--- Little Sis POV

Miraphine raises a hand to signal a halt. Big Sis and I heed her warning and shortly after Broken Lance scampers into view stirring up the minimum of dust on the northerly trail we have been trudging along. We hope he returns with news of a suitable campsite, one with water to refill our canteens and shade, all eager to end this day of travel regardless.

Breathless, he reports, “A large camp, two hill rises over, Snake Kin with wagons and many guards.”

“Did your eyes fall upon a flag, a House flag perhaps?” asks Miraphine.

“Many,” he gasps out.

I hand him a canteen; he nods and throws back a long swallow. “Thanks,” he says returning the item.

Miraphine faces me, locking my eyes under her gaze. “We need to avoid them Prophet of Aphrodite. Our lives will be at great risk if we continue.”

I hold great respect for Miraphine, the Leader of this Questor Group and she would know her Kin better than I, and yet I need this great test, the ones and twos met along the trail, even the single or double wagons we can intimate due to our numbers to gain an audience, they aren’t enough. The dwindling traffic over the past few days now has an explanation.

“You command the Darkness Element do you not Mistress Miraphine?”

Her interlacing fingers dance in front of her belly. “Yes, although I would be unable to strike any down, darkness is a subtle element.”

“Yet at night, surely you would be at an advantage, surrounded by your element …”

“Torchlight, campfires and of course lanterns once inside a tent, they all hinder.”

“Perhaps I should explain my plan.” I glance at Big Sis; she swallows in preparation while I stifle a laugh in response. “The Questor Group is to secure our rescue if required, not escort us. Preferably under the cover of your darkness, or perhaps blinding any who wish us immediate harm, while Broken Lance commands the field with his archery, Macer stands guard over you with Barald ready to charge in from another direction, two-handed hammer smashing away to create a distraction.”

“What of me Prophet?” asks Faybeth.

I place my hands upon her black and white fur shoulders and sigh. “Yours is the most difficult of tasks.” Her eyes light up. “Do you stand behind Barald ready to heal or do stand by Miraphine ready to heal Big Sis or me if we return wounded?”

She searches for an answer, catching Barald with her eyes and he returns an encouraging smile. Miraphine, still deep in her thoughts remains silent.

“Miraphine and Broken Lance can provide you protection, therefore the more Barald can distract the better, so I follow him.”

“I agree.”

Grey drains from Big Sis’ face. I lightly slap her shoulder.

“I counsel you not to do this. Prophet Nami!” The Snake Kin reaches out a hand to grab me, which I gently lift off and warmly grasp with my other hand. I glance into her eyes, her use of my name instead of simply Prophet a revelation. Big Sis’ name they throw around, this instance therefore unique.

“Have faith Miraphine … this is my duty and my calling. I place none in danger except my sister and me. Your Kin may cut me down upon sight, they may toy with me first and then cut me down or if I am truly blessed by our Goddess they may listen and heed her Divine illumination and awaken to appreciate worship of her.”

Miraphine grabs her head in her hands, body swaying from side to side. A voice full of concern replies, “We are responsible for your safety Prophet and yet at this great test you abandon us. We can see the logic, and yet while sound we feel helpless.”

I drop my pack to the ground and draw my simple white full-length robe around me, my toes play in the dust of the trail and I stand ready as does Big Sis. “My friends, if we don’t return or we flee trying to escape our deaths you will have your chance to shed blood on our behalf, either in revenge or trying to protect us. For now, two lives are more affordable than seven it is simple maths, so be of good cheer and stand alert, if all goes badly it will do so quickly.”

“You are brave, young one, to confront Snake Kin in their lair, even if a temporary one,” says Macer, his dog ears laying back, moisture creeping into his eyes.

I shake my head. “I am not brave,” I reply while reaching out to clear the dust from his eyes. “I lean upon my faith and the newfound wisdom granted a Prophet, my childhood behind me early upon acceptance of this holy duty.”

With that, I climb the hillock a wagon rut on either side guiding me along the trail. Loyal Big Sis follows behind in silence.

---

We gaze upon the camp below, Broken Lance accurate as always, second hillock over. His guess is the guards will take perhaps several heartbeats before they notice us if we walk into plain view.

“You believe your stick will make a difference?” I smirk.

“Don’t belittle my quarterstaff sister, I will clear a path for us if required.”

Shouts break us from further banter, several heartbeats have passed as Broken Lance predicted.

“Well then let us meet our future worshippers.”

My sister opens her mouth which shortly after closes, following all the same.

