Notes before reading: First of all sorry for the long wait and thank you for every reader, especially Twilight Dark Angel, waterflygirl, mika1617 and waterfall66631 who are following my story. Double thank you for those who marked my story as a favorite. It means a lot to me since I didn't expect things to turn out like this. Thank you guys again; I hope you will enjoy this chapter as well. :)
1st Night: A Bit Of Luck
She came with the last ship that arrived at sunset. The sky was painted in deep yellows and oranges at the horizon and even in its dying the Sun still hurt her eyes thus Naptera pulled her makeshift hood further down so the fabric shadowed her face. As she was aware just how suspicious she looked, she walked toward the small forest at the feet of the rock wall, surrounding the whole island.
When she got there she found a little cliff with a tree. She climbed up there as well and then she just gazed at Sindria and its happy people. Naptera truly didn't know what to think, but the words peace and harmony were definitely the only things she could describe this kingdom with. Anger arose within her so suddenly and harshly she couldn't subdue it.
"How come these humans can live so free from care while I had to endure countless sufferings?" she thought angrily. In her eyes this was simply unfair, but then Naptera's resentment subsided as abruptly as it rose.
She realized she wasn't the only one being in pain. Manna was there too, though she hadn't had the blessing of knowing her own parents a bit better. For Manna her parents must've become vague memories by now. She, Naptera, was lucky for she could still recall how her mother used to caress her hair or how her father's left eyebrow used to slide a little higher than his right one whenever he was annoyed.
To tell the truth Naptera didn't really wanted to succeed in killing this King Sinbad since he seemed to be an efficient ruler as she judged by looking at the carefree Sindrians. However, if she doesn't assassinate Sinbad then the Organization will surely kill Manna. Little Manna who just turned eleven and became Naptera's only family and only support that helped her keeping her sanity during those accursed and torment-filled six years.
The familiar touch of snake skin on her face awoke Naptera from her dark thoughts. Asirit was a female cobra and a magnificent one at that with her golden belly and coal black body but the scales behind her head were of crimson color. She always stroked Naptera's face with her own head when she sensed her master being in mental disarray. At times like these, the young woman was glad that she at least managed to save one from those rare serpent eggs six years ago when the members of the Organization slayed her village...
The view was beautiful and Naptera couldn't help but stare at the huge city. The Ruhk were pure and glowed in their usual warm light and she felt joy by seeing their familiar fluttering shapes. When the Sun finally disappeared from the horizon and gave its place over to the Moon and stars, Naptera decided its time to look around a bit. Thanks to her sensitive eyes she preferred nocturnal life than living in the sunlight and bearing with the constant headaches it caused.
While going into the city she removed her shawl from her head and put it around her shoulders. Reaching into the buildings, she marveled at the bustling of the Sindrian people as this was entirely new to her. Faintly she was aware that others were staring at her since having a serpent around one's neck and a winged cobra-shaped staff isn't considered as common occurence. That's why, when Naptera discovered a deserted alley, she gently uncoiled Asirit from her neck and placed the cobra upon the ground.
"Snake around carefully, Asirit" Naptera said in a hushed tone. "Find a safe way to the palace, okay?" Asirit hissed approvingly then crawled away stately.
The young woman returned to the people-filled busy streets and observed her surroundings. She knew she had to act carefully during her stay. For example it doesn't mattered how she craved for the haven of a cave as her spending the night in one would raise suspicion and Naptera had no need for strange rumors to spread about her person as it would only hinder her. However the fact that she was practically broke remained since the Organization was stingy when it came to expenses. Naptera had to work hard on the ship during her voyage and this was the only reason the captain agreed in to carrying her to Sindria. So, given by her situation, she has to find some kind of work. A trickier feat than one would think at first; she has eyes sensitive to strong light, but she would need free time in order to explore the city so she would know her way around. Naptera thought that her best choice would be to work in a tavern or inn as a waitress; that way she could spend the daytime in shade and might be able to hear some helpful rumors too. Naptera was contented with this solution though the problem that she didn't have a place to sleep remained. Sighing, the woman chased out her current worries from her mind and focused on finding inns and taverns; she also asked around a bit.
Her search was fruitful due to the willing citizens; one of them even gave her useful pointers about the island. So she followed those 'useful pointers' and went to the area that was especially designed to welcome the tourists. She found one promising inn that wasn't too big but wasn't too small either. Miraculously there was also vacancy there as a waitress and thanks to her gorgeous looks the owner was more than pleased to enroll Naptera. She was even given a little room near the kitchen where she could have three meals a day and a good sleep in a fluffy bed! But more importantly the room had a window wide enough that she could climb out and in comfortably— that was truly a big help!
Later when she was left alone by the owner who was rubbing his hands, Naptera was free to have her first proper supper in a long time. It had some really deliciously smelling meat in it; she ate the half of it and she saved the other half for Asirit who was literally snaking around for her sake.
Now, being with a full belly and having a place where she can rest, Naptera was really happy for her somewhat exotic look. One would think that that meant for darker skin but in truth Naptera was of ethereally pale complexion with hair as black as a starless night that was trimmed in a distinctive fashion as it was cut straight at her bangs, chin and at the middle of her back as well as the ends of her hair. Her eyes were quite particular too as they had a very light violet color with elliptic pupil only a few shades darker and all of this was framed with lush eyelashes. Not only that but Naptera also possessed a slim body that had a sensually petite form and her limbs were also the pretty slender things. One truly doesn't expect a beauty such as Naptera to be so rotten and so worthless…
Asirit's familiar touch made her perceive her surroundings, again. Naptera was glad for the cobra's arrival and didn't forget to feed the snake with those yummy bites. After that she concentrated and connected her mind to Asirit's and through the reptile's memories she got to know those parts of Sindria where Asirit crawled. When she was finished, Naptera decided that it's time to get to know her bed so she carefully placed the serpent onto the outer side of the pillow then laid down.
"Thank you for being here, Asirit" she whispered sleepily. "Without you I would've been long consumed by my dark thoughts during this journey. You are my ray of light even if you're just a venomous snake." Asirit only hissed in agreement before curling up next to Naptera's head, ready to guard her master's dream.
Trivia
- Naptera's name is a (possibly) different spelling for Nefertari which means 'Beautiful Companion'.
- Asirit got her name after one of the alternative spellings of the Egyptian god Osiris' name; I merely added the feminine suffix of -t to it.
