The Embroidered Serpent (The Crystalline Source Book 1)

by M. Woodruff

  “I will discuss proper at-home grooming techniques, and activities you should avoid to prevent any of these appearance…disasters. Also, as a special treat today, during the reception following the service there will be vendors in attendance that offer various foot and hand products that are invaluable to Lakido’s devotees. Most, I am sure, you already utilize, but just in case you need to restock, they will be on hand to serve you.” The audience tittered, politely.

  “Also,” Justus said, clearing his throat, “there will be rooms available for those who may need private counseling regarding your more…ah…delicate needs. You will be able to speak with the most imminent hand and foot specialists in all of Sandrid for just a small contribution to Lakido; a mere fraction of what you normally would pay if you consulted them in shop. Plus, you’ll get the added benefit of Lakido’s own hand and foot blessing because you were honest enough to make the humbling confession of your own shameful plight. And, rest assured, we maintain the strictest of confidentiality in all cases.”

  Justus gave the devotees time to marvel quietly at this boon he was offering them. Whispered murmurs could be heard floating through the air.

  “Oh, Lakido be praised…what a gift…”

  “I’m so glad I came today. I do need some more of Vonda’s hand oil…I hope she’s here.”

  “What a blessing to have specialists…not for me, of course…”

  “Too bad Regina Clements isn’t here…have you seen her feet?”

  “I hope Trula’s here…he has wonderful callus cream…for my father, you know…”

  Rogers lifted up his right foot as smoothly as possible—semi-quietly whistling in nonchalance--and placed it on his knee. Furtively glancing from side to side he slid a hand into his boot and rummaged around for a minute. He let out a slight grunt then excused himself, running through the closed doors to the reception hall.

  Justus Ruggles began his hygienic sermon by diagramming Lakido’s protocol for cleaning under fingernails and toenails. It started off benignly enough with dirt, sand, and food. Blood, Nels found a little suspect, but when the list moved on to various other detritus that was so disgusting in nature, Nels had to wonder what kind of activities went on in Sandrid. And if he would ever eat another bite here again.

  Nonplussed, after further reflection, Nels decided it was time for a nap. He was just about to scooch over towards Casandra to rest a little more comfortably when Justus Ruggles caught his attention.

  The High Priest had left his diagram board and was now standing somehow taller in the center of the dais with his hands on his hips. His glowing yellow eyes were shooting daggers straight at Nels. Funny, he hadn’t noticed the man had yellow eyes before.

  “Nels Hunter!” The priest’s voice suddenly boomed and hissed at the same time, penetrating deep into Nels’ skull. “Nels Hunter! It is time you went home. You will learn nothing of value here. Your answers are on the Black Mountain.

  “There is only folly in this place for you. The truth is alive. Find it; and forget not our bargain!”

  Nels blinked.

  The regular-sized Justus Ruggles was back to diagramming, speaking normally. He looked over at Casandra and saw her listening attentively, no doubt, planning to attend the reception afterwards.

  The only plan Nels had at the moment was to get out of here…immediately.

  “I need some fresh air,” he whispered to Casandra. She gave him a half-hearted look of concern. Nodding absentmindedly, as he stood up and slid past, her attention already returned to the dais.

  So, he had been the only one to hear the High Priest’s suddenly personal diatribe against his whereabouts. No need to think too hard about where that had come from. And strangely, he hadn’t been unnerved by the whole event—it was almost expected at this point. Plus, Justus Ruggles wasn’t an intimidating man, even with glowing yellow eyes and a booming voice.

  Nels sat down on the outside steps to wait for Casandra—what else could he do? Not very happy at having to spend no-telling-how-long waiting for the service and the reception to be over, he decided the nap had been a good idea, even better undertaken outside, when a beautiful woman came and sat on the steps beside him.

  She had long flowing hair that looked as if the strands were made from the sun itself. Her skin had a dusky glow that verged on appearing wet to the touch. Her golden silk dress matched her hair in its hue. The fabric, painted with rose-colored flowers, brought out the color of her skin to perfection.

