Chapter 24: No Longer Alone

A Chapter by Jensen Roman

The Silver Snake King reveals a secret and tension begins to snap.

“Let us out of here!”

“Try again to melt the bars.”

“I can’t…it’s too thick and I’m not exactly rested from yesterday…plus I’m hungry!”

Saei’s eyelids twitched to hear the loud voices close to him, interrupting his sleep and no matter how badly he wanted to stay, he was slowly being pulled out. His claws slowly closed into a fist and finally allowed his eyes to open just slightly but they held nothing but worry.

‘You lost yourself…’

The snake’s own words.

At the time, Saei had no idea. All he wanted to do was rip this man to shreds for taking Fey away and when he saw her looking tired, it only made his anger grow. He was blinded, wanting to slash or cut into the serpent.

He wanted blood…

Saei closed his eyes again to deeply inhale and pushed himself to a sitting position. His head felt a bit dizzy but he needed to know where they were and where Fey was.

“You’re awake finally.” The voice drew his eyes up to see Sid looking back at him while Basil did his best to try and ignite the steel bars keeping them inside the room…but he growled and punched one of the bars hard.

“Damnit all!”

“Calm down. It’s not use it seems,” Sid sighed and plopped back down on one of the provided beds. Looking around, it was a small room…barely able to fit all three of them with two beds…no window…and steel bars to trap them. There was no use even trying to unlock the cell door if Basil’s fire couldn’t melt through. They were trapped for good.

Saei exhaled and placed his clawed hand to his head while standing to look out through the bars.

It didn’t appear to look like a castle…it was far too nice for that. The walls were lined in an orderly fashion with beautiful magical orbs, just like the ones back in Treaish that shimmered with different colors slowly while ornate windows allowed the morning sun to shine in. Lush carpets adorned the floor with their own designs.

This place was far too nice…

Saei took a step back to assess the bars.

“…where are we?”

“I’m guessing at that snake’s place,” Sid placed his chin in his hand, looking bored and irritated at the same time. “We did get captured.”

“B*****d…” Basil growled out and left the bars alone since there was no point in wearing himself out more. “…taking Fey and doing this to us…”

Saei’s eyebrows drew together in thought at something feeling amiss.

“…how did this serpent know of Fey?” He whispered but was heard by both of his companions.

“We’ve been wondering that too,” Basil answered and plopped down on the bed. “…and it’s weird how he managed to take all three of us on…”

“Something else is off,” Sid raised his eyes to them. “…did you notice his attacks?”

“They were light…what of it?”

“Exactly…light…and another thing…we were badly injured after that last attack…but look…” Sid pointed at Saei’s chest which had been healed with no scarring…

Basil’s wounds were also closed…and Sid’s ankle was back to normal.

“…we were healed…?” Saei’s eyes reflected confusion as he touched his skin to indeed feel it intact with no tricks of any kind.

“Did Fey heal us?” Basil asked with a frown but Saei shook his head.

“She would had let us know it was her and woken us.”

“Yeah, didn’t you see how tired she was when she still came to stop that snake?” Sid noted, leaning back on his hands and the dragon sighed at remembering that last image he saw. Though he was worn and had spent all of his energy, Saei was ready to tear his fangs into the feral’s hide…but Fey used what little energy she had…to stop them from getting hurt.

Despite how much anger he felt…how much blood he wanted to see being shed…seeing Fey before him made all of that seep away. He saw her limbs shaking from exhaustion…and how terrified she must had been.

“I’m just worried about her…” Basil admitted, his ears tucking back against his messy hair while Sid heaved a heavy sigh.

“…we all are.”

All three ferals grew quiet when the sound of footsteps started to approach them from down the hall. Saei remained close to the bars, ready to try and defend them if need be…to the best of his ability while Basil came over to stand beside him but to their surprise, a young human woman dressed in a beautiful looking robe showed herself and bowed to them politely.

“His highness has asked me to see if you all are well.”

“You can tell his “highness” that I’m well enough to f-“

“Basil, hush,” Saei warned, looking down at him for a split second. He knew how angry his brother was…so was he…but until they knew where Fey was or how she was…there was no point in making their situation worse. Saei turned back to the woman.

“Where is Fey?” He asked calmly.

“…the young maiden is still resting but should be better shortly as I was told.”

“Is she sick?” Sid stood, coming up to the bars as well curiously.

“All of your questions will be answered in time. I was merely sent here to ask if you three needed food.”

The mere mentioning of such a thing made all of their stomachs roar in unison. The woman couldn’t help but smile. “His highness has prepared a lovely meal for you and the young maiden. You will be able to see her and speak but he warns that you remain civilized. If anything breaks out or you try anything, you will not be permitted out of this cell. Is that clear?”

