Amaryn

'The Seeker'

Naja coils over quickly when he and Arden arrive at Akiva’s, scales sliding smoothly over sand before it coils up his wrist, around his neck, to take its preferred roosting spot around one horn. Ticky doesn’t take kindly to that, squawking at the snake, but Naja merely rears back and hisses, a reminder of what it’s capable of if it so wishes, and Ticky spits one last curse before relocating to Arden’s shoulders. In the bird’s absent, Crotalus coils down to take up perch on the other horn to Naja, the two hissing back and forth.

“She’s in!” Arden calls. “Hey there Davik. Ryn’s got the new finds - might even be some friends in the bundle for you today, how’s that?”

Davik’s approving hisses perk up Crotalus and Naja, and by the time Ryn makes his way to the tent flap Akiva’s already striding out, passing Procella into Altair’s hands before stepping into the sun.

The toad never does like going outside the tent much, except for when it rains, but Akiva’s own nest of serpents lift their heads to hiss greetings to Crotalus, gossip passing between the serpents easily as Arden scratches gently at the crannies of Davik’s lamp until the spectral serpent’s hisses sound almost like purrs.

Akiva’s greeting is always a thorough hug, and their companions know well enough how to perch without obstructing the wrapping of wings and limbs.

“It’s been so long!” she cries. “Come in, come in; Alty, Amaryn’s back!”

“Kettle’s on, love!” is Altair’s reply. His hands are clearly busied with Procella, distracted from whatever work he’d been set. Tilla, at least, pays no mind, simply getting on with it, her tail flicking back and forth to occupy Altair’s various charges.

They move deeper into the tent, Akiva scooping Procella back up. In the back portion of the tent, behind various hangings, she sets Procella into her vivarium, pouring out a little water before setting the net lid back in place.
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“No more escaping,” she says in firm scold, before lifting the kettle and pouring tea. The sharp, refreshing smell of mint sings out and Ryn relaxes at last, shrugging off his burden of bags and bags and bags of findings.

“We heard about that lost hatchling,” Akiva says, nodding. “Arden gave fantastic directions; he got back two days after he found you. You weren’t short on water were you, giving from your stores?”

Ryn shakes his head, lifts his cup to blow a cooling breath over it. “Crotalus had sniffed us out a well a few days before - if anything we were over-laden.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Akiva replies and he nods. Pleased, she claps her hands. “Well!” she continues. “I know that map I gave you was more than a little speculative, but this looks promising!”

“No shattered serpents at least, that’s for sure,” he agrees, and Naja hisses approvingly. There’s scrolls in the bags, ones he’s sure will let Akiva find more possible locations for him to scout, and several jars of uncertain origin. Not much by way of treasures - but one lost earring that looks centaur in design that he wants to show to Tilla, one bag of ancient fabrics that he thinks seem serthis in origin. Things Akiva will find a use for, no doubt. Arden flutters over from behind, taking perch on the back of a chair, leaning his staff against the table.

“A few good things,” Arden says. “Ryn, show her the lunulae.”

Akiva’s crest perks up, her eyes bright and Ryn can’t help his smile. As he sifts through the bags to find the right one - marked with a yellow silk ribbon - he’s glad he has Arden as a friend. The raptorik is right - Akiva will love the amulets.

Notes: • Naja - from the name for Cobras, Naja naja • Ticky - Tickbird • Crotalus - black-tailed rattlesnakes • Procella - means storm, for Akiva’s toad

x x x Spined Cobra Familiar Would-be charmers would be wise to invest in a clay pot; these spiny serpents shred wicker baskets. 0 Raptorik Herder Familiar Although agriculture and animal husbandry are rare on the savanna, some Raptorik beastclans have developed a way to lure herds into traps and enclosures for easy hunting. 2300