  She was carrying a gold basket of flowers that were the mirror images of the ones on her dress, which she now placed on the steps. She was sitting shoulder to shoulder with him and Nels noticed when she stretched out her legs she was wearing no sandals. Her bare toes had gold rings on each one. She wiggled her toes at his inspection and laughed. A wonderful, throaty laugh.

  “Ostentatious, yes?” She smiled wickedly at him then held out her hands. Each finger was decorated with the same golden bands. She gave a small one-shoulder shrug. “I like rings and I don’t like sandals. I have to have the rings for my toes specially made, otherwise—well, that’s obvious.”

  “Uh—“ Nels couldn’t think of one word to say.

  “I’m Meiiralisai, by the way. And you’re Nels Hunter, I take it.”

  Nels gave a start of surprise. “Uh—“

  Her laughter sparkled in the glow of the sun. “I’m friends with Javin Bone. Old friends. He told me all about you. Enjoying your visit?” she asked, not giving him time to answer, knowing he couldn’t, yet. “I’m sure it’s an interesting experience for you, but really Nels, it’s time you went home.” The last was said in a scolding voice, her sky-blue eyes suddenly cold.

  “What?” Nels asked, no longer tongue-tied.

  She gave the one-shoulder shrug again, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Just a thought. No harm meant. I’d be delighted to have you stay, myself.”

  “I…What?”

  “You know I imprinted these flowers on my dress by my own hand,” Meiiralisai said apropos to nothing that Nels could see. “Yes, watch.” Delicately lifting a flower from the basket she placed the tip of the petals to an empty spot on the silk. She whispered words too quiet for Nels to understand then lifted the flower, leaving a perfect rose-colored impression. “See? Oh, Nels, there’s so much you don’t know.” She sighed, carelessly tossing the flower back in the basket.

  “You have the gift,” Nels stated rather flatly.

  “Gift?” She arched an eyebrow. “Oh yes, the gift. Yes, I suppose I do. Why! But so do you! So that makes us comrades-in-arms, no?” She wrapped her arm around his, snuggling in closer.

  Her eyes were full of mirth. There was a certain playfulness about Meiiralisai that spoke of a confidence he felt drawn to. He immediately liked her. Even though it was a bit worrisome she seemed to know quite a lot about him and even had the same idea as the snake that he should go back to the Black Mountain.

  “Yes, Meiiralisai, comrades-in-arms. But tell me, what makes you think I should go home?” Nels smiled his friendliest to show he took no offense at being told to leave, and to hide the fact that he was terrified she was in league with the darkness.

  She fluttered a hand, dismissing the very notion. “Just something I heard on the wind. I hear very interesting things, you see. Dark, dreadful things. Beautiful, extraordinary things. Things that make me afraid to go to sleep at night. Things that make me not want to wake up so I can keep dreaming about them. Visions of possibilities. One told me you should go home to the Black Mountain, I believe. I saw it—literally black, with stone and trees. And there you were…happy as a lark, cavorting about. Dressed in your woodsman leathers, not these robes,” she said as she pulled a face. “They really don’t suit you, you know. Back in your native environment you could really become someone—who you really are. You could finally find peace without being afraid of the serpent. Maybe what it wants is exactly what you want.”

  Nels was flummoxed. “You saw the serpent! In your dream?
And you believe it? But it’s evil!” He felt his heart freeze then sink, surely this beautiful woman could not be in league with such darkness. Did she know about his bargain?

  Meiiralisai sat back releasing his arm and placing a hand on his. “Nels, I only see possibilities. I can’t interpret them. Only you can do that. I’m just telling you of an option that you may not have thought of. You are convinced that the serpent is evil—and maybe it is—but then again, maybe it is only your erroneous perception that is keeping you from seeing the truth.”

  “But how can you go against something you know deep in your bones?”

  “Feelings come and go, along with knowings that are based on those very feelings. Sometimes it takes a shifting of the mind to see the truth. And when that happens everything changes.

  “No, I’m not telling you what you feel is wrong or right, only that you need more perspective; and that, I am trying to give you.”

