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Salamanders... of all the things to encounter, why salamanders?! Those were the thoughts that passed through poor Kadin's mind as he lay against a great tree, wounded and in pain as five rather hostile salamanders with long, finely sharpened swords stared at him, poised to end his suffering for good. As one of the cornered snake's assailants neared the tip of their blade to his scaly throat, the memory of how he came to be in this situation flowed through his mind as if he were living it again...

The day started early, as it always did. The dawn's light slowly cracked through the canopy of the forest, waking Kadin from his deep sleep as his body slowly warmed, stirring him from his restng place atop a large branch. As a snake, he kept to himself for the most part, not spending much time near family or others in general. His scales matched the forest leaves, hiding him from any below as he roused and climbed down from his resting place. His bright yellow eyes scanned the immediate area, looking for any possible threat before he yawned and stretched out wide, grabbing his bag satchel from inside a large hollow spot in the tree. He made his way down to his usual spot to get cleaned up, a small freshwater waterfall that he used for a water source and as a way of keeping his scales clean. The environment was always hot and muggy, so a shirt was rarely required. Kadin stood under the cold water and let it soak his body, paying extra attention to his tail so he didn't miss any spots. Despite prefering warmth, the cool water felt nice against his form, having the fresh cleansing water rinse him off from head to toe to tail. As a bonus, the sun's rays evaporated what water remained on him after he gathered his belongings, adding a nice feeling to his body as he made his way through the dense vegetation.

Never stay in one spot for too long except at night. Though he kept to himself, there were many others in the wilderness with him. Some weren't too bad, like the tigers along the coast, or those dolphins who lived in and near the lagoons to the west. Some folks though... sharks that hung around the eastern shorelines and sea caves were unpredictable, and salamanders weren't too accomadating most days either. Kadin knew how to fight, but seeing as he was alone usually, if he got outnumbered, his odds were slim. But that was a daily fact of life, so he didn't pay it too much thought. At the moment, his concern was finding a village or settlement that he could barter with for some medicinal herbs and other supplies in exchange for a few small items he'd collected, including a small gem he'd found on the forest floor a few days prior. Having lived in the area his whole life, Kadin was familiar with most paths that existed through the forest floor. Trouble was... he wasn't the only one. The tigers and salamanders didn't always see eye to eye, so the paths were often watched by one bunch or the other. If he ran into tigers or another snake, he might be able to bargain or simply go about his business. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky that day. Salamanders, like snakes, had a wide range of scale colors. As such, both parties were sometimes mistaken for eachother. This must've been the case for what happened next.

Morning had come and gone and the sun was now on its descent to the western horizon. Kadin hadn't passed a soul, but his tongue could taste the salt in the air, so he knew he had to be nearing the coastline. His feet, scaled as they were, still needed some rest from having walked so far. Kadin sighed and pulled his lengthy tail aside, setting his satchel beside him as he took a moment to rest against one of the many large trees that covered the area. His yellow eyes caught the sun's darkening orange hue amidst the growing shade of the forest, reflecting the light as his scales became gradually harder to make out in the dimming light. After near half an hour by his guess, Kadin rose and continued through the brush, keeping an eye towards the sun. If he got too near the coast, then he'd risk an encounter with sharks, which would be rather problematic at this point. Still, he followed the coastline while keeping to the woods as best as he could. As he neared what he remembered to be a village, he could've sworn he heard someone along the beach, maybe a local villager, but he couldn't be certain in the waning light. Kadin hurried along, his tail brushing and knocking against the foliage with little regard, hoping to reach a settlement before total nightfall. He did, but the locals had been getting restless of late, apparently. In no time, Kadin was away from there, encouraged by spear point and less then pleased tigers who believed he was a salamander come to stir up trouble. This led him straight into the forest, with little light left to let him make out where he was running off to.

Back in the present, Kadin reawoke to his unfortunate position, located at the business end of several swords wielded by some angry salamanders. Kadin had his hands up, trying to show he wanted no trouble, but the wound in his side, courtesy of an initial grazing slice from one of the salamanders, was taking its toll on him. One of the salamanders motioned him up, giving a look to one of the others to take his satchel and search it. Kadin watched carefully as the salamader going through his bag tossed his few belongings about carelessly, only stopping to keep the gem he'd found. Holding the gem in what appeared to be awe, the salamander, appearing to be female, though her features were difficult to make out in the near darkness, only illuminated by the torches Kadin's attackers carried. The female looked to her companions and simply nodded. With that, the leader raised his sword and struck Kadin on the head with the guard, rendering him unconscious.