Armed and armoured Snake Kin rush to meet us as we casually approach. Seven in number and all a new type, certainly not any seen in Quest Town which is our single exposure to all the Kin. Even in the dusk light I easily note snakeskin adorns their Snakeheads to then drapes over their shoulders and down their arms still ending with fingers on their hands while lower torso and legs are bereft of snakeskin, similar in fact to my Goddess’ torso, while in Lamia form.

Their mouths dominate their heads, large fangs, hissing while they order us about. Essentially, they are to escort us, yet they don’t touch either of us or disarm Big Sis. Perhaps our height intimidates them? I am tall enough to see over them, while Big Sis’ shoulder is level with the tops of their heads. Our arrival disturbs the quiet of their camp, many needing to gawk. I note archers amongst them, the snake tail supporting snakeskin covered torso, arms, and head, although their mouths while snake-like are smaller than other Kin.

A female Snake Kin meets us, our escort commanding us to stop and await her appraisal. Snakeskin a deep emerald green, head and tail, her torso though a lighter shade of green, yet skin, not snakeskin, like Miraphine and I wonder if she commands an element as proficiently as Miraphine wields darkness. I note she draws herself up, managing to look down upon me, yet only meeting Big Sis’s chin, even with Big Sis trying to inadvertently scrunch down. Our plan required us both to appear as harmless travellers.

“Why do you spy upon our camp?” she hisses.

I hold out my hand. “My name is Nami, Stone Giantess from the Mountains and your name is?”

Her thin forked tongue darts out. “Where is the rest of your company?”

Miraphine warned us, that Snake Kin would be able to taste the scent of others upon us. “We have met many during our travels which we now consider friends. Welcome to share their company and tell our tales around their campfires as many are intrigued when they first meet Stone Giants.” I add late. “Usually.” This would explain the confusing array of Kin scents we carry upon us while avoiding a direct lie.

Her eyes bare down upon me, humourless black orbs. Her tongue tastes us again.

“My name is Taha,” offers Big Sis.

She ignores Big Sis’ offer to shake her hand, hissing instead. “Wait here.” She glances at an especially tall Snake Kin male.

He steps forward, pushing into the gathering crowd around us, hissing orders, “Back to your duties …”

In short order, our audience fades away and we are left with our seven escorts and the tall one who suddenly nods. “Forward, to the Matriarch’s pavilion.” The seven guards shrink back, eyes furtive while the tall one hisses shaking his snakehead, an arm pointing.

We follow the direction of his hand and after several steps, we notice the absence of our escort. As we stop and stare over our shoulders they dawdle well behind in discussion, the tall one no longer present disappearing into the encroaching night most likely. We wait and the seven become a reluctant five, our pace slowing to match theirs. The journey to the centre of the camp takes us twice as long I estimate before we meet another pair of guards before a cavernous tent entrance, canvas flaps drawn closed. One quickly holds a flap open sweeping his free hand towards the spill of light from within, an invitation. All of us to enter, even our reluctant escorts.

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I lead, while Big Sis needs to bend her head slightly to follow. Several Snake Kin females lounge about on an array of pillows, there is one exception, her pillows are upon a dais and all are silent while she inspects us, the deep emerald green Snake Kin upright and attentive immediately to her right, notably beside the dais.

I march forward before any of the escorts, still dragging their feet, can prevent me. Hissing surrounds me and yet I hold out my hand. “My name is Nami, Stone Giantess from the Mountains and your name is?”

An escort on either side now reaches me, attempting to drag me back. Youthful I maybe, Stone Giant I am, and their efforts are in vain. Another two join them and I give a little. Big Sis is content to lean upon her quarterstaff and observe. The final one attempts to join in. Big Sis straightens growling. His eyes dart towards Big Sis and then the Snake Kin on the dais, who waves him away. He scrambles back to the entrance.

“Enough,” she hisses.

The four release me and back off, eyes down until they join the other downcast in defeat.

I stretch out my hand once again.

“Don’t,” she hisses. “We Snake Kin don’t allow strangers to be within treachery range.”

I return a glorious smile. “Once we shake hands and exchange names while I admit we won’t be friends, we won’t be strangers either,” I counter, my voice light and pleasant.

“Name the Snake Kin you have met on the trail and before you doubt our senses and think of lying there is only the one.”

“I am not permitted to lie.”

A chorus of amusing hisses greets my statement.

I repeat my statement, “I am not permitted to lie, Miraphine, a Daughter of House Burning Fang allowed me to share her camp, but a day’s walk from Quest Town.”

The emerald Snake Kin and the light purple hue dais Snake Kin share a brief conversation.

“Then you would know her Matriarch, Yinrel?”

I recognise the game-like test. “She didn’t speak of Matriarchs, only of her Mistress … Alasse, Daughter of House Burning Fang.”

