It was a bit past midnight and Koren’s hut was one of the few in the Nigrum Mortifer tribe’s village to remain lit by candlelight. Inside the hut, the meeting was about to start. Seated on floormats in a circle around several candles were Koren, Zassira, Zila, Drek, Nick, Erin, and a badly bruised Harv. “Thank you for being here everybody,” Koren said as he looked around at the others. “Now as most of you know, we have a little problem. I know how easily the Aspis are angered and how rash their actions can be. Unless they have somehow changed their ways overnight, then I am sure they will be looking for some retribution for our interference in their plan. Koren paused for a moment and turned his gaze towards Harv. “Therefore,” he continued, “it is no longer safe for you and the other furs here.” The Hyena shifted under is gaze and winced from the soreness that plagued his whole body. “What do you suggest we do about it Chief Koren?” he asked in a business-like manner. “I was planning to have all of you escorted to the village of an ally of ours. From there you would travel back to your ship and go back to Makos.” “If I may ask, which tribe do you have in mind,” Harv asked. “I was thinking of sending you all to the village of the Herba Interstring tribe,” Koren replied, glancing at Erin and Nick. Harv nodded. “That sounds good. The last time I checked, the path to their village is quite safe.”
“Excuse me,” Erin interrupted. Koren and Harv, as well as the others, turned their attention towards the young ferret. “I’m sorry for butting in, but what will we do with Beth? She’s in no shape to travel and we can’t just leave her here alone.” Harv began gnawing on his bottom lip. He hadn’t thought of the furs that would be too injured to be moved someplace else. Koren however, had an answer ready. “I have thought about that. The best we can do is leave Beth where she is right now and have Zassira and Zila continue their care for her until one of two things happen. If she recovers, she will be sent back to Makos. If she does not recover… then we will hold a funeral for her and all the others that pass away.” A heavy silence pervaded the room. Nick was the first to break the silence. “Chief Koren, what if some of us want to stay behind and fight the Aspis as well?” Koren was about to answer him when Drek spoke up. “It isn’t any of your business. We can take care of our own issues without any help.” Nick looked back at Koren, knowing that it was he who would have the final say. “I am not too sure if that is a good idea Nicholas,” Koren said. “I do not want anymore furs putting themselves in harm’s way for something that is between us and the Aspis.” “Hold on Koren,” said Zila, speaking for the first time since the meeting began. “I think we should let them fight alongside us if they truly want to. What do you think Zass?” Zassira blinked a few times as she tried to come up with something to say. She hadn’t been expecting to be asked for her opinion on anything just yet and had been occupied with glancing at Nick every few seconds, not paying close attention to what was being said. “Ummm… I think it’s quite admirable that they would want to do that,” she finally said, looking at Nick again before turning her head look at Koren. “I agree with Zila, Koren. After all, there’s not much we could do to stop them if they really wanted to stay.” “I still think they should stay out of our business,” Drek said. “Hmmm… perhaps,” Koren said as he thought, cradling his snout in a paw. “Drek has a point, but so do you two.” Lifting his head, he looked over at Erin. “Would you stay and fight as well if Nicholas stayed?” Erin nodded. “I would, but I would like to help take care of Beth,” she said. “Very well then,” Koren said with finality. “If you two truly wish to stay, then you may. However, in the spirit of equality, I cannot let you be treated differently than the other villagers. If you want to stay here I suggest you find someone to live with so that you can learn our ways of life.” “Thank you Chief,” Nick said, bowing his head in respect. “We’ll do our best to adjust to your ways.”
I am happy to hear that Nicholas,” Koren said. “I am sure once you adjust to our lifestyle you will fit in quite well. Now, if we have nothing else to discuss, then-” “Chief!” Koren and everyone else looked towards the doorway, hearing the slight urgency in the speaker’s voice. One of the Black Mambas that were guarding Koren’s hut walked into the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you and your guest Chief, but we found an Aspis trying to sneak by us.” This caused Koren to hastily get up off of his floormat. “Do you have him?” he asked quickly. The guard nodded. “Yes sir, we have him right here.” The guard stepped aside to allow his partner to come in, pushing the prisoner ahead of him as he entered. Koren relaxed when he saw that it was Selka. “You two can leave and return to your posts,” he said to the two guards. “Are you sure Chief?” asked the one who had brought Selka in. Koren silently nodded. Koren turned to the others after the guards had left, ignoring Selka for the moment. “As I was saying. Since we addressed what needed to be discussed, this meeting is over. You all can go back to your huts and get some rest now.” Harv was the first one to get up and leave. “Thank you for all your help Chief Koren. I don’t know how many of us would still be alive if your tribe hadn’t helped us out.” Koren smiled and patted Harv’s shoulder gently. “Your welcome my friend. Rest well.” After Harv left, Drek walked out without saying anything or even looking at Koren. Zila, Erin, Nick, and Zassira however, stayed where they were. Koren looked questioningly at them. “I assume you four want to stay here a little longer?” Zila looked at Selka who remained standing, staring down at the ground with a look of sorrow. Looking back at Koren, she nodded. “We’re curious as to what he’ll say.” “That’s fine,” Koren said.
