CHAPTER 10: LADY SEBASTENERVA OF THE SERPENTINUS

**Kuro**

Just as when I thought it was smooth-sailing from here onwards…

The messenger from Chief Gislaine came just as I was cleaning up our classroom. Ursura, along with Minahaba who was checking us, stared at me; for it could only mean one thing…

We have another problem on the horizon, once again.

“Human Chief, the Grand High Priestess arrived in our lands to find heretics,” Chief Gislaine’s messenger drank the water we just served him. It seemed like he flew non-stop from Navaren to the Chicken village to get his message across. “My chief is sending her warning for you to hide from the priestess’ eyes.”

“Hide?” the bear-woman’s face was pale, “What do you mean?”

“She’s a servant of Her Holiness Ruro of the Wolf,” the messenger explained, “who is after the Human Chief.”

Ursura and Minahaba had worried expressions as they waited for my reaction. I only massaged my head, took a deep breath, and continued on cleaning my things.

“Well, yes, that’s true. Ruro has caught up to me once again, I guess,” I admitted, “However, this time, no one’s going to hide.”

“Chief?” the falcon-woman grabbed my arm, “What are you saying? You will surely be caught if you don’t hide!”

“Kuro,” Ursura joined me in cleaning up, “we have gone this far; our efforts would be all in vain if you’re captured once again.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” I remembered Jules’ words about that priestess. Maybe this time, I could trust on that former god’s words, no matter how suspicious his suggestions were. After all, he helped me in a lot of situations even before this. “More than that, I’m actually waiting for her to come!”

Ursura and Minahaba could only exchange doubtful looks.

----------

Because of the sudden developments and the urgency of our situation, I requested the Beastmen Council to convene. The chiefs of the Avinus tribes: Falcons, Owls, Ravens, Pheasants and Chickens came to Chief Minahaba’s place, as well as the elders from the other non-Avinus tribes (the former refugees): Dogs, Tigers, and Hare. Ursura and I represented our own tribe, the Orphans, and for the Eagles, Chief Gislaine’s adviser was the one who appeared.

“We have heard that the Grand High Priestess has come to our shores,” Chief Malu opened the meeting, “Is this what the others are telling us about a ‘great persecution’ back in the mainland?”

“Yes,” the chief of the Dogs answered, “the Grand High Priestess, Lady Sebastenerva, is leading the efforts in rooting out those who refuse to worship that accursed Beastman Saint!”

“We can’t escape from her hand, huh?” Chief Veeta of the Tigers commented.

“Honorable chiefs of the Beastmen!” Chief Gislaine’s adviser interrupted them, “In behalf of the Eagles, forgive me for saying this, but we are diverting from the reason of this talk. If I remember, it was the Human Chief who called us here; let’s listen to what he has to say.”

At that point, everyone’s attention turned to me. It was Chief Malu who asked, “What’s going on, Human Chief?”

“Err…my apologies for taking your time, but I really want to ask for everyone’s cooperation in dealing with the Grand High Priestess.”

“What do you mean, Human Chief?”

“Well, that priestess came to persecute those who oppose the Beastman Saint, right?”

“Yes, and my people is prepared to fight her with our lives,” the Chief of the Hares declared. The Dogs and Tigers were quick to support him.

“You can’t do that!” Chief Malu countered, “If your people wanted the Saint’s wrath, we Owls never desired it!”

At that point, the other Avinus elders—saved for Minahaba—backed Chief Malu. The Beastmen Council was filled with tension, as the chiefs were divided along those who were against Ruro, and those who wanted peace with the Saint.

Seeing that we’re getting nowhere, I aired my sentiments, “There’s no violence happening, Honorable Chiefs! As a representative of the Orphans, I do not want to attract the Saint’s attention, should we harm her servant.”

“But Human Chief,” the Dog Chief pointed out, “you’re someone that is outside her jurisdiction.”

“Yes, you’re half-correct in that…”

“Half-correct? What do you mean?”