Basil curled his tail while looking up at his brother who turned to them to form a plan of action.

“So, what do we do?” Sid asked.

“It could be just a trap…” Basil added.

“To gain what?” Saei questioned. “If he wished for us to die, he would had done so while we slept…and Fey would be in his clutches.”

“…true…so why set us free if he only wanted Fey?”

“…I am uncertain…but for now…let us make sure she is safe and well…then we will discuss what to do,” Saei offered and waited to see if they would agree.

“…fine…but if he gets cocky again, I might just punch him,” Basil growled and cracked his claws above his head in a stretch.

“Just hold those urges until AFTER we eat,” Sid told him with a grin. With all of them in an agreement, Saei looked back to the woman who waited patiently.

“We will comply.”

“Excellent!” She walked over, revealing a small key from her sleeve and unlocked the door to their cell. She stepped back to allow them to stretch a bit. The small room couldn’t had been good for three large males to sleep in.

Saei took the lead, keeping his eyes vigilant for anything amiss with this place…but…for now…it seemed like a normal palace. Down the long hall were more windows to let light in…which was an easy way to escape if they needed to with beautiful paintings as well.

“If you all would,” the woman’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she gestured down the hall. “You still have clothing that did not fare well in the battle…so fresh clothing is provided before I escort you to breakfast.”

Without saying another word, the human started to walk back down the hall she came…while they followed but Saei narrowed his eyes slightly…for something felt off that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

So much had happened…and all so suddenly. From having a nice and slow journey over the pass…to now being hunted once more…Fey’s mind was feeling increasingly weary and even now…it was swimming in an endless ocean of loneliness. She felt stuck…in the middle…with nowhere to turn…with all the directions either leading to someone being hurt…or someone wanting to use her. A small tear slipped out from her eye as her tiny claws gripped the soft warm blanket that covered her…and with her senses returning…she could smell something fragrant nearby. It itched her nose but it was lovely once she got used to it. Groaning softly after having woken, Fey opened her eyes slowly to see where she was…

It wasn’t…what she expected.

The room was extravagant, looking more appropriate for royalty than some mender like herself. The bed she slept on had a gorgeous canopy overhead with silky white curtains falling around to hide her from the outside world while snake carvings wound around the pillars, their mouths open.

Seeing them only raised an alarm internally about who had kidnapped her. Her tired eyes flew open and she sat up in the bed quickly, looking around more with fright. The bed was big enough for two people…and luckily, she was alone…but when she looked down at herself…she paled.

The towel was gone…replaced with a beautiful light blue gown that had designs of white snowflakes at the ends of her sleeves and near the bottom of the dress.

‘D-d-d-did he…?!’ She screamed mentally in a panic and quickly left the bed, only to find her uiorl sitting beside the bed calmly. She really didn’t want to break it…but she would use it as a weapon if she had to. Grabbing the neck, she wielded it like axe and stepped toward the window. The sun was bright outside and warm…making it seem unreal everything that happened…

‘Saei…Basil…Sid…’ She turned her eyes to her bedroom door and was about to make a dash for it, wanting to search for her friends but she stopped dead in her tracks when the knob slowly turned.

She raised her sad excuse for a weapon higher with ears folded back when the door opened to reveal the culprit to all of this.

The feral who had kidnapped her stepped quietly into the door to shut the door behind him and looked…immaculate. His hair had a bit of sheen to it, properly kept and his robes glided around him with each movement but she lost a bit of color when she saw the sword hilt sticking out from his belt. When she drew her eyes back onto him though, his eyes reflected amusement.

“…you’re quite interesting…threatening a king with a uiorl,” he chuckled, resting his elbows in his hands to make his sleeves fall.

“T-take a step closer and I’ll hit you so hard!” She threatened the best that she could but Yuuin smiled and removed the sword from his belt to place it on a nearby dresser.

“…does that ease you somewhat?”

“No! You kidnapped me! Why?! I wasn’t even able to defend myself! And…I don’t even want to think of what you want!” Her anger started to rise with a look of hurt swirling in her eyes but Yuuin didn’t move forward.

“It was not ideal…and frightened you in a state of already being ill. For that…I do offer my apology,” he said with all seriousness and bowed his head to her. Fey raised an eyebrow at what this feral wanted…

For being some…king…he was treating her better than she thought he would.

Yuuin raised his head to look over at her.

“You may ask questions later if you wish. For now…I am certain you are famished and require food?”

