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If there was one thing Jack hated about research trips it was the mosquitoes. At a certain point there was only so much you could do to keep from being eaten alive.
Waking up in a tent was never fun, but it was necessary. Their caravan was moving from one town to the next and they couldn’t always stay in town. Illinois’s charm could only get them so far in towns.
It took Jack a while to realize he’d woken up not just because of the sun and the heat, but also because someone was arguing right outside his tent.
Jack glared at the noise and eventually got dressed again to get out, he doused himself with enough bug spray to try and keep the mosquitoes off of him.
When he got out of the tent, bug spray in hand, he saw Illinois arguing with the leader of the caravan they were traveling with.
Which was never a good thing.
Illinois shoved past him and walked over to Jack. “Good you’re up.”
“Yeah, no thanks to you,” Jack said. “What happened?”
“Javier wants to go through the denser patch of woods to the east, says it quicker but it’s not exactly safe.” Illinois said.
“We’re in the middle of a fucking jungle, no where is safe,” Jack said.
“Yeah but we’re coming up on naga territory, the Black Spots, and they’ve got a new den leader so we’re either going to be walking into a place that is going to murder us on sight or let us off with a warning and passage tribute.”
“I thought we passed by all the naga pockets two days ago?”
“Yeah, I did too,” Illinois said. “Apparently this is an off-shoot branch from one of the pockets we passed.
“We moving around them then?” Jack asked.
“No, we just need to get through the area and head back to town, then move on,” Illinois said.
“You sure we’ve got the money for that?” Jack asked.
“We’re fine.”
Illinois and Jack turned to the third member of their little group. Ethan.
“We got this,” Ethan said as he smiled at them. “We always got this.”
“Yeah but I don’t feel like bribing our way through another nest,” Jack said.
“We don’t have a choice but I think I’ve still got something to offer them,” Illinois said.
Illinois motioned for the two of them to come closer and carefully showed them a bag he had. Inside was a glittering and jeweled necklace on a golden chain. The pendant part of it looked like a large flower. Dark, clear emeralds as leaves, amethysts and diamonds making up the flower petals. It looked expensive. It looked more than expensive.
He also pulled out some other necklaces and stones that looked very expensive.
“Wow.” Ethan was staring at them as Illinois stuffed them back into his bag and then buried it in his pocket.
Jack could only roll his eyes at the stars in Ethan’s eyes. He kept his voice down. “Where’d you get that?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Illinois said.
“Nah,” Jack said. “You’ve gotten us into deep shit before and your dick and attitude’s not good enough to save you from the Archland Kingdom’s royal guard.”
Illinois had that smile that Jack hated to see so early in the morning. “I told you, I got this.”
Jack never wanted to strangle Illinois more in this moment than in any other moment. “This is why we can’t stay in one place.”
“Nah, it’s the call of adventure.”
“It’ll be the call of my foot up your lucky ass.” Jack could only let Illinois walk away to the camp cook to get something to eat.
They ate some breakfast, relatively bland tasting rations with some water mixed with cheap ale. The fact that they’d all been surviving on them so long made it possible for Jack to even be able to swallow it down.
What Jack would give to be able to be in a town again, they’d been in Archland only a couple of weeks before Illinois raced them out a secret gate. Jack had loved the cheeses and the fresh meat and the honeyed mead.
Maybe he could convince Illinois to get rid of the necklace. Maybe he would be able to keep them in one place long enough. Cause he couldn’t turn Illinois in, he just couldn’t. It might get him killed one day but he and Illinois went way back and they’d shared enough wine and treasure, and a couple beds.
Jack was just as likely to betray Illinois as he would be to turn himself in.
When everyone had eaten and a route had been planned, the caravan began to move. They all got their stuff together, Jack made sure his gun was on his belt as they moved onward to a small port town along a river. Three day’s trip by cart and horse.
For half of the first day it was fine. Jack was in the front canvased caravan with Illinois, Ethan, and the caravan leader Javier.
Illinois and Ethan filled the air with small talk and Jack joined in trying to lighten the tense mood but eventually he took a short nap. A nap that was interrupted when Illinois tapped him awake.
