Dream: The Favored Ones

Date: 3/14/2020

My name was Adder. I was told it was because I was born under the favor of the serpent king. Meaning I could communicate with snakes and get them to leave us alone when necessary. My parents died when I was little so it was the orphanage that told me this. Mom and Dad helped that orphanage in many ways so that any kids that went would be well cared for. The staff there became my family. The kids there became my friends. Even though my parents were gone I wasn't alone. Then I became old enough to leave. I began my own life. Yet it was still not easy blending in because I wasn't totally normal. At the orphanage my gift was helpful to keep the snakes away from the other kids and staff. In the real world, amongst people who don't fully understand those with gifts, not so easy. I'd made a small part of my apartment a safe haven for snakes when the colder seasons came around. People thought I was weird for it. Honestly I just never held any grudge against them. Then I met Asher. He emitted an aura of heat and was probably the sweetest person I'd met since leaving the orphanage. When he came by the house the snakes loved him and would give little snake kisses before heading back to their little dens for food. He seemed to understand why I worked with reptiles, mostly snakes, in my field of work. He'd become my best friend. But then a hole opened up in my floor while we were with my snakes. Soon we were awaking to my snakes all hissing and rattling to wake us up. We looked around to see a vast forest and a man neither of us recognized. "Adder. Asher. Welcome to Trizaia. The realm of magic. Creatures and people of many types live here and it is here you two are originally from." The man told us as I watched some of my snakes slither up to him. "The Serpent King…" I whispered before immediately earning his gaze. "I haven't been called that in quite some time. You may call me Esra." The man told me. "You and Asher should stick together. This place can teach you much about your gifts that you haven't awoken… but it also has a chance to harm you if you get separated." Esra stated before turning to Asher, "Do not fear the gift you were given. It will guide you." "Easier said than done. My gift isn't exactly easy to contain." Asher stated as small flames sparked to life on his fingertips. "Then don't contain it. Work with it." Esra told him before nodding. "I must go. You two have a long journey ahead. Meet me again in Serrano, the kingdom of the sun." Before either of us could get out another word, he was gone. The flames on Asher's fingers went out and he looked to me. "Scary right?" He said as he looked back at his hand. "I've seen scarier." I told him and took his hand in mine, "I've been scarier." "You, mister Adder, are very unlikely to be scary." Asher said with a laugh.  One of the rattlesnakes slithered up to my shoulder and hissed at him. I just laughed and let go of his hand. "You never walked into a room with a man surrounded by deadly serpents." I told him before whispering to my snakes. Some of them began to hiss and communicate with snakes nearby and then gave me the directions I wanted. I looked to Asher. "Follow us. We'll be heading to a town soon." I told him as I followed the slithering and hissing path ahead of us. The walk to the town was a long one. We found our way out of the forest and onto a long dirt path. At the edge of the path was a lively small town. They looked to be taking part in a festival. Asher kept hold of my hand so we didn't get separated as we wandered through town. My snakes all slithered about on me and Asher to keep from getting stepped on. "I wonder what's being celebrated here." I whispered as we weaved our way through the crowd. "I'm more just hoping your friends don't bite me if someone bumps into me." Asher said with a hint of anxiousness. "They won't bite you. Maybe whoever bumps into you but not you. They know you're a good one." I told him with a laugh, "Plus they like your warmth." "Well I'm glad they at least like my warmth." Asher joked as we wound to a not so crowded area. I spotted a woman and man talking over there and went up to them. "Excuse me, could you tell me where we're at? My friend and I are a bit lost." The woman's eyes were serpentine and she grinned, "You must be one of King Esra's favored. You have such adorable companions." I felt a blush creep across my cheeks, "Yeah. So… could you help us out a bit?" The man chuckled at my response. "Variscite, during the Festival of Green Embers. Queen Variscite is the mistress of flame and protects our lands from the harsh fires that can come during the summer heat. We're holding a celebration in her honor." "How far from here is Serrano?" I asked him. "About a week by carriage." The man stated and noticed Asher, "One of the few favored by the Queen." "P-pardon?" Asher stammered as he squeezed my hand. "I can see the fire coursing through your veins, kid. No wonder those snakes like you." The man said and the woman laughed at him. "Umm do you by chance no of somewhere we might be able to rest for the night? We've been on the road quite a bit already." I intervened as Asher tried to calm his own flood of embarrassment. "Why Old Henry runs a tavern here in town but ya gotta work to earn a room. He don't give no freebies." The woman stated. We eventually found Old Henry. I put on a couple snake charmer performances with my snake friends and he gave us a free room. Asher used his fire to help the cook out and we got free food. It was a strange yet nice setup. Plus my snakes ate some of the pesky mice that were bothering the other tenants so they got fed pretty well too. It was a good night. The following day we met Queen Variscite who left a scroll for Asher to teach him some methods to work with his fire. I hope one day he won't be afraid of it. We traversed farther and met more people. Soon enough we met Avery. He was another favored one. Favored by the king of the winds. He had sharp canines and seemed a bit like a trickster. Asher didn't like him. I had a hard time with him but he'd yet to really show me reason not to trust him. Even so, I was cautious. Last thing I remember before waking up was Avery and Asher brawling and my snakes hiding behind me. I heard a voice whisper to me "you are stronger than you know" and then I awoke.