Accidently killed my warnings... so adding them here lol
Anthro, Beast, Bi, H/C, OC, Violence
Also this will most likely be a slash story but might have het in it as well. So I may be adding more to my warning list as it go's.
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Chapter 1
The early morning sun was just rising over the rich green canopy of the forested island. The sky was clear as was the blue waters surrounding the island. All in all it as a nice day. But this was hardly noticed anymore by Valithsar, a ‘man’ with green skin and hair that had a long serpent’s body for his lower half rather than legs. Val was more interested now in what he’d spotted off shore while he’d been basking in warmth of the newly risen sun in the branches of a tree.
A ship far larger then he’d seen near the island had come to a halt just off shore. It had been the ships white sails that had caught his attention. He’d thought them clouds at first, but they were a bit low in the sky, not to mention moving oddly, so had turned in the tree to get a better look at them. He’d sat in his tree watching the ship till it had come to a stop off shore and a smaller boat had been lowered into the water. It was hard to tell from this distance but he thought there were four humans on the boat that was now heading towards the shore.
The snakeman had seen human ships and boats before, but any that had come to the island before had always gone to the dock down on the beach below the small village on the island. Wondering what was going on Val slid down the tree to the ground and headed towards the beach. Not wanting to be seen he slide under some thick bushes and peered between the leaves at the beach below him. The row boat had just come ashore and he saw there were actually five humans in it. As he watched a well tanned or just darker skinned man wearing only a pair dark shorts hopped out of the boat and started to pull it farther up the beach. Another tanned looking man in shorts but also a brown shirt jumped out to help him.
The last three humans in the rowboat got out, one of which Val realized was a female, once the two pulling the boat up the beach where done. All three where better dressed then the men taking care of the boat, though weren’t wearing style clothing he was used to seeing on the villagers.
The three also had fairer looking skin then he was used to seeing, it was close in color to the sand they walked on, rather than the rusty tan or light brown he was used to seeing. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen humans with light skin, but it was rare and he know they weren’t likely to come for anywhere around India. Not with that color of skin, or hair.
Two of them, the young women and a male that looked to be of the same age had a rich shade of brown hair, but the other man hair was a dark golden color. The brown was normal enough but not the blond hair. Gazing at them Val wondered where they had come from and why there where here. His eyes seemed to be drawn to the golden haired man. He just had a commanding presence to him. From the way he held himself and looked at those around him it was clear he was used to other looking to him for direction and not the other way around. The brown haired man too seemed to have an air about him, but with the other present as well it wasn’t’ as noticeable.
The blonde haired man started talking to the other two men with them, but Val couldn’t quite hear what was being said from his hiding place. As he tried to decide if it was worth the risk of possible being seen to try sneaking close enough to listen in, the men started to remove items for the boat. A number of what looked to him like leather suitcases. Most were carried by sailors but the well dressed men did grab a couple bags to carry before they started up the beach in the direction of the village. The only one without anything to carry was the girl, thought she seemed to be trying to steal one of her brothers bags as they left.
“What’s going on?” Val asked quietly of no one as he uncoiled his long serpent body out from under the bushes. With all the luggage it seemed the humans planned on staying awhile, but he was at a loss of why they’d think they’d be welcome to stay, let alone have come to the island of Nagajeera in the first place.
The island was on the larger side, an elongated teardrop shape, but all that was here was one tiny village. There was nothing here that should attract someone looking for a place to have a vacation… The village did trade with produce gathered from the island now and then but he didn’t see how that could bring someone here either.
Turning his gaze back towards the ship out at sea he glared at it a little in irritation before he turned and disappeared into the forest.
Val knew he’d not be able to follow too closely, not unless he wanted to be heard, but he tried to for a while anyway. Probably a little closer then was really safe for him to do. A few times he’d had to duck behind a bush and freeze when one of the human seemed to hear something. Realizing he was being to rash Val stopped following them. He wasn’t really learning anything doing this, all he’d heard was the woman getting excited over things she saw really. And by know it was obvious anyway where they were headed so he slithered into the forest and tied to get to village before them.
He got there a few minutes before they did and Val watched the group of humans go to the village leader’s home, hiding out of view once again in some foliage at the edge of the forest. After a short time the sailors come back out and disappeared in the direction of the village’s small tavern.
That had been a couple of hours ago now though and Val was growing impatient as he waited for the others to leave so he could go speak to Dipak, the village’s leader. He knew the customs of the islanders, so knew it would be a long while before he’d have a chance to speak with Dipak. There was even a chance they three would be invited to stay in his home.
