Welcome Home...?

[Winters-Feather]

Sha-Razi stood proudly in front of the empty throne, her usual sharp green eyes dull from exhaustion.
Once again, she had failed to make her escape.

At the very least, she mused, she was clean. Once the guards had captured her, she ordered to be taken to the baths before they presented her to her husband. It was an odd request, to be sure, and she probably had no say in the matter, but they humored  her , anyway. So now, here she was, dressed in one of her finer green, floor length skirts and a top that shamelessly revealed her tattoos and piercings. Her long hair she left down. Razi put on no make up.

She did not dress aimed to impress, but to state as if she had not lost her standing. That she had not lost again, despite her capture.
A delusion , she thought, but she placed that doubt in the back of her mind.
They wanted to shame her, but she would show, at the least, that they were wrong.

So there the woman stood in front of the empty throne, waiting for the arrival of Cherik.
Razi bit her lip, anxious and annoyed. She knew she was failing him as a wife, and though she felt ashamed , she was also a bit smug. For though her flight was short (she had barely made it through the jungle the past two days) she had felt free, and it was bliss, if not tainted by the anticipation of being caught.
Again.

To her embarrassment, her stomach growled, echoing in the silent hall.
A guard behind her coughed.
"You may go," she ordered, giving an ironic grin, "I won't escape this time."

[Rhindeer]

Charik's throne room was one of the largest chambers in the old temple serving as his palace and had, at some point in history, been a space used for various rituals by its people. His throne, situated near the back of the room, had once been a stone table used for sacrifices. Whether human sacrifices or animal was long since forgotten, and any blood that had been spilled had long since been washed away. The table itself had been rebuilt to be given a throne-like shape, and its length suited Charik perfectly right from the beginning.

It wasn't long before the ancient, heavy doors to the chamber opened and Charik slid inside, powerful belly scales pulling him along. As usual, he wore nothing but a couple golden bangles on his wrists that matched a golden chain around his neck, the color complimenting his dark skin. His blond hair sported small, intricate braids that were decorated with colorful beads and the feathers of several different tropical birds, vibrant blues and greens and reds.

Anything he wore was simply for decoration; there was no need to wear more in the humid jungle and it always shocked him that his harem and servants wore anything at all. In one hand, he carried a small, feathered fan that he waved at himself. Today was a particularly sweltering day made all the more miserable by his inability to sweat or regulate his own body temperature.

But he all but flung the fan aside as soon as he caught sight of Sha-Razi, safe and sound and whole.

"Darling!" he cried as he crossed the distance with surprising speed, considering his bulk. In seconds he had her in his arms, coils curling around her, and as soon as he broke the embrace he began to check her over, grabbing her face and turning her head this way and that, sweeping his eyes up and down her body, examining the skin along her bare arms.

"Oh, dear, are you well? Unharmed?" he asked as he checked her left arm for bruises and other injuries. "We are so happy to have you back. You have no idea how worried we were, what with that dreadful snake beast prowling about these parts. We thought it had gotten you for sure, but even so we would not rest, not until we found it or you, but you've returned! Oh, was it terrible? It didn't harm you, did it?"

[Winters-Feather]

The 'naga's bride' stood straighter when she heard the slithering of his scales against the floor and bowed politely as he made his entrance, waving his fan.
"My lord," she greeted humbly.
Her calm demeanor was temporarily shaken as Charik cried out to her in a burst of excitement.
I should have expected that, she thought as she immediately dropped most of her anxieties. He clearly was not angry, and she was glad.

"Oh, Charik. I'm fine. Really." she exclaimed with a small laugh as he examined her body. There were indeed scratches scattered across it. There were only a few that looked like they needed a little attention. She had fell at one point and had caused a series of scraps and small cuts on her right arm as well as bruised her right knee. Razi thought she had a bruise on her back, but she wasn't sure. Her left foot had a blister. Her forearms, neck, and the back of her legs had mosquitoes bites.  There probably were more, she realized, but the woman didn't care.
Nothing serious, she mused. Most of the marks and bruises would be gone within the week. Hardly anything to make a fuss about.