“Come and sit by Selka,” Koren sad patting the now vacant floormat next to him once he had sat down again. Selka silently walked to Koren and sat next to him. “What are you doing here Selka?” Koren asked, keeping a neutral expression on his face. “I am sorry for intruding at this our Chief Koren.” Koren sight and looked into Selka’s eyes. “Selka, it is okay,” he said firmly. “You are always welcome here. You are the only one of your tribe that I would allow into our village. I know that you have a good heart and would not harm any of us without provocation. Now, why have you come here at such a late hour?” Selka looked back down at the ground. “I had to come here at this time because Imrra would have punished me if he had known I was coming here. You know how physically superior he is to me Koren.” Selka paused for a moment and glanced at the others before looking back at Koren. “I came here to see if Bethany was alright. I figured that your village would be the place that she takes refuge in.” Koren did not say anything, an uncomfortable silence pervading the room. Zassira and Nick glanced at each other and then looked at Selka, feeling sorry for the poor snake. They knew he would be devastated when he found out the kind of shape Beth was in. Zila and Erin shifted uncomfortably. This went unnoticed by Selka, for he was looking Koren as he waited for him to say something. “It’s very late,” Erin mumbled. “I should get going so I can get some sleep.” “I think I’ll do the same,” Nick said, standing up. Zila stood up as well, helping Erin get to her footpaws and motioning to Zassira to get up. “Zassira and I will show you two where you’ll be sleeping,” she said. The four of them left and headed back to Zassira’s hut. Once they were gone, Koren finally spoke to Selka. “Selka, it is very late. Right now Bethany is resting and you should do the same. I will take you to see her tomorrow… I promise.” “Okay,” Selka said reluctantly, still quite saddened by the fact that he could not see his love yet. Koren saw that look of sorrow that Selka had and it weighed on him as well. “Come,” he said, standing up. “You can sleep here for tonight.” “Thank you Koren,” Selka said as he stood up. The two snakes walked into the sleeping room, leaving the atmosphere of sadness to linger alone in the main room.
*******
Back at Zassira’s hut, Zila showed Erin where she would be sleeping and once shed ad goodnight to Zassira and Nick, left to her own hut. Zassira led Nick to the room where he would be sleeping. She had him lay down on his floormat so that she could check on his wound. She was still a little nervous, alone with him in the room and kneeling by him. She couldn’t figure out why she was still nervous. “Your wound is healing quickly,” She said. “I don’t think it will leave a scare once I remove the stitches.” Nick smiled slightly. “That’s good to know. I don’t like the idea of walking around with a strip of fur missing. You’re pretty good at healing.” Zassira blushed very slightly. “Thank you,” she said. Nick’s smile faded. “I feel bad for Selka. I can’t imagine how he’ll react when he sees Beth.” Neither Nick nor Zassira knew of the real relationship between Beth and Selka. They merely knew that they knew each other and figured that they were merely close friends. “I feel the same way,” Zassira said. “All we can do is be there for him when he comes.”
Nick decided to change the subject. “Zassira, would it be all right if I live here with you while I stay in the village?” he asked somewhat nervously. Zassira was quite surprised with the unexpected question. It made her heart beat a little faster, her tail beginning to sweep back and forth nervously. “Um… of course, but why would you want to stay here?” Nick looked into her eyes with as steady of a gaze as he could manage. “Well…” he began, getting a little nervous himself. “From the time I’ve spent around you, you seem like a very kind woman. I think I could learn the ways of your tribe best from you.” Zassira blushed again. This time however, it was quite obvious. “I’m flattered that you would think that. I-I’d be glad to teach you about our lifestyle.” Without thinking, Nick took Zassira’s scaled paw and held it in his own. “Thank you Zassira. I promise I won’t get in your way.” Unwittingly, both Nick’s muzzle and Zassira’s snout began inching closer together. “You won’t get in my way,” Zassira mumbled. “You’ll be good company.” Zassira’s and Nick’s eyes closed as her snout and his muzzle came together. Zassira slipped her tongue into Nick’s mouth, caressing his tongue. Nick sucked slightly on her forked tongues as the kiss became more passionate. Zassira’s eyes flew open as she realized what she was doing. She broke the kiss and backed away from him. “I-I’m sorry Nick. I didn’t mean to-” “No Z-Zassira,” Nick interrupted, surprised with himself. “I w-was my fault…” He trailed off and looked apologetically at Zassira. “Goodnight Nick,” Zassira said, quickly heading to her own room. When they were both lying in their own beds they wondered how awkward they would be around each other. Nevertheless, neither of them could help but smile a little to themselves when they thought of that kiss they had shared.