Obsidian Scales

Chapter 3

It wasn't the thoughts of the bandits keeping her in that cave.

It also wasn't the thought that terrifying snake-man was now going to be staying with her for the rest of her life.

No, it was the screams.

No sooner had the man left the cave that the forest went eerily silent. Even the bandits had stopped shouting. Only their shouts were replaced with screams. She didn't know how long it lasted, and it sounded like some did not receive a quick death. But soon it was quiet in the forest again, with her shaking breath being the only thing she could hear. After what felt like hours, she heard the hissing sound and the sound of the snake-man's long tail moving along the ground. "The coast is clear, flower." he called from outside. Using the wall for support, she stood up, her legs shaking, and slowly made her way to the entrance. There he stood, proud and regal, like some long forgotten god.

She half expected him to drenched head to...tail, in blood, holding the heads of the bandits in one hand. But he looked the same as she had found him, clean and blood free. She gulped. "Did...did you..." she couldn't get the words out, so he finished them for her. "Kill them? Yes I did." he said rather proudly, drawing out the "s" in his word. "They won't be bothering you, or anyone else, for a while." he waved his hand nonchalantly, as if he just declared he'd finished removing trash from a house.

She looked down to his snake half again, and her mind drifted back to the time one of the women complained of a snake eating a chicken egg. How it's jaw unhinged and it swallowed the egg whole. She wondered if he had done the same to those bandits. Before she could even form the words, he cut her off. "So where is this lovely farm of yours?" he asked, leaning down and meeting her gaze again. With him so close, she realized that his pupils were also slit like a snakes. That was enough to make her babble, then quickly walk away. "Th-This way." she said, walking off quickly. Hearing his hiss once again was confirmation enough that he was following her.

She stumbled through the forest, using what moonlight they had to get through the woods. The moon was only half-full, so it didn't make much light. The snake-man behind her seemed to traverse it without a problem however, seeming enjoying it like it was a nice evening stroll. So far, he didn't seem to have any intent to kill or eat her. In fact he seemed happy and amused, as if he didn't just kill a large group of men single-handedly. She decided to perhaps try to get on his good side. "What's your name?" she asked softly. He smiled down at her. "You may call me Silas." he said, drawing out the last "s" in his name.

"Just Silas? No last name?"

"Why would I need that?"

"To identify your family line."

"And why would that be your business?"

He had her there. She fell silent, until she felt his breath on her ear. "And what would your name be, flower? Unless you want me to continue calling you flower. I don't mind." he purred again. He sent chills up her spine so she quickly made some distance between them. "It's Lily." she said quickly, continuing to move ahead. He laughed. "Well I was right about the nickname." She continued leading him along until she saw the trees clearing up, and she gave a sigh of relief, moving faster until she broke through.

Now she stood outside of the woods, facing her farmhouse and the barn next to it. "This is it." Lily said, then walked to the farm house. Silas trailed behind her, taking in everything. "Quaint." he commented, slithering in before her as she opened the door. She frowned and then went inside, making sure not to slam his tail in the door. Silas was poking around, looking around all the rooms. She was worried that he would knock things over with that large tail of his, but it seemed he was doing his best to not bump into any furniture. His black tail moved in the low light, gracefully moving around any obstacles in it's path. She was entranced for a moment until she shook her head and she looked to him. "I don't have a bedroom other than my own-" she paused as she watched him climb up of the stairs with ease before continuing. "But I can make a makeshift bed for you until- hey! That's my room!" she had been following him up the stairs only to see him open her bedroom door.

He seemed to make a pleased sound and he slithered inside, despite her protests. "Nice room." he said, then slithered belly first on her bed, settling himself down on the mattress. He turned his head slightly took at her over his shoulder, and he smirked at her. His tail curled around the bed and he let out a slight sigh as his whole body relaxed. "This is your bed right? I think there's enough room for two." he purred at her with a slight hiss. Lily glared at him, though her cheeks turned red from the suggestion. She grabbed a blanket that was neatly folded on a reading chair nearby. "I'll take the sofa." she grumbled, shoving the blanket under her arm and leaving the room, his laughter echoing behind her.

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Heading downstairs she went to the sofa, a wicker piece of furniture with soft blue cushions and matching pillows. Moving the pillows so they could cradle her head on the arm of the sofa. Once that was done, she sat down and unlaced her boots before falling back on the couch. Lily pulled the blanket over herself, up to her chin and she sighed. "What did you get yourself into Lily..." she muttered to herself before rolling over and attempting to fall asleep. 

Lily had been sleeping peacefully, the sun shining onto her in her living room.  The blanket was tossed onto the floor, the pillows and cushions slanted and pushed around from where she had rolled around in her sleep. If she could even call it that. She hadn't slept all that well that night. With the thought of a terrifying snake-man in her house, in her room, and of being chased by those bandits gave her a fitful nights rest. When she opened her eyes, she hoped it was all a dream. However, she opened her eyes to see red ones staring back at her.

She screamed.

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Silas hadn't been expecting anything that night. Nothing really came to his cave, thanks to him leaving bones of the forest animals he ate scattered about. The stench of death kept most creatures away, giving him a peaceful life. He had left his tribe in order to find a mate, having found no female there that caught his eye. So, as according to tradition, he had to leave that tribe to find the woman he sought. Of course, he wasn't required to do so, but he didn't want to live a lonely life either.

Yes, he certainly hadn't been expecting a woman to enter his cave.

As he laid on her bed, belly down and his tail draping over the end of it, he took in her scent. She had been terrified of those bandits chasing her. So much in fact that she risked running into that cave for a chance to survive. He smirked, finding it adorable. She had even been willing to fight him with that measly dagger in order to survive. Not that a dagger of such poor quality would have been able to harm him. Perhaps this was the woman he was looking for. The tip of his tail swayed and he chuckled. "Very well, little flower, let's see how this game ends." He had the pieces in place, and now all he needed to do was wait.

He had awoken early the next morning, out of habit, and quietly went down the stairs to find Lily. He found her asleep on the couch, so he decided to watch. How cute she was, even when she was asleep. It made him smile.

That is until, she woke up and screamed so loud he was sure the town could hear her.