Journey to a New Start Ch 04

Not seeing any of the horsy people Toby called out. “High One needs help.”


Ever since the High One placed the strange structure that was a small sanctuary in this location the Centaur elders had stationed a watcher nearby to keep them informed.


Hearing one of the wizards slaves call out made him curious, breaking cover Akrios called out. “What does one of the Wizarding slaves know about the High One?”


Twirling around to face the voice that came from behind him Toby answered holding up the parchment. “Toby is Librarian for Sir Emerald Eyes and has message requesting help.”


“How do I know this is not a Wizarding trick?” Akrios told him moving closer.


Snorting in frustration Toby held the parchment open so he could read it and replied. “Toby no tricking you. Unicorns sick and not all made it to Sanctuary, High One is asking for Centaur help.”


“Does Toby tell Sir Emerald Eyes Centaurs refuse?” Toby had had enough of the suspicions when his Sir needed help now.


Feeling comfortable the strangely dressed creature was still standing in the center of the circle, meaning he would be safe from violence Akrios walked into the circle and bent down and tried to read the words on the parchment.


“I can not read these words.” Akrios growled out.


Snorting in frustration Toby remembered the spell the High One taught them so the books and tomes would read themselves out loud so they would be able to learn to read.


Casting the spell on the parchment Harry’s voice filled the clearing.


“Bane or Elder of the Centaurs, a herd of Unicorns have been poisoned and are dying.

Half of them have made it to Sanctuary and are being treated.

I need your help to track down and bring the ones who were not strong enough to make the sanctuary circle to get help.

Gather in the circle and Toby will lead you to the area where the sick Unicorns are coming from.

If you come across the ones responsible hold them for my judgment.

Don’t let me down.”


Reaching around for his war horn Akrios blew several long and short notes calling for reinforcements.


“I am calling for help little one. We will not let the High One down.” Akrios told him with conviction before placing the horn against his lips and sending out the call again.


Throughout this section of the forest Centaurs stopped what they were doing as the heard the signal asking for reinforcements followed by the note that told of the one doing the calling.


Moving slowly towards the village at first and speeding up the centaurs prepared for whatever disaster was bout to strike now.


Centaurs on patrol started to jog towards the clearing where Akrios was stationed as they heard the call for reinforcements.


Hearing the call come again this time louder followed one more time by a repeat of the first the Centaurs broke into a full gallop in their haste to get to the clearing as fasts as possible.


Clan elders who had come out of their huts at the first sound of the horn from Akrios started to panic and broke out into a run trying to catch up with the warriors when they heard the horn sound two more times.


Twenty or so warriors broke into the clearing expecting to see a battle, not Akrios standing in the center of the circle with a nervous Wizarding slave.


Angry at being called to battle Dral really started to tear into Akrios for calling them but stopped in shock when the house elf leaped in front of him and started ranting at him.


Toby had lost all his patience by this point and started yelling at anything that moved. “You is being silent. High One needs you to be saving the Unicorns that are too sick to make it to Sanctuary.”


“Help or leave, but High One will not be nice if you leave.” Toby finished as he pointed his finger at the Centaurs before motioning them to move inside the circle.


Stepping outside the circle Akrios called out. “Little one take these warriors to the place we need to go and come back for the rest of us.” Akrios told him as he blew his horn once again.


Glaring at the nervous Centaurs Toby walked around the circle touching Runic symbols with one hand causing them to glow while keeping the other eye firmly fixed on the very nervous Centaur warriors.


Activating the array, Toby one of the most educated of the free house elves due to his being a librarian and his love of books, brought the Centaurs to the array the Unicorns had come through and looked around and noticed several Unicorn laying on the ground breathing slowly and with much effort.


Hearing the shocks of dismay from the Centaurs standing around him Toby threw his arm out pointing to the fallen Unicorns and shouted. “Go.” Before popping back to the first array to bring the rest.


Seeing twice the number of Centaurs standing in the circle Toby nodded his head and started to activate the Runic symbols once again.


“Thank you little one.” Nessius told him as they reappeared in the new clearing. “Tell the High One we will do our best to track down those that are to sick to make it to Sanctuary and bring them to him for treatment.”


Nodding his head Toby moved over towards two Centaurs that were carrying one of the unconscious Unicorns into the circle to ride back with them.


Once back at Sanctuary Toby stayed close to the array to be able to send the Centaurs back to the glade to search for more sick Unicorns.