At first, she wanted to turn down his invitation so badly and tell him to go fall from a cliff but she felt her stomach tighten. Her cheeks flushed with a bit of color as her hold on the uiorl tightened. Yuuin just smiled sweetly.

“…you still see me as a threat…? How about I let you in on a small secret?” He asked and Fey just growled.

“…what secret would that be…?”

“…feel your rib…”

“…what are you getting at?”

Without speaking, Yuuin just smiled and gestured to her side with a small nod of his head. Not trusting him, she kept one hand on the uiorl and felt her rib…but was shocked to feel no pain…no scar…no stitches.

“…and your head as well…there was a bruise…on your hairline…”

Fey’s eyes quivered as she raised her claws to where the man on the cable car had backhanded her…but…there was no sign of anything. There was no evidence that she had been harmed in any way…but…how was that possible…?

Her white eyes stared into his with a small ounce of disbelief.

“…y-you’re not…?”

Yuuin smiled softly and raised his empty hand for her to see, his palm glowing with a warm light.

“Whatever you are thinking…do not second guess yourself.”

Fey lowered the uiorl a bit, still feeling on edge but swallowed thickly.

“Are you…?”

“I am a mender…like yourself,” he admitted, clenching his hand into a soft fist to snuff out the glow. Confusion crossed her eyes as well as amazement and Yuuin knew she had no idea where to start so he smiled gently, taking a cautious step forward since she still had…somewhat of a weapon.

“H-h-how…?! I m-mean…why? I don’t…”

“Questions will have to wait as I’m sure I would be here all day if so,” he lightly teased and she looked away in embarrassment. “For now, you will come and dine with me as my guest. Your friends, if they behave, will also be joining us.”

Her friends?! Fey looked up at him and lowered the instrument fully.

“Are they okay? They aren’t hurt, are they? Can I see them?”

“Your companions are well. I made sure to heal their wounds myself after our skirmish. I sent a servant to their cell. If they agree to not act as beasts at my table, they may see you and speak with you. As my warning though, anything foolish…and I will reprimand,” he said with his eyes growing serious.

Knowing them, they were just begging to have another go at this feral…but…Fey could only pray that they went along with it…for now…until they found out what this serpent wanted. Sighing softly, Fey lowered her eyes and looked back to the window in thought.

“…many things are rushing through your mind, I am certain…but all will be explained soon,” he informed her and held out his hand for her. She looked back to him to see his offer, looking still a bit nervous. “…if I wanted you harmed, it would had been so. What gain does a mender have from harming another?”

“How do I know you truly are one though? You could just use light as your energy and my friends are still injured…”

“…how do you know that the drysiohn will not claim your blood?” He countered, making her blood run cold. “You stood before him…knowing fully well he could had ended you before you even had time to breathe…if you can put so much faith in him…for an unknown reason…a mender should be an ally…”

Fey frowned softly at his words, not wanting to think of Saei as…”that”.

“In this time…in this world…sometimes your only companions are the ones who ARE who you are…”

The feline curled her tail behind her, feeling the weight of his words coming down upon her shoulders as she took a hesitant step forward and placed her uiorl to the side for now.

“…it would do me a great honor if you played later,” his eyes softened a bit. “I have not heard one in many years.”

“I’m…n-not that great,” she said sheepishly and stood directly before him but Yuuin chuckled with a kind smile.

“Modesty won’t save you. If you believe yourself to be terrible, then I do not know what to call myself.”

“You play?” Her eyes started to glow a tiny bit but looked down at his open hand once more. Taking in a deep breath, she placed her claws in his fingers but as soon as there was contact, Fey felt a sudden rush of comfort and warmth flowing through her. It was clear on her face that it was an odd feeling for her ears stood up but the king just shook his head with a smile.

“Proof enough? The touch of a mender is something some used to deem as sacred. We are the beings gifted by the light…and a mender in the company of others of their kind can mend one another…physically…but also mentally and even spiritually.”

“…what do you mean?” She asked curiously, watching as he used his free hand to place the sword back onto his belt and led her out of the room.

“You are a mender…but how much do you know?”

“Not…a whole lot,” she lowered her eyes to the floor. “I was taken away when I was only an adolescent. Father hadn’t taught me anything that deep about…us.”

“Not even the priest?” Yuuin asked, slowing down their walk to continue the conversation.

“No…”

“…there is a lot you must learn then,” he sighed softly. “I will do what I can…with what time I have.”

“Really?” She looked up at him with a wide smile and seemed to forget for a split second of her situation. Yuuin couldn’t contain his soft laughter.

“I am a busy king afterall but for a fellow mender, I will do my best.”