 Her eyes looking up towards Charik with a genuine fondness.
It was a puzzle, even to her. Why did she want to leave so badly, when she had someone who genuinely cared for her well being, possibly the only person ever? Well, she mused, not human, but a being none the less. In his frenzy Razi managed to embrace him and give him a gentle kiss on the lips.

Razi patiently listened to Charik's speech, her heart feeling heavy once again.
She wanted to be free and begone of the harem life, she really did. But despite the necessity, she hated lying, and she hated seeing the trouble she caused. The woman was stubborn- Razi knew trouble would have been caused, anyway. But knowing and seeing it through Charik's expression, his keen eyes observing her body, his words...Those were two different things.
 Without meaning to, her eyes narrowed. Sha-Razi could feel the heat of tears starting to come in.

Why must she had been so stupid and get caught? A few more days, maybe less, and she could have been in a new place, a nameless stranger....

"No, my lord," she replied, hollowly, "It didn't. None of these minute scraps were of it's doing."
Razi bowed her head, respectfully, though she always wanted to hide her shame and guilt. To hid her disappointment.
"I'm sorry for making you worry so," she said, not bothering to apologize to the other harem members who were currently absent.
"Has...has anything else happened in my absence?"
Anything to draw the attention away from her.

[Anonymous]

Isi followed after Charik, irritated. Why couldn't that woman have just managed to run away like a competent person. Instead, she had to get caught and brought back. How annoying. She wasn't the worst of the harem, but all this fussing over her bothered Isi.

Plus, the stupid cow didn't seem to get that she wasn't special. She was just another harem member and Charik was just nice. Putting on his happy face, Isi approached them, "Really Charik, you should give her some air. You'll irritate her scrapes."

Isi shot Razi a warning look. If that bitch upset Charik, he would make her pay, "She obviously got her wounds fleeing from the vicious snake beast."

[Rhindeer]

"Oh, thank goodness you're safe," Charik said, though her current state was still distressing. Minor injuries or not, it was obvious that she had been through an ordeal, with all those little cuts and scrapes and insect bites. That would have never happened if she had remained safely indoors! He reached up and gently caressed her cheek with the backs of his knuckles, an affectionate gesture, genuine concern in his eyes. "You needn't be afraid. If the snake beast did this to you, you can tell us. It will never harm you again, love. We will see to that."

He gave the girl a sweet kiss of his own, on the lips, and then heeded Isi's advice and pulled back to give her space. "Yes, you're right, Isi. We're sorry, dear, you must be exhausted from your ordeal, and hungry." He motioned to one of the servants guarding the doors and, when he came closer, ordered him to have food brought to the girl's chamber.

"You must rest. We shall take you to your chamber and see you properly pampered. And, to answer your question, nothing has happened in your absence but an intense search to find you! Speaking of, Isi, have there been anymore sightings of the snake beast?"

[Winters-Feather]

Sha's eyes found Isi's and narrowed.
She never hated Isi, but that man certainly annoyed her on many levels. He was so enthralled by Charik, so possessive over the creature that claimed each of them as his own. Charik was his pet dog, and it sometimes sickened her.  However, this moment was not now. She could feel his scorn as he shot her a warning glance, but instead of sending ice his way, her expression could only be described as a smug gratitude, for his words were a blessing.

"Thank you, my lord," Sha-Razi said, prettily, her hand over Charik's as he stroked her face. She her liege's kiss tenderly.
Sha let out a slow sigh of relief, careful not to let it show much. She hugged her arms across her chest, still a bit ashamed of her lie and very much so of her failure to escape.
"Food would be nice, yes," she said, softly, though she was not totally convinced.
Her body might have needed food, but she was in no mood to eat.

Her eyes trailed towards Isi's face again as Charik addressed him. Oh, the man could enrage her, but she did not hate him. She couldn't- he was faithful, and despite his idiotically, he was not dumb, but a just and even kind leader. And he was a man, something that Charik could never be, even though he was a kind, good lord that cared about her. In a way, Isi embodied the husband she could never possess.  That, above anything,  irritated her the most.