I exchanged glances with Ursura, who gave me a nod, before continuing, “You see, before we came to this land, I was a prisoner of Her Holiness Ruro of the Wolf. She abducted me from Chersea, and brought me here, in Cherwind—apparently, to save my life from those humans who wanted to kill me. However, it was against my will to come, and thus I escaped from her.”

No one among the chiefs made a sound as I narrated my situation to them.

“And because of that, I’m asking your help—not only for the sake of your people, but to hide me as well…at least my real identity, to this priestess of Lady Ruro.”

“My brothers and sisters…” it was Chief Gislaine’s adviser, “You know yourselves that we are free folk, and we love those who treat us with respect and dignity. As such, the Human Chief is more than a friend to our people; he is our brother, and our savior!”

“Yes!” the chief of the Dog tribe was quick to proclaim, “We will defend our Human Chief with our lives!”

“And the Tigers stand behind that pledge!” Chief Veeta of the Tigers declared as well.

“No one would take my blood son from me!” Chief Malu of the Owls joined in…wait, what did she just say?

“It means she wants you as her daughter’s mate, dumbass,” Ursura whispered.

“Oh…”

The other chiefs also showed their enthusiasm in defending me from Ruro’s high priestess, and I guess, the Beastmen Council became united through our wishes. I think it’s time for me to give them something to expect…

“Honorable chiefs of the Beastmen…” I began, “I thank you from my heart for the support you’ve shown me. I only ask that we don’t resort to violence. I believe we can resolve this situation peacefully, and convert the Grand High Priestess—a potentially powerful ally—to our side. Because of this, I promise to work behind the scenes to save your people from the persecution that is about to befall us. I will be honest, I can’t protect everyone; but I’ll save those I can.”

The Beastmen chiefs then gave me a cheer for that. Now that their hopes were up, it’s time for me to move as well.

This is how politics work; your enemy for today might be your friend tomorrow, so it’s not recommended to destroy the opposition. If you can sway them to your side without fighting, the better.

----------

A little later, after the ‘long sleep’ began…

“Hey, Sir Loin!”

“Hmm…I love ass…”

“Sir Loin!”

“Juicy ass…”

“Loin!”

“!!!”

I slapped him with a bit of strength to wake him. However, the slap was too effective; Sir Loin did wake up, but with his hand grabbing my neck in an attempt to strangle me.

“Oh? So it’s just you, Kuro mah boy!” he quickly released his grip on me, “I thought it’s a delicious fried chicken calling out to me…”

“Heck, that’s a dream about fried chicken? You’re trying to kill me!”

The parka guy smirked, “What, you’re thinking of something else, pervert?”

“Fuck off.”

By this time, Sir Loin was now fully awake, and he stood from his bed. “So…is this what they call a ‘night visit’? I’m telling you Kuro mah boy, you may like me, but I don’t swing that way…”

“Keep that up, and I’ll sock your face,” I countered, “Besides, how could you call this a ‘night visit’ when that freaking sun, or whatever it is up there, doesn’t even set?”

“You’re right. That sun doesn’t set at all. I’m lost at how you guys can tell it’s already lunch, breakfast, and dinner.”

“Beats me. I guess I got used to such arrangement after staying here for too long.”

“Ooh…anyway, why the hell are you here?”

“Well, I got a request for you,” I got out a parchment and handed it to him, “Can you do surveillance?”

“Surveillance?” Sir Loin opened the parchment and read its contents, “Yes, I can. But what the heck are these scribbles? Did you mum never teach you how to write, or you’re absent when your teacher taught that?”

“Err…I thought you can understand Chersean letters,” I took it back, “The name and the description of your target is written there.”

“Can’t you just tell me the information and be done with it?”

“Right,” Yep, that was a lapse of judgement on my part. I guess I got too carried away with the tension. “Anyway, her name’s Sebastenerva of the Serpentinus. According to the person I asked, she’s a member of the Serpentinus tribe, thus her lower torso and limbs resembled that of a snake. White-ashen hair, colorful scales on her snake body, and she’s the Grand High Priestess of the Beastman Saint. You could expect that she’s heavily-guarded.”

