The man stills looks a little confused, saying "All nagaji are worthy..." Then, to the people, 'You heard him, let us celebrate our good fortune!"
With some reserve the party slowly starts up, and people dance and children laugh. Sevak notes that while many are eating, no one else has fish in their rice or has a blanket as fine as his.
Looking at the meager celebration, Sevak recalls the great feasts he has seen in the palace to celebrate Gathering Day. Whole pigs on the spit, mounds of fresh fruit and berries, rare delicacies such as lobster and clams by the bushel. Exotic dancers and storytellers, even from Avistan or Minkai. And always mock combats between slaves to round out the evenings.
Compared to these monumental celebrations, this barely rates a notice.
After a few hours the man looks at Sevak, 'When you tire, honored one, you may sleep in my hut." he points to one slightly larger then the rest, but still a simple thatched hut with a drape for a door. 'It would bring me great joy."
Sevak resolves to leave something for the poor villagers, no matter how much they protest. Perhaps just leave a few coins somewhere they will find them after he leaves?
He notes the meagerness of their feast, his shame slowly turning from guilt for his own failings to shame for his nation. Can Nagajor truly do no better than this for its villagers? Were his people and the naga so... so... His mind shudders away from the thought. No, surely there is a mistake, surely there is something...
He wakes with a start when the village headman speaks to him again, realizing he had dozed off while sitting at some point. Sevak ducks his head in renewed shame at the man's offer, but gets to his feet. "Yes, that would be good. Thank you," he says. He picks up the blanket given to him and walks over to the hut. As soon as he is within, he lays the blanket down again and then lays down atop it to sleep.
The welter of events from last night take's its toll on the nagaji. He was more tired then he guessed because when he wakes up it is already mid-morning. This is rare for the gardener, usually up at first light. As he sits up, the headman's wife bustle in and hands him a bowl full of warm fish and rice.
After a few minutes, the owner of the hut comes in and bows respectfully. "Good Morning, honored one." The stocky man already has the smell and look of someone having done a hard day's labor. "You wake at a good time, our first morning catches have just been back. I personally caught the ruru fish you are eating, it is the best fish in our waters."
After a pause, he asks, in polite tones, 'How long will you be staying, honored sir?"
Sevak sits up to fast and winces, feeling the aches of yesterday's exertions. He does his best to hide his stiffness as he accepts the food with profuse thanks. He has resigned himself to their generosity, as unworthy as he feels of it and as badly as he knows they cannot afford it.
He stands and returns the man's bow as he enters. "I will be leaving as soon as I finish," Sevak states, waving at the part-full bowl. "With my thanks for your generous assistance."
He pauses a moment. He feels he should ask the man's name, but does not wish to give his own, now stained by betrayal, and would feel impolite were he not to give it. Instead, he simply adds, "I will need only to know the way to Iskassar. I must travel light and swift, alone and overland."
He hoped that would forestall any further gifts.
'Of course, honored one. I wish you luck and good speed on your important business." The man pauses then adds, 'If you could honors us by reporting the village of Itain treated you well, we would be greatly in your debt."
Then he goes on, 'Iskassar is due south, along the shore. There is no road, for most come and go by sea. It is only a day or so, if you are traveling as quick as you say."
Sevak hesitates a moment, then says, "I do not know if my word would do you ill or good with the news I bear... but if good, I shall."
He pauses again, then adds, "If I might make a small request? I would like to finish my meal in solitude."
When they left, he could slip a few coins under the blanket he'd slept on, where they should find them after he departed.
Sevak kept eating for a moment when the two left the room, then carefully set the bowl down and slipped a hand into his money pouch. He pulled out a few coins. He slipped them under the blanket and then walked out of the hut.
Just as Sevak says goodbye, a figure comes striding up the beach (obviously from the rickety docks). Even at a distance Sevak can see it is a nagaji, and a powerfully built one at that.
He has a commanding stance, as if he is ruler of all he surveys. He heads straight for Sevak and the knot of humans around him.
