The Lost Knight (Volume I)

Chapter 32: Condescending Snakes

I pull my eyes away from the tail and back up to his serpent face. I jump to my feet and back away until I hit the railing in front of the chairs. I don't know how fast this thing can strike me. It hasn't moved since I got here. I'm being played with like a mouse. I need to run, but I'm locked in.

Master Sarpedon chuckles. "I guess that answers my question."

I'm annoyed that he finds my fear funny. I scan the room for anything to use as a weapon, but it's bare.

"Good. You have excellent instincts. Gurador removed all weapons from this room in case this was your reaction."

He's so calm. His tone drains the adrenaline from my veins. I'm defeated and foolish. I wouldn't even know what to do with a weapon if he handed it to me. Exhaustion hits me so hard I wobble on unsteady legs. I might be falling under a spell or something. My stomach's in knots and I'm dizzy.

"I'll wait. Your reaction is normal. Climb over the rail and sit in the chair. You will be much more comfortable."

I leap over the rail and flop into the closest chair. Why are there so many? Who sits in them? I'm not asking any questions or speaking to the snake. I'll wait here until it either kills me or lets me go.

I find a loose thread on my blazer and pull at it. When I accumulate enough, I wrap it around my thumb and turn the tip purple. I free my thumb, pull more thread, and wrap up two fingers.

I don't know how much time passes, but I've made a nice-sized hole in my borrowed jacket, and my entire hand is tied up in a messy knot. Sarpedon hasn't moved since I first saw him. He hasn't looked around or dropped his hands, not even when he spoke to me, or when I jumped.

The heavy tiredness eases. My breathing and heartbeat have returned to normal, and my nausea and dizziness have disappeared. I cave. I can't take the silence any longer. "I don't like to sit."

"Then stand."

I get up, muster my courage, and hop over the rail. "What I mean is, why am I here? Are we just going to stare at each other?"

Sarpedon drops his hands and uncoils his long tail. His body rises only a few inches as he stands at his full height. Now he really looks like a snake. The dizziness returns. I flex my fingers to stop them from shaking. I'm not running away. I have to stand here and do whatever he wants so I can leave. I hate snakes, especially giant talking ones.

I jump and let out a yelp when a door slams in the hall. If another snake comes in, I'm done. I'm ready to make a dash for it when Jonah steps out from behind the curtain.

The rush of relief is almost as overwhelming as the panic attack. I race to Jonah and fly into his arms. He gives me one of those hugs I'm getting used to. I needed this comfort. He holds me tight and waits until I move away from him before he speaks.

"I'm sorry I'm late. You were not supposed to come here without me. Stay by my side. Everything's fine."

He grabs my hand and takes a step toward Master Sarpedon, but my legs refuse to move. I'm not going anywhere near that thing, with or without Jonah.

He smiles at me, drops my hand, and walks over to Master Sarpedon. When he reaches him, Jonah salutes him by putting his right hand over his heart and making a slashing motion down and away from the front of his body. Standing at attention, he quietly says, "Jwi héxé en koitep."

Master Sarpedon makes the same salute and says in response, "Nan lapè în sül avètk," Their hand motions form an X, and I wonder if they know that.

Jonah drops to one knee, and Master Sarpedon has to raise his hand to reach the top of Jonah's bowed head. He mutters some strange words that might be a greeting or a prayer, and then Jonah rises. They face each other. Jonah grabs Sarpedon by the shoulders, and Sarpedon reaches up to do the same but can only reach Jonah's elbows. It's some sort of hug. It only lasts for a moment before they both drop their arms.