“Did she trust you to reveal her Element?”

“Yes,” I answer immediately.

A gleam reaches the eyes of the Snake Kin upon the dais. “What is her Element, the truth and I will begin to trust you.”

The Element of a Snake Kin is their ultimate secret, only revealed to trusted and sworn friends and the fact I knew important in itself, yet to reveal that to another a great taboo. While none knew your element you could bluff until called to challenge of course.

“I swore upon my Goddess not to reveal her Element.”

The Snake Kin within the huge tent exchange questioning looks until they seem to beg askance from the Snake Kin upon the dais. Her snakehead draws back. Asking this question is repugnant to her, a sign of weakness not knowing the answer to everything. I silently thank Miraphine for her lessons in Snake Kin signs.

“My Goddess Aphrodite is sacred to me. Devout worship is rewarded, breaking my vows unacceptable. She guides me to always tell the Truth, to reward me with Fertility when I come of age, sentence me or her foes to Death when she is offended and sow Disorder amongst those who would annoy her.”

The Snake Kin hold their breath, waiting …

“Your Goddess is mighty indeed, perhaps I should slay you to earn her wrath, what say you?”

I bow and then go to one knee. “I offer you my life willingly, my early death will mean I can’t displease my Goddess by straying from her worship, any future temptations denied me. My Spirit and Soul to remain pure and be welcomed by her.”

Footfalls approach. They stop and the rasp of a sword being drawn from a sheath is next. Air moves above me, the swishing of the sword. Practice swings? Big Sis rests upon her quarterstaff.

“You!” she hisses.

Big Sis shuffles about and I sense she looks upon the dais Snake Kin.

“Why don’t you defend your companion?”

“I will invoke our Goddess and take revenge if you slay my companion, but I won’t deny you the offering she has made of her life.”

I love my sister; she is a wonder who trusts me as I trust her. She tried to dissuade me from this approach and yet yielded when I told her to have faith. What I didn’t reveal to her was the difference between Priests and Prophets. Priests are the avatars of their God and by accumulating Divine and Faith Spells deliver by deeds and miracles the illusion of their God still walking amongst us. Prophets have a basic set of Divine Spells and no more, for their God imbues them with a piece of knowledge and wisdom aligned with the God’s Realms, I act, debate, and argue as would my Goddess. My youth isn’t a handicap as my Goddess is always on my shoulder whispering while in truth she is elsewhere. Prophets are imbued with Divine guidance. I am confident my Goddess is aware of her blessing, how could she not?

On one knee my vision is limited yet from what I can observe, the dais Snake Kin displays the necessary behaviour; the writhing of her snake tail, an inner conflict arising from the unexpected; the free offer of my life and the unknown; retribution of some sort if she takes my life. There is another possibility of course, could all this be a trick and she made to look like the fool?

I break the deadlock by climbing to my feet. “I greatly appreciate your favour in sparing my life. In so doing I only feel it right to offer you another life in return. Do you accept?”

Her neck muscles tense in response as she resists the urge to swivel her head and seek council from those who attend her. The Matriarch of a Snake Kin House is unable to show any weakness. Still, I need to be careful, driven too far and she will destroy to remove the dilemma and worry about the consequences after.

I offer further explanation. “Do you have one of your number pregnant now? One you wish to fall pregnant. With my Goddess’ blessing, she will be assured of healthy births.”

The dais Snake Kin throws her head back in a burst of booming hissing laughter, she is immediately joined by the sycophants around her. This continues until she wipes tears of mirth from her eyes.

“Fetch her,” she says.

We lose one of our guards as he runs off. No name is given so the mother to be well known, this is a definite challenge then, good. Quiet conversation blossoms while we are entirely ignored. I suspect the fetching will take a great deal of time.

Big Sis leans over to me and whispers, “I smell stone, perhaps I could sculpt something while we wait?”

The dais Snake Kin launches herself towards us. “You are not permitted to talk.”

I take my chance and hold my hand out near hers. “My name is Nami, Stone Giantess from the Mountains and your name is?”

When you hold your hand out there is a natural inclination for the other to shake it, a built-in response passed down through the ages. She takes my hand and only after, when her tongue extends in a whipping motion missing my nose by the barest of widths, do I realise she isn’t amused. Her vengeance? She applies strength to her grip.

“Your name Matriarch?” I don’t know if she is a Matriarch, after all, they rarely travel to expose themselves, if she is all the better, if she isn’t then my mistake is a subtle compliment, recognising her future greatness.

Her grip relaxes, as a hungry grin spreads across her lips revealing all her spear sharp teeth. “If I tell you my name, I will have to kill you. Do you wish to know that badly?”