They all bow and the leader says, 'Master Taliss, you have arrived early."
The nagaji ponders this in silence then says, 'I am surprised you are not fishing, Marek. Usually you are out by now." Then he turns his eyes on Sevak, addressing the fellow Nagaji.
"And who might you be?" His tone is blunt and impolite.
Sevak gives him a slight bow. "I am Sevak," he says. He has not yet lost his house name, but doubts not that he soon will.
"I swam ashore nearby after a terrible event," he adds, guessing at his next question. "I stumbled into the village, and they cared for me." he waves his hand at the group around him.
Taliss rolls Sevak's name in his mouth, obviously trying to place the former jungle guide. After a moment he fails and says, "Terrible event? A shipwreck? You are from Iskassar? Tell me everything."
"I serve Iskassala," Sevak replies. For now, his mind silently adds.
"My mission failed," he continues, hoping the other nagaji will take the clue from his generality that it is not something to be discussed openly, "and I was trapped upon the reef offshore. I managed to swim back to shore, and saw the night fires of the village. They cared for me when I arrived. Now I must return and report the failure of my mission quickly."
'Of course." The nagaji says, withdrawing a bit. Iskassala's name is one to conjure with and Taliss is put off by it.
"I wish you speed in your journey. Shall I request one of the fisherfolk to take you back? It is faster by sea then by land. If you leave now, you can be there in time for the evening meal. By land, you will not get there until this time tomorrow."
Sevak shakes his head slightly. "No, I will go by land," he states, offering no explanation as for why. "I wish you and your village prosperity. Be well."
I have had enough of the sea for some time, he thinks to himself as he speaks.
With that, he turns to go, heading south.
Leaving the village behind, Sevak strikes off south. Using the ocean as his guide, the ex-druid enters into the jungle, moving fast.
Being among the massive trees, clinging plants, and soupy air is comforting to Sevak. It has been too long since he has spent time among the growing things of the world. between ocean travel and foreign lands, when was the last time he watched a butterfly drink for a flower or saw the hunting jaguar's shadow?
Food is not problem for the experienced jungle guide and he finds plenty of substance as he moves, everything from berries and roots to snatching fish out of a small stream.
It is a full day's travel as Taliss said, but far from feeling worn out, Sevak feels recharged, re-balanced from his journey. The peace of the jungle, its timelessness, its vigor, its abidance of life fill his spirit.
Too soon, it seems, he stands at the vine-grown outer walls of the city, the massive (open gate) spreading wide before him.
The sounds and sights of the jungle are soothing to Sevak... but they cannot quiet the turmoil in his heart. He had thought himself weak for losing his trust in Iskassala, but now... now that he had seen the truth with his eyes, not just heard it...
No. No, he must still trust her. She is naga, descended from the divine. Sevak knew well enough that there were evil naga--he had ample proof of that, now!--but that his mistress would countenance such abject poverty... No, it could not be possible. Surely she must not know. Surely.
But in his heart, Sevak knew she did. But what was he do think of this? How could he, his folly now so clear to him, think to judge her?
But how could it be right for those men and women to eat plain rice while her court feasted?
With great effort Sevak pushed these thoughts aside, though they remained deep within his mind, waiting to flare up once again. He saw now how he had fallen. His trust in Iskassala, in the naga... it had not had a foundation. Or rather, its foundation had been based entirely upon culture, tradition, inertia: nothing that gave him a reply to the attacks upon it. And so it had crumbled, and with it, all that had hung upon that trust.
It had left him little. Just that stubborn little core he had discovered, which had gotten him in so much trouble.
What has resolve done for you lately?
Destroyed him.
...and set him free.
He pushed this thought aside as he reached the walls of Iskassar. It was replaced instead by fear. He had thought himself willing to do this, to return and face judgment, but now... how could he face his Mistress with such thoughts in his heart? She would see them in his eyes, surely, and slay him for his impertinence...
