Still can't think of a title for this but it's coming along nicely. I'm going to turn it into a comic at some point (gee how often have I said THAT before.)
As a hunter you often run into creatures that are pretty special. However, no animal I've ever encountered in the woods around my village has been quite as special as Sleevish. Sleevish is a lamia, one of the fairest and most dangerous magical creatures in the forest. Normally they were loners but Sleevish had been hunting around our village hoping to feed on the scavengers that raided our food stores. Unfortunately for her a werewolf pack had moved into the same woods hoping to do the same thing. One of the pack members was busy marking their territory when he and Sleevish met. The encounter didn't end well for Sleevish but was even worse for the werewolf who ended up dead.
Draven walks up to the werewolf corpse and examines it.
Draven: “Hmmm, this is fresh. I better be careful.”
Draven follows some fresh bloody tracks into a nearby animal den. He peeks inside, his bow at the ready and sees a badly wounded lamia coiled up inside.
Sleevish: "Come to... finish me? A great trophy... for a proud... warrior."
Draven: “I don't kill the helpless. Not even game. Stay here, I'm going to get you some help.”
Sleevish: “I will kill all of you! I'm not helpless and you and your friends will find out. Leave me or die!”
Draven: “Wow, she's scared. I need to hurry before she gathers enough strength to sneak away and then bleed to death.”
Draven leaves and finds the village doctor.
Draven: “Doctor Westin, can you treat a lamia?”
Doctor Westin: “Um, as long as I get to keep both of my arms yes, I don't see why not.”
Draven: “She's no threat, got in a fight with a werewolf. Killed the werewolf but she's hurt pretty bad. I don't think she's gonna make it on her own.”
Doctor Westin: “Werewolf? Well there's an old saying. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Lead the way Draven.”
The two men return to Sleevish's den and find her resting inside.
Draven: “Hello? Take it easy we're here to help.”
Doctor Westin: “These wounds are bad. I think some of them are infected already. You got to me just in time.”
Draven: “I'll keep an eye for the rest of the pack. They'll come looking for their missing scout soon.”
Doctor Westin: “I'd rather you kept an eye on her. She may be weakened but that doesn't mean she isn't dangerous.”
Sleevish: “You are either a wise man or a fool.”
Doctor Westin treats the lamia's wounds.
Doctor Westin: “At the moment you may be right on both counts.”
One hour later.
Draven: “How is she?”
Doctor Westin: “Difficult to say. It's hard to properly diagnose a patient's condition when she is constantly questioning your parentage.”
Sleevish: "Fools you are! When I heal I'll eat you both!"
Draven: “Well any improvement is good news. If she's healthy enough to scream that loud then she's most likely going to do well.”
Doctor Westin: “Well let's hope she heals before a werwolf finds her or all of this will be for naught.”
Draven: “I'm going to stay here and watch the den. Make sure any wild and fuzzies stay off her back.”
Doctor Westin: “Are you serious? She isn't exactly ready to give you a medal. She might be just as big a threat to you as any werewolf.”
Draven: “I didn't help her just to leave her to die. I'm staying.”
Doctor Westin: “You sir, are a better man than I.”
Doctor Westin pats Draven's shoulder, packs up his things and leaves. Draven sets up camp outside Sleevish's den while she watches carefully from inside.
Draven: "My name's Draven. It's nice to meet you."
Sleevish slides back into her den but says nothing. Draven does some more hunting and periodically checks on Sleevish in the den but she is sound asleep. Two days later Draven returns to the den and sees a werewolf standing outside of it. He knocks and arrow and points it at the werewolf who looks at him and snarls.
Draven: "Out of the den hairball!"
Werewolf: "You have no business here ape! Leave now or your family will bury each of your limbs in a separate grave."
Draven: "Yeah attacking a wounded lamia. You're so tough my legs are shaking."
Werewolf: "COWARD YOU ARE! Put down the bow and fight me!"
Sleevish slowly slithers out of her den and stalks the werewolf from behind.
Draven: Thinks: Gotta keep him distracted so Sleevish can put the binders on him. "Coward my ass. I put down my bow I'm a dead man and we both know it. You want a piece of me? Come at me!"
Werewolf: “I will feast on your flesh and wear your bones as a trophy!”
Sleevish pounces on the werewolf and coils him up. Draven drops his bow and pulls out a long hunting knife. The werewolf fights free of Sleevish just in time for Draven to stab him in the back. The werewolf screams and knocks Draven off. Sleevish reaches up and slashes his throat with one of her huge claws. The werewolf collapses and dies and Sleevish swallows him whole while Draven gathers up his kills. Before he can finish setting up camp though Sleevish coils him up.
