Building Bridges

He knew from the way that the castle was quiet, as if no one could handle taking a breath for fear that it may be their last, that something was amiss. Normally the castle was full of life. Numerous footfalls of creatures of all kinds walked this castle serving him and this kingdom. It was rare that as you were standing in the main rooms that you were able to hear a pin drop. Yet, he could hear everything so clearly that silence enveloped him. Little created such a disturbing silence, but he had an inkling of what did.

She had to be here.

Normally, he would feel hate and despair fill up his chest knowing that the snake was walking around in his kingdom, but after his visit from Haywire, he knew that times were changing. He still hated the idea of meeting with the witch, welcoming her into his lovely home, his safe space, yet there was little that he could do. 

Click. Click. Click. Gentle but precise footfalls filled the space. 

Shenxin stilled himself, pulling on the regal figure he must show. He may only be a Prince but he must be able to stand equal to a Queen. As the clicking of hooves on the stone floors became louder, he took a moment to steady his breathing and change his expression to something more neutral. As he finally gained his composure, he finally saw the source of the footsteps.

The Snake Queen Viper.

If it weren’t what he knew about her and had witnessed with his own eyes, he would be tempted to say that she was a beautiful mare. Her coat was always seamlessly perfect, which was a feat in itself considering her home of choice was the swamp, a place filled with endless ways to tear you down. Her movements were so fluid and calculated, a certain grace radiated throughout her entire body that was impossible to mimic. She held herself high, never letting anyone look down upon her, only she may look down upon them. Nevertheless, he knew that in her movements, she was thinking of every way to win this little game of hers, tear him down little by little and make him scream out for mercy. It was what she took most joy in and what made him absolutely disgusted by her. 

It was hard to not make a face or order her out of his castle this instant. This mare would and could kill without a second thought.

Viper’s eyes shifted into the slit pupils as she approached ever closer. Once she was within a stride of the Prince, she smiled flicking out her fangs and running her tongue over them. It was hard to tell whether she was trying to be charming or sending out a warning - probably both if he was honest. “Come now, you ssshouldn’t ssshow sssuch fear,” the mare hissed smiling with her fangs hanging out of her mouth yet to be sheathed once more. 

“And why not?” Shenxin fired back, holding his ground. He didn’t know where he was in this game of hers but he was not planning to roll over onto his back and let her have him.

The mare paused for a second, something flashing in her eyes -- anger? Amusement? She was as unreadable as ever. She snorted and took a small step towards Shenxin. “I promissse you that I am not here to caussse any trouble,” the mare said taking one long look around the room in which they stood,”asss much asss I would love to.” She took another step and cocked her head curiously, “Isss thisss how you treat all your guessstsss? No one to greet them and not even tea ssset up?”

Shenxin stepped to his left, trying to hide his annoyance. He knew this was something she loved to do, get under others' skins and rattle them up, but still, he couldn’t help but feel a fire burn in his chest at her accusing him of not being hospitable. “If I knew you were coming, I would have had a feast prepared, Viper, but alas you failed to send a message my way,” he responded cooly. 

“Pity,” Viper responded looking quite unamused. 

He took a few more steps to his left angling towards an ornate doorway. Upon this doorway detailed sketches of all kinds of creatures, some that others would not recognize or merely think of as myths. Shenxin nodded towards the door as well as extended out his left leg. “Come, let us discuss more behind closed doors. I would prefer that no one should hear the sensitive details that you have come to discuss with me. I can bring us tea if you would like?”

The mare flicked her tongue out in thought before responding, “If you wisssh, but don’t bother with the tea, I do not care for it.”

The two walked through the ornate door and entered a room decorated in various artwork, sculptures, furniture, and artifacts that were of and not of this world. In the middle of this room was a large table with a small diorama of the surrounding area. Somehow everything worked together to provide a harmonious setting. It was here that Shenxin preferred to discuss his arrangements with others. He felt that there was something here for everyone to connect to and appreciate. As they fully stepped into the room, the door closed with a loud resounding thunk, finalizing the fact that the two who had been at odds were for the first time meeting in peace. 

Shenxin went to the far back of the room where decidedly the head of the table was. Viper watched him move to that place and then followed to stand near him at his left. “So, what is all this about?” he questioned her, eyeing her curiously.

Viper turned her nose up at Shenxin. “I assssssume you’ve been made aware of Aberath now,” she responded not really expecting a response. They both knew that they were aware of the demon child known as Aberath of the kind of devastation that he could bring to the entire world should he remain unchecked. “Asss much assss I am not a fan of you and your fantastical asssspirationssss of worldwide peace and harmony, I hate being worn thin by two foesss. I propossse that we ssshould combine forces ssso we do not wassste resssourcesss on each other. I would much prefer only having to focusss on Aberath.”