  Nels felt the warm sincerity radiating from Meiiralisai. Her eyes shone in sympathy and her hand touching his seemed to tingle with comfort. He could trust her. She wasn’t trying to influence him in any way, just trying to share what she knew—what she had seen. Was that so bad? Maybe she was right and he did need to mind shift, or however she had put it. It was never wrong to keep an open mind. And she did seem to be far more experienced with the gift—maybe her visions were part of it.

  “Is that how you have visions? From the gift, I mean.”

  “Yes, I believe so. I never had them before. Of course, that’s been so long ago it’s hard to remember,” she said, winking. “And no! Don’t ask my age, that’s not polite.”

  “Oh, I’m smart enough to know that without any doubt,” Nels replied, giving his own wink back. “Still, how did you get the gift? I have no idea why I was chosen for it, or really, that I even actually have it. I haven’t any proof except for the Traveling part, and that both Javin and Casandra told me I have it. But I can’t make colored lights out of thin air or build caves in my dining room. How did you first know about it? And who taught you, Javin? Or that Grayson woman I’ve only heard about?”

  Meiiralisai withdrew her hand slowly, the sheen of her skin turning to ice. “First rule, Nels Hunter: you never, never ask someone how they were chosen for the power. It is none of your business, unless they choose to share it. It is very personal and not something to be bandied about over a game of cards or dinner. We barely know one another and certain matters are sacred enough to be kept close to the heart. Do you understand me?”

  She had spoken in such a cool, measured tone, Nels understood completely. “I’m sorry. I…”

  Holding up a peremptory hand, she finished, “Javin should have told you. No need to apologize. Now you know, you didn’t before. Simple enough. It’s not as if there are many of us you’ll be running into anytime soon. So, no worries, my friend.” Her face relaxed back into a smile and she squeezed his hand briefly.

  Nels was going to try and find out more about Meiiralisai’s abilities—what a fascinating woman—when a flying carpet pulled up, the like of which he’d never seen before. On top of a huge shiny silver rug, long black fringe dangling from the ends, was a black wooden enclosure gilded in silver. It reminded him of the carriages some of the more prosperous residents of The Kingdom would ride in, without the wheels.

  “Ooh, goody!” Meiiralisai squealed, clapping her hands together. “Javin’s here.”

  Nels felt his heart drop. Oh, so it was that way, then. Wait! What was he even thinking? He was waiting on Casandra, right now. How could he have forgotten? He just met Meiiralisai, and she was obviously a flirt. She basically had called him a rustic, with his woodsman clothes. And what did it matter anyway? He was too old to be romantically involved with either one of them. Of course, Meiiralisai did say she couldn’t even remember how old she was, and he imagined she was quite serious. So that would make her pretty old. But, no. Stop it, Nels! Sheesh! What had gotten into him? He needed a mind shift right now. Old fool.

  “Nels! Here you are. Where’s Casandra?” Javin asked, looking around like she might be hiding somewhere in plain sight.

  “She’s still in the temple. Isn’t that right, Nels?” Meiiralisai cooed, wrapping her arm around Nels’ again.

  So much for her attachment to Javin. Unless, she’s just trying to make him jealous. He could see her being the type to play games.

  But, Javin didn’t seem to give it any thought. Instead he bent down and plucked a flower from Meiiralisai’s basket, inhaling its fragrance deeply.

  “Ah, beautiful, Meiiralisai. You do grow the best flowers in the land. I am always deeply impressed by your handiwork,” Javin said, as he gave her a bow.

  “You’re too kind,” she said, placing a hand on Javin’s cheek, fondly. But, not over-fondly, Nels noticed.

  “You must join us for dinner tonight, my dear. We would be delighted at your presence. And Chef will be preparing your favorite delicacies from the sea. At your request, I hear, Nels.”

  “Oh Nels! How did you know? I just love sea creatures! You have more of the gift than you know, young man,” she added playfully, wagging a long-nailed pointed fingertip. “Don’t try to play the innocent with me. I’ve been around too long. Yes, Javin Bone, I will be happy to join you.”

  “Join you, where?” Casandra asked, carrying multiple packages, suddenly looming out of nowhere, appearing none too pleased.

