Galen Vesa
The serpent stood in silence before me. Light robe of reddish sheer hardly hid her tempting shapes and the fascinating way her bright, pinkish flesh joined with her scales.
And like a child all I could think of was, mine are bigger.
What else would I tell her? Since the sobbing dragon deserted me and my mind I had no purpose in this place aside from staring at our host or the splendor of her temple. Should I call the spirits to take us away? To where? No. Their company being the last thing I may want.
The seer surveyed the remnants of my dress. Her eyes, although hidden, where locked on my chest.
“Is there no other way? A letter perhaps?”
Erta’s sorrow echoing through my mind did not make things easier. I could sense she did all in her power to restrain her emotions but… Our hope crashed and burned in a single moment. Akin to my childhood. Nothing I could say or do would help now.
“One aside of time? No. I am afraid not. Wounds such as these require time. It pains me deeply I cannot be of better use. Unless…”
With a tiny rumble her tail swam over the marble floor while she circled around me. The floor itself felt oddly warm under my feet. I’m not sure what surprised me more. The heated floor or the fact that I felt it. What had that spirit done with me?
“I would be honored to offer you my hospitality. A night and a day should be acceptable before anyone would start raising alarms. It is most difficult in this day and age to find someone willing to be so casual with me and perhaps I may sooth some of your pain.”
If my ability to read people had any value, I would say she sounded sincere. And I should probably stop staring at a certain part of her tail. That and… I really, really wanted a bath.
World be damn I need a bath. Nice, long, hot bath.
“A generous offer I am sure but not one you would make to a stranger.”
Nothing is free. Life taught me, repeating that lesson over and over again.
“I have lived far longer than all the lives of the people of this town combined and I will live twice as more. I have seen my own lonesome death and I know it will not come from your hand empress.”
She came so close our lips nearly touched while her cold breath tickled my face. Jealous wind ruffed my hair from behind.
“Come,”
She pat her tail, inviting.
“The bath is waiting and… perhaps my own scales could use a good scrub.”
Okay. Am I being hit on by a hot, cold blooded, snake lady? Where did I leave my clozapine...
In another world. In another life. On another body.
“In your visions. Did I perchance received a new robe?”
A smile emerged on her lips and for a moment I saw her fangs hidden behind that smile.
“Yes. With plenty of support.”
My ears heard one thing while my mind deciphered another. So much for changing the subject. Well, if I am to pack us into trouble again, at least we wont have to run away with half naked ass.
“I humbly accept your hospitality,”
I made something resembling a curtsy. Or something I imagined might resemble a curtsy.
“But the other offer I must refuse. My friend is grieving. It would be inappropriate.”
She froze. Eh, me and my big mouth.
“You are… not the dragon?”
This time I studied the seer. Should she not know all that? Had her visions not shown her “us”?
“No.”
The tip of her tail twitched. Oopsie.
“She is crying her eyes out and wants to be left alone. I on the other had would appreciate the bath or if that offer no longer stands, a robe to cover myself and directions to the nearest doors so I could excuse myself.”
Which by the second appeared to be the only choice. Out, I thought and the compass on my ring came to life and spun pointing at the doors behind me. I bowed once more and spun on my heels then left her frozen in her thoughts.
“I… I cannot see you. What are you?”
Boy, have I lost count of times I asked myself that. Though, right now I really had no answer to give and no inclination to stay if it meant more of unanswerable questions.
And I almost got that robe.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Ignoring her, I went for the door.
“Stop! Please. I will not harm you.”
Too many movies started with that line. Even faster now I pulled the handle and… Oh. Shiny, pointy, bits aimed at me. Lots’a pointy bits aimed at me. Not good. My arms went up in a well-rehearsed manner.
The guards brought me back before the seer. This time my arms were held behind my back and I was pushed to my knees. Not exactly an improvement.
She reached out to me but her fingers stayed away from my skin.
“If you allow?”
And what could I do? Call the fire to slaughter them all and run away? No. That is not what I am. I bobbed my head, giving my permission.
She put her fingertips on my cheek and almost instantly jerked it away. However, the damage been done already. Thick black blood dripped from her nostrils.
“…So many…”
She whispered and collapsed onto her coiled tail. Two things followed. Behind my back, a sword went “shling!” and out of its sheath. Then the blade rose in an arc and fell with a force enough to cut iron. Although instead of iron, the blade fell on my neck, right between the vertebrates.
At that moment the second thing happened. Instead of slicing through my neck, the blade snapped in half while the force of impact smashed my head against the marble floor. The stone cracked and shattered under my forehead.
But the guards did not wait. More swords fell on my back while spears stabbed my sides.
All without any effect.
Spears broke and the blades snapped.
“Stop! Do not harm… her. She is my guest.”
Suddenly the snake announced, her rasping body overlaid with a yellow tint. Where did I saw that before?
The onslaught stopped and the guards stepped away.
“Your holiness…”
“Leave us.”
She hissed out the order. Her voice stern. Whatever objections the guard captain had, he knew better than to challenge the seer. He sheathed what left of his sword, bowed and left.
“Lellu, go. I am well.”
Still dripping blood, the snake tried to free herself from the hands of a priestess starting daggers at me.
“No. You aren’t. You lost too much blood. Here, drink.”
The young redhead undid her robe and guided the seer's lips toward her own neck. Should I blink I would not noticed when the fangs sank into the girl’s flesh. She did not scream. Not even winced. Just her emerald eyes watched me. Full of anger and distrust. She watched me until her pale body collapsed in the seer's arms.
“Is she alright?”
“Hardly. I took more than I ought. Foolish child.”
She scribbled a rune with her own blood over the priestess heart.
“Even the favor of spirits… Who are you? What are… those within you?”
Her head stayed turned towards the girl. She cradled her body within her arms. Even I could see she cared deeply for that one. I got up to my feet but stayed away where they left me.
“Speak freely. There are no spies within the ranks of my servants. What is spoken within these walls, stay within them. Many paid in blood to ensure that.”
Just how much I could safely tell her? Erta, forgive me but…
*I do not care. Speak what you may.*
She cut me off and withdrawn even further. Between a mourning dragon and uncertain future I choose truth to be my guide.
“A bystander and those were voices of my broken mind. We came here seeking your advice. Now? There is nothing left for me here.”
So far I have not given any thought to what we would do after we find her daughter. How to survive in a world so different from mine?
“I have told you what my gift shown me. What you do with that knowledge is no concern of mine. Although, if you wish to heed my advice and wait for the proper time, I may be of some further help.”
“There is a person in this town that would benefit from your gifts. She is in need of able workers. If you stay the night, in the morning I will arrange for you to go there.”
“Having something to do will help you pass the time.”
A reasonable offer. Perhaps one that might become beneficial in the long run?
“I would be grateful for any help.”
I spoke and then, even further pushing my luck, I added.
“Is there a chance to salvage that bath?”
The seer smiled at that.