Chapter 220
Chapter 220
Lys glanced lightly at the wand in Suer’s hand and spoke in a gentle voice.
“We have lived in this forest for centuries. One condition of our residence is that we may not harm young wizards unless we are attacked first.”
“For hundreds of years, the magical oath sworn by our ancestors and the headmaster of Hogwarts in that age has run ever deeper into our blood.”
As she spoke, Lys walked towards the room’s only table. A teapot and two cups appeared to have been prepared there long before.
Suer watched her every movement without blinking.
“So you need not fear that we shall harm you.” Lys gently placed the Bowtruckle on the table, then lifted the pot and poured two cups of tea.
“Will you drink with me? It comes from a magical plant we cultivate. It is not poisonous. I often use it to keep myself awake.”
“Chirp, chirp!” The tiny tree-man beckoned, pointed to the cup and nodded vigorously, as though saying, Come here. She’s telling the truth.
Despite the centaur’s assurance, Suer did not lower his wand. His body relaxed slightly, however, and he approached the table.
The air was quiet. Only a faint presence around Lys brought Suer an inexplicable sense of peace.
Lys raised her cup towards him, then drained it.
Mother had always said not to eat or drink anything offered by strangers. You never knew whether they might steal your kidneys or sell you into some remote mountain village once you were helpless.
Besides, who knew whether the centaur’s claim about an oath sunk into their blood was true?
But Lys had drunk it. The tea should not be poisoned. Suer had watched her pour both cups from the same pot.
Still suspicious, Suer studied the pale-green liquid. Under Lys’s warm gaze, he cautiously lifted the cup and took a small sip.
His eyes immediately brightened. This tea was remarkable.
His mind cleared at once, and the drink seemed to contain a mysterious power that calmed his spirit.
“Well? Compared with human black tea, ours possesses certain virtues of its own.” Lys laughed softly.
Suer nodded without speaking and continued to sip. By the time the cup was empty, he could feel his magic recovering more quickly as well.
Silence settled again. Lys wore a gentle smile and stroked the Bowtruckle without the slightest impatience.
Only after a long while did Suer look at the little creature and ask tentatively, “Why is it here?”
“You mean this little one?” Lys ran long fingers over the leaves on the Bowtruckle’s head. “Its colony moved nearby recently. They trade with us. We provide food and shelter, and in return they stand watch for us.”
“The Forbidden Forest is far less peaceful than it appears from outside. Danger becomes plentiful after dark. You know that very well, do you not?”
Suer stared for a moment, then nodded. “Then… how did you know my name?”
“In truth, I did not.” Lys shook her head and gathered her hair. Suer uneasily turned towards the Bowtruckle.
“I learnt your name only when I saw you.”
“But didn’t you say you had known me for a long time?” Suer immediately seized upon the flaw in her words.
“Knowing of you and knowing your name are not the same thing.” Lys laughed and shook her head. “This concerns an ancient secret. I cannot say more. Forgive me.”
Suer nodded thoughtfully. After a brief silence, he asked another question.
“Did you know I would come today?”
Lys nodded, then shook her head.
“Every planet in the heavens follows its own law. Its brightness and dimness foretell many things.”
“Knowing that you would come and knowing when you would come are also different matters.”
“Perhaps you would arrive today, or perhaps after several more days. It was not important.”
“I should never have asked.” Suer shook his head helplessly. Another person speaking in riddles. He decided to go directly to the point.
“May I assume you were waiting for me because you need something?”
“Indeed.” Lys nodded and refilled Suer’s cup. “But do not be impatient. First, listen to an ancient story.”
“Roughly a century after Hogwarts was founded, our ancestors came here from another continent. The wizards of that age were deeply hostile towards us. Some even raised their wands, but a gentle, peace-loving witch stopped every spell directed at our people.”
“A witch?” Suer noticed the pronoun but did not interrupt.
“After negotiations, one condition of our residence in this forest was that we guard it and prevent other wizards from entering.”
“In return, we were forbidden to leave the forest. We accepted gladly. Centaurs have been inseparable from nature for generations, and we possessed no desire to go beyond these woods.”
“Approximately another century passed before the lady returned to us.”
“By then, she was far more powerful and considerably older. Acting as a private individual, she entered into an agreement with the centaur high priestess of the time.”
“I cannot reveal the agreement’s details. She gave us an object and instructed us to give it to a wizard who came here when we believed the time was right to bring it forth.”
“I can’t be the first, can I?” Suer refused to believe he was the first wizard ever to enter this camp.
“Certainly not.” Lys shook her head. “Many wizards came before you. One you know extremely well was Albus Dumbledore. There were others, such as…”
One name after another emerged from Lys’s lips, all familiar from Suer’s History of Magic textbooks. He grew increasingly alarmed.
According to Lys, every one of those famous wizards had failed. Her purpose in telling him the ancient story was therefore obvious.
“You have guessed.” Lys watched Suer’s changing expression and laughed softly. “Yes. I believe it is time for us to fulfil our agreement with that witch.”
“But why me?” Suer asked in astonishment.
“The stars gave me the answer.” Lys raised one hand towards the sky. “Will you accept it? Or rather, will you accept this trial?”
Suer shook his head at once. “No.”
Who knew whether some ancient presence hid inside the token? Before coming to this world, he had read more than enough novels about spirits stealing other people’s bodies. What if something leapt out and seized his? Would he go crying to Merlin?
Lys appeared to have expected his refusal. A mysterious smile spread across her face. “Do not reject it so quickly, Suer. This will benefit you. The trial is not difficult. That benevolent witch always treated everyone with tolerance.”
“Besides, you have already received an identical object.”
“I’ve already received one?” Suer’s eyes widened.
“Yes. The stars tell me you are already travelling upon the appointed path. Your arrival today was a coincidence of fate, but also inevitable.”
Suer fell silent. Lys showed no impatience. She poured herself more tea and took an elegant sip.
Only after a long while did Suer ask cautiously, “May I see this… object from the agreement first?”
“Of course.” Lys smiled and nodded. She walked slowly to the bookcase and took a box from the upper shelf near its right-hand end.
“You simply keep it here?” Suer could not help asking. From her account, he could tell the object was extremely important. Leaving it openly upon a shelf hardly seemed responsible.
“It was not here before. I brought it to this building only this year.” Lys guessed his thoughts and shook her head with a smile.
She placed the wooden box upon the table and pushed it gently towards Suer.
“Open it.”