“Hmm?” Jack’s entire body tensed and he looked around, his hand moved down to his belt.
“Calm down, we’re off course,” Illinois whispered.
Jack looked at Ethan who looked tense and ready to bolt. He then looked outside the caravan.
They were in the middle of nowhere, the caravan had driven off the road.
Never a good sign.
Illinois and Jack traded a look before Illinois leaned up.
“Javier, what’s going on?” Illinois’s hand was moving down to his gun as Ethan and Jack copied him.
But Javier pulled out a gun first and pointed it at Illinois. Jack and Ethan pointed their weapons at Javier.
“Woah buddy, no need for this,” Illinois said.
“Lower the gun, you shoot him and I wring your neck,” Jack told him.
“You bastard! This game ends now.” The man ignored Jack almost completely.
“Javier, come on,” Illinois smiled. “Let’s not do this.”
“Shut the fuck up and do everyone a favor and die,” Javier said as he pointed the gun at Illinois’s chest. “This is way kinder to what Archland will do to you.”
The conversation came to a standstill when someone outside fired a gun. Illinois ducked and Jack fired, shooting Javier in the chest.
Jack’s chest tightened, fearing that Illinois had been shot and that he’d been too slow, but Illinois got back up, patting his chest.
Ethan let out a relieved sighed and slowly got out of the car. A couple of other people in their caravan group turned to point guns at them. Some were looking out into the woods to find something.
“What’s going on?” Ethan asked.
“Javier gave us a direction, where is he?”
“He tried to kill us,” Ethan said.
“And he should have,” one of the guys said.
“Naga!” One of the guys watching the forest looked over at them.
“You fuckers were going to leave us out to die weren’t you?” Jack said.
“No, we were going to kill you first,” someone said.
There was a loud SNAP and Jack tried to find the source of the sound, their visitor.
Jack felt a weight settle in his stomach. Nagas usually just left humans and other people alone but they were also territorial. Of the land, of the family group, mates, resources. It was well known how dangerous nagas could be when actually threatened. Particularly den leaders, they were the worst to try and deal with.
While Jack was scanning the woods the pattern part of his brain began to fire and he saw something that he wasn’t sure what it was first but then he saw a large pair of glowing red eyes.
There they were and Jack sucked in a sharp breath and froze. The naga was looking at him and he knew it was.
“Jack?” Ethan said, trying to see into the woods.
A rumbling growl came from the naga as Jack’s legs locked up. Many from the caravan bolted. Ethan flinched and Illinois grabbed his arm to keep him rooted in place.
Then the naga moved and others in the caravan raced for the carts.
“Fuck!” Jack reached for his gun as the naga charged forward.
“Jack, don’t!”
Jack froze at Illinois’s voice and he could believe his ears but the naga moved right past them as if the three of them weren’t there and chased the rest of the caravan off, clawing at one of them who dared to get too close to him to try and shoot.
As Jack’s heart rate calmed back down because of the lack of claws to the chest of gut, Jack got to look at the naga. This one was possibly one of the biggest nagas that he’d ever seen.
Fourteen feet from head to the tip of his tail. Black, dark grey, and brown python patterning. The upper human half of the naga had black hair, tan skin, and patches of scales on the shoulders and all over the back. The naga’s human hands had wicked looking claws at the nails of each finger.
Nagas certainly could get bigger but this one was in that upper limit. Jack had encountered nagas in the city, but they were smaller. Even after a single generation, just being raised in the city tended to make nagas smaller. This was no city naga, it was a full blown forest one.
Then the naga turned to the three of them. Jack fought the urge to take even a single step back, Jack looked at the naga who was watching them. Looking at Illinois and Ethan, before staring right at Jack.
“Dark,” Illinois smiled as if he wasn’t facing down a naga over twice his size.
“Illinois, what do you think you’re doing here?” The naga asked.
“Dark, nice to see you again, honestly we’re just passing through, but is your little ward still here?” Illinois smiled at the naga.
Dark flashed his teeth at Illinois with a dangerous faux-smile. “Careful, little thief. My feelings on you could sour on you very quickly.”
“I’m not a thief,” Illinois said. “I only return things back to where they belong.”