Kadin woke up with his head aching like he'd been struck by several large, pointed rocks... or like they'd been bashed against him. Then he remembered that it wasn't stone, but metal that had struck him. He rolled his eyes and groaned in discomfort, slowly taking in his surroundings as his eyes hazily opened. Once he was fully awake, he wished he wasn't. He found himself, locked behind bars with his hands shackled to a wall. He shook his head and let out an annoyed slither as he laid his head back and tried to figure things out. From what he could tell, it was mid-day outside, and he wasn't guarded. Apparently he wasn't expected to go anywhere anytime soon. He tugged on his bindings to test their strength. No good, bound tight and immobile for the moment. As he started trying to think up an exit strategy,he was interupted by an older looking salamander, who motioned two guards accompanying him to undo Kadin's shackles and bring him outside, following the old one into what appeared to be their village. The huts were sturdy looking, either adobe or wooden shacks, it was obvious these folks had been here for a while. Once the group stopped, Kadin looked around but was suddenly knocked down and fell onto his knees and hands, dust rising abit from his fall. Out of a large hut a single salamander appeared, adorn in lavish coverings and a gown that seemed to be tailored to allow mobility, or possibly just so she could maintain a sense of dominance, Kadin wasn't sure. Whatever the case, this woman appeared to be the village leader, and Kadin had been brought before her for some unknown reason.

The lady salamander stood over her guest, her smoothe skin more of a scarlett color than most of her fellow salamanders, who wore skin patterns of orange or red mixed with dark patches. She knelt, raising Kadin's weary face to her with a single finger as if examining him. Her eyes moved rapidly, taking in every detail of his face. A grin spread across her face as she gently guided him up, turning away and stepping towards what appeared to be a throne of some sort. In his mind, Kadin was both intrigued, and rather annoyed at the whole thing. He hadn't done anything wrong to his knowledge, and if he had, no one had bothered to tell him. And yet despite this, he'd been attacked and knocked out, imprisoned, and now this woman, who had taken some sort of unknown interest in him, was looking him over as one does a valuable new gift. While he could hear villagers talking in the background, no one around him uttered a word. The woman salamander clicked her tongue quickly, and out of a nearby shack a single female appeared, hooded and seemingly only having reached adolescence. The woman spoke to the young one, whispering but glancing back with a smile of excitement and curiosity. The young one bowed and walked away, giggling to herself for some reason that Kadin did not wish to try to consider. He turned his attention to the woman upon her throne and shot a silent look of bewilderment and outrage. His response was a charming smile and a simple clap of his captors hands, which was followed by his escort picking him up and taking him to another shack. This one was different though, out of the way, more grand and regal than any others he'd seen thus far.

While still fairly basic in decor,it was still rather pleasant. A large bed was in the back center, a small fire pit was built into the ground, surrounded by pillows for comfort of those around it, and numerous chimes and pieces of hand crafted trinkets hung about the walls. It would seem he was to be given the royal treatment... things just kept getting weirder for the confused snake. He examined his immediate surroundings for a long while, rubbin his head trying to decypher a single question: Why?

He was soon met with an answer. He was greeted by a small precession of what seemed to be priestesses, followed by the lady salamander from before. While her servants remained silent along the walls of the place, only she chose to speak to her new guest.

"I appologize if my search party was too rough with you before bringing you here. They can be overzealous when seeking to meet my desires."

"That's an understatement. Mind explaining why I was brought here in the first place? I don't recall giving the salamanders any grief before."

"True, you have not. Had that been the case, you'd have been met with greater force then you were. I took the liberty of having your wound attended to. It should be healed in good time as long as you are careful. As to why I have brought you here, the answer is simple. You were found in possession of something rather important to my people. A rather valuable looking gem, to be precise."

"That stone belongs to you folks, huh? If that's the case, why not just take the thing and leave me be?"

"You see, several months ago, one of my priestesses went out to try to negotiate with the furry denizens of the coastline. On her journey, she was unfortunate to have misplaced a gem that was sacred to us. When I found out, I sent out groups to find it, but it seems it had been in motion for some time."

"Hey I only picked the thing up a short time ago. Had I known it was so special, I'd have just left it near your people's settlement and been done with it."