“Well, I’m not killing her, so her guards doesn’t pose a threat to me,” Sir Loin reiterated, “So you want me to observe her. What do you want to know? Her three-sizes? Her preference on men?”

“I’d like to know her preferences, all of it,” I confirmed.

“Alright. So what would you pay me?” he snickered.

“What do you want?”

“Eh?” the parka guy was the one who was surprised, “I was just joking. That you guys are letting me stay here for free is enough. Plus, I also wanted to put my grey-matter to good use, just like how you do to the chickies, Kuro mah boy.”

“Thanks for that.”

“But I’m not the one who’s going to do the surveillance.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re going to use people to observe her. Remember, aside from you, I’m the only human in this land, and that could raise suspicions on Lady Snek’s part,” he winked at me, “If you’re familiar with establishing ‘spy networks’, that’s what we’re aiming for.”

“I see. Well, it’s reasonable. Please do that.”

“Okay then. I’m on it,” the parka guy then returned to his bed, “But first, let me get a snooze. And don’t jump on me when I’m sleeping!”

“Again, fuck you!”

----------

***The high mountain passes in the Wessen Mountains…***

With their problem with food resolved, Telis eventually gave the orders to break camp and continue the army’s trek towards where Lady Konka was perceived to be hiding. However, to secure their supply lines, the fox captain had to leave some of her men behind strategic points, further reducing their numbers.

“I want scouts to lead ahead,” Telis ordered as they were about to traverse another mountain pass. It was a path that was carved into two opposing walls of rock, effectively shielding anyone from the cold, high winds that regularly battered the routes to the peaks. While it was a heaven-sent for the shivering foxes, it was also an ideal site for an ambush, and Telis won’t take chances.

Anyway, her liege Lady Ruro is leading a contingent of foxes following her forces, so she’s assured of reinforcements should something adverse happens.

“…”

The fox captain watched the scouts as they entered the pass. But then…

“!!!”

At the other end of the route came out a familiar Beastman from the East Ursus. “This is where your incursions would stop,” he declared, “turn back the way you came, Kashca Telis of the Fox! Or you’ll only suffer death and defeat!”

“You think you can derail our holy armies, Banu of the East Ursus?” Telis called out to him, “Surrender now, or face annihilation!”

“I don’t think you should be the one saying that. This is our home after all, fox-woman…”

“!!!”

A loud explosion suddenly tore through the rear of Telis’ army, much to their surprise. But, the ambush didn’t come from that direction; rather, it was a diversion to the real attack that came from…

“They’re coming from the ground!”

Soon, several fox soldiers were pulled underground when holes opened up beneath them. As it turned out, some rocks were actually pitfall traps with members of the Wessen (East) Ursus waiting inside for the kill.

“Move away from those holes!” Telis roared, “Prepare to fight!”

There was confusion among the fox warriors as there were some commanders shouting retreat, Telis ordering to fight, or the leader went missing. Adding to the chaos was the appearance of the rest of Konka’s forces in hidden trenches, who surrounded the foxes and were pelting them with rocks, or javelins.

“Where is Her Holiness?” someone asked that question amidst the panic and screams of pain and death, “She should be following us!”

Even Telis didn’t know the answer. The Saint’s forces should be coming to their aid now, as they were only a few distances away from her column. However, their enemies never relented on attacking them with impunity, and soon, the fox captain found herself commanding a few men being pushed into a corner.

Where is Her Holiness? We need help now!

The fox captain continued to look towards the direction where she expected the Saint’s army to appear. But, like a slowly dying flame, the fox warriors’ battered morale was getting weaker and weaker the more they see their friends slaughtered before their very eyes.

This is madness! Telis finally admitted in her heart. We shouldn’t be here! We shouldn’t continue this war!

“Captain, behind you!”

…was the last thing Telis heard before she got hit by something, and everything went dark.

