A Nagas tale

Time of change

Leon seemed against letting the snakes enter the village. After both Kogen and Thoren stated they would be responsible for any trouble they caused. He relented allowing the tribe to join the small village. Audrey wasted no time in Getting to meet Alma and her husband some more. She spoke with Alma and Hector while they followed Kogen to the few available houses. She learned that Alma was currently pregnant and Hector was doing his best to keep his family safe. She is about 189 years old and Hector far surpasses her age at 460 years old. Audrey could not question the motive for the large age gap after seeing that most of the men consisted of mainly older men and boys barely reaching the age of 14. Audrey learned that the Leviathans targeted mainly the younger 'More healthy' men. That was such an insult Audrey felt. She looks at Kogen and shakes her head "Those Leviathans are dumb as fuck." she grumbled earning herself a chortle from Alma. "I agree." she joked with Audrey. Audrey felt giggles "What is the gap?" she asks her. Audrey nods "It's not that big of a gap but it's decent." She answers "Oh?" she asks. Audrey nods "Hmm we are 45 years apart in age." She explains. Alma nods "So your only 101?" Alma asks. Audrey giggles "No I am 201 and he is 246 from what I remember." she explains. Alma gasps "Oh my I would not have guessed you were older than me." Alma giggles "I guess this means you are my elder sister." she giggles. Audrey giggles at the nickname. "Audrey." Kogen calls to her "Huh?" she looks up at him. "We seem to be short two houses," Leon tells her. She frowns "Oh no, how long would it take to make them?" She asks. Kogen nods "We can get them done in a little under a month, but two families would have to share their space." Kogen explains. Audrey nods "It's okay! Hector and I can share our space with his brother and his wife." Alma offers.  Another woman offers her home to the other family. "We are used to living close so it's not a big problem," Alma assures Audrey. Kogen nods "One thing before we let you settle under Leon's order." he looks at Audrey. She nods "We will need to check for any possible parasite." She states. Alma nods "I understand." she answers "Anyone pregnant please let us know right now." Leon speaks up. Three girls stepped up along with Alma. 'oh my.' Audrey nods "Alright, then the process will go like this." Kogen steps up next to Audrey. "I will start with the men, it will not be a nice process all I ask is you push through." He states. Hector steps up first standing in front of Audrey. Kogen pushes Audrey back "She will not be conducting this." he informs him. "Why? is it not the Naga's aura that drives away the parasite?" he asks. Kogen shakes his head "No, Audrey has nothing to do with it. Any strong aura can drive the parasite out of its hiding spot." Kogen explains. Hector nods "Alright, I understand." Kogen puts his hands on Hector's shoulders Leo and Idris are ready to remove anything if it comes out. Hector groans in pain as Kogen forces his aura into the man's body making sure to keep it up. "Clear!" Leo shouts. Kogen stops removing his hands from Hector. He stumbles slightly doing his best to recover. Kogen nods "Once you've recovered you must do the same to your wife." he informs him. He nods "Alright." he answers. "You do have a bond with her," Kogen asks. He nods "I'd be an idiot if I didn't." He answers. Kogen grins before continuing the process. Audrey watched making sure nothing bad happened. None of them had the parasite which assured Audrey she had made the right choice to seek them out. "Audrey, I think we can trust Kogen with them, we need to start looking for that spell," Thoren whispers to Audrey. She nods "Honey! Can I trust Alma and her tribe to you!?" Audrey asks. Kogen nods "Leave them to me and Leon, Old man make sure Audrey doesn't get herself hurt." Kogen trusts the elder with Audrey's safety.

