She was surprised by the faint blue light that illuminated the inside of the hollow trunk. Kest had spoken of the trees’ strange rubberiness and illumination, but the strain of being connected to Guyrin had driven it from her mind. The broad, bare room was below ground level, with wide, twining, translucent roots shining overhead onto a dirt floor beneath. Large red tubers were piled against the far wall – it was a root cellar of some sort. Damp mustiness hung in the air, reminding her that they were not far above the level of the swamp.
The others followed quickly. Kest carried Guyrin, who was moaning and shaking his head. Nira tried to still her heart and focus her thoughts on the Naga. It can’t hold me – I can show this snake bitch whatever nightmare I please. Let’s see how you like it! But when she tried to narrow her thoughts to reshape the Naga’s perceptions, blinding pain lanced from her spine up to the top of her head. Her exertions with Guyrin had weakened her too much. She swooned in the Naga’s arms, and they tightened around her. “None of that, please,” the monster said calmly.
“Now,” said Gamarron as he shut the cunning little door behind them, “here we are. Speak.”
“I’ve been watching you sneak about for an hour now, and the curiosity’s killing me. I want you to tell me what sort of mischief you’re up to, you sly little ground apes.” The Naga took a long, slow whiff at Nira’s neck, and she couldn’t control a shudder. “Otherwise, I suppose I could start on an early dinner.”
Gamarron held out a forestalling hand. “If you harm her, I will kill you.”
The Naga fell still behind her. “Oh dear, you thought I was serious?” The monster gave a delicate snort. “Every last one of you would need three baths before I’d take so much as a nibble. Here, have her back.” The arm encircling her let her loose and gave her a little push toward her companions.
What? The others looked as shocked as she felt. She spun to face her erstwhile captor and got her second shock in as many seconds.
“Male,” said Kest stupidly. “You’re a male.”
The slender snake-man preened under their scrutiny. “How kind of you to notice.” He was narrower in the shoulder than any of the Naga they had seen. His chestnut hair was curled artfully, and the smooth angles of his face showed faint traces of cosmetic paints. Ropes of shell necklace ringed his throat, and his fingernails sparkled faintly as he crossed his arms over his bare chest in false modesty. He had put away the knife somewhere, though Nira had no idea where he hid it.
“A male Naga,” Renna breathed, her eyes avid. “Let’s kill it and sell the corpse.”
“Not helpful,” Gamarron told the Weaver. “Forgive our reaction,” he said to the smirking Naga. “To the best of my knowledge, humans have never encountered your sex among the Naga. It has been assumed that only females exist.”
“I knew humans were stupid,” the Naga said, shaking his head, “but I assumed you at least understood how mating works.”
“Never mind that,” Gamarron said. “Why have you holed us up in here? If you had raised an alarm, we’d all be dead.”
“And how did you even see us?” demanded Nira. “We were hidden.”
The smiling Naga spread the empty fingers of one hand, flourished them, and plucked a clear lens out of the air like a country fair entertainer. “Glass,” he whispered dramatically. “It splits light into its components. Did you know that?”
Guyrin, somewhat recovered, pointed at the lens with a shaking hand. “Your glass can see through bends in light?”
He gave a charming, melodic little laugh. “None of you even know the first thing, do you? Oh, humans,” he purred tolerantly. “I don’t know how the others can bear to kill your kind. I’d keep you around just for entertainment.”
“All right, you little shit,” grated Renna. “If you think we’re just going to sit and let you mock us at your leisure, you’re in for a disappointment. Any one of us could make short work of you, maybe even the girl.” Nira wondered if smashing the woman’s mouth in with a rock would push the odd Naga man to violence and wished she could risk it.
The Naga waved his hand languidly. “Yes, yes, I’m sure you are most puissant. But I’m not going to fight you. You’re the most interesting thing that’s happened in a year. I had to catch your attention before you all died very messily. You won’t get in the front door of the First Tree, no matter what tricks your curly little Chaos lad can do. I’m not the only one with a glass scry lens, you know.”
“I find it difficult to believe that you don’t wish us harm,” Gamarron said dryly. “The history of our peoples is not known for its peaceful discourse.”
The Naga shrugged. “As you have so astutely noted, I am not like most of my people.”
“Sir…” Gamarron began.
“Tychus,” the Naga supplied, with an elegant bow of the head.
“Tychus. Are the males of your kind somehow less violent or more social? The Naga we humans know try to murder us without compunction.”
“Females make such problems,” sighed the Naga. “Bite first, think later. Not that the other males are any better. They live for the breeding chamber, obsessed with their paints and feathers, squabbling to be chosen by the most powerful and dominant among our warriors. It’s pathetic. No, human, I am not different because I’m male, I’m different because I read, and because I am not ruled by the vicious passions of a female.” He