XXX


Seeing Centaur’s carrying unconscious Unicorns into the barn Harry gave a silent prayer of thanks that Toby was able to get their help, now maybe they would be able to save them.


During a short time where no new patients or Centaurs arrived Harry heard in the back of his mind the warning given out to those who broke Sanctuary.


Looking up as he wiped the sweat off his face and not seeing anything Harry dismissed the warning as a figment of his overworked mind seeing no one else was acting like they had heard it.


“This potion will stop any more damage and give us some time to finish the antidote.” Saero yelled as he carried a large box full of Vials into the barn.


Sighing relief Harry quickly grabbed the box and started handing out vials or dosing the Unicorns himself.


Setting the box with the extra doses down near the array so that any new Unicorns could be quickly dosed Harry stood up and stretched taking a breather in relief.


Harry shudder to think on how many of the Unicorns they would have lost if it was not for the help of the Hidden Valley High Elves.


“Trisky.” Harry waited for the house elf to pop in before asking her.” Trisky do you think you will be able to fix a quick snack for everyone and then maybe a hot meal later on?”


“Trisky can do so. Using Sir Emerald Eyes birds.” She told him and seeing the surprised look on his face rubbed it in. “Did Sir think he could hide birds from Trisky. Trisky be telling Sir he may fix lunch not supper.”


Harry was still standing there once again wondering when he lost control of his kitchen when he heard Saero chuckle at the conversation as he brought in the antidote.


“Well young Lord it looks like she really likes you. I remember when I was kicked out of my kitchens years ago. I do believe it is funnier when it happens to someone else.” Saero told him as he motioned for Isty to come over.


Kneeling down so he was not towering over the little one Saero explained. “Two drops if the unicorn is pregnant and if not only one drop.”


Three hours later a couple of dozen lay among piles of sickness and filth Harry walked towards the door leading outside intent on finding a place they could house all of them and still leave some of the stalls open for any newcomers that made it to Sanctuary sick or injured.


Walking outside Harry was shocked to see a dozen or so house elves zipping back and forth seated in chairs snapping their fingers as they managed to erect a large canopy to keep the sun and rain off the Unicorns while others were floating around bales of straw and stacking them two high in the lush grassy area while placing bales of deep green hay near the fronts of each temporary room.


An excited eldest came running over to Harry’s side. “See…See Crippled elves can still do good work for Sir Emerald Eyes.”


Sighing before placing a gentle smile on his face Harry knelt down so he could look the old house elf in the eyes. “I never doubted it for a minute Eldest. They are doing good work and I am proud they work for me.”


Standing up tiredly, and smiling down at the beaming house elf Harry started to walk back towards the barn and slowly shook his head, it would take a lot of work before the house elves started to value themselves for more than the work they could do.


Entering the door Harry announced. “A place has been prepared out in the grassy area outside for all the Unicorns to heal in. I think they would be more relaxed once we move them outside.”


Nodding their heads several of the hidden valley High Elves directed some of the house elves to levitate their patients out to the prepared area while others helped by doing the levitating themselves.


Soon all the unicorns were resting propped up on bales of straw in the grassy area with food and water in easy reach, all the while house elves zipped around in little chairs seeing to their comfort.

Back in the hospital section of the barn Harry had started to banish and clean up the mess around the aisles only to be stopped by an irate house elf. “Sir Emerald is not be doing house elf work, that is why he hired house elf’s.”


Now that the chaos was over and the Unicorns on the mend Isty along with a dozen or more house elves politely told the High Ones they should not being doing jobs they were hired for.


Saero snickering at the gob-smacked expression on Harry’s face as the irate house elf told him to stop cleaning up went over and placed his hand on his shoulder and whispered. “Come young Lord, lets leave them to do what they love to do before all the hard work you have done to nurture their independence is undone.”


“But.” Harry stuttered as he had to move to the side as gleeful house elves in flying chairs whizzed through the barn at head height snapping there fingers as they directed mops and brushes to scrub the floors spotless.


“Look at them young Lord, you have given new life to those that felt they had no use. Don’t take that moment away from them.” Saero told him.


Nodding his head in understanding, even though he was so used to doing things by himself and not having any other soul around him, Harry started for the main part of the outpost intent on following the High Elves that were being escorted to the dinning room by a chipper Trisky, when he noticed Nessius standing to one side.


Walking up to the Centaur elder Harry told him. “Thank you Nessius. Without your clans help we would have lost more of the herd than we did.”


Nessius who was in awe at the sheer number of High Ones that he had watched heal the sick Unicorns shook himself out of his thoughts when the young High one spoke to him.


