Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Reunion of Lovers and Not-Quite-Lovers

 Hugo repressed a frustrated sigh as Marisol tripped over her feet and nearly fell into the lake. Jyoji caught her around the waist and held her upright.

"Just let her go," Sera said. "Maybe that stupid serpent thing will eat her."

Marisol shot her a nasty look and then grabbed on to Jyoji to keep her balance. "I have every right to be here," she said, slurring her words. "That's my betrothed in there. All that concerns you is that silly duck."

"Goose," Sera mumbled.

"Quiet, both of you," Lana snapped.

The two exchanged one last venomous glare before turning away.

Hugo stared at the looming tower. "How are we going to do this?"

Taking a deep breath, Lana gazed down at the jewel in her hand. "I'm not sure. I've never had to appease a lake serpent before."

"Does it have a name?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Do we just call out to it then?"

"I don't know. I suppose it's worth a try."

After scanning the lake for a moment, Lana gripped the jewel and took several steps forward until the water lapped at the toes of her slippers. Though she stood with firm determination, there was a slight tremor in her clenched hand.

"Oh, great serpent of Lake Scaleigh!" she called out, her voice echoing throughout the forest. "I, Princess Lana of Galinyth, request an audience. Please."

Everyone waited in anticipation, but nothing happened. Lana looked back at Hugo, and he shrugged. They both turned their attention to the lake, but still, there was no sign that anything stirred down below.

And then there was a low rumble. The ground began to shake, and Marisol grabbed hold of Jyoji, her face turning a pale shade of green. The guards moved to pull out their weapons, but Lana raised a hand to stop them, her eyes on the lake.

The waters became agitated, the jewels shimmering in the sunlight as something below tossed them about. Slowly, the head of the serpent broke the surface. It continued to rise until it towered above them, gazing down with a scrutinizing gaze.

Lana fell back a step, and Hugo gently took hold of her elbow to remind her she wasn't alone. The serpent caught sight of her and drew closer. Water dripped from its scales, flooding the ground on which they stood. Marisol whimpered and buried her face in Jyoji's chest as he tried to comfort her, his eyes glued to the beast. Even Sera was at a loss for sarcastic commentary.

As the serpent came nearer, Hugo got a better look at it. Despite being a serpent, it didn't appear very snakelike. In fact, its face resembled Sera's when she was in dragon form. With elegant, fluid features, it almost seemed like it had been born from the water in which it lived. Its nostrils flared as it glared at Lana with sparkling, sea-green eyes.

She hesitated. "I . . . I thank you, great serpent, for agreeing to meet with me," she stammered.

It let out a sharp breath, spraying both Lana and Hugo with mist.

"I . . . that is . . . you . . . I . . ."

Lana seemed to be losing her confidence. Hugo glanced up at the window of the tower and saw Willow and Fallon watching the scene. His heart leapt into his throat. They were so close. This had to work. It had to or else he would be forced to battle this beast on his own, and he knew that wasn't going to end well for anyone but the serpent.

Squeezing Lana's hand, Hugo leaned in and whispered, "You can do this. You're a capable queen."

Though her face was still pale, Lana nodded and swallowed hard. "I believe my kin took something that is rightfully yours," she said to the serpent. "I've come to return it and beg that you release my brother and the goose who are trapped in your tower."

She extended her hand and revealed the jewel. The serpent narrowed its eyes before stooping down towards it. Lana's palm shook as the beast sniffed at it, huffing and puffing and covering her in water. When its inspection was complete, it peered up at Lana once more. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, the serpent grabbed the tiny jewel with its beaklike mouth and retreated into the water. The lake continued to rumble and froth even after it had disappeared.

Clutching her chest, Lana stepped towards the tumultuous waters. "What about my brother? And Willow? Hello? Mr. Serpent?"

As she spoke, the lake became agitated once again, swirling and breaking until a wave rose up. It was as large as the serpent, nearly as tall as the trees and moving towards the tower with great speed. Hugo feared it was about to collide with the tower and destroy it and all who were inside. But rather than crash into the structure, it instead slipped through the window. There was a shrill cry that didn't sound like Willow, so Hugo could only assume it had come from Fallon.

"It's not going to drown them, is it?" Jyoji asked, staring up at the wave in horror.

Panic seizing him once more, Hugo prepared to jump into the lake. Although, what he was going to do, he didn't know. Strangle it? Pummel it? Threaten to pelt it with cabbages?

Thankfully, his interception was unnecessary. The wave pulled away from the tower, bringing Willow and Fallon along with it. Wrapped around them like a misshapen hand, the water carried them rapidly across the lake. Before it hit the shore, it lost its handlike grip, receding into a smaller wave and casting Willow and Fallon into the air as it disappeared back into the lake.

Fallon crashed to the ground and tumbled a ways before collapsing into a mess of twisted limbs. Marisol raced towards him, tripping over her feet and falling to her knees. She smothered him with kisses and food-related pet names, even as he moaned about the ache in his back.

Willow, having the advantage of wings, did not suffer such a rough landing. Despite her wound, she flapped desperately in an attempt to slow her descent. Hugo ran to meet her, his arms wide open and ready to catch her. They collided, and he wrapped her in a tight embrace, his feet losing their grip on the muddied shores. He slipped and fell to the ground with a tremendous splat, covering both himself and Willow in mud and water.

"You're all right," he whispered, holding her closer and squeezing his eyes shut. "Thank goodness you're all right."

Willow didn't speak. Rather, she laid her head against his shoulder and released a sigh. Hugo buried his face into her neck, not sure if the water on his cheeks was from the lake or tears of relief. Either way, it didn't matter.

She was safe.

She was safe.

She was in his arms and safe.