Chapter 3 Guards Appointed For The Snake-Princess

"I think she should be brought here immediately." said Alice, a royal lady sitting beside Jasmine, "Otherwise, she might be harmed by the witch."

"Of course." added Joseph, a male member of the royal family. "She'll be safer here."

Julia was still quiet. She gently bit her lower lip with her teeth; looked towards Jasmine who was a little confused at Joseph's remark. She had something in her mind. She opened her mouth to say something but again fell silent.

"Hey, Jasmine!" Julia called her with love, looking into her inky eyes that sparkled with some new ideas. "Wanna say something?" she asked.

Jasmine held her head low for a moment shyly and said "In my opinion, if you please, she should be left with that noble couple. There she'll get a mother's love since the woman had been longing for a child like that."

"Hmm! Good idea! You're exactly what I was thinking." she remarked admiringly. "But... her protection..." Julia was anxious about her protection. Jasmine interrupted in the middle "We can keep a watch on her. We can set our fighters there to guard her." Jasmine said confidently.

"Fantastic!" exclaimed Ronald, an aged courtier. Others also said in support of the idea.

"But... the question is who are ready to keep a watch on the child?" said Julia. For a moment, they all fell silent. Just then, a voice came from among the courtiers, other than the royal members, "Your Majesty, Alpha and Vipero have returned from the valley of Naposta. They may be suitable, if you wish."

"Is there anyone else who wants to join them?" Julia asked.

"I'm... if you please." one of the courtiers with a nice build raised his hand. His name was Poisy. Many others also raised their hands. They were all ready to sacrifice their lives for Melissa, their princess, and for the snake kingdom.

"Okay! Poisy, your poison is very famous. The inhabitants of the snake kingdom already know that your poison works more than any acid on this earth. Do you find any other quality in yourself?" he inquired.

Your majesty! No one can kill me till my body is cut into seven parts within a limited time. Otherwise, my body parts will get together again." Poisy answered.

"Oh nice! Let me ask others what qualities they have. "Hey Helena, what about you?" Julia said a bit shouting.

Helena was a 22 year old snake girl. She had long black hair and attractive body. She had a golden chain in the shape of a snake around her neck. There was a golden belt around her waist beautifully decorated with so many small golden chains attached to it, at the front of which a snake-hood was made.

"I can swim in the water as fish do." Helena said with great enthusiasm. "I can also fly with the wind and can cause tornado."

"Oh great!" she remarked. "And what about you, Twisty?" she asked addressing another courtier.

"Your Highness! I can transform into a very large python and can engulf seven elephants at a time. Moreover, my one stroke is enough to kill any powerful adult elephant or lion." said Twisty in one breath.

"It's so amazing!" Julia exclaimed. Now it was Flip's turn. Flip gave a short grin and said, "Your Majesty! I can split myself into five at the same time. Besides this, I can transform myself into any form I wish."

"That's great!" Julia said with excitement. "Then you can take on my form, too?" she asked in surprise.

"Of course, ma'am." Flip replied.

"Hmm... then I must beware of you, mustn't I?" she said smiling. Others also began to laugh at this.

After asking some more courtiers, who had raised their hands, about their powers, Julia said, "Dear friends, for what we've gathered here is very risky. So we must consult Alpha and Vipero. They have never been defeated in any battle yet." She hissed in rage and recited some charm words in snake language and all of a sudden, there appeared two giant like fierce fighters. One of them was a giant dragon-like python with wings. He could fly and spit fire as well. He had a very long and twisty tail. The other one was about 8 feet high. He was in human form with a muscular body and broad shoulders. He had no ears but only two small holes. His whole body was blackish with white scales. He had snakes around his waist, wrists and neck. His tongue was long and thin that was divided into two halves at the tip, and was darting in and out. Besides these, he had a large force of snakes to assist him whenever needed. Hundreds and thousands of snakes might arrive at his call.

Both of them saluted Julia and stood at one side.

"Alpha, Vipero! I think you both are already aware of the threat our kingdom is facing." said Julia in a sad tone and stopped looking at them for reply.

"Yes, madam." they both said together.

"Are you willing to go and guard the child?" she asked them looking into their eyes.

"We're always ready to sacrifice our life for our kingdom, your Majesty!" they said.

She then turned to the courtiers and said, "It is decided that Alpha and Vipero along with Poisy will go and guard the child without coming in anyone's view. Whenever there is any danger, they'll fight against it and save the baby. Furthermore, if they are, in spite of all their might, unable to protect her, they may take help from any of our courtiers by sending messages through their power of sensitivity."

All the courtiers nodded their heads. Alpha, Vipero and Poisy were sent immediately to guard the baby. The court was dismissed and Julia, along with Rose and Jasmine, stood up and walked out of the court.

***

"My good baby, come on ... catch me..." Albert called Melissa. He was bent on the mat that was spread in the verandah covering a good area, taking support of his hands and crawled on the floor. Melissa smiled and producing meaningless sounds from her mouth, she also crawled after him to catch him. Albert was moving on the floor round and round making an imaginary circle. Catherine was preparing some hot drink in the kitchen. She poured the drink in the cups and put the cups on a tray and carried it to the verandah where Albert and Melissa were playing. Melissa was dressed in deep red which increased her beauty. As soon as her eyes fell on Catherine, she stopped chasing Albert and quickly ran towards her with a chuckle.

"Ma... Ma... Mama..." Melissa was shouting. "Umm...Ma... Ma..." she went on. Catherine smiled and stepped forward with the tray of cups in her hands. She bent a little and caressed the child with one hand.

"O Sweetie, love you darling!" she said with extreme love. "How nice of you!"

Albert took the tray from her hand and put it on the mat. Catherine took the child in her lap, kissed her twice or thrice on her cheeks and forehead, and sat on the mat. She took a cup and brought it close to Melissa's lips.

"Take it my love." she said. Melissa began to sip it slowly. It was her favourite drink. She was still making sounds, sometimes shaking her head in amusement and sometimes playing with Catherine's fingers.

By that time Alpha, Vipero and Poisy had arrived there. They were far away from Melissa but could watch her easily, playing with Albert and Catherine, her new parents. Having been satisfied to see Melissa alive and safe, they stared at each other and then dispersed to find their hiding places.