"I don't think you should come," Kendra hissed. "You have too much of a temper. We need to sincerely beg."
"How dumb do you think I am?" Seth replied. "Anyone can beg!"
Kendra gave him a dubious glance. "Can you humbly plead for a favor from a jerk who rubs your nose in it?"
He hesitated. "Of course."
"You better not blow this," Kendra warned, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Remember, by groveling, we're manipulating them. Pride is their weakness, and we're exploiting that in order to get what we need. They may gloat, but if they do what we ask, we're the ones in charge."
"And if they turn us down flat?" Seth asked.
"We'll have tried," Kendra said simply. "And we'll leave it at that. We can't afford extra problems, not with so much riding on tomorrow. Can you behave?"
"I will," he said, sounding more certain than he had earlier.
"Follow my lead," Kendra said.
"Let me introduce you first."
As they approached, the centaurs did not watch them. When Kendra and Seth finally stood directly before them, the centaurs kept their solemn eyes steadily fixed upon some inscrutable subject of interest elsewhere.
"Broadhoof, Cloudwing, this is my sister, Kendra," Seth said. "She wanted to meet you."
Cloudwing glanced down at them. Broadhoof did not.
"We come to you on an urgent errand," Kendra said.
Cloudwing regarded her momentarily. The silver fur on his quarters twitched. "We already declined the invitation to counsel with your grandsire."
"This isn't a repeated invitation," Kendra said. "We've devised a plan to recover an item that may help reverse the plague. Many of the other creatures here have offered their help, but without you, we're leaderless."
Now both of the centaurs regarded her.
Kendra continued. "We need to divert the attention of the darkened creatures watching this area so my grandpa and a few others can slip away to pursue the item. None of the other creatures have the speed or ability to lead the charge through the main gap in the hedge."
"Only tainted centaurs could truly challenge us," Cloudwing considered, eyes on Broadhoof.
"We could outdistance the satiric sentries at will," Broadhoof said.
"How do we know this scheme warrants our leadership?" Cloudwing asked.
Kendra faltered, glancing at Seth.
"My grandpa is willing to risk his life, and the lives of his family, to carry out the plan," Seth said. "We can't guarantee it will work, but at least it gives us all a chance."
"Without your help, we'll never know," Kendra exaggerated. "Please."
"We need you," Seth said. "If the plan works, you'll have rescued Fablehaven from my grandfather's incompetent management." He glanced at Kendra for approval.
The centaurs leaned together, conferring inaudibly.
"Your lack of leadership is indeed a problem," Broadhoof pronounced. "But Cloudwing and I do not perceive it as our problem. We must decline."
"What?" Seth cried. "Are you serious? Then I'm glad half the preserve is here to watch who stood idly by when Fablehaven was endangered."
Kendra glared at her brother.
"We care little for the fate of satyrs and humans, and less for their reactions to our indifference," Cloudwing stated.
"Thanks anyhow," Kendra said, grabbing Seth's arm to pull him away. He shook free of her. "Fine," Seth spat. "But I'll be going out there tomorrow. Good luck ignoring the fact that you don't even have the courage of a human boy."
The centaurs stiffened.
"Am I deceived, or did the whelp label us cowards?" Cloudwing asked in a dangerous tone. "Our verdict not to lead your diversion had nothing to do with fearfulness. We recognized the activity as futile."
Broadhoof fixed Seth with a fierce stare. "Surely the human youth misspoke."
Seth folded his arms and stared back silently.
"If he means to stand by his insult," Broadhoof said forebodingly, "I will demand immediate satisfaction. No one, great or small, tramples my honor."
"You mean a duel?" Seth asked incredulously. "You're going to prove your courage by beating up a kid?"
"He raises a valid concern," Cloudwing said, laying a hand on Broadhoof's shoulder. "Consorting with hogs will only leave us soiled."
"The two of you are dead to us," Broadhoof declared. "Depart."
Kendra tried to drag Seth away, but he was too strong.
"All muscle and no backbone," Seth snarled. "Let's go find some satyrs to lead us. Or maybe a dwarf. Leave the frightened ponies to pretend they have honor."
Kendra wanted to strangle her brother.
"We overlooked your insult out of pity," Broadhoof fumed. "Yet you persist?" "I thought I was dead," Seth said. "Keep it straight, you nag."
Broadhoof balled his fists, huge muscles bunching in his forearms. Veins stood out in his beefy neck. "Very well. Tomorrow at sunrise, you and I will resolve the issue of my honor."
"No we won't," Seth said. "I don't fight with mules. The fleas are my biggest concern. That, and the actual problems that need solving. You're welcome to murder me in my tent."
"Broadhoof is within his rights to challenge you to a duel after a deliberate insult," Cloudwing asserted. "I stand as a witness of the exchange." He extended a hand, indicating the surrounding area. "Furthermore, this place is a refuge for creatures of light. As a human, you are a trespasser here. Like the naiads in the pond, Broadhoof could slay you at will with utter impunity."
Kendra felt her stomach drop. Seth looked shaken.
"Which would prove nothing about your honor," Seth said, his voice almost steady. "If you care about honor, lead the diversion tomorrow."
The centaurs put their heads together and spoke quietly. After a moment they parted.
"Seth Sorenson," Broadhoof intoned weightily. "Never in my long years have I been so openly affronted. Your words are unforgivable. And yet I am not ignorant to the reality that they were spoken in a misguided ploy to gain my assistance, in counterpoint to the awkward flattery you attempted at first. For the insolence of denying my challenge, I should strike you down where you stand. But in acknowledgment of the desperate valor behind your words, I will stay my hand for the moment, and forget this conversation ever occurred if you drop to your knees, beg my forgiveness, claim insanity, and declare yourself a craven coward."