“Are we going to fight about this?” Fifty feet of prepared muscles crossed over my legs and circled me.
“No, Snake, we’re not. I’m too tired. It’s been a day.” As he moves, I rest a hand on him so his scales slide under my palm.
Snake gently coiled around me on the pallet. “Good.” He laid his serpent head on my shoulder and nuzzled, or so I thought. Too late, I realize he has bitten me. His venom works to override my will.
How interesting, I can decide if anyone else can drug me, but him. Against him, I have no immunity. My last act of clarity were those thoughts. My body slumped against fifty feet of gentle protection.
A leaf falls gently on my face. I stir and realize I hear flowing water. Opening my eyes, I find I am on the ground in the Nagalands, resting against the granite boulder.
One hand grips the boulder, one hand braces against the sandy dirt, one hand rubs where I was bitten, and one hand is counting the total number of hands. Four.
Oh, I’m in my nagani form. My serpentine tail is tucked out of harms way. I pull myself into a coiled “seated” position and wonder how I came here, and why I’ve changed form.
A pebble falls off the boulder above me. I look up in reflex. Something round, heavy, and warm is placed in one of my open hands. I look down to find a bowl of warm broth and something like dumplings.
I look around to see who, or what, to thank but my vision notes nothing. I apologize for my inability to see my benefactor, and thank kir for the meal. As I sip the nurturing bowl, I wonder where Snake is. I wonder who my benefactor is. And I wonder what attitude is preventing me from seeing what is supposedly in plain sight.
The bowl emptied, it only now occurs to me that I am still too trusting and open. A deep lethargy seeps into my bones, from human skull to serpentine tail. I relax against the boulder, gripping the bowl, and close my eyes.
The bowl is suddenly snatched from my hands. I open my eyes in reflex and see the bright red and orange robe from before is now draped over me. I burble my thanks and close my eyes once more.
I felt something large and dense come close behind me. Not close enough to touch, but close enough to alter sound and reflect my body heat. I no longer worry for my safety for some reason. I know my benefactor watches over me.
With kir presence behind me, and the relaxing sound of the nearby river, I soon surrendered to deeper sleep.