“Do you now?” Dark looked back at Jack. “Why don’t you make it up to me by introducing your friends?”
“Hey, that’s not part of our deal,” Illinois said.
“Well, you are in my territory, so introduce your friends to me,” Dark said.
Illinois glared at him, he gestured to Ethan first. “Ethan.”
Then he gestured to Jack, “Jack.”
The naga stared at Jack, “Jack. Well, it is nice to meet your friends. You three will be coming with me, I know better than to let you wander around the place.
“Fine by me,” Illinois said.
Illinois reached into his pocket for a bit and then pulled out the bag he’d had in his pockets.
As Dark caught it the claws retracted for better dexterity. Jack froze in alarm at the sight of the bag but when Dark opened it his face was relatively neutral and he pulled out three rings and a couple gemstones.
“Hmm, you brought an actual gift.” Dark looked at the rings.
“Of course,” Illinois said. “You know I have an eye for quality.”
“And the fingers of a monkey,” Dark said.
“Hey, I’m also a pretty face and don’t you forget that,” Illinois said.
Dark made some face. “If you insist.”
“I do,” Illinois said as he started to walk forward, lightly pushing Jack and Ethan forward to follow Dark as he led the way through the woods.
“Hey, hey, how do you know this guy?” Jack asked but followed Illinois because he hadn’t died from the giant naga.
“Yeah, we’ve met before,” Illinois was smiling at Jack and Ethan, “several times.”
“He’s absolutely insufferable,” Dark said.
“Yeah, you’re telling me,” Jack said.
“Ouch, I thought you liked me,” Illinois said.
“Nah, you’re a jackass,” Jack said.
“Come on,” Illinois said.
“You’re also a bit of a narcissist,” Ethan said.
“Not you too.” Illinois clearly wasn’t all that offended because he started laughing.
They headed through the forest a little bit, Dark’s claws better than any machete and Illinois got anything that Dark missed.
Eventually as it began to get later, and darker because of the dense trees, they got to a little patch of cleared land set into the side of a large series of caves. The remains of some camp with a fire pit was in front of it but now it was empty.
Ethan stopped before Jack did. Dark didn’t wait for them but Illinois did.
“Look, I know in any other circumstance this would be the worst idea, but Dark is one of the only naga I trust. He won’t kill you unless you steal from him or try to kill him.” Illinois vaguely gestured to the caves.
“So should we go already?” Jack asked.
“Dark and I go way back, he’s only got one thing I want and it’s not something I can just pocket.”
“Fun,” Ethan said.
Illinois walked into the largest cave and Jack paused but he followed Illinois. He was overconfident, but Illinois wasn’t a complete idiot.
So he stepped into the cave to follow him. It took his eyes a second to adjust to the dimmer light. Then his eyes adjusted to the dim light coming from something fluorescent growing along the walls and some along the floors. It helped Jack not stumble into the walls or trip over a sharp rock and cut himself.
Illinois seemed to be counting something in his head as they headed down a seemingly endless corridor.
After a couple minutes, Illinois stopped dead, Jack almost walked into him.
“What?” Ethan asked.
“Left,” Illinois said before turning and walking right towards the wall.
Then he disappeared.
Jack paused for a second, startled and a little bit confused. Then he realized what was going on. They were stuck in some kind of illusion. Which was exactly the kind of thing you avoided by not stepping into a literal snakes’ den.
So Jack followed him because splitting up was a terrible idea and thankfully Ethan got the hint at the same time.
They’d stepped into some kind of room where there was what looked like a large nest of some kind of nest of some kind and Dark was inside of it, lounging in it like it was some lounge chair. The room was illuminated by whatever was on the walls enough to let Jack see the red glowing of his eyes.
Jack felt a shiver running through him.
“You all kept me waiting,” Dark said.
“If you wanted a short visit, you shouldn’t have set up illusions,” Illinois said.
Dark looked at Jack.
What caught Jack’s attention immediately was that there was a second naga in the den. He looked similar enough to Dark but Jack’s sure if they were related or if it was the low light. Slicked back hair and his scales had interesting patterns along his arm.
