Otheris and the Serpents of Qhudrus Read Online Free PDF Page B

moved closer to Otheris, “I love your eyes!”
    “The rest of
the men look strong and well built, your hauteur will find
unmerited affection in their sight! Like I said; this one is
taken!” Thakina protested as she left where she was and stood
between Otheris and Emerald.
    “In my village
we have tons of young men just like him!” replied Emerald.
    “Well, staying
away from this one shouldn’t be a problem for you then!” replied
Thakina.
    “Hey! Hey!
Ladies, come on! No one fights over an unripe apple hanging on the
tree when lots of well ripen ones are scattered on the ground, my
sweet loves!” said Zuka as he approached the fire, “Fakal! Bring
the wine and let’s make a merry out of the night!”
    “Yeah!” the
rest of the men cheered again.
    The men brought
wine they carried along on their horses and made merry of the
evening as proposed by Zuka. While Otheris, Thakina and Karim sat
not far from the fire enjoying the amusement, six of the men got
drunk and danced around the fire singing battle songs and laughing
hard at one another as the two strangers danced seductively.
    “I love my
life!” Zuka voiced out, “things are getting better and better by
the day from where I’m standing boys!” as he pranced and
staggered.
    “I don’t like
them! I don’t trust them!” said Thakina.
    “Ah! You’re
just a little jealous!” Otheris said.
    “No I am not!
Jealous?” she replied as she reclined her head on a headrest and
drape herself with a blanket turning herself away from Otheris.
    “Don’t touch
me!” she said as Otheris made an attempt to say something, “good
night.”
    “Good
night!”
    Karim, Otheris
and Thakina slept off before midnight while the rest of the men
along with the two strangers enjoyed the evening.
     
    The
serpents of Qhudrus
     
     
    “Otheris!
Otheris!” someone called in the dark, “wake up son!” said the voice
louder.
    Otheris woke up
but saw Karim and four of the men aiming their swords at him.
    “Where is
Thakina?” he asked, “What have you done to her?”
    “I am here, I
am okay!” she said, “don’t move!”
    “What?” asked
Otheris, a bit frightened.
    “Don’t move
Otheris! We’re thinking of the best thing to do, whatever you
do…don’t move!” said Karim.
    “I don’t
understand?” said Otheris as he looked at his feet carefully then
sighted a big black snaked curled itself around his right
ankle.
    “Where are the
rest of the men? Otheris asked with apprehension, “and please…what
is that?”
    “Mekel and
Pelinias? They are dead! And that’s a big snake curled up on your
right ankle.” Zuka replied, “We believe that those two damn women
killed them…somehow, after we all gave in to slumber!”
    “It was a very
stupid thing to do!” uttered one of the men.
    “Yes, a very
stupid thing to do!” added Zuka as he shook his head.
    Otheris was
sweating, “I’m dreaming, right guys?” he turned to Thakina.
    “No!” They all
chorused.
    Otheris did not
bother to listen to what they were saying and he saw how scared
they all were. He looked around and sighted a small rock, then
cautiously dragged his body towards the rock with the snake still
curled to his ankle.
    “No! No!” they
cried out as they slowly follow him.
    Otheris picked
the rock and smashed the head of the snake but it refused to let
go, instead it curled itself tighter around Otheris’ ankle. Otheris
then raised the rock higher and aimed its head again not minding
his own leg, the snake quickly loosen its grip on Otheris as Karim
ran forth and cut off its head.
    Thakina rushed
to Otheris to make sure he was not hurt, “Are you okay?” as she
checked his ankle.
    “Yes! I am
fine!” he replied.
    “Hmm! So much
for the one who’d slay the serpents of Qhudrus!” said Zuka, “well,
all the horses are dead too! All killed!”
    While they
wondered what just transpired, they heard a sound in the woods as
though something large was making its way through and so kept