“I will swear upon my Goddess not to reveal your name to another, nevertheless I don’t need to know the name of one so powerful. I can simply say I met a Snake Kin who commanded many, while on my travels and those who hear my words will need to be satisfied by guessing for themselves.”

Releasing our handshake, she swats my hand away in one motion. Her head snaps to one side as she slithers around the dais to mount it once again.

“Matriarch?” calls Big Sis.

There is frustration in her movements and pose as she halts. “Now the other one speaks, what? Since I seem to be at your beck and call when you should be at mine.”

“If you grant me some stone, perhaps I can improve your dais?”

Her head lowers slightly. “And while you improve my dais where am I to recline?”

“I would encourage you to question Nami about our Goddess Aphrodite, acceptance, rejection or disinterest will still yield you an improved dais.”

A snickering hiss. “We know of Zeus, Hera and Athena, the rumours of another and nothing more, so perhaps a firsthand account will confirm or deny what I have heard.” She waves a hand towards her dais. “Stone supports the platform take what you need, I have plenty more …”

Time passes in debate and discussion. I am careful not to paint Zeus, Hera or Athena as the enemy, all Gods offer the worshipper something, you need to find your fit, what will support you to obtain a better life and strengthen you to help succour those about you or those you command or destroy.

“It seems my sister has completed your dais Matriarch.” Our second time over the same conversation points and I welcome the chance of a distraction.

She swivels about, exposing her back to me. I immediately take two steps back, quelling any concerns before they arise. Her neck cranes about, jaws exposing teeth. A test then, not an oversight. Slithering towards the low lounge the Matriarch poises above the construct and then like a duck to water slides into the undulations and positions her torso against the backrest. There is a hint of satisfaction and then she speaks while waving a hand.

“What is this flat thing?”

“If I may be permitted to approach Matriarch?” says Big Sis.

A set of enquiring beady eyes land upon my sister who holds up a bottle and a wine glass. Both retrieved from her slung over pouch, which none in our time with the Snake Kin deemed worthy of inspection. We appear harmless and therefore are? Alternatively, they consider themselves so strong there is nothing in a pouch that could threaten them.

Head low, Big Sis places the wine glass upon the side table, pops the cock on the bottle of wine and then pours out a glass taking a step back when done.

“The glass isn’t full?” she hisses so only Big Sis and I can hear.

“Wine is savoured Matriarch, a sip in the mouth, swilled around to taste the many subtle flavours and then swallow,” whispers Big Sis.

The Matriarch’s hand extends out to the glass of wine, she sips, swills, and then swallows. Her eyes pop out of her head. Alasse’s guess was proven right matching the wine to the rumoured Matriarch of House Burning Fang's proficiency in the lightning element.

I approach. “Matriarch, be aware, your taste in wine is your taste, another could dislike your choice in favour of another.”

A satisfying, devious smile spreads across her lips. “So, if I were to offer a sip to each in my court, they would find the taste, not to their liking and if they professed rapture they would be lying?”

Big Sis responds quicker than I. “From our limited understanding, the Snake Kin palate for wine is somewhat linked to their Element proficiency.”

Her grip on the wine glass tightens, threatening to shatter the vessel and spill the remaining wine. I realise our mistake. Wine has become a tell as far as this Snake Kin Matriarch is concerned, potentially revealing a closely guarded secret.

“A House contains many Snake Kin with many proficiencies therefore the need to acquire many varieties of wine would be natural,” I offer.

After taking more than a sip she whispers her thoughts aloud, unaware I am certain. “Many reveal their proficiency, but some are granted two or three. I have always held the suspicion they claim their weakest while practising their strongest in secret. Wine will reveal the truth.”

The tent flaps then snap wide open and there is no need for an introduction. “You dolts the light is too bright and again you jostle my bed with every step. I am delicate and near-term, don’t you understand. You on the right, slap the one on the left, he doesn’t seem to be listening.”

“Madam, if I do, he may drop his corner …” The words frail.

“Sister. I bid you welcome and offer you a gift.”

The guards rush to turn down several of the lanterns. The Snake Kin on the bed blinks. As the bed is positioned in the middle of the tent and finally at rest upon the ground, she slaps one of her porters and then whines. “The pain sister …”

Her belly is distended to the point of bursting. During the Temple consecration, many of the Kin gave birth and even those blessed with the Goddess’ fertility didn’t strive for numbers, instead, focusing on strong and healthy births. The survival of the mother is as important as the survival of the newborns.

“I fear I will crush the eggs again upon extrusion, I am a shameful stain upon our House, not worthy to be called your sister …”