But he would not flee again. He gave in to fear, to mistrust once, and look what it had won him. He would go and face judgment. Perhaps she would simply exile him. Almost he would welcome that punishment, for had he not already exiled himself with his actions? And then...
"Paq." The thought hits him with the force of a pouncing tiger. He had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts, his own failures, his own fears, that he had forgotten about the ratfolk. He had come to Nagajor for refuge, and now what would have become of him? If they thought Sevak dead, if they thought Paq had been his slave...
Sevak breaks into a jog, heading toward the gate. He had destroyed himself, but perhaps somehow, maybe, he could find a way to not destroy Paq along with himself. He knew not how, but a thread of hope had worked its way into his heart as he had traveled through the jungle, and now it landed on this thought. Somehow, he would at least save Paq.
Assuming he hadn't stolen anything important.
Sevak rushes through the city, barely seeing the imposing stone buildings, or vine-covered fruit trees. Usually he enjoys looking at the city, watching nature and city converge and intertwine. More then most his Mistress enjoys greenery in her capital and has promoted everything from rooftop gardens to large green swaths cut through the city.
The ex-druid has no eyes for it today, his thoughts fill with Paq and and the ratfolk's fate.
Soon his rushing feet bring him to the imposing palace gates, half open by warded by guards. They are not known to the jungle guide, and they raise a hand.
"Your name and business?"
The dim thought flits through Sevak's mind as he runs that he truly knows little of Iskassala as a person. He could not even say what she likes or dislikes, beyond what he can observe from her commands and Iskassar's architecture. What does she truly desire in life?
Such thoughts are driven from his mind as he reaches the palace gates.
"Sevak Iskassala'naj," Sevak states in reply to the guards at the gate, forcing himself to meet their eyes and speak his house name. "I have returned from my assignment to report its end."
The guards look a bit confused but one, younger then the rest, goes sprinting off into a complex of moss-covered buildings.
After the confusion passes they bow and start to lead Sevak into the palace. They pass gardens, fountains, an aviary, and several buildings full of the administrators that make the kingdom work. They pass, without notice, where he last left Paq and Rasthiss. The jungle guide sees no sign of ratfolk or snake.
Just as they are ascending the stairs to the inner palace, where Iskassala rests, a clump of nagaji erupt from a nearbye door. Leading them is Sissek, moving quickly and looking angrily.
He brushes past Sevak, goes up the stairs then turns. Pointing dramatically from onhigh at Sevak he roars, "Traitor! I have reports you sought the Old Shrine, in direct defiance with the law and custom of our lands!"
"You take advantage of our Mistresses generosity, sneak out in the dead of night, and seek power to undermine her, to hurt her! Then, you have the nerve to come here and stroll into her very throneroom? I doubted any nagaji would have the impudence, the gall, the sheer arrogance!"
Sevak gave Sissek a weary look, the gaze of one beyond surprise. "There is no need for this theater, Sissek," he says calmly. "You know very well that what I did, I did because you told me it was the Mistress's wish. You will deny it, and none will believe me, but you have already destroyed me more thoroughly than you could have dreamed. What you do now with my body cannot compare to what has been done to my soul."
A flicker of confusion crosses Sissek's face but the courtier covers it quickly. Again it is full of righteous anger and mock horror.
'Even now he mocks us. Perhaps you think loyalty and honor are theater but not I. My lifetime of service to her Royal Highness, Mistress Iskassala'naj prove that!"
Then he smiles then, grimly, "Bring him to his judgement. We shall see if his body is as invulnerable as he thinks."
Sevak is grabbed thoroughly by muscular arms and led up the stairs. He is led through rooms and hallways as Sissek parades ahead, pushing others aside in 'the name of the Mistress'.
Finally they enter the subterranean throne room again, which is unchanged. Still full of flickering water and subtle carvings.
This time however, Lady Iskassala is reclining on an immense stone divan, her entire massive body languid and at ease. (Sevak notes it is the same design as the altar in the Old Shrine, held up by carven humans).
