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Weaver Heads

“Here again. Did it bring food, or is it food?” it hissed at Anselm. He tried to pick out what tree the serpent spoke from, but the countless sounds of the swamp distorted the source. The haruspex waded forward in the water, holding the offering pouch at arm’s length.

“I have what you seek, serpent. Do you have what was promised?” As his words echoed through the murk and fog of the swamp, he dropped the pouch. It barely made a splash.

Something fell behind him.  He spun and saw a piece of meat and bone half submerged. He stepped forward and lifted it from its hair and the man’s face stared back at him. Another splash from where he’d dropped the charm, and Anselm turned in time to see a muscular scaled tail pull up the pouch. He could hear the heated breath of the creature as it looked at his trade.

Branches shifted above him, and he asked, “How do I know this is a Weaver’s head and not some murdered fool?”

“How does it know you are not giving it a curse? Doubt again and it will take your head for trade! It is Augur Lucian, serpent hunter, slayer with God’s Charms. Did come to slay. Many rose and slayed him. It is lucky to have the entire head.” The creature left then, and Anselm didn’t move until he was certain it was gone.

He started his trek out of the swamp, but stopped to examine the trade. It was not the type of weaver he expected the snake to bring him, but then the snake worked in its own way. An augur’s mysticism would still work for the divining he needed. He just hoped whatever demons the snake had dealt with hadn’t damaged the brain of this Augur Lucian too much.