It seemed everything was slipping her mind that day. Her face reddened a bit and she hastily pulled her hand out of his which made him stop.

“I f-forgot. Should…I call you by something…? It’s still awkward for I’m still upset and are you the one who changed me?!”

Yuuin blinked in confusion before hiding laughter behind his hand.

“Don’t laugh at me!”

“I am not,” he calmed down with a soft smile. “You are tense. I may be a king…but Yuuin is fine. As for your clothing, I had a female dress you. I am not so vulgar.”

“O-oh…sorry…”

The serpent took her hand once more to slowly walk her down the hall.

“Calm your mind…you may rest easy here. It must had been hard for you…” he whispered, glancing down at her and she caught his look.

“I had to run a lot…”

“I figured…as did I…” He admitted and though she wanted to bombard him with questions, Fey looked up when they entered a spacious dining room. A long table sat before them with servants at the ready…as well as guards by each window. It was…intimidating but at feeling her tense beside him, Yuuin looked to his guards and waved his hand.

“I need no protection here. I will dine with my guests privately.”

The guards bowed their heads and left the room but the servants remained.

“You may go ahead and bring out the meals…once all is finished…I wish to remain eating with my guests privately.”

Fey watched as the servants, both humans and ferals left to go begin serving the table. They must have held a lot of respect for him…to be going about following every beckoning call…and he didn’t seem to be that greedy of a king…unlike the one in Hulei. She shivered at the thought but was drawn away when Yuuin pulled out a chair for her by the head of the table.

“Please, sit,” he ordered with a smile. With her hands folded before her, Fey took a seat and smoothed out her gown when the king pushed her in before he went to stand at the head with his chin high.

“…I do hope your companions heed my warning…” he whispered, sending her a small glance which was returned with uncertainty but a lone woman came around the corner to bow before him.

“Your highness, the guests have agreed to your terms.”

“Splendid…see them in,” he instructed and took his own seat right near Fey but the feline felt a bit anxious. The woman nodded and turned to signal to someone behind her.

Her throat tightened…and she felt her heart swelling when Saei stepped around her. He was dressed nicely in his own robe, almost like the king…but his was as black as night with his silver eyes landing right on her. Not sure if it was rude or not, Fey quickly stood and rushed around the table.

“Saei!” She barreled into him, wrapping her arms around him the best that she could and the dragon delved his claws into her hair as if any second now she would vanish. Her soft sobs were muffled into his chest and he only held her tighter.

Yuuin slowly stood, his fingers grazing the table with his eyes slightly narrowing…but remained quiet.

“I-I’m…so glad you’re okay…” She whispered and pulled back from his chest to wipe at her eyes but stiffened when he pushed her claws away to rub under her eyes himself. Her cheeks darkened but smiled.

“I am fine. How are you feeling?”

“Hey don’t hog her!”

Saei growled lowly at having his time interrupted but Fey giggled and saw Basil popping out from behind his brother.

“Fey!”

“Basil!” She smiled wide and threw her arms around her friend’s neck as he dug his face into her hair. He deeply exhaled but pulled back shortly after.

“You gave us a scare, you know? From now on, we sleep in the same room.”

“I can live with that.” Fey turned to smile more at the owner of the next voice and Sid came around to ruffle her hair. “You know what I deserve for everything I went through?”

“A day without being threatened?” Fey giggled and swatted his hand away.

“My bath was cut short, no chance of your cooking AND you worried me to death. You’re going to have to pay me dearly for that,” he teased but allowed her space. She smiled up at all three of them and tried to embrace all of them at once. It was a bit hard…since they were pressed up against each other which wasn’t pleasant.

“I’m so sorry…” she told them and Saei was the first one to break away from the hug circle to smile down at her.

“Never apologize to us.”

“We’re your friends, remember?” Basil told her with a fanged grin.

“And friends go through near death experiences together,” Sid added with a chuckle.

“…you’re all just idiots,” Fey smiled fondly but felt eyes on her back and turned to see Yuuin watching them. His eyes were serious…and narrowed.

“We’ll talk later,” she whispered to them and slowly came back to her chair without the king even bothering to help her. “Forgive me for acting out. I just wanted to make sure they were well.”

It’d only be right the remain on his good side but Yuuin exhaled and sat back down as the servants started to bring out delicious smelling food that made Basil look in each direction to see one dish after another emerging.

“Wow, this all looks good,” he said and took a seat across from Fey at the table, licking his lips to see plenty of fruit being served that were sliced perfectly. Freshly made bread that had a bit of spices sprinkled on top to smell sweet was placed in the middle along with an array of meat from many creatures.