Sleevish: "You're still a fool! You think just because you helped me again that I won't eat you just like I ate that werewolf?"
Draven: "If you're going to eat me then do it. My conscience will be clear."
Sleevish: "Why?! Why are you helping me? I'm not human."
Draven: "Doesn't matter." panting.
Sleevish releases him and sits nearby staring at him with confusion.
Draven: "Call it a human failing if you want. I have it especially bad." smiles
Sleevish: "Sleevish. My name is Sleevish."
Draven: "Nice to meet you." *holds out a hand to shake hers with.
Sleevish: "Forgive me but if I shook your hand... you'd loose it." Holds up one hand to display five razor sharp claws.
Draven: "No problem. How you feeling?"
Sleevish: "Better but still weak."
Draven: "Well you've got a full belly now so that should help."
Sleevish: "How long are you going to stay here?"
Draven: "Till you feel better."
Sleevish: "And after that?"
Draven: "I... I don't know. I hadn't though that far ahead."
Sleevish: “I don't know why I asked. I'm sure you'll just leave me since I won't need you anymore.”
Sleevish slithers back into her den. Draven watches her and sighs.
Draven: “Am I really a fool for thinking she could like me?”
I ended up spending a week outside her den. Each day Sleevish moved around better and seemed to cheer up more. She was quiet the first couple of days and usually just watched me carefully from the opening of her den but by the end of the week we were chatting up a storm like we'd known each other for years. The bulge in her tail that had once been a werewolf was now almost completely gone and her wounds were scabbing over nicely. Some of the scabs had even flaked off reveling fresh scar tissue underneath. We eventually agreed she was well enough to take care of herself and I started to pack up my camp. Before I could destroy the firepit though she brought me a dead deer.
Sleevish "I was hoping... we could share a meal."
Draven: "I'd be honored."
Sleevish: "I was also hoping... that you had room in your heart... I mean you don't have to..." Sleevish sighs and falls to the ground in a large coil "Forget it. I'm just stupid."
Draven: "No you're not, I will not hear such talk! You're beautiful, you're smart and funny and I like you. Truth be told I was afraid after you got better that you would slither away and I would never see you again."
Sleevish: "You like me? Why?"
Draven: "Well yeah of course. I've loved the time we spent together so far. Why? Who knows? Who cares? Let's just enjoy our time together." Draven rubs his hand through her dredlocks.
Sleevish: "But I'm weak and ugly. You had to save me from that werewolf."
Draven: "You saved me first. A single human with a bow is no match for a werewolf. I was just returning the favor."
Sleevish: "I don't know why but I like you too. But who cares about why right?" smiling and showing her fangs.
Draven: “Right.”
It only got better from there but that's another story.
The biggest problem Sleevish and I had when we first started seeing each other was deciding where to live. Obviously, as a human I wanted to live in my home in the nearby township. Sleevish wanted nothing to do with it for the most part. I decided not to press the issue at first, after all I was a hunter and spent most of my time in the woods anyway so why not make a camp site outside her den? It was fine for about two weeks but my trips back to town got more and more tense and despite Sleevish being wonderful I was starting to feel a little lonely. Lamia are natural loners and rarely socialize even with one another so Sleevish didn't understand my feelings but she accepted the fact that I needed to be with my brethren and agreed to try and spend some time with me in town. Her wounds were fully healed (lamia heal fast) and she was eager to get moving. So into to town we went.
Sleevish and Draven walk into his home town down the road. People on either side of the street see the pairing and run for cover inside their homes. Draven starts to get upset while Sleevish frowns.
Draven: “What's the matter with you people? She's not here to hurt anyone?”
Doctor Westin: “They've never seen a lamia before, all they know are the stories. It might have been wiser to come at night.”
Sleevish: “What stories?”
Draven: “You don't want to know. Suffice it to say humans in general are afraid lamia.”
Sleevish: “Gee, why am I not surprised by that? Oh yeah I'm not human I'm a giant snake who doesn't belong. I knew I shouldn't have come here.”
Doctor Westin: “Its okay young lady, they're just scared. They'll come around. Draven is well known here and the people trust him. I'm sure once everyone sees how well you two get along they'll soften up to you.”
Sleevish: “Oh yeah? Tell them that.”
The Captain of the guard and two soldiers approach the trio in the street weapons drawn.
Guard Captain Grizzle: “You, lamia. You are to leave this town immediately. Any attempt to stay will be met with lethal force.”
One of the guards tries to escort Draven away but he shoves the guard off of him.
Draven: "Hold on a second, what did she do?" I demanded.
Doctor Westin: “Calm down son, this lamia is no threat to us, I can assure you.”
Girzzle: "You defend this monster? Take it out of town now or we will have no choice but to use force on you as well.”
