Crimson Coils (The Snake Men Book 2)

Chapter 8

If looks could kill, Madame Savari would have been a warrior. The moment Mari approached her, the older naga's head whipped around and pierced her with her golden eyes. "A human?" she rose a brow in disbelief, though that expression did not last long as it quickly turned into doubt. "And what would a human dare to approach me for?" she asked, her voice cold and hard.

Mari wasn't going to let that deter her. "I heard you need a new apprentice." she said calmly, glancing at the ex-apprentice who was now farther down the road. She turned her attention back to Madame Savari, who now had her arms crossed. It still seemed this woman was not impressed.

"You? A human become my apprentice?" she asked, letting out a soft chuckle. "You must be joking." she shook her head. "If a Naga cannot even please me, what makes you think you can?" she demanded, now beginning to circle Mari. Her tail enclosed her in a small circle, trapping her there as Madame Savari looked her over.

Mari didn't back down. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Rezran staring at both of them, shifting back and forth nervously. "My people the Noduin, gather and craft many items from the Ash Crystals. If you allow me, I will present to you my skill, and then you can judge yourself." she bargained. "I have crafted since I could walk. I am not afraid of a challenge." Mari looked at Madame Savari defiantly, refusing to lower her gaze.

Madame Savari stopped in front of her again, her eyes narrowing, making them glow in the low light of the lamps and torches around them. "Not many would dare look upon me with such a gaze." she said, a slight hiss accentuating her words. Her head lowered closer to Mari, her pupils thinning to slits as she stared right back at Mari.

Still Mari did not look away, she didn't even bat an eye. She almost let out a sigh of relief when Madame Savari suddenly laughed. The sudden sound almost made Mari collapse, and she relaxed slightly as the naga pulled away from her.

Madame Savari's gold and black tail uncurled from around her and went back to it's normal position behind her. "Good! Good!" she chuckled, her laughter dying down as she gave her a wicked smile. "It's been so long since I've encountered anyone with such backbone." she gestured for her to follow, her posture rigid like a noblewoman. "Come, let us see what you can do, human."

Mari stared dumbly at her before she started to walk to catch up. Rezran instantly came to her side. "Now I see why you survived for so long out in the wastes." he said, shaking his head as he looked towards Madame Savari.

"And what makes you say that?"

"You don't fear death."

Mari smiled to herself as he said that, and he couldn't help but chuckle a little himself. "But to be fair, I did save you from drakes." he said proudly, straightening up a bit. Mari rolled her eyes. "Proud of yourself are you?" she asked.

"Oh I most certainly am." he responded back. The two followed Madame Savari down the road to what Mari would describe as a manor carved into the side of the cliff walls. It was glorious and massive, no doubt a woman such as Madame Savari needed a home to fit her as well. The entrance to her home was covered by a black and gold curtain, fittingly like the naga herself; and with a flick of her wrist she moved the curtain to the side and slipped in.

Mari noticed Rezran back off. "I think I'll stay out here." he said, taking a seat on a nearby rock. "Madame Savari doesn't like males in her home, and I'd rather keep all my limbs." he grinned at Mari, and she rolled her eyes yet again before going inside. She heard him laughing as she did so, though that was well out of her mind as she took in the sight before her. Almost everything in the dwelling was made of gold and gems. Gold statues, statues of ruby and sapphire, jewelry hanging from said statues glistening in the low light of the braziers within. Mari noticed that some of the statues were of Madame Savari herself.

The Madame's curt voice snapped her out of her reverie. "You will be working back here!" she called. Mari quickly hurried forward and followed her down a hall and into a room fashioned like a workshop. Mari wanted to squeal in delight. Tools of all kinds laid out on a table before her, along with some raw Ash Crystals to get started. The tools given to her was what her people called a Crystal Cutter, a small tool the size of a pen with a drill at it's tip. The drill was powered by small magic-induced crystals that could be bought almost everywhere. The crystal inside would cause the drill to spin at the flick of a small switch on the side. It was precise and would allow the jeweler or craftsman to create intricate detail in crystals and gemstones. Some claimed it could even work with stone, though Mari had never tested that theory.

The workshop itself was absolutely stunning. Tools of all kinds were scattered among a work desk in the middle, and cluttered in a large bookcase were massive crystals, stones, and gems ready to be cut and carved. The room was lit with braziers on every side, illuminating the workshop in a warm glow. Tapestries depicting great warriors and fearsome beasts hung from the walls. To the left was a door that was slightly ajar, revealing a small bedroom inside. Mari thought she had stepped into a dream, walking over to the work desk and lifting one of the carving tools to examine it. Her reverie was short-lived as Madame Savari spoke, "I hope this will accommodate you for your test." She had remained in the doorway as Mari looked around the room.

Mari looked back at her. "Test?" she asked, raising a brow. She remembered why she was there – this wasn't a gift for her after all. She needed to be Madame Savari's apprentice.

"Yes, you have two hours to present to me the finest pieces you can craft." She stated plainly, putting her hands together in front of her, resting in front of her midsection as she lifted her nose and looked down at Mari.

Mari nearly started. Two hours to make three pieces to present to Madame Savari? Now she saw why the woman was hard to please, with having such high standards. "What-What kind of pieces do you want?" she asked, swallowing to regain her confidence.

"Anything that comes to mind: jewelry, statues, paperweights, decorations, figures...I'll take any of those." The snakewoman turned around, waving her hand nonchalantly. "Two hours. Set them on the cart there, and bring them to me when you are done. I will be in my study." she said, pausing and looking back at Mari. "Which is outside this room and to the right, immediate door next to this one." With that, she slithered out of the workshop, the door shutting behind her.

Mari took a breath, closing her eyes as she did. When she opened her eyes again, she was facing the work desk. Slowly releasing her breath, she straightened up resolutely. Marching over, she rolled up her sleeves and grabbed the first carving tool in front of her, the rune one.

Challenge accepted.