“It is we who are honored that you would seek our help. Not many of the two legs in this age treat us as anything but animals to be scorned.” Nessius told him as he bowed deeply.


“We to our shame found an outcast of our clan helping several of the ones that dress in black robes and hide behind masks. Unfortunately they were all found dangling from the end of a spike with a warning that they had violated sanctuary. So we failed in the task of keeping those responsible alive for questioning.” Nessius told him slightly nervous but not showing it.


Sighing Harry replied. “Once they broke the law of Sanctuary nothing could be done. Though if you hear or see anything please send word and I will try to send out a spy or two to find out what the death eaters hoped to gain by poisoning the Unicorns.” Harry told him replacing the frown with a tired smile of thanks.


“Please feel free to wander around Sanctuary. If you need me I shall be inside attending to my guests. You can ask any of the free house elves for anything and they will be happy to provide it I’m sure.” Harry told him thinking they would probably fall over themselves in glee at being asked to do some chore or such.


Walking into the dinning room on the tail end of the explanation of who he was and his name Harry stood at the head of the table and looked over the dozen and a half High Elves that had come running to help those in need.


“I want to welcome you to my home and thank you for your help.” Harry told them as he looked at each and every one of those around the table.


“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.” Harry said bowing in respect.


Hearing the replies of it was their pleasure or not to worry about it Harry blushed and motioned to the food spread out along the table. “Please help yourselves, and enjoy.”


Sitting down Harry started to relax as platters of food were passed around and the conversation started to flow along the lines of how beautiful the grounds were from what they could glimpse through the doors and canopy.


Finally relaxing and no longer thinking that the High Elves were upset with him over taking their image when he came to this world Harry enjoyed the long meal and allowed himself to be drawn into the conversation.


After a surprisingly refreshing pudding consisting of fruit and nuts ground and rolled in powdered chocolate Harry asked. “Would you like to move this to more comfortable surrounds like the living room?”

Moving across the hall to the large spacious living room Harry was smiling and fully relaxing and almost glowing at the companionship that was being offered, he had missed knowing this back in his old world with the war and the expectations that had been placed on his shoulders from the moment he rejoined the magical, world.


Taking part in a conversation about green magic where he was telling of his experiment with the house trees and even showing several pictures of the project with a group of excited healers he almost missed the slight pop heralding the arrival of a house elf.


It was the clatter of things hitting the floor and rolling around that really grabbed his attention. Turning around he noticed the young house elf from earlier in the day shaking in fear, eyes wide as his paints rolled around by his feet.


Amathal who was nearest quickly scooped up the trembling youngster and started to croon comforting words in Elvin to him.


Harry who had gotten up and collected the spilled tubes and jars of paint placed them back into the bag and smiled a comforting smile as he handed the bag back. “Here you go Bitsy. Did we scare you?”


Harry had to really strain his hearing to follow Bitsy’s words. “Bitsy wanted to thanks Sir and show him all the paints he buys.”


Reaching his hand into his vest pocket Bitsy handed over the change. “Bitsy promised not to use all Sirs money.”


Wanting to laugh Harry took the change and asked if he had gotten the best paints he could so his painting was what he wanted it to be.


Forgetting he was being cradled in the arms of one of the High Ones, Bitsy’s eyes took on a dreamy quality as he rambled on about what he was going to paint his walls to look like and how he was going to include Sir standing in the trees with a smile on his face.


Really wanting to laugh, but afraid he would hurt the little ones feelings he was glad for the interruption of another pop behind him.


Turning around he noticed Tinky standing there angrily muttering about house elves that needed to learn a lesson.


Motioning for Tinky to follow him from the room into the hall, Harry knelt so he was face to face with the house elf and asked. “Tinky what in the world is wrong, did something happen when you and Bitsy were at the store?”


Tinky nodded his head with sadness as he relayed the conversation he had with the Elves that worked the back ally where house elves did their shopping for their masters.


“And the Wizard took one look at our vests and refused to let any of the ally elves sell to us any more sayings we not being proper elves for wearing vests. Blinky had already bought Bitsy’s paints so we did not have to sadden the little one.” Tinky finished his tale.


Harry got a gleam of retribution in his eyes that promised pain for the insult to the free house elves and told him. “I will take care of it, and make arrangements for our supplies to be bought some where else.”


Seeing that his words satisfied the house elf Harry stood up and made his way back to the living room and scanning the room noticed that Bitsy and Amathal were gone.