----------

***The port town of Navaren***

After her arrival in the lands of the Avinus, the Grand High Priestess Lady Sebastenerva was given the best accommodation the Eagles could provide. As such, she stayed in Chief Gislaine’s house—the most opulent in town—as a guest, together with her extensive retinue of criers, servants, and guards.

Of course, the Eagle chief hated it, for her tribe was still recovering from the aftermath of the riots. However, she had to remain quiet…

“Those who oppose my words oppose the Saint herself!” Lady Sebastenerva declared while she sentenced a former refugee from the Dog tribe, “You have no right to question my wisdom and judgement. For refusing to kiss and pay homage to Her Holiness’ divine symbol, the Wolf Medallion, you prove yourself a heretic!”

“And why would I do that, when all that accursed Saint did was to bring destruction to my people, in connivance with the humans?”

“Silence!” the snake-woman roared, “You dare insult Her Holiness! You’re an unrepentant heretic! Your soul must be cleansed by fire! Off to the stake with him!”

The dog-man didn’t put up any resistance as the priestess’ guards dragged him to be burned at the stakes outside. Chief Gislaine was horrified at what she witnessed, though the man wasn’t from her tribe. Deep inside, she wanted to do something; however, she remained silent.

“Elder of the Eagles…” her train of thoughts were cut short when she heard Lady Sebastenerva call out to her.

“Y-Yes, Your Eminence?”

“Aren’t you the paramount leader of the Avinus tribes? Why did you allow these heretics to come and settle in your lands?”

Chief Gislaine was utterly caught off-guard by the question. Her heartbeats went haywire as she scrambled for words to give for an answer.

“Uh…Y-Your Eminence…th-they, uh, they came w-without our permission,” cold sweat streaked down her cheeks, “Th-They are B-Beastmen, too…Err, I th-thought we should h-help them.”

“Hmm…” the snake-woman pondered, “There’s no doubt about the nobility of your intentions. However, like a wet piece of wood that’s exposed to fire for too long, living together with these unholy pests might have corrupted your people.”

“No!” the Eagle chief was quick to reject that suggestion, “I…I assure you, nothing of the sort is happening. These refugees had just come to our lands recently.”

“We’ll see about that,” Lady Sebastenerva then brought out another topic, much to Chief Gislaine’s relief, “By the way, Eagle elder, I’ve noticed something different in your town since I last visited here.”

“Y-You do, Your Eminence?”

“Yes,” she turned towards the window to the east, where the apartments were being constructed, “I’m actually interested in those houses you’re building over there. Why are those built on top of each other?”

“Ah, it’s like that so we can have more land to build on for other purposes, as opposed to our huts standing side by side on level ground. It takes up more spaces, see?”

“So you mean, to save land space, you built your houses on top of each other?”

“That is correct, Your Eminence.”

“I see…and those canals I’ve seen being dug around your town. For what use is it for? Surely, you won’t dig your farms in the middle of the town, no?”

“We will not do that, Your Eminence,” Chief Gislaine asked an attendant to hand a blueprint to her, then showed it to the priestess, “We call them aqueducts. Its purpose is to bring the water from the springs and other sources to this town, with little interference from anyone.”

“So you mean you could get drinking water just by waiting beside that aqueduct?”

The Eagle chief proudly stated, “If we lay down some cobble stones and let the dust settle along its entirety, it should be possible.”

“Hoh…impressive! You even made plans in writing for that idea!” Lady Sebastenerva carefully examined the blueprint, “And who’s brilliant mind is this from? I’d like to meet that person.”

At that moment, it’s as if Chief Gislaine was punched hard in her gut. She nearly fainted from stress, but somehow found her support to prop herself up. Knowing that she couldn’t escape the question, she answered, “I-It’s the idea of a bear-woman named Ursura of the West Ursus, Y-Your Eminence!”

“Ursura of the West Ursus, huh?” Lady Sebastenerva grinned, “I have heard of that name back in the markets of Malvette, where the iron-mithril wares are sold.”

“Ah, y-yes, those did come from us.”

