Janus was having a lovely week. First there was the farmer boy he'd frightened enough to forget his sheep, what a meal that had been, then a kind witch left him some flowers and fruit. Now he could hear the prince calling from the mouth of his cave, seeking a duel no doubt.
"Hark, foul beast! You shall menace my people no longer!"
"Is that so, my prince? I'd be remiss to deny a request of the crown. Venture forth, so that we might come to an agreement. I've fruit and water should you require refreshment."
"Your tricks will not charm me. I came to fulfill a single goal and that is all I will do."
"You'd not accept an apple from the snake? I thought you did so like danger."
"You tempt me in more ways than I can count, fiend. How delicious it would taste to allow myself to indulge. Yet I mustn't. I have a duty to my people. I cannot away on just any flight of fancy."
"No? Then mayhaps I can sweeten the deal."
"How doubtful I am of that."
Janus slithered forward, stopping just before the light of day where it crept in from the entrance. Though he was just out of sight, he knew the prince was aware of his presence.
"No? Perhaps if your empire had not expanded onto my land, we'd have no quarrel."
"And here I thought sowing discord was your greatest joy."
"The screams of children do set my heart a flutter, but I'd no need to go out of my way to incite them. I've told you before, my prince, your people have hunted this land to ruin and cropped my forest for their own gain. Should I not enjoy some of the reward? If this land was fey ridden, you'd not touch it within a mile. But a humble naga such as myself deserves no such consideration, hmm?"
"Perhaps if our first meeting hadn't involved you dangling one of my subjects over an open flame, I'd have called for your protection."
"What a hypocrite you are, my prince. When your land is invaded, do you not send armies to defend it? When you so callously divide up the land as if it is yours to give, is this not an invasion of my home? I have lived in these woods for many hundreds of years and shall continue to for many hundreds more. Encroach on me and suffer the consequences, my prince."
The prince sighed and lowered his sword. "All that I ask is that you not frighten the simple village folk. Next time you may not be so lucky. Should the king send the executioner rather than I, I fear your long future will be cut short by his axe."
"That so? Maybe then you could teach me some of your people's 'civilised' manners. Perhaps in turn I can teach you some of mine."
The prince sighed once more and sheathed his sword. "I suppose then I will take the apple from the snake after all, as ill advised as this venture might be. An alliance would serve all better than a needless death."
"An alliance? Is that what they're calling it nowadays? Very well. Venture forth, my prince, and see what the snake has in store."