Saero noticing the young lords search called out. “Amathal convinced the little one to show her his home, thus making sure he returned home safely and happy.”


Nodding his head Harry sent a smile towards the Lord of the Hidden Valley to let him know he heard and returned to the conversation on green magic.


Several hours later and a promise of a copy of his notes on the house trees and several seeds to Naithar in the coming week, Harry leaned back as the only ones left in the room were Saero and himself.


“You truly enjoyed yourself tonight young Lord.” Saero said softly as he moved across the room to sit across from Harry.


Smiling Harry softly replied. “Yes I did, I really don’t think I have ever felt such a belonging as I did tonight. It was wonderful.”


Leaning back in the comfortable couch. “You do belong, you are truly one of us now. As I mentioned before twice in our long history changelings have arrived from other worlds and put down roots deep into the soil of this world.” Saero started his explanation.


“Each of these changelings settled into a land and took up the title of Lord that through magic or fate seemed to place upon their willing shoulders, each of them coming from war tore lands to this world to heal, and more than likely have similar stories to your own.” Saero got lost in his story.


Paying close attention Harry seemed to absorb his words.


“Each set up lands and named them something that had meaning to them, and protected them and those that came to them.

Each of them also worried when they found out the High Elves still existed in this world and feared they would be rejected instead of the welcome they received.

Each became a catalyst for change in the world just by being who they are. A catalyst that made the world a better place.

And instead of each of them found a home and family. AS will you.” Saero said as he took a potion out of his belt and held it out for Harry.


“You are the only changeling to make the cross that still has not matured magically yet. This potion will complete the changing you started with your changeling potion so when you do come into your magical maturity it does not drive you to the brink of insanity or worse with pain.” Saero told him holding him with his eyes.


Reaching over with a shaky hand Harry took the offered potion and asked. “What does it do?”


“If your magic was mature you would not need this as the changes to your magic would have happened when you took the changeling draught. But seeing that you slipped back in time for some reason and your body reset itself to a younger version, when your core matures it will attempt to burn out any Wizarding magic that is still left in you.” Saero explained to the rapidly paling young Lord.


“My body was failing due to abuse and malnutrition I suffered as a child, not to mention the damage defeating the dark lord’s forces before I finally defeated him.” Harry whispered in pain.


“I do not judge you, Nay, Instead I give you a boon.” Saero softly told him. “This potion will slowly clean your magic, so when the time comes that your core once again matures it will do so painlessly and without any loss of magic.”


“When you come of age you will be the most powerful magic user amongst our people. Your people now.” Saero told him.


‘I welcome you to your new home and people Lord of the lands of Sanctuary.” Saero had risen and bowed deeply.


Uncomfortable Harry blushed slightly and stammered out. “Thank you…Thank you for excepting me.”


“Several of the healers will be staying as you already know, but what I would ask is that you open your lands for more of our people to settle here if they wish.” Saero asked formally.


Standing sensing the Lord of the Hidden Valley wished to leave Harry replied. “Of course they will be welcome. I am not sure where we will put them but we will find places for all who want to make their home here.”


“It has been a long and productive day and I should return home to let you rest. And if I may suggest if you can grow more of those house trees they would make perfect homes for our people, we after all have a deep love for nature.” Saero smiled at the thought of living in a growing tree that was reinforced by ambient magic.


Harry started to lead Saero back towards the hospital array so he could shift out of the wards, he asked. “The original grove of house trees is almost ready to harvest, their seeds are almost ready to drop, so I should have plenty to pass along for you to start your own grove and plant plenty of my own.”


Stopping outside the array Harry asked something that had been weighing on his mind all day, ever since he learned that the High Elves still existed. “I have been having some run ins with Dumbledore and a few other Wizards, I am not sure how much longer I can conceal my identity and now that I know that High Elves still exist, I am not sure if it is a good idea to continue tempting fate by traveling outside the boundaries of Sanctuary.”


“Young Lord if you are wondering if we hide ourselves from the magical users on purpose, the answer is no. We tend to live isolated because we like too, not because we want to stay hidden, after seeing what a few of the individuals of the Wizarding world are willing to do to gain power, it may be time to remind the magical world that we still are around and do not like what we see.”


Slashing his hand down to open a portal Saero walked through leaving this advice floating in the air. “Tell them or not makes no difference, though if you think you can gain an advantage do so.”


Harry had a lot to think over as he walked back to his rooms holding the potion vial in his hands, realizing he had found acceptance because of what he was doing not who he was or what he could do.