Dark looked at the other naga. “Yancy, if you could head out to the camp, tell the others that we have guests when they get here.”
“Right,” Yancy had a little closed half-smile and he left, but he did look at Jack and Illinois before lingering on Ethan a little bit.
Then he left.
Which left them alone with Dark again.
“I heard something about you getting into trouble with Archland,” Dark said.
“I might have taken some things I thought were pretty,” Illinois said.
“Did they help?” Dark said, looking at Ethan and Jack.
“Depends on if your feelings about Archland have changed,” Illinois said.
“Of course not.” Dark’s claws scraped on his nest.
“Then yes, couldn’t have done it without them.” Illinois had a large smile on his face.
Dark started looking at Jack. “Can I get a closer look, my dear?”
Jack’s legs locked up a little bit.
“Don’t worry, little human,” Dark leaned forward over his nest. “Humans make for poor meals, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”
“Really full of yourself aren’t you?” Jack said, trying to play off his nervousness. He did take a step forward.
“I own this territory, I am everything I say I am,” Dark told him.
“Bet you are.” Jack took another couple of steps, nervous but he figured that Dark seemed more interested with showing off than with hurting him.
Taking another step over, Jack was hesitant at first but then his steps began to get braver. It wasn’t every day he got this close to a forest naga after all.
Dark chuckled at him. “Little human, I can see the way your heart beats. What lovely reactions you have.”
Jack didn’t answer, staying braced. If a fight broke out in these caves he was already done for.
Dark’s hand came up and Jack tried not to flinch, a reaction that seemed to amuse the naga leader. His claws retracted a little and the back of his fingers smoothed over his cheek. “It’s not every day Illinois has someone quite so delightful.”
“I bite,” Jack said, holding Dark’s gaze.
“Do you now? Dark’s fingers moved to cup underneath Jack’s chin. Then he stuck his thumb on Jack’s bottom lip.
Jack pulled his head away and to his surprise, Dark let him. “If you want extra, you gotta buy me dinner first.”
“Hmm, fine,” Dark began to climb out of his nest.
Jack took a step back.
“If dinner is what you want, I can provide,” Dark said and began to lead the way back out of the caves.
A trip that seemed to take forever when they were going into the caves, now only took a minute or two.
Outside it was starting to get dark because of the dense trees, and the campground was bustling with nagas. Dark was still the biggest of the nagas and there was a large bonfire going. The smell of pork and chicken was being cooked and Jack realized how hungry he was.
After weeks and weeks of rations, having fresh meat like this was practically divine.
Illinois was greeted warmly enough, which surprised Jack and Ethan.
They sat next to Yancy and Dark, Yancy giving his boss some kind of report.
“More Archland scouts in the area, they’re looking for Illinois,” Yancy said.
Jack paused mid-bite.
“What did you tell them?” Dark said.
“That we’d be on the lookout, then to get out,” Yancy said.
“Good, if they come back, start picking them off, they know better than to be this far from home.
Illinois then looked over at something before taking his food and walking over to a more city-sized naga. He was only about six feet long, which when the naga was coiled up made him look smaller.
Dark made a low hissing but didn’t move to call out to Illinois and stop him.
“That was fast,” Yancy said.
“If he wasn’t so useful I’d gut him,” Dark said.
“How do you two know each other?” Ethan asked.
“Illinois and have mutual enemies, he gives me information and I give him a place to hide,” Dark said.
“You don’t like him because he’s getting cuddly with Eric,” Yancy said.
“So long as he watches himself, he lives,” Dark said.
“How do you know Illinois?” Yancy asked, looking at Eric.
“I met him in Asher,” Ethan said. “Jack was already with him. Ill’s is fun, he keeps life interesting.”
“I’m sure,” Yancy said.
“What about you?” Dark said.
“I was in holding with some militia up in Axel, we broke out and came further south,” Jack said.
“Ah how is the heat treating you?” Dark said.
“It’s fucking hot as balls, but it beats Axel’s winters, I’ll tell you that much,” Jack said.
“Hmm, I bet you could tell me all sorts of things,” Dark said. “I’ve heard that Axel has wonderful singers, do you sing?”
