A serpent coiled arount the overhanging brances and observed them.  It had a colored ring around its neck and over its eyes, making them look more intense as it stared down.<br/><br/>Sophia was baffled by the presence of the seemingly unconscious girl in the boy's arms, or why the other brother had not yet turned back into his normal self.  But seh looked with hungry eyes at the other snake lying about Athren's neck... oh to be that snake!  She waited in the foliage for their next move.<br/><br/>The young girl in Athren's arms began to rouse and rubbed her eyes, looking up into his face.  "Have... have you come to claim me from the witches... and the snake?"  It was only when she mentioned the creature that she noticed it was hanging about his neck.  At first, she recoiled, but noticed it did not move.  So was there anything to be afraid of?