Still he couldn’t help but want to know what was going one sooner rather than later. He shouldn’t be so impatient, and he did know how to wait. His father had mostly drilled that into his head when he’d taught him how to hunt. Going hungry because you moved to soon as a good motivator to learn patients. He just seemed to be lacking in it right now…
And that was why Val ignored the risk of being seen and crawled out of the bushes slowly and after a quick look around to see if anyone was around that might see him, slithered into the village. He’d never come here in the broad day light before and his nerves were high. He jumped at every little sound, looking around to see if he was in danger of been seen, but the sounds where just normal every day sounds and after ten or so minutes, that seemed far longer to Val, the snakeman reached the back wall of Dipak’s house.
Once he was there Val relaxed a little and started to peer in to the windows till he finally spotted the Dipak, an old man with wrinkling dark skin and thinning gray hair, speaking to the three lighter skinned strangers. Well one of them any way. The brown haired humans were standing near the window and seemed to just be listening to the other two.
Seeing them this close Val realized the three were likely related. The brown haired man and woman looked so much alike he was sure they had to be twins. There features where just so alike. They both had a similar shaped face, the young woman’s just being a little softer looking then here brothers, and the same shade brown eyes. Their hair was a chocolaty brown color and this close he could see the man’s was a little curly. It was grown out a little so it fell around his ears. His sisters hair was a bit curly at well, but as she’d grown it out so it reached a little past her shoulders blades it looked more on the wavy side.
Seeing them put close he realized they weren’t as old as he’d thought them too be, only just into their adult years from the looks of it. The blond haired man though was older though, easily in his mid forties. His dark gold hair was cut shorter than the younger mans, and looked naturally straight, but still he shared enough physical looks with the twins for Val to be sure he was related to them in some way.
This new knowledge didn’t help him any though… Val just found himself wanting to know who they were and why they were here even more now.
Pulling his eyes away from them Val eyed the window instead. If he could get it open then maybe he could learn something. But as much as he’d like to attempt opening the window, he wasn’t really sure how to get it open for out here. He did reach out and see if it might slide a little but nothing happened. Val didn’t want to do anything that might draw the attention of the two near the window so he gave up and had settle with just looking through it and watching the blonde haired man and Dipak talk. Both seemed agitated at points and Val found himself wishing again and again that he could hear what was being said.
Flicking his tail a little from irritation he accidently hit the side of the building with his tail. The small thump drew the attention of the young woman to the window and Val quickly ducked his head. He wasn’t sure if she’d had gotten a good look at him, but didn’t want to stick around to see if anyone come looking for a green haired and skinned man so quickly slithered away from Dipak’s house and back towards the nearby forest.
The going was a little slow as he didn’t want to be spotted, but ten or so minutes later he was under the cover of the thick trees. ‘Standing’ under their cover he looked back out at the tiny village.
He wasn’t sure what to do now. Going to the village during the day when he could have been seen wasn’t the best of ideas. He really should have waited till night and gone like he normal did when he needed to speak with one of the humans that knew about him. Sighing he turned to look instead at some small yellow and orange orchids growing along the trunk of a tree and over one of its low hanging branches.
“I probably should just be patient and go talk to Dipak tonight to find out why strangers are here, shouldn’t I.” He muttered to himself as he gazed at the pretty little flowers. As he looked at them he did decide what he’d do, at least with the rest of the morning. Go and find something for his lightly growling stomach.
~~~
Later that night after most people should be in their homes Val returned to Dipak’s house. He made his way cautiously, but a little quicker then he’d done during the day. He was still anxious to know what was going on, but wasn’t letting it affect him as much now. Or at least was trying not to. He was both glad and a little worried when he finally got back to the house. He wasn’t sure if the strangers would be here or not, but hoped they were staying elsewhere for the night, like their ship.
Val listened for any sign there were still here before he rapped him knuckles on the door. Almost as if he’d been expected the door was pulled open before even a minute had passed by the old man. “Welcome Valithsar. I thought you’d come tonight. Please come in.”
Nodding the snakeman quickly entered the old man’s home. He guessed that if he was being asked to come in that the strangers wouldn’t be here anymore. Once the door closed behind him he relaxed a little. He always felt a little nervous coming here as didn’t know if he might be seen by someone or not. It was necessary to come here though.
“Leela! Yash! We’ve a guest.” Dipak called out his his family, his wife and son, to come greet him as was there custom. Having met Val a few times sense Dipak became the village leader neither was startled by his appearance, but Val could tell they were a bit uneasy around him. He was used to it by now though so it didn’t overly bother him. When Yash, Dipaks son, reached for his hands so he could wash them, Val let him and then followed them into a room with a low table surrounded by cushions to sit one.
Dipak gestured for him to sit, so he curled up on one of the cushion. He had a lot more body then a human did though, so a lot of his tail was left to stretch out behind him. Once he was comfortable Dipak and his son sat down as well.