Her largest head raises up as Sissek comes striding in. When she spots Sevak they narrow in confusion and thought.
"Sissek? I thought you said this guide betrayed us and fled." He tone is sharp, flat.
"I beg your apologies.." Sissek starts but the massive naga cuts him off, her body rearing up.
"You will beg for more then that when I am done." She turns five sets of baleful eyes on Sevak. "You, speak. What has happened since last night, when you stood in this very chamber?"
Her voice has the fullness of a century of command behind it, absolute surety.
In her presence, Sevak wondered how he could ever have doubted his mistress... except for the quiet corner of his mind that noted the design of her divan.
The words poured forth at her command. "Not long after I departed your presence, Sissek came to me and said you had commanded me to go to the Old Shrine, that there was a ship waiting for me. I went as he said, and... and was tested."
It was hard, to admit this to her. Knowing what had happened. Knowing what he had done. His whole body screamed to break her gaze, to look away, for he was unworthy, but he stubbornly continued onward, meeting her eyes through sheer force of will. "Mistress... I... took the test. And I failed. I listened. I doubted. I failed."
Shame filled his voice at this admission. The weight of his deed crushed down upon him with the full force of Iskassala's gaze. But he had said it. He had said it.
A moment of silence passes through all the nagaji. Suddnely Sevak's Mistress draws herself up, like a snake waiting to strike.
"Leave us! Empty this chamber save for Sissek and Sevak," Her voice shakes the entire chamber. Hurrying, all her servants and Sissek's guards stumble out of the room. Even out of shadowy corners Sevak notes her personal body servants fleeing. In a few short moments they are alone.
"Now, how did you fail, young one? Describe your failure and the test." Her voice is softer now, almost cajoling. "At what step did you falter?"
Sissek, visibly nervous starts to skirt away but one of Isakassala's head pins him with a single glance.'Stay.' and her tone is like steel.
Sevak's mouth works for a moment. The idea of reliving the test horrifies him, but he must.
"I... the shapechanger, the Test of Body... I had to wait for several hours, for I had cast spells upon myself before entering. He... tore at my beliefs, my trust... trust in the naga..."
He swallowed. "Trust... in you. By the time the actual test began... I was worn down. I then entered the shrine, solved the riddle, and drank the contents of the vial..."
He had to pause for a moment to gather himself again. "The dark one appeared. I believed when she said I would die. I listened. I doubted. I... accepted her touch."
He could not help but look down for a moment, then forced himself to look back up and meet her gaze. "I... accepted. And now I am destroyed. I failed. I failed the test of Will... the test of Trust."
Iskassala leans back slightly, and a strange emotion flashes across one of her many faces. Fear? Impossible.
She turns her many heads toward Sissek. "You told me otherwise Sissek. You told me he went the Old Shrine on his own volition, in violation of our laws. Did you lie to me, Sissek?" her tone is still soft, but poisonous.
"Of course not, Mistress, I..."
'Enough of your lies. I wish to know the truth." Her largest head slides closer to the nagaji, who tries to flinch away. But his eyes are soon caught in her gaze, and like a sparrow with the cobra, he is entranced.
'Tell me the truth, Sissek." Her voice is gentle, seductive even.
Sissek's eyes are wide and he sways as he stares deep into the Royal Naga's face. His voice is dreamy as he answers,"Of course, my Mistress. I sought to kill this Sevak, for I deemed him a rival. He had done well in his mission and he was rising, rising too fast. The Old Shrine would tempt such a nagai, I was sure of it. I lied and said it was a mission for you. He believed me."
"I assumed he'd die, of course. No one comes back from the Old Shrine. I misjudged, which is unfortunate."
'Unfortunate indeed." Iskassala purrs, then she turns to Sevak. 'Stay. Watch."
Four heads turn in fury mixed with shock toward Sevak. 'You defy me, even now?"
Sevak realizes with shock what he had done. "Of course not, Mistress!" he says, and accepts her magic.
Sevak feels his body freeze in place, held rigid by her spell.
