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@Ravenbraid
It was foolish, but it wasn't her fault. How could it be? No one would dare blame, or even consider, reprimanding the Shah- no matter how young and naive she was. Truthfully, she was bored that afternoon, and though not entirely
fond of snakes, there was a sense of wonder upon the famed and massive temple snake she's come to call 'pet'.
The snake was a gift unto her since child birth, but because in her youth, she was afraid of the snake, it was sent away to live most of it's life at the Temple of Skies; a pyramidal shaped building to the west, just outside of the capital, but still assumed part as such.
It was an open and grand temple, to be sure, and had many priests and priestesses around to keep the snake in check. But as time went on, the snake grew larger and larger, so much infact only a few of the boldest priests and priestesses could handle him.
He had come to be known as
Gordeer , a half slang term brandish by an Adelan. It's a crude way of saying a 'friend enemy'. For that's what most snakes such as Gordeer were seen as- a friend to the people, but also a foe. Lest anyone forget about the last snake that had come along and had grown such a size as Gordeer's. That unfortunate son to a Shah of the past fell none to quickly and was said to be eaten alive, rescued half way down the snake's belly, but died the day after having been retrieved.
Gordeer, many laugh, is too fat and lazy for such things. The snake has grown accustomed to his caretakers and eats well from them, and tends to enjoy curling up on the Sky Temple tree that grows in the temple's center- for this pyramid is far from a closed structure, and has become a man made oasis of sorts, with perfectly structured sides that allow for star gazing and studies.
As Persea grew older, she was coerced into making face with Gordeer, as the snake did represent relations in the South. Never the less, she was always tense around the serpent, ever watchful during her visits and kept them limited only to necessity. But even then, a fondness and respect grew of the relation; though that was as far as it went. Aside from the occasional bold curiosity from the blooming young Shah, such as on that particular morning when Persea Ah'nikh was spending time at the Sky Temple and making her rounds as the priests always contended to gain her favor.
But these such callings tended to be boring, and she- barely older than a child in spirit, grew bored and demanded in the middle of their meeting, that Gordeer join them. She had been watching the snake twist lethargically around the tree then go to sleep, internally jealous of it's freedom. She could be napping if she wanted to. If only she commanded it.
She stifled a yawn as the men left to retrieve the snake, of which impressed her to see at least four men carrying him. But she frowned to see the snake in chains. Once questioned, they told the Shah the snake would be too close to the Temple's exit, and they did not wish for him to escape. Irritated and poking around for mere childish attention, she commanded they release the poor snake from it's chains- Could they not see that Gordeer was content? The snake was a slow mover, so even if he wanted to slither out, surely there were enough of them present to prohibit such a thing.
But one thing lead to another, and somehow the Shah found herself alone with Gordeer, having sent the priests,
all of them, on a mission of ill importance, She couldn't even remember what it was she asked all of them to retrieve, but it got her a moment alone- even from the men watching her. Although, as she found herself as such, her eyes turned towards the snake.
It simply lay there, barely moving and flicking out it's tongue.
"You seem bored, Gordeer." she went on, yawning lightly and moving to sit upon a chair.
She couldn't remember how long she had been out, but a gentle shake roused her and she nearly slapped the priest's face.
"Your highness.... are you okay?"
Her face twisted as she groggily sat up, seeing such a commotion around her she was quick to ask, "Why have you awaken me? What is going on?"
By now, even she could sense the fear among them and shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as a slave came forward to place a delicate silk blanket over her arms.
"It is the snake, the one of this Temple," the man went on, hesitant on how to phrase it as such.
"Yes...?" came her very slow, irritated reply.
"He is gone."
