The Embroidered Serpent by M. Woodruff

Author:M. Woodruff [Woodruff, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Butter Beard Publishing
Published: 2018-07-08T22:00:00+00:00

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.

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