“They told me she also invented that ‘steam engine’ that propels your ships?”

“She did?”

“What?”

“I-I mean, yes, Your Eminence, she invented that magnificent machine. It enabled our fishermen to sail into the deepest parts of the sea and catch more fish. Lady Ursura also taught us the knowledge about fishing, so we won’t solely depend of farming for food.”

“Interesting,” the priestess then stood from her chair, “I command you to take to this brilliant woman at once!”

Upon hearing those words, Chief Gislaine lost her consciousness and collapsed on the floor, much to the shock of almost everyone present. The only one who was unfazed was Lady Sebastenerva. She just ordered a guard from her retinue to help the Eagle chief, then left for another room.

----------

A few distances away from the commotion, a young eagle-boy slipped out of Chief Gislaine’s house and approached an eagle guard, stationed outside the entrance. The boy said something to the sentry, and the latter acknowledge by nodding. Then the boy went off to another direction.

As for the guard, he just shrugged and returned to his post. And that was picked-up by Chief Gislaine’s adviser, who was at the construction site, watching for any signs from their chief’s house. Once he understood the message, he turned to a waiting messenger and said…

“Go. Make sure no one from the priestess’ retinue see you.”

The messenger bowed then took her leave, heading towards the hill where Kuro and the Black Feather fought the monster hordes previously. There, a man wearing a grey parka stood with his telescope, along with a child from the Hare tribe.

“It’s confirmed, Sire,” the messenger told him.

“Good work,” the man, Sir Loin, patted the Eagle’s back, “You can return now and observe further. I’ll give you a Black Feather armband once this is over.”

The messenger smiled and then returned to Navaren. Meanwhile, Sir Loin approached Gero, who was playing nearby.

“Hey long-ears, tell your chief: ‘Gas Snek is coming and cooking’.”

The rabbit-boy agreed and immediately took off for the Chicken tribe’s village. As he was from the swift-footed Hare tribe, the message was transmitted from Navaren to Kuro by dinner.

----------

**Kuro**

“Chief!” Gero called out to me as he burst into the entrance of my hut, “Sir Loin sent me to tell you that ‘Gas Snek is coming and cooking’!”

“Ha?” Every one of us who were waiting in my hut were dumbfounded.

“Probably his codename for Lady Sebastenerva?” Minahaba surmised.

“What the hell is ‘Gas Snek’? That’s a lame codename!” I mean, really. Is this Sir Loin’s poor attempt to avoid legal issues? There’s already a ‘Solid Sn*ke’ and a ‘Liquid Sn*ke’ from Met*l Ge*r.

“Well, whatever,” it was Ursura, “At least we know she’s coming.”

“Right…and she’s burning heretics, just like in your regular inquisition.”

“Huh? How did you know Human Chief?” Salis asked.

“From the message, ’Gas Snek is coming and cooking’,” I explained further, “It’s our code for the moment that priestess burned someone at the stake.”

“Goodness…” Minahaba, Salis and Ursura had terrified looks on their faces.

“So yeah, we need to move quickly to save the population, and at the same time, we also don’t want to attract her attention,” I told them, “Or we might get toasted, literally.”

“What do we do, Chief?”

“Hmm…” I took out my notes and read it to them, “According to Sir Loin’s observations for the past several ‘long sleeps’, Lady Sebastenerva seemed to be interested in anything new. And that includes our steam engine, the apartments, and the iron-mithril wares we’re trading.”

“But you said not to attract her attention,” Ursura pointed out, “Didn’t we just do that?”

“Well, we can’t help it, especially our ideas are way too advance for this land. However, we can do a workaround so that the situation can be on our side.”

“Such as?”

“We can give her a gift she’ll like, to keep her inquisition out of this village.”

“Hoh…it’s possible!” Salis exclaimed, “You think my pen might work?”

“I’m also of the same opinion, Lady Salis,” I revealed my thoughts about her suggestion, “A pen is a personal tool, and we can customize it with fancy designs she might love.”