“Like an angry cat, you don’t want me to sing anything,” Jack said around another mouthful.
Dark had a look in his eyes, the reflection of the fire in his dark eyes made the hunger more apparent. “Mayhaps, we will have to see. Are you enjoying the food?”
“Yeah, it’s good,” Jack said.
Then Dark reached over to where some of the food was and he handed Jack some small little fruit. Little red things that looked like they had thin, fibrous spikes on the outside.
“What is it?” Jack asked.
“Rambutan, fruits,” Dark said.
Ethan leaned in and Yancy leaned over to pluck a yellow one out of the bowl for him.
“Are they peanuts? I can’t have those.” Ethan said.
“No, they’re sweet,” Yancy promised. He grabbed another one and showed Jack and Ethan how to open one, showing a white flesh to the fruit. Jack found it sweet, with just a little bit of a sour tang to it. He liked it. Especially after the types of things he’d eaten for the last little bit.
“Mmm,” Jack said.
“Would you like more?” Dark said, already grabbing more of the spiked fruits.
“Sure,” Jack said.
Dark didn’t hand this one to Jack, he used a claw to open the fruit and held it up to Jack’s lips.
Jack looked at Dark for a bit, thinking, then he decided “Why the fuck not?” and leaned to take the white inside of the fruit into his teeth. But he also plucked the thing out of Dark’s hand just because he could.
“Feisty,” Dark said. His hand reached up, slowly to move the back of his hand over the side of Jack’s face.
“If you want an obedient dog you can look somewhere else,” Jack said.
“I think I know exactly what I’m looking for,” Dark said.
A small bowl of fruits was brought over and given to Ethan and Jack for them to share between them. Jack didn’t eat too many of them but Ethan started going to town on them after verifying they wouldn’t kill him.
They kept talking for a little bit, Jack enjoying the conversation about the places they'd been to, the sights they'd seen.
Then Ethan looked over into the crowd. “Illinois has been quiet for a while.”
“Probably getting us into trouble,” Jack made a move to stand.
“Yancy, why don’t you go and check on Illinois and take Ethan with you. Jack and I have some matters to discuss.”
Ethan looked over at Jack. “What about?”
“It’s alright,” Jack tried to see if he could spot Illinois. He wasn’t sure if he could. It was too dark towards the edge of the camp. “Shout if he’s being an ass.”
“Okay,” Ethan said and got up.
Jack waited until he and Yancy had left and it would be harder for them to listen in. “What do you want?”
“What makes you think that’s what we’re going to talk about?” Dark leaned closer.
“You look like the kind of guy who only talks about themselves,” Jack said.
“I talk about the things I like, you are bold for a creature with dull teeth and dull claws,” Dark said.
“If you were going to kill me, you would have done it already. So either you respect Illinois enough, or you want something from me.” Jack made sure to look Dark in the eyes.
Dark’s hand came up and his claws lightly raked through his scalp. Sharp claws were retracted just enough not to hurt him. “What a precocious little thing. So much bite for something so small. How refreshing. Are you certain you’re human?”
“Never tried to see if I’m anything else, I might have something but hell if I know,” Jack said.
“Hmm.” Dark’s hands continued to run through his hair. Jack liked the contact, but he wasn’t going to tell the naga that. “I’d like for you to stay here.”
“Why?” Jack said.
“Because I enjoy the fire in your eyes, I think you would look lovely in my nest and Illinois has enough pretty things in his collection and I would like another pretty thing in mine.”
“Not a reason, fucker,” Jack said.
“Fine, if you want more, I can give you more.” Dark circled around Jack, his body surrounding him but not coiling even slightly around him. “Illinois has stolen something very valuable from the Royal Archland family and every naga in the area wants their hands on what he stole. You stay with me and I will be even more incentivized to keep him safe.”
“Why do all care about some piece of shiny jewelry?” Jack asked.
“It belonged to a rather powerful naga and that naga’s den would give an awful lot to have it back, and I know what Illinois is about to do with it. So having Illinois, you, and that necklace will make me more powerful.”
“Why do you need me specifically?” Jack asked.
“He is quite fond of you,” Dark said.
Jack shrugged. “We trust each other enough.”