Sleevish jumps in front of the guards sheilding Draven and Doctor Westin from the guards.
Sleevish: "Threaten me all you want but threaten them again and face my wrath!"
Grizzle raises his sword but an arrow strikes the blade knocking it from his hand.
Draven: "Next time I won't miss!"
Grizzle: "Place them all under arrest!"
Mayor Gregor: "Calm down everyone! I'm sure they have a perfectly logical explanation for why they brought this animal into town."
Draven: "First of all your honor, Sleevish is no animal. She's a lamia and she saved my life. We fought a werewolf together in the forest and killed it. Afterwords we found out we get along quite well so I invited her to town. She's only curious about how we live, that's all."
Doctor Westin: “I can vouch for the boy and the lamia. They're just two kids enjoying themselves, that's all. Lamia are far more human than the Captain of the Guard is giving her credit for. She's upset that this incident has occurred and wants a peaceful resolution.”
Sleevish: “I did, until this kleespah threatened my mate.”
Grizzle: “I was defending the village beast.”
Mayor Gregor: "Enough! I will not have this incident degenerate into violence. Ms. Lamia, my concern is that as a lamia you may not have any knowledge or concern for the laws that govern this township. I must state that before I can allow you to live here you must agree to abide by our laws."
Sleevish: “Draven has been keeping me up to date. Believe me, if I wasn't willing to follow your laws I never would have come here in the first place.”
Grizzle: “Trickster! She speaks with a forked tongue Mr. Mayor. You can't possibly trust her.”
Mayor Gregor: “I can and I will if she proves herself worthy of that trust. As Doctor Westin has informed us all this lamia does have a human intellect so there is no reason whatsoever to assume she is not sincere, especially since she has a human companion. Ms. Lamia, I apologize for your somewhat cold reception. Please make yourself at home with the young man and enjoy your stay. If you have any questions my office is always open. As long as you don't eat my secretary I'll be happy to answer them myself.”
Sleevish looks at him with disgust.
Mayor Gregor: “That was a joke.”
Sleevish: “Oh.”
Draven: “He's the Mayor, not the jester.”
After that Sleevish and I received several handshakes and well wishes. During the congratulations I could clearly see her smiling and blushing but also cringing a little. She was happy to be well received but not used to the attention, the first of many adjustments she would have to make. In the end everyone dispersed except for Hera who walked with us as we went to my home. Hera was a good friend of mine who trained with me as a hunter since we were both kids. She could be a mother hen at times but she pretty cool otherwise.
Hera: "Okay love birds, first things first. You my dear need to get some clothes."
Sleevish: "Why?"
Draven: “Unlike lamia humans get kind of weirded out when we see each other's naked bodies.”
Hera: "Nothing fancy or elaborate, just something to cover the girls should be fine. If you're going to be staying here it'll help people get used to you if you cover those up at first. Eventually you'll probably be able to get away with not wearing anything but we'll worry about that later."
Sleevish: “Do I have to? No offense but it doesn't look like the clothing you wear would be very comfortable.”
Draven: "How about just a bra? It'll be comfortable enough and concealing enough. Probably a good compromise."
Hera: "Wait, better yet. I've got on old bikini top that should do just nicely. I'll have to make some modifications so that it will fit your larger torso but otherwise it should do nicely."
Sleevish: "What's a bikini top?"
Hera: "You'll see it when I get back. Have fun you two."
Once we got settled into my place it wasn't so bad. Sleevish was really nervous and hardly ever left for about a week after the incident but people knocked on our door eager to meet her and she decided to open up to them. Face to face many of the villagers were really nice and friendly and Sleevish acclimated well. From far away was another matter entirely. Often times someone would shout a rude comment at Sleevish usually demanding that she get out of town. Most often when we turned around to confront them we couldn't see the person who made the comment, they had ducked behind a building or back inside their homes. Grizzle, on the other hand wasn't nearly so subtle with his objections. Twice he confronted us in the street, sword in hand trying to provoke us into attacking him. After a brief stare down that didn't result in violence people would gather around and Grizzle would walk away. The last time it happened I could tell Sleevish had had enough.
Sleevish: "Next time he does that I'm snapping his spine."
Draven: "Are you kidding? That's what he wants you to do. Then he can turn the town guard on you and have you run out of town or killed. Some of the neighbors told me he's been complaining to the Mayor that you've been hostile to him and the rest of the town guard. He got some of the residents to make a petition to force you to leave."
Sleevish: "He's a coward. Resorting to dirty, backhanded tricks to attack us is dishonorable. How did he get Captain of the Guard anyway?"
Draven: “I don't know, he's been guard captain since before I moved here.”