Satisfied she turns back to Sissek, hissing softly. With a sudden lunge, her largest set of jaws clench on the now screaming courtier. Thrashing, she tosses him high into the air, only to be caught by four other sets of slicing fangs. Blood and viscera are sprayed at the nagaji is torn into bloody shreds. Sevak himself feels the fine mist of death coat his upturned and unmovable neck.
Finally the orgy of violence is finished and Sissek is devoured. Iskassala turns toward Sevak, eyes still glinting dangerously.
"You have told me the truth. This is not something to be ignored. You have seen what my punishment, untemepered by mercy looks like. Be comforted then, for a different fate awaits you, faithful servant."
Her largest head bends down toward Sevak, filling his whole field of view. She shifts, coming to eye level with him. The green slitted orbs becoming his whole world, losing himself in the dark gashes of her pupils.
Then the edges of Sevak's vision starts to fade, and the green crumbles away. The encroaching blackness grows, filling his whole field of view. Then the last of the light goes out and blackness consumes all.
Then he hears Iskassala's body rustling, moving. His body comes back to him, his knees weak and arms trembling.
The jungle guide blinks but the soft velvet blackness does not change. With mounting horror Sevak turns his head, desperately trying to see something, anything.
The implacable wall of blackness i unchanging.
Sevak is blind.
A certain corner of Sevak's mind appreciates the appropriateness of his punishment. He had been blinded by poisoned words, now he would bear that blindness in his eyes.
He strives to think of something to say, anything at all. But all he can think of is, "Yes, Mistress."
He wants to ask what will happen to Paq. He wants to ask what will become of him. But he suspects the answer to the second--he will be cast out, exiled. He is of no use now. He has failed.
The royal naga seemingly ignores his words, and her voice is louder, again full of strident command.
"Servants!" The sounds of opening doors and many running feet. "Sevak Iskassala,naj. I strip you of your name and honor. You have no title, no home. You are formally banished from my realms, on pain of death. Your exile will last the rest of your pathetic life."
A rustling of scales then, 'Remove this useless, broken thing from my sight."
Sevak is roughly grabbed and loses his balance, the lack of orientation making him queasy. Barely aware, he is roughly manhandled through an endless dark tunnel.
Then he feels the hot jungle sun on his back, and the scent of fresh open air.
"You have till sundown to leave the city." An unknown voice rasps into his ears. Then he is heaved up, tumbling hopelessly through the sky.
He hits the (thankfully muddy) ground hard, and it dazes him. slimy, sticky mud fills his mouth and nose, the harsh flavor nearly overwhelming me. Around him, he can hear the bustle of the city.
Sevak coughs to clear the mud from his mouth, slowly feeling around until he finds a wall. Then he carefully gets to his feet, keeping a hand on the wall to orient himself.
Blind. There would be time enough to think on the implications of that later. For now, he has to leave the city. The thought crosses his mind that he never discovered Paq's fate, but... he doubted he would have done the ratfolk any favors by mentioning his name.
Names... he no longer had his name. Oh, Sevak he could keep. But his house-name, that was gone. Now who was he? A blind wanderer, a sojourner on Golarion until his untimely death? Yes... Paradesee*. Sevak Paradesee he would be.
So now, where would he wander? He could not stay here... he might, perhaps, hire a boat, but he little trusted any captain to take only a fare from a blind man. No... the jungle was his only choice. The jungle which so recently welcomed him, embraced him, would now devour him, likely, for its beasts would see his weakness. But where else could he go?
Sevak spends a minute feeling the sun on his scales, trying to guess which part of the sky the sun is in, and what that means for which direction he needs to go. Then slowly, carefully, he starts to walk, taking his best guess as to which way is out of the city.
Sevak walks as carefully as he can, but the world is an unstable place for the blind. Between the uneven cobblestones, uncaring city-dwellers and unexpected gutters, his knees and hands are soon bloody messed. He knows the wounded need tended but instead they are filled with mud and waste from the city streets.