Sha-Razi bowed her head, planning out the rest of the day. She would rest, and be 'pampered'. She  bit her lip; she needed to make up to Charik, though all she wanted, at the moment, was to be alone. Again, she tried to take her mind off of such things by paying attention towards Izi, blushing lightly at the mention of the snake beast. It was always the 'snake'. Sha found it so peculiar and ironic that the naga's worst enemy was a being not too different than himself in form.

[Anonymous]

Oh that bitch was going to get it! Kissing all over his Charik in front of him? Like she didn't know what she was doing. Moving quickly, he placed himself between Razi and Charik, carefully coddling the woman with all care and delicacy, "Of course. We should get you resting."

Charik's question forced him to pause and he shook his head, "No sire. He had been quiet until this vicious attack. He must have been waiting. I shall send guards to look for him."

[Rhindeer]

"No no," Charik said, looking to Isi. "Food first. The poor dear's hungry, and rightfully so after her harrowing ordeal! It was a close one...so many that are taken by the snake-beast never return to us."

A flicker of sorrow passed over Charik's face, but he quickly shook it off. Now was not the time for regret. Now was a time for celebration, for his lost one had come home to him! Well...celebration after she was rested and healed, that is. They could deal with the rest later.

"We hope the guards will catch the dreadful beast this time. It's such an elusive thing. It must be using some kind of magic. But never mind that! Let's get her to her chambers and see her fed!"

[Winters-Feather]

Razi pressed herself against Isi a little, amused by his obvious jealousy. However, she was a little grateful for it, especially at this moment.
She flinched at Charik's devastation, but said nothing. It simply wasn't her place to.
Speechless, she simply bowed her head and gave a quick curtsy.
"Thank you," she managed to choke out with a small  smile.

She didn't want the king to escort her to her chamber in this shameful state.  Plus, Isi would throw an even bigger tantrum if Charik payed any more attention to her at the moment. He was such a  selfish man, though she didn't blame him. So, the harem woman boldly made her proposition.
"I'm well enough to escort myself," she said, looking at Charik, "Though if I must have an escort, Isi alone will be enough? You're already taking such good care of me already, and my lord has more trying matters to deal with at the moment, I'm sure."
She gave another smile at this point.
"I'll change into something more suiting for your company ,too," she humbly added before  starting to walk towards the door leading towards the grand palace hallways.

[Anonymous]

That earned Razi major points with Isi. He did his best to hide his glee and tool her arm, "See sire? She is exhausted." He leaned closer to Charik, lowering his voice to a whisper, "Can't you see how tired she is majesty? She is trying to put on a brave face for you. You know your," He paused, hating to use the word about anyone but himself, "lovers hate for you to see them weak. You are our God, we want to look good for you. Now let me take care of her while you talk to the guards?"

Isi made sure they all had standing orders about what to do with snake hunts. Most of them enjoyed the vacation out in the jungle.

[Rhindeer]

"Oh." Charik stole a glance at Razi, expression going from worry concern to sympathy, and let his tense muscles relax. "Oh, yes. You're right. We suppose she is just putting on a brave front, yes? Poor thing, and after all she's been through she feels she must impress us."

He let out a low sigh. It pained him that she wouldn't let him comfort her in her moment of weakness, but he could understand wanting to rest and be alone after such a harrowing ordeal. It was just a little saddening that she felt she needed to put up a front, that she felt like she couldn't be open with him.

Alas. That was just one of those things that came with being a God-King.

"Very well, then. Isi, if you would be so kind as to assist Razi...?"

[Winters-Feather]

Razi didn't know she had been holding her breath until after she had bowed before her King and gave Isi a weak smile.
"Let's go," she said.

Her tense posture relaxed  as they began to walk towards the long corridor that lead to an even longer corridor which lead to a door which would lead them to a garden that would lead them to her chambers. The woman gave a polite nod to servants who acknowledged their presence, but for the most part, she stared coldly ahead, taking every dutiful step with a stone cold face. Razi couldn't help to notice that Isi's arm was warm, and she held onto him as if she was holding on for her life.

