381 The Naga King (1/2)

Tautius studied the Naga for a few moments before speaking. ”Welcome, Floyd, the First. The trials have chosen.”

[Whisper: Sori to Nix] May I use Deep Blue for a moment? It won't take long.

[Whisper: Nix to Sori] Yes. Ducky has it. Bring us back a healer.

[Whisper: Sori to Nix] Do not let Floyd greet the Serpent Clan until I return.

Ducky gave him a questioning look a few moments later; Nix nodded while he listened to the council greet, Floyd.

/Inferno: Nix: We'll have to settle the Serpent Clan, Mari'Djinn was going to do it.

/Inferno: Chiba: How? We don't have any contacts.

/Inferno: Floyd: Do not worry. I will handle this.

The Naga bowed low to the others on the platforms. ”Please excuse me. I must introduce myself to the members of the Serpent Clan.”

Tautius nodded his head. ”If you need assistance, the other Firsts will help you.”

Floyd's face was expressionless while he thanked the council. He stayed in Naga form and joined the other members of Inferno.

/Inferno: Ducky: You okay, Floyd?

/Inferno: Floyd: No, I'm being overrun with the memories of my ancestors. I need a few moments.

/Inferno: Milat: What's that mean?

/Inferno: Sharl: Floyd shares the racial memories of every Naga King that has come before him. Before now, only bits and pieces of it were easily accessible.

Sharl placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. As his spirit companion, she could feel his strength growing. ”Focus on the memories; we will handle things until you are ready.”

/Inferno: Chiba: I will do the Lion quest. I haven't blooded my new gold blade properly.

/Inferno: Nix: Sori went to get some back-up, you can team up with whatever healer is available.

[Whisper: Sharl to Nix] Sori went to retrieve the Six.

[Whisper: Nix to Sharl] The Six?

[Whisper: Sharl to Nix] The Six best warriors among the Lamia. They have been trained for the sole purpose of protecting him when he claims his heritage.

[Whisper: Nix to Sharl] There isn't a Lamia nation, they are all Scorched Earth Acolytes.

[Whisper: Sharl to Nix] The Serpent Clan will become his nation. This is probably the best outcome for us.

[Whisper: Nix to Shar] We will give him whatever aid he requires.

Inferno sat together in the market place; the scorching heat of the desert sun did nothing to prevent customers from looking for deals. In fact, it was just the opposite. Unlike the inhabitants of Phai City, the serpent city seemed to be bustling with energy.

[Whisper: Nix to Sori] How come you aren't one of the six?

[Whisper: Sori to Nix] My responsibilities lie elsewhere.

Nix slipped on his bracer without commenting further. He noticed that Pinkie was watching him, so he shook his head slightly. ”Morti isn't here, Pink. He is in Haven with his parents. I'll probably summon him for the next trial, though.”

Pinky greeted him with a wave. ”That's fine; I just thought he' be here.”

Pinky was one of the Inferno players who focused on the Embassy; months earlier, she formed a group with Sila and Morti. With Morti tanking, the three of them dominated the leaderboard and were pushing steadily toward the 100th floor.

Nix kept tabs on the pink-haired cleric's progress. A second group made up of Zhava, Nezbit, and Chael were the number two embassy group. ”Do you mind joining up with Chiba for one of the trials? We need a healer.”

Pinky shook her head slightly. ”With Chiba? No problem, she's awesome.”

/Inferno: Nix: Thanks to everyone for coming. We are here to back Floyd's play. Get ready for a fight.

The two Gemini thieves approached him; Nix could tell that something was bothering them. ”What's up, guys?”

The frown on Semmi's face deepened. ”Pon is gone. No one has seen him, and he isn't answering his messages.”

Nix opened his hud and checked the Fire Mage's status; the old man was anonymous. ”He told me he had something to take care of and that he'd be gone a few days.”

You have joined the Alpha Channel.

/Alpha: Semmi: What? Did you speak to him?

/Alpha: Nix: Yes. I'm sure he's fine. No one's going to mess with Pon.

/Alpha: Semmi: Why wouldn't he tell me?

/Alpha: Nix: I'm sure he didn't want you to worry. So... stop worrying.

/Alpha: Wind: He probably has another woman on the side.

/Alpha: Nix: Good point. It's probably a side-woman.

Semmi stared at her two teammates for a moment, before the beginnings of a smile started to show.

/Alpha: Semmi: Who else would put up with that guy?

/Alpha: Wind: No one.

/Alpha: Nix: You're a Saint Sem.

/Alpha: Wind: Looks like a group is approaching Floyd.

Nix turned to see two people walking toward Floyd. They were flanked by a half-dozen others.

/Alpha: Semmi: Better get over there boss. We'll stealth and provide back-up.

By the time Nix arrived, the group had already left. Floyd was standing with Sharl; the six Lamia acolytes were standing behind him. ”What did they want?”

Floyd held up a small note written on parchment. ”Those are the Serpent Clan leaders. The woman is named Thessa, and the male is Umbrik. I'm to present myself to the family heads tonight.”

Nix waited until the group exited through the snake mounds before he replied. ”What's your first impression of them?”

”Both dickheads,” Floyd answered.

”Floyd...” Sharl sighed and looked like she wanted to smack him.

”Fine... Sorry, Sharl. What I meant to say is that I don't trust them.”

[Whisper: Floyd to Nix] I'm not sure how to handle this meeting, Nix. My racial memories seem a bit ruthless.

[Whisper: Nix to Floyd] Either way, we'll have your back.

[Whisper: Floyd to Nix] No recommendations?

[Whisper: Nix to Floyd] Well... I'm pretty good at diplomacy. If it were me, I'd go in hard and make examples of your enemies. Plenty of time to play nice later.

[Whisper: Floyd to Nix] That's what my racial memories are saying. The Clan Leaders gave me a meeting place in the Under-City.

[Whisper: Nix to Floyd] Let's get ready then. How long until the meeting?

[Whisper: Floyd to Nix] It's at 1600 hours.

/Inferno: Nix: Feel free to do a bit of shopping; if you have a snake form, the under-market is even more impressive.

/Inferno: Jun Li: Under-market?

/Inferno: Nix: The mounds with the large holes lead to a second city beneath this one.

/Inferno: Wind: Really?

*****************

1540 hours, Under City.

/Inferno: Semmi: Where do you want those of us without a snake form?

/Inferno: Nix: Group up and stealth in the market. Be ready for anything.

/Inferno: Semmi: Nansu analyzed the Terror Poison antidote while Shi was unfreezing the infirmary. She's confident that she can copy it.

/Inferno: Nix: Great idea. Let's hope we don't need it.

Sharl, Floyd, Milat, Sori, and Nix were flanked by the six as they made their way to the meeting hall. The streets and bazaar were notably empty when the Inferno Group passed through it.

/Inferno: Floyd: Seems too quiet.

/Inferno: Sharl: Whatever you decided, I've got your back.

/Inferno: Floyd: Thanks.