He seems to wander for hours, trying to use the sun as a guide. He is totally lost now, just trying to avoid being crushed by wagons and avoiding kicks from other nagaji.
The smell of the city changes to become more rank, more toxic. The street turns to mere mud and muck, even the walls feel rougher and less-well built. The cries of hungry children and arguing parents linger in the air. Even more subtle, a feeling of want and poverty.
He rarely spent time here but even Sevak knows what it means. The slums. Where the poorest of the nagaji worked and lived, alongside the few humans and others who lived in Nagajor. Poorly kept, rarely policed and filthy, everyone who can avoided the slums. It was not a place to be alone and blind. Fear, despair and just sheer hopelessness well up in Sevak.
How could he survive the jungle when he couldn't even make it out of the city?
Then he hears a voice that brings tears to his blind eyes.
'Well, I didn't expect to see you here, boss." The squeaky high-pitched voice, always tinged with nervousness is instantly recognizable.
It is Paq.
"Paq!" Sevak exclaims in surprised relief. "It seems you recognized Sissek's treachery more clearly than I..."
He trails off, unsure how to explain all that had happened over the past day, and not at all certain he wished to.
The ratfolk hisses, and Sevak can hear his tail slapping the muddy road. "Never trust anyone, first rule. Second rule, keep an eye on snakes."
A pause then, 'Sorry, but your snake starting acting weird yesterday around noon. I figured something was off so I ran off. They chased me, but really, you nagaji are not very fast." he laughs at his own joke then, puts a small hand on Sevak's arm. "So, what is the plan? You are far enough away from the Palace, you can cure your eyes."
Sevak shakes his head sorrowfully. "No... Paq, I... I have ruined my connection with the natural world. I can no more cure myself than I could overturn this building with my bare hands."
He takes a deep breath, and lets it out slowly. "Rasthiss left, yes? No doubt when I failed, he fled for the jungle... and we must do the same. If I am in the city after sunset, my life is forfeit. Paq, if I could beg of you to aid me..."
'So no more magic? Well, then how else can we cure you?" The ratfolk says, as if he was merely talking about finding more oil for a lantern. 'Surely there must be a way?"
After a moment he says, "I'm a city rat, Sevak. I will take you tot he jungle, but you will have to guide me once we are there. I wouldn't know a deadly frog from a panther." His laughter holds a tinge of fear. The green jungles are far scarier to Paq then the roughest neighborhood in Tian Xia.
Carefully, he gives Sevak a hand and slowly guides him up the muddy alley. The ratflk isn't very experienced at guiding others and a few times Sevak steps into slimy puddles.
Sevak hesitates a long moment. "There will be time to think of that later," he at last says in answer to Paq's first questions. "I will, of course, do my best to guide you outside the walls of the city."
He pauses again, and then adds, "Thank you, Paq."
He does not complain at Paq's mistakes, too grateful to at least have someone on his side to even consider doing so.
They walk together for awhile, Sevak being led by Paq. The ratfolk stays quiet, obviously scouting out safe ways to walk. After a few blocks he hands the nagaji a grimy stick, perhaps part of a wagon.
'They have blind in Goka, and the sticks seem to help. Use it to guide yourself."
Using the stick instead of his hands helps a great deal and Sevak only falls a few more times before the city starts to quiet and the smells change to plant and animal from mud and stone. The air cools and he can feel shade on his scales.
Finally, he feels the first brush of a vine or some other plant on his cheek, like the gentle caress of a lover.
'All right, we are out of the city. I am looking at a lot of plants and stuff. What do we do?" The ratfolk sounds nervous.
Sevak cannot help but chuckle a little at Paq's question. "If I had my sight, I would tell you their names. Now, we will need food, water, and shelter. If you look for..."
Between the two of them, Sevak leads Paq deeper in the jungle. They cross over small springs, fallen logs and dodge clouds of stinging insects. the ratfolk's mutterings are not positive, but he says nothing out-loud.