Shenxin eyed her suspiciously. This mare had harmed so many of his inhabitants, his guards, his friends, and now she simply wanted peace? He had an inkling of the threat that Aberath could pose, but was he that big of a threat that Viper was coming to him to create a cease fire? As much as he wanted to send her away for all the evil she has done, it made no sense to him to turn away a long time enemy who was seeking peace. He was not a fan of fighting and any chance to end such fighting, especially in a diplomatic way, he would take it, no matter how much he hates the Quirlicorn standing next to him. 

Finally he spoke, “I know that you are not one to simply ask for peace. What do you ask of me? How can I be certain that you won’t slit my throat in the middle of the night?”

“There isss nothing that I desssire at thisss moment in time,” Viper responded simply, her eyes glancing over all the objects in the room with disdain. “Assss for proof of continued peace, I have a few ideasss of what I could give in exchange.” she turned her head and met Shenxin’s eyes. “You really know me far too well little Prince.”

He didn’t need to think too hard. He wanted the biggest threat gone and if she were to give him that to him, he could rest easier. “I want your Basilisk,” he demanded locking unwavering eyes with her.

Viper pinned her ears and let out a little hiss. After a moment's silence, she let out a long sigh and a tiny chuckle. “I must admit little Prince,” she responded, “you are far smarter and observant than I give you credit for. That being said I can not part with my lovely Ajax. He keeps my domain safe from trespassers -- as I’m sure you’re aware of already. With the threat I’m facing, I can mossst certainly not give away Ajax ssssimply assss a sign of peace. However, I have a different propossssal for you; asss a sign of my peace and a promisssse to you and your kingdom that I sssshall do no harm, I want you to take my ssson and care for him.” Viper began to walk around Shenxin ignoring his dumbfounded look. “I know you mussst find it odd for me to sssso willingly give up my ssson, and I’ll admit that I myssself balked at the idea at first, but then recently, Aberath had directly targeted him.I presssume he was trying to get under my ssskin. Asss much asss I love my ssson, I do not want him near that monssster. Thisss arrangement would be beneficial to usss both. I get my ssson out of the ssswamp and away from Aberath, and you get the ultimate sssign of peace.” The mare ended on Shenxin’s right side with her fangs sheathed. “Do you accept?” She eyed him in such a way that looked as if she couldn’t care less about his response, but looking at her stiffened tail, one could tell that she was anxious about his response.  

Shenxin stared at her considering what she was asking. It was an odd yet reasonable request. Finally, he responded simply questioning more on the details of the manner, “When shall I expect him in my domain? Do you have any requests for his housing? What is he called?”

Viper’s tail relaxed slightly at his response, but her face did not change in any way. “You ssshall expect him to be here in one moonsss time. For hisss housssing, I expect him to live here with you of courssse, but what elssse you decide isss based upon your decisssion. Treat him asss a guessst, perhapsss even a ssstudent. It may do him good to be taught how to be a prince,” she replied, her expression changing to thoughtful as she continued on. It seemed that there was more to her son than she was letting on. “Asss for hisss name, hisss given name isss Cobra and he goes by that asss well.”

Shenxin nodded as he listened. A child of Viper’s. He wondered what he would be like. No doubt he would take after his mother. He felt shivers go down his spine at the thought. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t be too late to save him. Maybe he could even get the child to be an outstanding member of society rather than the terror of the swamps.

Once Viper had finished talking, Shenxin stepped towards her and lowered his head to his knee. “I accept your proposal. We shall be at peace and be considered allies,” he replied.

Viper eyed him with disdain. “Yesss….I sssuppossse that makesss usss alliesss. I ssshall take my leave now.” She did not make any more eye contact with Shenxin. Her movements were fluid as if she was barely touching the ground. It was undeniable that she was a Quirlicorn worthy of the title of Queen. The mare paused at the decorated doorway and looked lazily at Shenxin. “Oh, by the way, pleassse tell the nuisssance that isss on my other border that thisss alliance is extended to him asss well.” She turned back to the door and started to make her way out. “And no he doesss not get anything in exchange besssidesss my ssson in your care.” With that the mare made her leave the castle.

Slowly, the noise and activity the castle was known for returned, but Shenxin was still stuck staring down at the table replaying everything that had occurred. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had made a mistake. Had he made the deal with the devil for naught? Would this be something that will haunt him for years to come? A sense of dread buried itself deep into his chest and would not unseat himself. He may have made the worst choice in the history of Zaquar or perhaps the best choice. Only time would tell.

He would anxiously await the arrival of the Snake Prince, but in the meantime he had to send a message to Lucian to inform him of this sudden development.