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A new dawn rose over the entry to the valley of the Centaurs. He tropical rain forest ambled on for as far as the eye could see. Mast was burning off the low-lying lakes clouding areas of the forest adding to the eerie land. The cry of a strange bird startled Cassie as she pondered her decision. Should she transverse the valley or march for ten days to skirt this unknown place.
She could be home in half the time if she were brave and willing to face the great-unknown perils of this valley. This place had long held great mystery for her people. The Aberon are race of fighter women ruled by a great Matriarch who presided over a society in which women are the dominant sex. Cassie like most of her race was a powerful looking woman. At six foot eight and two hundred and twenty pounds there were few that would challenge her.
Auburn hair cascaded down her body to her waist, deep green eyes highlighted her olive complexion all combined to give the ability to conceal her self in battle. She was muscular, her body perfectly proportioned from her small breasts, to her athletic calves she was every inch a soldier.
The battle against the Ibu had been running well but Cassie had become separated from her squad and forced behind enemy lines. The only thing she could do was to return home and rejoin her squad. Now she had the choice the Valley or the Ibu. The Ibu she knew well a race of dominant males who for a century had raged intermittent war on the Fallon (her people) to fall into their hands would be certain death, or worse still a life as a slave to some Ibu male. The Valley was a place of mystery for the last century none had been know to enter the valley. Not Ibu or Fallon. It was a place of religious significance to both cultures. History records that none that entered here have ever returned.
In the end her decision was made easier as a patrol of Ibu made near to her, she had no choice but to enter the valley.
Cassie had picked a mark to make true east, knowing that this was the direction to her home land.
Progress was slow if only for the reason this skilled fighter was taking that extreme. There was ample food and fresh water to be fond as she traversed this tropical wonderland. Nothing she saw or heard gave any clue as to the supposed mystery of this place. The more she marched, the more comfortable she became. Just as she was beginning to doubt this place had any thing to hide she heard a sound from the bushes ahead.