Something Spicy

Chapter 6

The poison had long worn off Kevin and he was quite hungry after all the sleeping and stress. He was also really really hot after being held in the pelt clutched by the naga...or what he was assuming was a naga. The village had an old adventurer who taught the children about the outside world. He taught them about dragons and orcs, herbs, and stories of his past in one of the larger human cities, Springmirth. The old man talked in detail about the working of the guilds and he in his prime had even met a few. He was unsure how he was going to escape. His leg hampered any chance of running away.

Three nagas attacked, two which were beady naga and the naga who had offered his own territory. Kevin's eyes widened at the sight at the naga who were twice the size of a normal man their long hair tied back only enhanced their striking features. All three of them catapulted themselves at their targets, one at the the one holding him and two at his companion. The naga holding him threw him into the nearby brush and rushed at the same size naga clashing. Kevin quickly wiggled out of the bush clutching the pelt around his shoulders. 

His feet were no longer clothbound and he winced as he stumbled through the forest shuffling through leaves desperate to put distance between himself and those monsters. The sounds of fighting slowly became muted as he scampered deeper into the underbrush wanting to disappear. He knew he was rather deep into the forest and knew not where he was. Even though it was night he successfully avoided trees and rocks eating the occasional passing bug. He scrunched his nose at the bitter taste of a grasshopper after ripping off it's head and legs. He felt full of energy after having a full stomach since a long time. Keeping an eye on his surroundings he approached a river carefully scanning the area for any predators. A deer drank alone at the rushing stream downhill. The sound of the babbling stream tuned out any bird songs and moonlight glimmered off the moving water. He crept silently onto to the rocks surrounding the side of the river. Dipping his foot in he shivered preparing himself for the ice-bath before him. Luckily, the night air was more humid then chilly and he slid into the river waist deep. Holding the pelt above his head he fought against the river to get to the other side, fish nibbling on his toes. Almost losing his balance a couple time due to the slick stones he made it to the other side shivering.

He shook himself off rewrapping himself in the pelt and continued...running through the forest. Passing through he heard the sound of campfire and laughter deeper within the forest. Though it was tempting to stave off the chill after his experience within the village he had seen the existence of human depravity. If he asked to share that campfire was equal to walking into a lion's den. Once he walked far enough away from camp he found an area with long grass and nestled down hiding himself under a bush still wary. He rested his legs as he waited for dawn.

After Nagi had moved Kevin out of the way he sprung himself at the thin naga clashing, meeting him head on both clasping hands. The thin naga was older with more fighting experience when Nagi was larger in size evening out the fight. Regardless, Nagi had been raised by a parent when the thin naga, like the rest of their kind, had lived on his own since birth. They each threw blows at each other and successfully counteracting them. 

In that interval, Nagi was fighting his own opponent, his father was not doing so well. His father quickly chose to attack, the unknown naga, whipping his tail at the attacker's face causing the attacker to be flung back hitting a tree. A large naga sprung onto his father pinning him done with his weight. His father squirmed under the bulk, attempting to jab the guy in the face with an elbow.  The naga with ease pulled his father's head back by his long hair causing his father to hiss in pain his movement completely hampered.

 The first attacker picked himself up seeing the bigger naga pinned down he assisted the thin naga by grabbing Nagi's tail throwing him against a tree. Nagi's upper body slammed into a thick oak cracking it slightly and he coughed out a mouthful of black blood attempting to get back up. Swaying unsteadily he was defenseless  when the naga who threw him against the tree lifted him up by the neck and once again slammed him against the tree. Nagi slid down in a fluid motion making no attempt to get back up.  With both Nagi and his father helpless the three naga checked each other's wounds each wincing in sympathy at the long gashes and bruises left by the father and son pair. 

After group contemplation, the thicker Naga lifted Nagi's father bulk onto his shoulder and headed back towards the way they came. The thin nagi searched the area with its black beady eyes in the direction Nagi had tossed the bundle. Picking apart the underbrush with his clawed fingers he tasted the air following the human's scent excitedly. Slithering silently through the brush the naga disappeared like his companion into the night.