Sevak can feel the day fading into cooler evening when the ratfolk stops and says, 'All right, just like you said. A small clearing near a spring. Looks like a big tree fell recently, opening up the space. How do I build a shelter?"
Again, Sevak guides the ratfolk through it, the process taking much, much longer then it would have taken the guide. Several times Paq messes it up and throws the pleated leaves in frustration. Sevak can only listen, helpless, as the little thief sighs and rustles to collect more.
Finally, he is led into a smaller, enclosed space, against a massive, mossy log. Resting with his back against it, Sevak listens to Paq gather wood and leaves and start a small fire, more for comfort then warmth (the jungle is hot and muggy).
'Get some sleep." Paq says shortly, his tempter obviously frayed. 'I'll keep watch." the ex-druid hears a small vial pop open and liquid slosh. 'That'll keep me up long enough."
"Thank you, Paq," Sevak says sincerely.
He settled down to sleep, taking in the sounds of the jungle. His mind was too exhausted by the events of the day to even make the attempt to make sense of them at present, and soon enough he fell asleep.
Sevak's dreams are a kaleidoscope of images. He sees the taunting face of the dijin and the flame-wreathed maw of the efreeti. The sore-filled mouth of the trollhound snaps at him, chasing him across a flaming field of burning jungle trees.
Then he is not running, he is falling, into darkness full of water-eyed undead orcs, slashing at them.
Then nothing, just the same pitch-black of the blind. Were even his dreams to be pits now?
Then he hears a voice, soft and sibilant.
"I could help you."
A figure swirls out of the black void. A long, snake-like shape, with a cobra hood....in the slow realization of dreams, he realizes it is the spirit naga.
"I could help you regain your sight." The naga repeats, the voice nearly hypnotic.
"It is because of listening to your voice that I am blind," Sevak snaps back, trying to muster anger in spite of the soothing quality of his voice. "It is because I trusted you that I have destroyed myself. You even said yourself I should have trusted myself before you. No, I shall not listen to you, deceiver."
"I did not blind you." The spirit naga says, with real anger and disgust in his voice. "I would never break a valuable and loyal tool, and not to just merely be petty. No, that was your beloved Mistress."
The voice goes on, the naga itself rippling dream-like, "She is the one who took your eyesight, and why? For being too bold? For being to brave? For being too scared? For being fooled? These are not good reasons..."
The naga goes on, "Yes, I gloated a bit, I admit. It is not often I gain one of such power in my...service. It was a compliment to you, really. A sign that I want you."
"What more evidence do you need then your new power? I gave it to you, when your old Mistress took powers away. Have you tried it, yet?" the voice purrs softly.
"For treason," Sevak states, "Which is sufficient reason, I think. I will touch none of your power. Once was more than enough. What more might I lose were I to listen again? I have no desire for your corrupting power."
'Take? I took nothing from you." The spirit naga sounds offended, " I gave you power, I gave you insight, I am giving you chance for more. It is you whoa re turning your back on it."
A contemplative pause then, "You are not ready yet, I see. Still not ready to seize your destiny, the destiny fated when you chose me over yourself, or your old Mistress."
"Enjoy your time in the dark." The naga sounds wistful as it fades from view. 'There is much to be learned there. I will return when you are wiser and prepared to take the next step."
Sevak wakes, sightless, to the sound of his own thumping heart and gasping breath.
'What is it, are you ill?" Paq says, his voice sounding a bit gasping itself.
Sevak shakes his head, the, realizing he has no idea if Paq can see him, says, "No, I am simply... suffering the consequences of my folly."
He pauses a moment, then asks, "Is all well with you?"
A tiny brushing noise as the ratfolk shrugs, 'Nothing I can't cure. This stuff sometimes makes my heart race and it tastes bitter."
He pauses, 'Get some sleep, tomorrow I'll go back into town and see what the rumors are. There has to be some way to cure you. Will you be safe here on your own?"
"I shall do well enough, Paq," Sevak answers. "I would not be too hopeful, however. None will wish to undo the judgment of a naga."