"Perhaps, but if you had, then we would not have had the chance to meet. You see, I'm curious about you. I've heard about your people, how you are so solitary and alone. I asked my guards to escort anyone here who was found to be in possesssion of the gem. When I learned that one of you had found our gem, I wanted to take the chance to learn about you and to speak to you in person. So, I invited you here."

"Some invitation... should I expect to be "greeted" by your guards so warmly every time I see them?"

"You needn't fear my servants. They will not harm you so long as I do not allow it. I am Lady Evarra, high priestess and leader of this settlement."

She smiled and held out a hand kindly, though Kadin was somewhat hesitant to shake the hand of the one responsible for his imprisonment. He nodded and returned her kindness quickly enough, however, unwilling to risk repeating the experience of visiting this place the first time. The priestess, in a move surprising to Kadin, took his smoothely scaled hand in hers and lightly put her lips to it in an affectionate, and according to her eyes, apologetic gesture. Kadin wasn't sure how to follow up on that, so he simply nodded his head and smiled a little as he retook his hand slowly. This woman was powerful, charismatic and charming... and seemed to have taken a more than curious interest in Kadin.

"For tonight, you'll be my honored guest and welcome to all the luxuries that follow. You shall not be harmed, and are free to take your leave if you so desire. Though I wish you to stay for the night and allow me to formally apologize for your suffering in coming here."

"Thank you, Lady Evarra... I, appreciate your kindness and generosity. Perhaps I will take you up on your offer to stay for the night, but may I ask that I be given my satchel back, and perhaps also a new pair of pants? It seems that mine have been rather abused in the last 48 hours."

"It will be so. Welcome to my village, Sir..."

"Kadin."

"Kadin. Again, welcome to my home, and please make yourself comfortable during your stay here."

The Priestess and her underlings walked out of the home single file, Evarra showing what for a second looked like a rouge color on her skin pattern. it must've been a trick of the light or something. Kadin found himself a cushioned spot and simply sat there, closing his eyes and trying to ease himself from his stressed state. A priestess appeared shortly after, presenting him with his satchel and replacement clothing and then quickly leaving, her tail twitching as if stressed. What that was about, Kadin had a guess. He smirked a bit and changed, his tail giving him a little trouble getting into his new attire. Once changed, he shrugged and decided to explore a little. The village was organized, he'd say that much at least. Guards stood along the walls overlooking the forest, the homes he could see into were neat, and even the ground was swept and taken care of. Children played while their parents worked, occassionally passing a curious look of awe and wonder. Seems snakes weren't too commonly seen in the area. The odd priestess or two could be seen meandering through the town, dressed in similar fashion to their leader, but with obvious distinctions.

The day was otherwise fairly slow from then on. Kadin walked about the village as if accepted by most, although the occassional giggle was heard from the young girls, as if knowing something. Kadin only shook his head to this and returned tothe Priestess' chambers where he'd been taken earlier. Still not sure what to expect, he sighed and flicked the end of his tail in annoyance. Finding a cool spot across from the bed, he closed his eyes and rested his scaly head against the wall, letting himself drift off into a light sleep, his tail subconsciously dragging along the floor and his serpentine tongue quietly flicking in between his lips quickly, as if he was watching for something even in sleep. Given all that had happened so far, his habit was welcomed, though it had not done him any good previously, as proved by his capture. Still, why he was given quarters n the priestess' chambers was a mystery, and not one that he much cared to solve. Just get out and back to his life, without any fuss, that's all Kadin desired at that point.

Evening came, and he was brought a dish of surprisingly fine food from what sounded like a group feast outside by one of the Priestess' desciples. On her way back outside, she paused and looked to him, her face wearing the question of why he didn't join everyone else. The answer was rather obvious. Kadin still felt uneasy in the village, and was a loner by nature. He gave the young woman a respectful nod of appreciation and she left, leaving Kadin to simply meditate and eat his meal at his leisure. Once it seemed the feast was done, most folks retired to their homes, which meant that the Priestess would soon be joining Kadin, a prospect that made his scales shiver with unease. She entered her chambers and looked puzzled, wondering where her guest could be if not there. As she turned to look outside for him, she stopped as she noticed Kadin in the same place he'd been for the evening: Leaning against the wall in a relaxed manner, an empty dish a few feet away with his eyes closed and tongue slipping in and out as customary. She smiled a bit and walked quietly over to Kadin, placing a hand on his shoulder to gently rouse him from slumber. When his eyes shot open at her approach, her hand recoiled and made her take a startled step back. Evarra let out a light chuckle and apologetically bowed her head to Kadin, who returned the favor and rose from the floor steadily.