"Did anything happen? While I was missing," she asked in her most business like tone, trying to make everything seem normal in front of the others.
"Is there  a guest coming for which translation is needed? Oh, I need to brush up on my northern languages..."
I ought to  be grateful, she thought.
The woman gave the head of the harem a thoughtful , almost sad glance.
I should have been more like you.
Razi shook her head and tucked some strains of hair behind her ear.
"I can never seem to make up my mind...I'm such an idiot," she said with a short chuckle, finding it difficult to say anything else.

[Anonymous]

"Yes you are. I gave you every opportunity to leave and you still fail." Isi's voice was a low hiss, not wanting Charik to hear, "I don't understand you. You want to leave, then you don't. I can only do so much to get you out."

[Winters-Feather]

Razi looked up at Izi in surprise.
She didn't know he had been a secret benefactor, nor did she know how to respond to his comments. Actually, it made her a bit angry, to know both the truth and his misunderstandings of her. He was a bit right- she was constantly getting caught. But now that she thought about it, it was inevitable; the jungle was too massive for her to journey on her own without any weapons, and the villagers near by would just capture her if she went in that direction.

I'm just going to have to make due, she realized. After all, this place wasn't bad...But it wasn't freedom.
One more thing...Did he really think she was that stupid?
Forget it.
Razi undid her arm from Isi's, suddenly feeling her face getting warm.
"You're right," she hissed back, "I was wrong. I can find my way from here."
She coughed.
"Thank you for taking care of me," she said in a more audible, but still cold tone as she briskly walked in the direction to her quarters.

[Anonymous]

Isi sighed, regretting his snappy words. She wasn't as bad as she could be, but that familiarity with Charik bothered him. And how the naga fussed over her.

"I was too harsh. I apologize. I shouldn't have snapped. Is there anything I can do to help?"

[Winters-Feather]

Razi halted at Isi's words. Slowly, her anger started to subdue; she couldn't help that she really liked Isi. Even if he did just called her stupid.
Which I was.
"I should be the one that's sorry," she said with a weak smile.
The woman furrowed her brow in concentration.
"Maybe," she said, slowly, "It would be easier living here if we had a change of scenery now and then."
She shook her head at this bold request. The harem and her village was all she had ever known, yet  because of her skills with languages, she had heard of so many wondrous  and captivating things from the travelers in the naga's court.
Though she doubted such a thing would be possible.

[Anonymous]

"Well, that can probably be arranged. Panya leaves often after all." And the more she was away, the better. Isi smiled again, taking her hand, "Ask and I will do my best to make it yours."

[Winters-Feather]

Razi was flabbergasted.
"Right," she said.
Why didn't she think of this before, like Panya?
But...She had thought...
I thought too closed mindedly, Razi thought.
The woman's face flushed as she tried to think up of a place that she always wanted to visit.
"I..I don't know," she said in a low voice with a bow of her head, "I've always wanted to travel to Arca."

[Anonymous]

"Well, I can't do much to help you get there. I have contacts that can take you to Essyrn, but from there, you'll have to make your own way. But I can give you wealth to pay for your trip." This was perfect. He just had to manipulate Charik and then both Razi would be gone and he would get to comfort the upset Godking.

This was going to be a wonderful day.

[Winters-Feather]

Razi's body tensed up.
"Essyrn," she said, her voice suddenly taking a dark tone.  She rubbed the back of her right shoulder, suddenly very aware of the large tattoo on her back.
"If..not Arca I understand," Razi continued with hints of fear and shame showing in her voice.

Razi narrowed her eyes. Something felt a little..wrong about all this. It was Isi, after all.
He's being too nice. She bowed her head so that he wouldn't suspect her, but also because she didn't want him to know how much she feared going back there.
"If Essryn is the only port through anywhere, I understand, but I rather not go there again...At least, no where near my home oasis."