Sleevish: “Well he can't make any complaints while he's digesting comfortably in my belly.” Sleevish coils up her tail and lounges on one of the larger coils.
Draven: "Easy, easy. No one wants to put an arrow through his eye more than I do but we can't play his game. We have to make him play by our rules." Lays down on Sleevish's coils and cuddles up to her torso.
Sleevish: "Haha! Relax, I don't eat humans remember?”
Draven: “Well considering how Grizzle has been treating you I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to make an exception.”
Sleevish: Tempting, I must admit. By the way, what exactly are our rules? How are we going to deal with himwithout it resorting to violence?”
Draven: "We humans have a saying, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Sure some of the townsfolk want us to fight him to 'stand up for ourselves' but that only ends in anger and resentment. Besides, even if we did beat him in a fair fight it would only empower him. Grizzle is the kind of guy who will just claim that he was the real victim and whine and cry to make everyone feel sorry for him. No, we show the town that we're the stronger people and not resort to violence."
Sleevish: "Interesting. Part of me would rather crush his bones in my coils but I see your point about anger and resentment. I'm sure there are humans here who would never accept our terms if we beat him in a confrontation. They want me out and they'll push aside their own honor to make it happen”
Draven: “You understand us humans really well considering you've only lived among us for about a month.”
Sleevish: “Not having to hunt has given me a lot of time to talk, listen and observe you. I like you humans, you're far more complex than we lamia ever gave you credit for.”
Draven: “Thanks. I think.”
both of them laugh.
Draven and Sleevish both prowl the forest searching for food. Sleevish flushes out some small animals while Draven kills them. At a nearby camp site Draven performs a ritual while Sleevish watches on with a large bulge in her belly.
Sleevish: “What are you doing?”
Draven: “Honoring the sacrifice of the animals we killed. Thanking them for the sustenance they will provide my village. Wishing them an easy and joyful path through the afterlife to their next life on Earth.”
Sleevish: “The afterlife? I don't understand.”
Draven: “We humans believe our spirits leave our bodies in death and then travel through a spirit land parallel to our own. Eventually the road we travel ends and when it does we are reborn. The journey can be tumultuous or peaceful depending on how we lived our lives here.”
Sleevish: “So this ritual is supposed to give the spirit of the animal some kind of comfort? I'm sorry but that seems a little strange to communicate with something after it's dead.”
Draven: “Yeah. I don't know, sometimes I think it's more for me than them. I mean they didn't want to die and I'm sure if given a choice they'd much rather still be alive but then what about me and my village? Its tough living in a world where you have to kill in order to live.”
Sleevish hugs Draven and kisses him on the forehead.
Sleevish: “You're a good man Draven, I'm glad I met you.”
Draven: “Thanks. You're pretty awesome yourself.”
The next day Draven and Sleevish are walking home when Sleevish sniffs the air all of a sudden.
Sleevish: “Stop, we're being watched.”
Draven: pulls out his bow and knocks an arrow. “What? By who?”
Sleevish: “I'm glad you guys are protecting the village from the werewolf pack that's prowling around."
Guard comes out of hiding: "Werewolves?! There's werewolves near the village?"
Another guard: "One lamia is not nearly as dangerous as a werewolf pack Grizzle. Why didn't you tell us about that?"
Grizzle: "She's lying! She's just trying to save her own scaly hide!”
Draven: “Yeah that's how Sleevish and I met. She was attacked by two werewolves. I helped her kill the second one after the first one wounded her pretty badly.”
Sleevish: “Doctor Westin, who treated my wounds told Captain Grizzle when he returned to town while I was recovering. It must have slipped his mind somehow.” shrugs.
Second guard: “Oh great, so it's only a matter of time before the whole pack comes crashing through here looking for revenge.”
First guard: "Calm down, if they're in these woods it was only a matter of time before they came after us anyway. These two may have just given us the advance notice we need to forge a defense. Where did this happen?"
Sleevish: "Farther up in the woods behind us. There's a large tree with dug up roots that I used for a den while I recovered.”
Grizzle: "You aren't seriously going to trust her over me are you?"
First guard: "Hayley, Talos, come with me. The rest of you place Grizzle under arrest and take him back to town immediately. Thanks for the head's up. I guess I was wrong about you Ms. lamia."
Sleevish: "Please call me Sleevish and forgive me but if I shook your hand you'd loose yours." Holds up her razor sharp claws.
Guard: "Pleased to meet you Sleevish."
Hayley: “I'm glad she's on our side.”
Grizzle was removed from his duties and banished from the town by the Mayor for endangering the citizens. We never found out what happened to him after he left. Or at least I never did. I could have sworn I saw another bulge in Sleevish's belly a day or so after he left but I was never sure.