Numble's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

The winged serpent still watched Numble from its high branch. Two days had passed, and Numble could not decide what it was. Predator or guest? Threat or nothing? It never touched the fruit. It never bared its fangs. Each dawn it stared at him with bright blue eyes and said nothing. Numble growled at it once. The serpent only tilted its head. He could not judge a thing that gave him no sign. So he chose to let it be. He kept his distance, kept his watch, and turned back to his rounds. That night Numble walked the edge of the grove. Moonlight fell on the pines. Near the roots of the tallest healing tree, something glowed green and slick. It shifted like spilled water, then formed a lumpy shape. Tiny yellow flowers dotted its skin. Two calm eyes rose from the slime and looked up at him. "You've been scowling at her for two days," the creature said. Its voice was slow and old. "Wolves. Always growling first, thinking second." Numble's fur bristled. He crouched, claws ready. "Who are you?" "Clova. I've lived under these trees longer than your grandfather's grandfather." The slime rippled, unbothered by his claws. "Put those away. I don't taste good." Numble lowered his hand, slow. "Her," he said. "You mean the serpent." "Willa." Clova turned one eye toward the high branch. "That's her name. She isn't hunting you, wolf. She's hiding." "Hiding from what?" "Binclaws." Clova's slick body shivered at the word. "Black beasts with wings, quick as panthers, cruel as winter. They drove Willa from her old home. She flew far to escape them." One flower slid down his side as he leaned closer. "She landed here for a reason. Your grove felt safe. Glowing fruit, tall trees, and a guard who turns away the greedy. She watched you send that hunter off. She decided you would keep her safe too." Numble looked up at the serpent. She had not moved. Now he saw her stillness for what it was. Not a stare. A creature too tired and too scared to trust, waiting to learn if she could stay. "She never took a fruit," Numble said slowly. "She could have. I slept. She didn't." "No," Clova agreed. "Guests don't steal. You of all beasts should know worthy from wicked." Numble stood a long moment. Then he plucked one glowing fruit and set it on the flat rock beneath Willa's branch. He stepped back. "Stay if you want," he called up. "Nothing hunts you here." The serpent uncoiled. She glided down, slow and careful, and took the fruit in her jaws. Her bright eyes met his, and something in them eased. Numble had wanted a quiet cabin for himself alone. Now the grove held a guest with wings and an old enemy that could follow her. His watch had just grown larger. Somewhere out there, the Binclaws still hunted.