“In a perfect world we would have both you and your dear friend Ethan, but I’ll start with you and maybe having you here will convince him to stay as well.”
“That didn’t answer my question, I can’t just leave the fucker,” Jack finally pulled away a bit. Dark’s hands were too nice and he didn’t want the touch to keep going the way it was going, at least while Illinois was actually in danger. “Illinois and I are kinda a package deal, he’ll die if I don’t keep my eyes on him.”
“I think you’ll find he’s more capable than you know,” Dark said. “I can even prove it, I want you to go and bring your little reckless friend over here and tonight I can prove it to you.”
Dark looked into the crowd and then made a loud whistle. Jack groaned and went to cover his ears and stop the ringing in his ears.
“Your ears are sensitive,” Dark said and moved his hands to cup over Jack’s hands. Jack felt magic begin to seep into his body and the pains lessened in his ears. The ringing faded and so did the pain.
Illinois was walking over as Jack was recovering. “What’s— oh, Jack, you having fun?”
Jack flipped him off as he watched Ethan walk over.
“Everything alright?” Ethan asked.
“This asshole thinks—” Jack said before he was interrupted.
“Do you have it?” Dark asked before Jack could get his grievances out.
Illinois made some noise. “Of course I do. I couldn’t go into Archland and not swipe the thing.”
Then he pulled the pendant necklace out of his pocket. When Dark reached out to tak it, Illinois pulled back and buried it in his coat. “Nah, nah, nah. Dark, you’re not getting my bargaining chip yet.”
“I told you it was there, I told you how to get it,” Dark said.
Jack suddenly became aware of the fact that he was surrounded by Dark. He would have to climb over him to get away. Dark’s hands were still on him.
“Yeah, but, come on, Dark I gotta look out for me and my friends,” Illinois said.
Dark’s hand smoothed over the top of Jack’s head. “You’ll find that I care expertly for things.”
Jack pulled his head away. “He wants to keep me here.”
“Maybe you should stay,” Dark said.
“Maybe you should fuck off,” Jack said. He pushed against part of Dark’s body. “Let me out.”
Dark’s hand smoothed along the side of Jack’s head before he uncoiled around him.
“Thanks,” Jack said.
Illinois waited until Jack was over to him and he looked him in the eyes, then he pulled out the pendant and placed it directly into his hands. “You and Eef should stay.”
“What?” Jack asked, suddenly terrified.
“Why?” Ethan said.
“Because this place is about to get heated and the safest place to hide for the next little bit is with Dark,” Illinois said.
“It is,” Dark said.
“Sides, Jack, you always wanted to try settling down somewhere, maybe you should and if it’s not your thing you can join up with me the next time I swing around Dark’s turf?” Illinois carefully curled Jack’s hands around the pendant.
“And you run off and die?” Jack said.
“I’m not gonna die, but the longer you and Ethan stay with me, the more likely you two are to die,” Illinois said. “I’m the one who loses adventure partners, not the other way around.”
“Shouldn’t that be our choice?” Ethan said.
“It should, but for at least the next month or two I’ll do what I can to stay put here and then I’m going back to Archland.”
“Why?” Jack said.
“Cause I’m not done,” Illinois said and walked over to gesture to Dark. “We’re not done yet.”
“Illinois and I have a bit of a history,” Dark said. “Archland has been a thorn in our side and to everyone who lives in the area and that pendant is insurance.”
“If you’re thinking of a coup, that is such a dumb idea,” Jack said.
“Yeah, but it’s happening anyway, whether we want it to happen or not,” Illinois said. Archland’s days have long since been numbered and they’d just start attacking naga territories indiscriminately, decimating their army and leaving their capital open to foreign attacks. At best they play it smart and stay furious as they wait for an opportunity. If it wasn’t me stealing it, it would have been someone else.”
“We moved territories to put three different dens between us and them,” Dark said. “We know the woods better than them.”
“I say we stay the night and you two give it some thought,” Illinois said.
“If you’re going back there, I’m going with you,” Jack said.
“Yeah, I won't keep you from a good job,” Illinois said. “We’ll be back here anyways.”
“Eef?” Jack said.
