The sun had risen when he finally gave up on sleep, but he lay there in the bed for a time, watching the light and shadow shift back and forth across the ceiling. Jasper's muscles still ached from the workout night before, and he felt no particular desire to rise and face another round of exercise.

Then something cold and rough brushed across his skin. His heart leaping into his throat, Jasper shot upright, searching the dimly lit room for what had touched him. He didn't have to look long. A thick, black snake was curled up beside him, nestled close to his body for warmth - at least, that is, until Jasper’s sudden movement had disturbed it.

The snake reacted to his movements aggressively. Rearing up, a large frill extended from its neck as it swayed to and fro. Unlike a cobra's hood, the frill had multiple bony protrusions sticking around its head and two stubby, vestigial wings protruded from the serpent's back. Jasper froze, not even daring to breath as the serpent swayed before him. He had no idea how long he sat there, the minutes flowing as quick as mud, but his lack of movement seemed to calm the serpent. Eventually, its frill retracted, and the snake once again curled contently against his leg.

Jasper had no idea what to do. As much as he’d loved the Crocodile Hunter as a kid, he was in no mood for a reenactment. And that wasn’t even taking into account the sheer size of the snake. He vaguely remembered documentaries about king cobras that could stand six or so feet up in the air, and he was pretty sure the current specimen snuggled up to him could give the king a run for its money. But, it wasn’t like he could just stay in his bed forever, either. Reluctantly, he forced himself to move. He inched slowly away, his movement calm and controlled, but it was all for naught. The snake, sensing its source of heat was leaving, slithered back up to him.

Stiffening, he weighed his options, remembering a spell he hadn’t used in a long time. Eternal Night.

He cast the spell cautiously, his hands beginning to glow as the essence leaked from the blue tattoos. The snake reared up again, curious, but not afraid, and then the spell took hold. The sunny room dimmed - Jasper was still able to see clearly enough, but it was as if he was wearing a pair of sunglass indoors - and the temperature dropped as his body heat was erased. Confused, the snake swayed back and forth looking for its source of heat. He scooted back slowly, casting the spell again and again as he inched across the room. When his back pressed against the wall, he finally sprung into action, throwing aside the bar on the door, and squeezing out into the hall.

Jasper let the spell end, leaning against the door as he waited for his pulse to stop racing. He didn’t know how the snake had gotten into his room. The door had been shut and, save for an open window ten feet above the ground, the room had been entirely sealed. Had the serpent crawled through that window on its own, searching for a source of warmth? Or - it wasn't a possibility he wished to acknowledge, but it was one he couldn't ignore - had someone purposefully slipped the serpent into his room? Someone in the brotherhood had tried to assassinate him in Kār-Kuppû, after all.

It took a few minutes to calm down, but when his breathing had finally come back under control, Jasper tiptoed down the hall quietly. The compound was still silent, and as he slipped past the sandy courtyard, he was glad to see that the others had not yet risen to begin their morning exercises. The Keeper’s room lay in the corridor beyond the courtyard, and he knocked softly, hoping to avoid waking the rest of the group. He'd rather not become the focus of attention

Sounds of shuffling murmured the door after he knocked, and after a few moments of waiting, the old wooden door creaked open a few inches. The old woman stared up at him, her eyes still bleary with sleep. “What do you want? Can’t an old woman enjoy her rest?” she grouched.

But her eyes grew serious as Jasper told her about the snake in his room. Disappearing into her chambers for a second, she emerged holding a long, sharp spear. Its obsidian head glistened in the light of dawn and the long, scrawling rune on its face glowed like embers of coal. “Let us see this snake,” she said.

They were back at his room within minutes. The Keeper opened the door carefully, the strange spear held in front of her. A pulse of light burst from the spearhead, and she swung the shaft to the left just in time to knock the snake’s strike aside. The old woman moved with surprising alacrity as she pinned the creature down.

The snake writhed back and forth on the ground, but with its head trapped, it was unable to do any real damage. Reaching into her bag, she drew out a small piece of netting. With a muttered word, she tossed it at the snake. But she lost her firm grip on the spear as she threw the net. Seizing its opportunity, the snake surged forward, sliding free as the expanding netting clanged against the stone uselessly.

Ignoring the Keeper, the snake zeroed in on Jasper. Its frill flared as it reared up before Jasper, tall enough that its eyes met his. Its tongue flickered in and out of its mouth as it swayed back and forth, and then it struck. The snake’s reflexes outclassed Jasper’s by a mile, but its sheer size worked against it, slowing it down slightly. He twisted to the side as the snake’s head slammed into the sandstone wall behind him. He threw himself to the ground, aware the snake was already rearing up to the strike again, and snatched up the enchanted net, tossing it blindly behind him.

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The attack never came. His aim had flown true, and the net had wrapped around the serpent. Made of twisted metal fibers, with thick ball bearings weighing down its edges, the snake thrashed futilely against its bonds. With a quick thrust of her spear, the Keeper pinned the beast down again and, reaching into her bag, withdrew a bottle. It only took a few drops of the milky-white substance on the snake’s head for it to fall into a slumber.

Only then did the Keeper look back at Jasper, her eyes clearly troubled. “Why is someone trying to kill you?” She demanded flatly.

