  “I think I like the centaur way better.”
    “Me too,” Karen agreed.
    Mom and Sean exchanged a Significant Glance.  Karen made a mental note:  Sean was getting to be too much like an