“I don’t think any of us should go back to Archland, that’s a bad idea, and I’ll be spending however long we’re here convincing you two to make someone else go,” Ethan said.
“We got time to talk over the details,” Illinois smiled.
“Sorry Jack,” Ethan started to say.
“Never apologize for keeping yourself safe,” Jack said.
Jack looked back at Dark. “So guess we’re staying then.”
“There’s a large communal den, we all stay there,” Dark said.
“Thought you had a large den to yourself?” Jack said.
“We don’t let random humans into our living dens,” Dark said.
“What was that earlier then?” Ethan asked.
“It is whatever I want it to be,” Dark told him. “The three of you should tell me all about Archland. I’m sure the city was very interesting.”
Illinois sat back down and they talked for a little bit. Yancy came back to join them and they talked and ate for a little bit longer. Jack didn’t eat too much more but he did enjoy talking. The pendant necklace felt like it was burning a hole in his hands even though it didn’t weigh too much.
It was late into the night when the nagas headed back into the den. Others went on a late night hunt. Dark wasn’t the first to head back into the caves, but he did lead the three humans in. The communal nest was deep into the cave, kept away from the harsh sun when it peaked over the horizon and scorched everything in the jungle with humidity.
Dark’s part of the nest was towards the back, Yancy’s was close to his. The nest was made of large crosswork sections of branches, and mats made of large cushions of leaves and moss. It felt comfy enough to sleep on and there was an ambient heat to the room, not too hot but warm enough to sleep without blankets or covers.
Illinois and Ethan fell asleep after a little bit but Jack couldn’t. It was too foreign of an environment and his brain couldn’t let him fall asleep even though he felt exhausted.
Dark leaned closer, his eyes almost glowing in the darkness, “Having trouble, little human?”
“Maybe,” Jack said.
“Would you like some help?” Dark was smiling at him.
“Depends on the kind of help,” Jack said.
“Only the help you wish for, little human,” Dark said.
Jack tried not to disturb Ethan and Illinois as he crawled over to Dark.
“I’m waiting,” Jack said.
Dark reached down to lightly tug the necklace out of his grip.
“Hey,” Jack whispered, reaching for it again.
“Relax,” Dark said as he gently placed the necklace over his head and around his neck. Magic was at his fingertips. “There we go, what a fine little treasure. I’ve made sure it’ll be fine for you to sleep in.”
Jack’s fingers touched the pendant. “This belonged to a naga princess, and I think she would approve of my choice of who wears it.”
There was a look in Dark’s eyes, a gentler look. It didn't last long and Jack didn't know this naga enough to dig. Maybe he would later, if he had the chance. When he had the chance.
“Enough of that now, I think the important part is making sure that you’re comfortable. After all, you’re carrying something very important around your neck and I would like you to keep carrying it.”
“Why?” Jack said.
“Because I said so,” Dark said. He coiled up his body a little bit, forming a little nest out of his own body. “Now I agreed that would help you relax.”
Jack climbed up on top of Dark. “What’d you have in mind?”
Dark tugged on Jack’s arm until Jack’s back was almost to his chest. His claws lightly raking through his hair. “I can be quite patient pet. Especially when I have all the time in the world. And I do.”
Jack naturally nodded along with Dark running his hands through his scalp. “Hmm, really?”
“Illinois has a knack for finding pretty things, but I quite think he’s outdone himself this time.” One of Dark’s hands moved down to draw random patterns on his face and neck.
“The necklace?” Jack yawned.
“You,” Dark said quietly, his hands running up and down his neck. “By the time your precious little month is out I will make sure you know that deep in your bones.”
“Goin’ with Ills,” Jack mumbled into Dark’s arm.
“Sleep, little human, forget your struggles and sleep, I will do more to convince you tomorrow,” Dark said.
Nestled in with Dark, Jack actually managed to fall asleep. Maybe it was the physical contact that he rarely got. Maybe he actually felt safe and protected. But Jack figured that he could get used to this. And if the itch to move and travel was too much he could always go out with Illinois for a bit.
He fell asleep in the nest, warm and protected. Jack tucked his face into Dark’s side and fell asleep.