"So, Lady Evarra, I take it the feast went well."

"Indeed, though I admit I was fairly disappointed to notice your absense."

"Group functions aren't exactly my cup of tea. I prefer to keep to myself and enjoy the quiet."

"I see. Well I hope you find the room accomodating, Kadin."

"It's fine, thank you. Though I assume that you'll be retiring to your bed there in a moment?"

"I shall. Though, you are welcome to share if you would find it more comfortable..." Evarra let a little smile of hope cross her lips, though whether or not Kadin noticed seemed irrelevent in the end.

"I appreciate your hospitality, Lady Evarra, but I must decline. Besides, I'm used to sleeping on mossy branches in the canopies."

"Oh come now my dear, are you sure you don't wish to at least lie down on a real bed for the night? I promise I won't bite."

Kadin looked to Evarra, to the bed, and then back to her, and then proceeded to do something totally unexpected. Moving fluidly as only a snake can, he stepped in and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, making her blush, visible even on her dark rouge skin. Evarra remained speechless. She had been interested in Kadin, sure, but was not accustomed to anyone doing something like kissing her on their own accord. Kadin took her hand in his, held it tenderly, and walked by to the fire pit, stoking the flame so he could stay comfortable. As he sat down, Evarra started to move again, albeit uncertainly at first. She walked to the pit and sat beside Kadin, leaning against the cushiony pillows and holding her legs close to her chest, looking over to Kadin and watching him simply lean back lazily.

Kadin looked back to her and simply smiled to her, nodding kindly.

"Why... why did you kiss me just then, Kadin?"

"Seemed like the right thing to do. You wanted to share a bed, I'm not feeling like that's a good idea. But I wanted to show that I still liked you, even though you're more flirty than I'm used to. Ergo, I kissed you and now you are welcome to sit by me if you please."

Again, she was speechless. Not only had Kadin been perfectly honest with her and stayed completely calm despite her teasing and position of authority, but he'd complimented her and even made her blush in the process. She was thoroughly impressed, to say the least. Having nothing else to say, or, being unable to find something to say, Evarra simply smiled and leaned over onto Kadin's shoulder, cuddling with him affectionately as their tails casually rubbed against each other and crossed. It was quiet that evening. Cool, quiet, and comfortable. A good night to spend with someone. As morning came, the sun slowly rose over the horizon and tree tops, its warm dawn rays piercing the canopy to the forest floor. The village began to stir as people began to wake and begin morning routines. As the Priestess' handmaidens went to her chambers to assist their lady with her duties and preparing for the day ahead, only to stop and giggle amongst themselves as they observed her with her arms wrapped affectionately around Kadin. In their minds, all they could think about was how quickly it took for Kadin to woo their lady.

Their presense was noticed by Kadin, as he slowly opened his eyes and nodded to them, letting them help him carry Evarra to her bed as he exited and prepared himself for his venture home. The morning waned and neared mid-day before Evarra rose and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She looked around her room, somewhat crestfallen when she saw that Kadin was absent. She let out a sigh and shook her head in minor sadness. She slowly walked outside, tail dragging along the ground disappointedly, only to be stunned again by Kadin, who sat in a nicely craftted wooden chair sipping on tea with a gentle smile on his face. Her face went from surprised to relieved, to upset, then back to happy as she looked to Kadin and smiled.

"Sleep well, Lady Evarra?"

"Indeed, my dear. Hope you rested comfortably as well."

"Can't complain. I assume that gem of yours that I found was meant as a sort of bonding token, judging from the way your desciples have been talking and giggling whenever they see me."

"Hehe.. yes, the gem is part of our bond rituals... had you decided to share my bed, you'd have been expected to be part of the ceremony and stay here with me. Guess that didn't work like I'd planned, huh?"

"Suppose not. Still, it was a good evening. Though next time you want to have company, might I suggest not having them brought at spearpoint and sword tip."

"Hahaha, I will surely consider this, dear. I assume then that means that you'll be taking your leave of me then?"

"Afraid so, Lady Evarra. I need to be getting to my own home, maybe try to settle things with those cats near the sea since they chased me off before."

"Awwwww... well, will I perchance see you again."

"I wouldn't doubt it, Evarra."

With that, Kadin took Evarra's hand and kissed it affectionately, bowing to her and then grabbing his bag as he went out the gates, striding in his usual casual manner, enjoying the shade of the canopy and the warmth of the sun on his scales...