Sid took a seat beside Basil, already eyeing a few morsels he couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into…while Saei took a seat beside Fey, gaining Yuuin’s eye. The serpent looked over at him while Saei met his gaze without blinking. The king slowly glared at him with nothing but hatred but their silent battle was interrupted by Fey’s voice.

“Pardon?” Yuuin asked her, turning his eyes onto the mender.

“…do you…eat first?” She asked politely but he shook his head with a wave of his hand.

“I care not. Go ahead and feast.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Basil purred and grabbed a few pieces of meat to sink his fangs into, the juices running down his jaw as he groaned in pleasure. “So good!”

“Maybe we’ll let you off for kidnapping her,” Sid taunted, grabbing a fruit slice to swallow it whole and Fey felt her skin shiver at the tension already rising across the table. She cautiously looked to Yuuin to see that his eyes…reflected nothing. It was so hard to read them…

“…kidnapping you say?” He asked calmly, taking only a sip of water from his cup.

“I would see it that way,” Basil joined in, licking off the juices but Yuuin’s smile widened as if he knew he would be winning the conversation.

“Allow me to pose a question to you gentlemen…” he began, swirling the contents of his cup in a circle. “…who do you believe restored your health?”

Saei’s eyes narrowed slightly at the question while Sid looked over at the king with half of a fruit between his fingers.

“…Fey...you do know she is a mender, right? Why else would you had stolen her?”

“Speaking of which,” Basil interrupted and drew his eyes to the serpent. “…how did you know she was there? Were you following us?”

Now that he posed the question, Fey was curious as well. How did Yuuin find out about her?

“…I am the king of these lands…until you reach the swamps. Most things do not go by unnoticed by myself…” he grinned with pride. “But this time…no. I was not informed of young Fey being at the farm…”

“How did you know then?” Basil asked, growing impatient.

With a knowing smile, Yuuin snapped his fingers only once and a single guard came from outside the room to stand by his side.

“Yes, your highness?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course,” the guard answered without hesitation. Yuuin slowly stood and removed the sword from its hilt. Fey’s face paled softly, not knowing what the serpent had planned but the king took the blade to only make a small cut on his guard’s arm.

“What in the world?!” Sid exclaimed but was silenced when Yuuin placed his hand over the wound, his eyes glowing as did his palm. When he pulled his hand away, the wound was gone and he sheathed his sword which left his table dumbfounded.

“You have my appreciation.”

“My pleasure, your highness.”

“Go take a break for the day for allowing me to demonstrate my powers to my guests,” he smiled and sat back down. The guard appeared happy as he hurried off but Yuuin looked to Saei first…to see the dragon glaring at him.

“…yes…I am a mender…just as Fey is. Do you need more proof?”

Sid and Basil were stunned, their food dangling off their claws as they looked at him in complete shock. Even Fey, seeing first hand now…couldn’t believe it while Saei continued to glare which gained Yuuin’s attention.

“…you stated I kidnapped Fey. Quite the opposite…as a mender, we are sensitive to other beings gifted with the sun’s gift. To be quite honest, I was going about my business when I simply felt a presence. No matter how far off it was, which wasn’t far, I sensed a mender within my reach. I thought I had gone mad…and simply went to investigate my claims. Sure enough…there she was…on the floor…sick and weak,” he bluntly told them and took another small sip from his cup.

“B-but…” Basil managed to find his voice and gathered his thoughts. “…why take her? I mean…if you wanted to see another one of your kind, just stop by, chat and buzz off.”

“I am not one to bend someone against their will…but when one of my own people is laying before my eyes…unable to even defend herself…then you have crossed the line…and why do you think she was like that?”

Saei growled lowly and stood from the table, his large hand slamming down to knock over his cup. Fey looked up at him worriedly out of fear.

“…she was tired from our travels…nothing more…” Saei told him through gritted teeth. Fey honestly thought Yuuin was about to toss him out for acting out so suddenly and she tried to coax him to calm down with her hand over his. The king spotted the movement with a slight look of distaste before looking back up at the dragon.

“…do you truly believe that…?” He asked in return and Fey looked over to the king with pleading eyes.

“I’m fine now…really…what’s done is done.”

“…indeed…” he whispered and slowly stood. “…I no longer hold my appetite. You may finish without me.” He calmly bowed his head to them and left the table, only to stop and glance over his shoulder straight at Saei.

“…once you finish…come alone to my gardens out back. I’d like to speak with you…” He smiled innocently at the dragon and finally left them in peace, leaving most of them confused…but Saei held back his anger with his other hand balling into a fist to cut into his skin.

prev chapter