Not long after he was seated the old man’s wife came in with some food for him. Some kind of flat bread and a dip. Knowing it would be rude not to, Val broke off a piece of the bread and after getting some of the spread on it brought it to his mouth. After he’d even a few pieces he looked over at Dipak. “Who are the strangers that arrived this morning?”
“The older man is Isha, Mahesha’s son. The girl and boy are his children.” Dipak told him sounding tired.
Not having expected that Val just stared at Dipak. He’d know the man had had a son, but it had been over thirty years ago sense the, then young boy, had left the island with him mother. He didn’t’ know all the details of what had happened, he just knew that the foreign blonde beauty had decided she wanted to return to where she’d come from and taken their son with her. He hadn’t even thought of him when Mahesha had died a couple years ago.
Isha’s return could really be a problem as by human law he’d be the owner of the Island now. Worried over what this could mean he Val’s voice came out in a low hiss as he asked. “Has he told you if he plans on claiming the Island?”
“Not really.” Dipak said with a sigh as he shook his head. “He came to claim his inheritance, but he said he had no plans or desire on taking over his father’s job.”
Nodding Val closed his eyes and wondered what to do. Till now having the island owned by a powerful human family had keep the island safe. Head of the family had know what was on the island, a power spring from deep within he earth, and had agreed to help his people keep the island as natural as possible. Val was sure Mahesha would have told his son that the island was important, but he wasn’t sure Isha had been told much about why before he left or if the years hadn’t erased the knowledge.
’Should I take the risk of going to talk to him?’ He wondered, but it seemed like a rash thing to do. Especially as Val knew nothing about the man. He might not freak out at seeing a green man with a serpents body and listen, but it was more likely if he just slide out of the forest and went up to him he’d not react well. And if Isha was blinded by greed like to many of his kind then there was also the risk that the man wouldn’t care what he said and would do his own thing anyway. And if that was the case the last thing he’d want would be for the man to know about him…
He needed to know more before making any decision. Looking back at Dipak he asked, “Do you think he’s a threat?” The question made the old man seem ill at ease and Val sighed, “I’m not thinking of killing him or anything. I just want your opinion on him.”
Nodding slowly Dipak said, “I’m not really sure. He got agitated when I asked if he was going to take over for his father. He seems to have a poor view of the man… seemed to think he cared more about this place then about his family.”
Val didn’t like what he was hearing… If he man felt that way then there was a chance he’d do something to spite his father’s memory. “Do you think he’ll do anything to the island or even try selling it?”
Rubbing his temples the old man took a moment to answer. “His anger seemed to be at his father, not the island. So I don’t think he’s got anything in mind, but I can’t say for sure. He didn’t say or do anything to hint at what he wants from the island. He’s planning to stay for a while though. They’re going to stay at his father… well Isha’s home while they are here. I had Yash take them there earlier.”
'At least I’ll know where to find him.' Val thought as he nodded. He wished Dipak had something more useful he could tell him but there was nothing to do about it. The old couldn’t tell him what he didn’t know.
“Are you going to try approaching him?” Yash asked, speaking up for the first time.
Turning his head Val’s violet eyes focused on the younger man for a moment. He’d forgotten he wasn’t alone with Dipak as his family had remained quiet till now. “I’m not sure. I’d thought about it but right now I’m not sure if it would help or make things worse.”
Glancing at his tail for a moment Yash nodded. “Maybe meeting you right away wouldn’t be a good idea, but someone could still try talking to him.”
“Hmmm.” It wasn’t too bad an idea. Val could remain in the background and let them test the waters a bit. If things when well then they could be introduced. “I think that’s not a bad idea. You and your father try getting to know him a bit. After a while if you think it’s safe too I’ll meet him and tell him about the spring.”
Seeming happy his suggestion was useful Yash nodded. “I can do that. Father and I spending time with Isha and his family shouldn’t seem strange.”
Looking down at the half empty plate Val when over what they’d talked about and tied to decide if there was anything else he should say will he was here. With their lack of knowledge about Isha and his family though he could things of anything that the Dipak would have an answer for. Looking back at the old man and his son he started to get up. “Alright, I’ll leave you to get to know them. I’ll return in a few days or so to speak with you again. If anything happens between then and now you come to the temple to find me.”
He’d never given them permission to come to him before and Val saw surprise on their faces before Dipak nodded. “Well do what we can Valithsar.”
Believing the man and his son would Val let them lead him to the door. They said there good byes and Val hurried back though the village. Once he was back in the tree’s he looked back. This time his eyes looked for the building Isha and his children were staying in. He could see a few lights on. He watched the house till the cold of the night started to make him shiver.
Rubbing his arms a little he turned and quickly started slithering towards the temple he called home. There’d be plenty of time to wonder about them tomorrow.
