Luca's eyes widened in surprise.
Before he could react, the other centaurs followed suit, bowing their heads in unison.
"THANK YOU FOR SAVING OUR GRANDMOTHERS AND MOTHERS!" They shouted together.
The elders watched with fond gazes, as though they had known this was coming all along.
Riley slowly lifted her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm not good at this." She continued, her words coming faster now, as if she was afraid she'd lose her nerve. "Speeches. Feelings. Gratitude. I'd much rather swing my sword around and let my blade do the talking. But—"
She swallowed hard. "But you deserve to hear this. You deserve to know what you've done for us."
Another centaur stepped forward, her voice trembling.
"My mother used to outrun me when I was a child. She was the fastest in the village. But as the years went on, I watched her slow down. Then I outpaced her. Then I had to help her walk." She wiped at her eyes. "I never wanted to pass her. Not like that."
