We ended up driving the carriage slowly down the road. Which drove Malady mad, I could see her shifting in her seat looking at the reins. She really must like driving fast. Lamis was in the drivers compartment bundled in blankets so she doesnt pass out again. She was directing Vylet, showing her the path she took from her village. From what she told us she and her sisters lived in a large cave that stayed reasonably warm all year. The cave was hidden from outsiders by a large wall of shrubbery and plant life, and some small but wide trees that helped keep the place warm.

No humans lived nearby so they could go wherever they wanted to. Well, at least they could during the warm months. Lamis said warm alot and whenever she said it she had a peaceful and calm expression. Like she was at peace with the world. Made me wonder if her sisters were like her, I almost laughed at the thought of a bunch of grown lamias, wide eyed and chanting warm with dopey expressions.

I was in the back because there wasnt much space for me in the front with all three of the girls in there. I could hear them through the wall though. It was a little distorted however I was sitting with my back against the wall so I could still hear them pretty well. I wanted to know where she was taking us so I was eavesdropping, but she wasnt really sure of the location. She just knew the route she followed to get there, so thats where we went. We ended up going off the main road and into the fields for a while. Until we came to yet another forested area, except this forest was thick and the trees were close together with thick arm-like vines spread out in the branches.

The snow stopped just before the forest, leaving a clear line showing where the forest began. It was odd because once we passed the line the temperature changed to a pleasant warmth. The windows in the carriage immediately fogged up. I took off my jacket and opened some of the windows to let the warm air in. The air rushing in created a nice warm breeze. I can tell why the lamias like this place, It was consistantly warm and moist, which I think is good for their scales. The carriage stopped just outside the treeline, I heard the front compartment open and them get out. So I got out too, making sure to take my sword and some jerky with me.

Malady and Vylet were stretching from the long drive while Lamis was doing a weird little spin on her snake body. I couldnt help but smile at her happy face and almost burst out in laughter at the little dance she did. She was fully enjoying being back in the warmth her home provided. She stopped doing that little dance once she noticed us looking at her. Lamis starting looking very sheepish and embarressed now. Hiding her face behind her tail and looking away from us.

After embarressing her enough I wanted to move on.

"Ok, so where is your village from here? do you remember how to get there?"

She still hid her face behind her tail but pointed at a particular part of the treeline. Malady and Vylet were also trying not to laugh at the Lamia girls dance, but were having lots of trouble stifling themselves. So they went ahead first, heading to the part of the forest she had pointed too. I noticed that the bushes and vines in this area were trimmed so that they are easy to pass but not enough so that you can notice it from far away.

Lamis took the lead after we passed the bushes and she recovered from her embarressment. She slithered happily through the forest dodging trees, bushes, ditches and some traps that she pointed out for us. Apparently the location of the traps is one of the first things that they are taught once they are old enough to wander around the forest. She told us lots about her sisters, they were honestly pretty advanced and alot of them were dedicated to science and medicines. Most of them were terrible at almost all magic so, they focused on science. One of the only magics they could use properly were ones that had to do with finding a mate, which they just naturally excelled at.

They mostly grew their own food, hunting on occasion. Their knowledge of science helped them even develop new crops that grew fast and large plus with the temperature being warm all the time like this, they pretty much always had extra food. They even managed to find a way to communicate with monsters that were thought to not have languages. The lamias have their own language, but as a precaution they always learn the common language of the area they live in.

I need to start recording this stuff, I could publish a book on all the stuff I have learned so far and still get rich.

I need to find a notebook at some point and record all the things ive found. On my way to that village on the outskirts of the kingdom i never experienced any of this. I kept changing carts and carriages on the way there and kept to a pretty straight route. The route we are taking back to the capital is a little bit different because we keep stopping and making small detours like this one. I dont really mind though because im about to see a lamia village, and hopefully not be attacked by them. Something no one has ever done before, well there were soldiers that went around destroying them. Obviously they never bothered to look around and just broke and killed everything they saw.

We kept walking through the forest for a good hour before she found an guard outpost. I didnt see anything but a large tree, she told us to stop while she explains things to the guard. She slithered forward to a large tree that looked just like all the other ones and tugged on a vine that was wrapped around a low branch. A couple seconds later three heavily armored lamias dropped down from unseen hiding places, surrounding us and holding their weapons ready.

"WAITSSS, they are freindssss. The elfsss sssavedsss me, the othersss are hissss companionssss."

Lamis put herself between the guards and us, holding up her arms. The guards looked unsure of what to do until one of them stepped forward and spoke.

"Elf, Is this true? Did you save this child?"

I was suprised, I thought they all spoke with that hiss but she spoke clearly and eloquently.

"Uhh, yes. She was sleeping in the snow and I found her and brought her near a fire."

The guard looked at Lamis with a disapproving stare. Lamis shyed away, all confidence from a second ago was gone.

"Sleeping in the snow huh?"

She then made some loud hissing sounds at Lamis, who made some back. I assumed this was their language, I dont think its something I can learn though. There doesnt seem to be any pattern to it, It just sounds like loud hissing to me.

Lamis looked like she was about to cry when they stopped hissing at each other. The Guard that stepped forward introduced herself as Laskia and started leading us to her village. Leaving the others to resume their guard duty, It was weird watching snake women slide up the trees and disappear. Laskia noticed my stare and adopted a smug look on her face. She obviously thought the lamias were superior and was laughing at my amazement.

I made a note to remember her attitude for later, just in case.

Lamis was looking really depressed at this point, she was slowly slithering along behind us. Vylet was with her trying to cheer her up and Malady was just looking around at all the plant life.

Not much longer till we reached a cave entrance that was covered in thick vines and bushes and so much growth that I wouldnt know it was there if Laskia didnt tell me. She walked up to it and told us to just follow it until we reach the end.

"Also, take this." She tossed a small metal symbol at me. "Tell the guards that I sent you and they will let you through"

"Thanks" I said while shoving it in my pocket. She nodded and headed back in the direction of the guard post. I looked at the others and headed in to the cave with the three girls following me. I was kind of excited because of what Lamis has told me about their village.

A village of snake women that have advanced themselves through science? Whats not to be excited about?