I followed Grandpa to the cave mouth after packing a few extra notebooks and pens. I took some snacks just in case I got too invested in the search. I stand at the mouth of the cave Grandpa stands next to me. "Ready to finally meet the Ancestor of our tribe?" he asks. I look at the sword on my hip hidden under my bag. "Yeah, I have been waiting to meet him." I nod. He smiles walking into the cave first. "Stay close." he grabs my wrist. I follow him as I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dark area. The walls are decorated with pictures of what looks like a small village. I see two Nagas standing at the edge of the Island bare of any trees or life. I turn to Grandpa who is waiting for me. "This is how the Island started, I lived my life thinking this was our ancestral domain." He explains. Looking at the depictions on the walls I can understand why he would believe this. I walk up to him as he leads me back toward the depth of the cave. My eyes find drawings of people and tribe markings. "this is it!" I turn my attention to my Grandpa finding it odd the Ancestor has not spoken to me yet. 'So I finally get to meet you little Audrey.' He speaks up. My eyes find his large snout resting within the walls of this cave. 'I see Don managed to save some of his aura within a blade.' He points out my sword. I nod "Yes, He has offered to guide me if I need aid while I am away from the Island." I explain. He chuckles 'Ah my old friend really likes to care for my children.' The answers. I turn to Grandpa who is looking at me curiously. "So you really can hear the Ancestor's voice." Grandpa smiles. I nod turning my eyes to the large Naga. "Ancestor Don is very helpful, Yes," I answer. He chuckles at my answer. 'I assume you came for answers of our past.' He picks up on my intentions. I nod "I'd like to learn about our home." I tell him honestly. He chuckles "Before we get to that." before my eyes Iris's wisp rushes out of his snout bopping my cheek. "Iris! My sweet baby." I greet giving her a careful hug. 'I've been spending a lot of time with this little one.' He tells me. I smiled delighted to see my child was doing well. 'She was telling me of what she felt before she passed.' He explains. I look at him wondering what she would have told him. 'I have seen your mate and from what I've heard around the forest a lot of people consider him a Monster.' He sighs. I frown annoyed people still pushed that narrative. 'But, from what I've heard from Iris I believe he is not what others make him out to be.' He chuckles 'I've watched him since he was a child exploring this forest.' He tells me. I remember Don telling me they could see what happened within their domain. 'He may be dangerous to those who pose a threat.' He stays quiet 'I hold no ill will to the man rather I am grateful that he has taken back our forest.' He expresses. I nod understanding where he came from. Iris quickly floats back to the Ancestor's snout. 'I cannot let her wander outside for too long.' He tells me. I nod "Okay, I will see you again Iris." I smile at her as she gets hidden by the veil. The rest of that day he asked me about my outing and what happened while I was gone. I learned his name is Ashthoren. I sit in the house realizing I got absolutely nowhere. I watch Yyvonne play out in the yard as the log writes down the events of the day. Kogen walks into the gate filling the area with his aura. I get up put my book on the table and rush to the door. He opens the door and I quickly tackle him into a hug. The sound of his chuckle tickles my ears "Welcome back! how did it go!!?" I ask curiously.  He hugs me and lifts me off the ground. I giggle "I saw Iris today! The Ancestor has been taking care of  her for us!" I tell him about our child. He smiles walking us back into the house. "Thats good to hear," he tells me as he sets me down on the floor. I nod "Yeah! I hope you can come with me next time!" I rub my face on his clothes. The scent of Pine greeted me enthusiastically. I let go ready to give him a quick kiss. I step back but he beats me to it. I feel my lips curl in delight as he pulls away. "I should get dinner going." he offers. I nod following him to the kitchen. I noticed the ingredients I had asked for and looked at Kogen. 'he's been real busy today.' I stop him from getting near the stove. I push him away "How about you go wash up and relax a little bit and I start dinner!" I offer. He seemed ready to refuse "You made breakfast this morning! I want to make dinner tonight!" I protest before he can refuse. He sighs "Alright, just be careful." He plants a kiss on the forehead just above my third eye. I wave him off and start cooking some food. I open the door leading out of the kitchen knowing that toasting the chillies I wanted to use was going to fumigate the building. 

I had felt Audrey was feeling a lot better after the burial. At first, I was unsure of seeing my child in a state of unrest. I sit in the tub looking up at the ceiling recalling what the elder told me. 'The Naga tribe have too much aura for the void to consume.' I sigh understanding this was an inevitable fate for them. I turn to the door smelling a harsh smoke. I get up and out of the bath wrapping a towel around my waist. I start coughing the closer I get to the kitchen. I stop seeing Audrey standing in the kitchen unbothered by the smell. "What are you doing?" I ask walking over to her. She turns to me and gasps "Oh I forgot to close the door!" she panics quickly pushing me to the back door. I gasp for air feeling my eyes sting from the odor. "I am making some birria with elk and I need to toast the chilies so it tastes good," she explains. I turn to her as she quickly runs over to the stove pulling the pan out of the heat. "Oh good I didn't burn them," she whispers I turn back to her and watch her take some tomatoes from the rack and a few other items. "Okay!" She looks at me finally not in a panic. "Oh my god! Kogen go put on some clothes!" she quickly shoves me back inside. Her face is beet red as she pushes me out of the kitchen. "How cute." I tease as I stay in my spot. She looks at me "Kogen, You are too damned sexy for me right now!" she hits back with her taunt. I grin "Is that a problem?" I ask. She nods "No! But yes! I won't be able to focus on making food!" she answers honestly. I chuckle finding her reactions and answers enticing. "Go! I'll burn my salsa!" she quickly turns away from me and walks over to the stove. Seeing her so serious only increases the urge to tease her. I walk over to her ready to tease some more but the fumes of spice warn me to step away. I frown 'Hm, she's safe for now.' I turn and walk back towards the bathhouse. "Oh! and make sure to wash yourself!! I was touching chilies!" she shouts at me. After another round of washing up, I walk out to the dining room finding her book sitting on the table. I take a peek curious about what has been written. I stopped knowing she would be upset if I did it without her offering. I walk outside and sit on the catwalk feeling the brisk September air. 'Winter is already on its way in.' I watch Yyvonne play with the piles of fallen leaves. The sun starts setting when Audrey calls for dinner.