“Right,” the chief of the Chickens nodded and turned for the door, “I’ll ask the smiths to make a customized pen for Lady Sebastenerva.”

“Yes, please do that.”

“How about me, Kuro?” Ursura asked, “Anything I can help you with?”

“Well, your name is the one we’re promoting for our wares before, so you’ll be the one to meet her.”

“What? But I don’t know how to deal with her!”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be beside you when that happens.”

“H-Huh?” the bear-woman blushed, “I-I thought y-you’re hiding!”

“I still am hiding…through my identity,” I gave her a collar with a set of chains attached, “For that meeting, I’ll be your human slave.”

A big, sardonic smile appeared on Ursura’s lips, “I like the sound of that.”

Hearing that from her suddenly gave me terrible chills. Looks like I hit a switch in her head…

----------

A couple of ‘long sleeps’ later, just before lunch, the Grand High Priestess, Lady Sebastenerva of the Serpentinus, came to the Chicken tribe’s village. Her entourage was escorted not only by her guards but also the Eagle warriors; some flying above, and others marching with the rest of her retinue. There was a great commotion among the Chicken tribe villagers, as her opulent palanquin passed by the gates, and headed towards the main square, where Chief Minahaba, Salis, Ursura, and I waited.

“The Chicken Tribe welcomes Her Eminence, Lady Sebastenerva of the Serpentinus!” Chief Minahaba bowed as the Great Priestess was escorted out of her litter.

The serpent-woman paused for a bit, as if to scrutinize the Chicken elder, and then asked, “And who is this falcon-woman?”

“I am the new elder of the Chickens, Your Eminence! My name is Minahaba, blood daughter of Chief Habu.”

“Oh? What happened to him?”

“My father stepped down as the Chicken tribe’s chief, to make way for the younger generation to lead.”

Lady Sebastenerva snorted, and then laughed before she continued, “A falcon leading the Chickens? How cowardly low can your people get?”

Ursura and I exchanged stares. While we said nothing to each other, we both had the same thought. We don’t like this snake.

“Times are changing, Your Eminence,” Minahaba countered, “If we wanted progress, we should set aside our differences and work for a common goal.”

“Indeed, you are right,” Lady Sebastenerva nodded, “Ah, please pardon my language; I was just surprised about the change. But I can see that the new chief of the Chickens is capable, and it should be fine!”

“Your words are wisdom to us,” the Chicken chief bowed once more, and winked at us. Heh, that is one heck of a speech, Minahaba! Great job.

“Speaking of change, Chief Minahaba, a lot has changed in your village since I last came here,” the priestess looked around, “I can’t recognize a thing at all!”

“It’s all thanks to Lady Ursura of the West Ursus, Your Eminence! She’s the one who led us to this change!”

At that moment, Ursura—dressed in the most respectable clothing Chief Habu’s family could provide—stepped forward and gave respects to Lady Sebastenerva.

“So we meet at last, great inventor!” the snake-woman smiled at her, “Your genius is known throughout the mainland, and your wares a delight for my eyes!”

“A pleasure to meet you, milady!” Ursura then introduced the owl-girl, “However, such innovations are impossible if not for the assistance of my aide, Lady Salis of the Owls. While I gave the ideas, she’s the one who made our designs a reality.”

“Ah! Another great potential before my eyes!” the snake-woman remarked with delight, “This generation of Beastfolk are full of talent!”

“To mark our most auspicious meeting,” the bear-woman gestured to me, “let us present you a gift I’m sure you would love.”

Bearing the velvety cushion where we placed our gift, I made my presence known to the priestess, who couldn’t hide her surprise when she saw me.

“A human?” she exclaimed, “You have a human here?”

“Yes, milady!” the bear-woman replied, “His name is Lawrence, and he’s my slave.”

“Oh…interesting!”

“Hey, hurry, you slave!” Ursura suddenly pulled the chain collar on my neck, nearly causing me to stagger and drop the cushion I was bearing. “Pardon me for his sluggishness. He’s lazy, see?”

Oi, aren’t you getting carried away too much?