  “Casandra, dear, how good it is to see you again! Nels and Javin have just invited me to dinner, and I accepted. How could I refuse when Nels requested my favorite food?” Meiiralisai practically purred.

  “Oh, you like seafood? How wonderful! And that was very thoughtful of Nels; he must have the gift of foresight,” Casandra practically hissed through a polite smile.

  “That’s exactly what I said!” Meiiralisai exclaimed. “What a treasure you are, Nels! You really shouldn’t let him out of your sight, Casandra. But, make sure you don’t let Rogers Corethought get wind of him. It might make Rogers jealous and he can be…unpredictable, to say the least.”

  Casandra’s lips disappeared into a rigid line.

  Nels stifled a groan.

  The last thing in the world Nels wanted was dinner. Casandra’s refusing to speak to him wasn’t even mitigated by getting to ride home in Javin’s luxurious carpet. Apparently there were less than a handful of those models in all of Sandrid; made only for the super wealthy, they certainly cut a figure with their leather couches and built-in climate control. Since Casandra had been ignoring him, he had spent the whole trip back searching for where the cold air had been emanating from—to no avail. Javin had only laughed, and refused to give any clues.

  He really didn’t know what Casandra was mad about anyway. She knew he didn’t order seafood for dinner. He supposed she had, but how, he wasn’t sure. He hoped she had anyway. It didn’t pay to think that Javin might have floating ears lurking about.

  And what did Javin mean by telling Meiiralisai he had requested the menu items. He certainly did not. So what kind of game was Javin playing? Whatever it was, it would have to be a stupid one, to pull some kind of juvenile prank like that. Making Casandra jealous of Meiiralisai, because surely that was the point of this dinner tonight. But why? Did Javin want Casandra all to himself? That was a distinct possibility that he hadn’t considered before, but one that did bear keeping in mind for the future.

  Back at Javin’s estate he changed into the least conspicuous ensemble he could find—a dark rich blue with tiny black scroll patterns worked into the silk, and a simple dome-shaped black hat; he ripped the long black tassel hanging from the top off—Nels stepped into the hall planning on knocking on Casandra’s door to escort her to dinner.

  Instead he saw Sans walking two fish, both colored in deep purple and blues, hovering low to the floor.

  “Ah, Nels Hunter, may I escort you to the dining hall?” Sans queried.

  Nels was still staring at the fish attached to Sans’ wrist with long silken threads.


  “Oh, pardon me. May I introduce you to Blue and Bardot, Javin Bone’s eldest fish? The grandmother and grandfather, one might say. They are quite aged, so sometimes they must be prodded along to keep moving or reined in if they have a burst of energy—their eyesight is not so good, you know. Javin Bone doesn’t wish them to come to any harm from misplaced youthful exuberance on their part.

  “Sometimes they can be quite the mischief-makers, playing dead then springing up, crashing into breakables or walls they can’t see clearly. Yes, they can be quite a handful in their old age. Not very graceful anymore, I’m afraid. Of course, that happens to us all, I suppose.” Sans wrinkled face wrinkled even more with his boyish smile. “But please, join us in our walk, which we will make to the dining hall, in your honor.”

  Nels thought it might be a good idea to have a private talk with Sans. Sometimes servants had an uncanny eye for their masters and their guests that they were quite willing to share, just to get the thoughts off their chests. But, he really should wait for Casandra.

  As if reading his mind, Sans said, ”Casandra has already departed. I saw her leave a moment ago while we were still loitering at the other end of the hallway. We don’t travel very fast, if you don’t mind a leisurely stroll.”

  “No, not at all,” Nels replied, feeling a bit miffed Casandra hadn’t bothered to wait for him.

  “How are you enjoying your stay in Sandrid, Nels Hunter?” Sans asked as they began walking slowly down the hall. The fish apparently weren’t feeling very frisky today and were lagging behind allowing Sans and Nels to walk side-by-side. Or else they were just very polite elder fish.

  “Please, call me Nels. If that’s okay?” Nels knew that the custom in Sandrid was to show respect by using a person’s first and last name together, but he really preferred to be on a more informal level with Sans.