Jasper blanched. “What makes you think that? Couldn't it have been an accident, and the snake just have come through the window?” he demanded.

The old woman nodded. “Aye, the serpent could have slithered through that window, but not without help.” She tapped the ground near the serpent’s head with her spear. “I recognize the beast from my days of adventuring. It’s quite common in the eastern wetlands near the coast, a wickedly venomous pest known as the siren’s kiss.” She fixed with him a stony glare. “It’s a most unpleasant death. The beast’s venom rots your organs from the inside out; you’ll die hemorrhaging blood and ichor from every orifice, screaming in agony. But this snake does not live in the Harei Miqlat. So, I’ll ask you again: why is someone trying to kill you?

Jasper felt his stomach drop at the horrific description, but he shook his head resolutely. He doubted the old woman meant him any harm, but he couldn’t afford to risk trusting her with his mission from Kas̆dael.

She frowned, worry clashing with irritation as he refused to speak. “Fine,” the Keeper relented, “don’t tell me. But you must be more careful. This snake could not have been cheap to procure - whatever enemies you’ve made must have deep pockets.”

Scooping up the pacified snake, she turned to leave the room, pausing at the threshold. “If you change your mind and want to talk, my door is open.” With that she left the room, padding down the quiet corridor.

“What was that about?”

Jasper almost leapt out of his skin as a familiar voice broke the silence. Spinning around, he clasped a hand to his heart as he smiled weakly at Ihra. “Selene’s grace, you scared me. I didn’t hear you at all.” Ihra grinned. “Yeah, I’ve been working on my stealth. But seriously, what was that about? Did I just see the Keeper walking away with a giant snake?”

Her grin faded as he filled her in on what had happened.

“We should leave.” Ihra snapped, shifting uncomfortably as her eyes scanned the dark recesses of the corridor, perhaps fearing that another of the beasts was lurking in the still dimly lit corners of the tempe.

Jasper shook his head. “We can’t just leave. I have to do this quest for Kas̆dael,” he objected.

“Yes, but there are other temples to Nahrēmah. I’m sure there’s one in the capital. You haven’t even been here a whole day and somebody already tried to kill you.” She spoke quietly, not wanting to wake up the rest of the temple, but her words were fierce. "How you are even supposed to investigate this secret brotherhood if they already know who you are and are trying to kill you?"

He sighed. “Believe me, I get it; I definitely don't want to stay, but Kas̆dael told me to check out this temple specifically. There must be some reason she sent me here. Plus, I think I already found a lead.” He told her what Laylah had said the night before. “It sounds like she might be part of this Brotherhood of Yas̆gah, or at least has heard of it. I have to check it out.”

Ihra scowled, her brows knit together like thunderclouds, but his partner reluctantly relented. “Fine, we’ll stay another day. But we have to go to the capital soon anyways. A certain someone is expecting you.”

“I know,” Jasper agreed. “I’m sure we won’t finish the quest today, but maybe I can make an inroad with Laylah before we have to meet S̆arrābī.”

Ihra didn’t hold back her snort. “I don’t think you’ll have to do anything to make an ‘inroad’ with that woman. Her overtures couldn’t be any more obvious.”

Jasper blushed, his red skin doing its best to hide the incriminating evidence. “She’s not that bad.”

Ihra just laughed. “Whatever you have to tell yourself.”

The morning exercises were torture. Jasper’s muscles were already in agony from the previous day, but the instructor had not a shred of pity, zipping through one form after another with brutal efficiency. His legs were quivering like jello by the end, the sweat coating every inch of his body, but he managed to finish the exercise, ignoring the occasional scornful looks cast his way.

He willed himself out of the courtyard, finding a quiet nook out of sight of the others, before allowing himself to collapse.

His peace did not last long, however, as a shadow loomed over him.

A spell had already leapt to his fingers when he realized he recognized the Djinn. It was Abnu. His hand stiffened, ready to release the spell at the slightest twitch.

But the Djinn giant bowed his head, mumbling something softly.

“Pardon?” Jasper hadn’t caught a word of the Djinn’s speech.

Reluctantly, the giant spoke up. “I wanted…to apologize.” He stamped his foot awkwardly. “I got carried away in the heat of battle. My actions were dishonorable.”

“Oh.” Jasper was nonplussed, not quite knowing what to say. He certainly hadn't expected the angry Djinn to apologize. “Um, that’s alright, I guess?”

The large Djinn perked up. “Will you ask Lady Hayil to reinstate me in the duels?”

“I don’t really know how your rules work, but I guess I don’t care-” he smiled ruefully - "as long as I don't have to fight you again."

A grin split the face of the Djinn. “That’s great!” he exulted with all the enthusiasm of a certain toon tiger. But the giant’s face sobered almost immediately. “I really did mean what I said, though. I promise that if we do fight again, I’ll control myself better.” With that, he disappeared down the hall with an undeniable bounce in his step.

Jasper watched him leave, bemused. Sometimes first impressions can be deceiving, I guess.

With a groan, he forced himself to stand up. Despite how much fun he was having with the cult’s endless enthusiasm for exercise, he was here on a mission. It was time to track down Laylah.