The Bride of the Serpent is Silent

Similar to the feeling of falling from a great height, and yet not seeming very far at all. There was an instant of weightlessness, where the sky and ground remained indeterminate. Before, the air seemed almost too heavy a burden for her to bear and dizziness gripped Jing Li's stomach more severely than any illness ever had. Overwhelmed by the vigorous nausea, Jing Li wrenched. Coughing and sputtering as her body sought to expel the water that had entered her passages onto the soft dirt, where she now found herself. 

Not heeding her surroundings prior to collapsing onto the safety of the shore. Jing Li laid, wheezing like a fish out of water on the embankment for a long while, until her heart and lungs could settle back into a less frantic pace. Finally, raising her head to glimpse around at the bank once she had recovered slightly. Jing Li discovered the atmosphere to be bright and filled with the sound of birdsong. No tortured souls or ferocious guardians here to chase her here, Jing Li knew that this was not the macabre Far Shore of the afterlife she had been expecting. 

Only reeds and lily pads, joining her in the water, Jing Li thought at first that this could be some distant embankment of the Xilian Lake she had not seen. However, could not confirm this for certain from her obstructed view of the embankment. The endeavor made more difficult by the rope that still bound her wrists. Jing Li shimmied forward on her belly in the dark and fertile silts of the water until she could pop her head above the tall wall of reeds that obscured her view. Jing Li gasped as she propped herself up onto her elbows. 

Astounded to find herself no longer in a lake, but a large decorative pond. Whose pristine waters were graced by the presence of elegant coy and laced with the vibrate hues of numerous flowers. Robust trees, offering shade to all who sought the comfort of the serene waters. There were wooden walkways that also overlapped the pond. Extending out towards refined pavilions floating out amongst the waterlilies or off into the distance where her gaze could no longer reach. Such scenes had never been imagined by Jing Li, not even in her wildest dreams. 

The young woman, gaping in awe at the sumptuous structures and vivid landscapes of her surroundings. Her eyes were wide and mouth still slightly ajar as Jing Li came to notice the man standing on the raised walkway closest to her. Dressed in fine cotton robes, his mouth and eyebrows bent down into a pronounced expression of disapproval that she recognized easily without the need for him to pronounce it outrightly. However, the other aspects of his appearance seemed vaguely different from what she had become accustomed to in the village.

The skin around the man's eyes, glinting like scales in the light as he scowled. His complexion and long thin mustache seemed to be somewhat reminiscent of a catfish as Jing Li stared up at him from the embankment. The man, not startled by her presence there nor making any effort to rescue Jing Li from the compromising position she now found herself in. The attendant looked upon her in disapproval as he said, "Follow me." The man's long mustache, flicking impatiently as he spoke. He remained unmoving from his imperious stance on the walkway as he observed the new offering to his Master fumble her way out of the pond.

Turning away from the ill-tempered man, whilst Jing Li managed to prize herself from the silt and teeter up the mild incline of the embankment. She supported herself against the gracefully sloping trunk of a cherry blossom tree to catch her breath. The new bride's mind and body toiling more than usual in these efforts as they impressed upon her that they had not yet recovered from the shock of drowning. The man did not exhibit any sympathy towards her plight. Clicking his tongue from the security of the path, he cast a disparaging review of Jing Li's drenched clothing instead. 

The attendant's whiskers twitching again, he remarked, "Come. We must hurry if we are to make you presentable for Lord Shui Long." The comment, provoking Jing Li to follow the direction of the man's gaze towards her saturated attire. She blushed upon realizing that her robe was made translucent by the water. The garment's fabric, not leaving much else to the imagination as it clung desperately to every meager curve of her slender figure. Jing Li adjusted the damp cloth around her chest in order to preserve what remained of her modesty, before finally urging her body to move forward once more. 

Not intending to continue inconveniencing anyone with her suffering, Jing Li stifled a cough as she joined the man on the raised walkway. Following behind the irritable man along the path, Jing Li trailed behind him slowly. Her neck in a consistent state of contortion as she peered up at the elaborate pillars and refined facades of the traditional buildings that made up the vast estate. The man in front of her, barely paused to allow for Jing Li to catch up with him as they traversed the winding gardens and wide courtyards of the extensive grounds. Struggling to keep up with him, her legs were nearly too tired to carry her any further by the time they arrived in front of a large doorway.

The attendant quickly ducking into its entrance without delay. Jing Li was not permitting much time to appreciate the building's exterior as she huffed inside after him. The structure lushly decorated with red pillars and painted ceilings; Jing Li craned her neck upwards. Admiring intricate birds and peonies on the panels above them as she wandered behind the man. Jing Li was nearly too distracted to notice the neat lines of maids that were positioned to greet them in the luxurious foyer.

Bowing her head bashfully upon perceiving the presence of the collection of tidy women. Their complexions were similar in likeness to that of the scaly man who had led her there. Each maid differing in size, age, and coloring; there was not one amongst them that could not be said to be beautiful in their own right. The tall lady's maid, standing at the front of the two even lines, nodding towards the male attendant. They both appeared to comprehend what was required of them as Jing Li was passed off to the group of women. 

Swept away by the maids into a separate chamber that possessed all of the typical furnishings one might imagine in a formal parlor. Jing Li was placed upon a sofa and instructed to wait, whilst the female attendants busied themselves with gathering their supplies. The collection of women, seeming more confident now that they were removed from the stern regard of the attendant that had brought Jing Li to them. There was the slight buzz of chatter heard among them as they busied themselves with the preparation of the clothes and makeup, they believed were necessary for her presentation to their Master.

Jing Li beginning to wobble unsteadily on the seat during her wait. She wrenched open her slowly drooping eyelids for the second time, whilst attempting to deny the seduction on the soft furnishings on the sofa. Continuing to pinch herself through the wet fabric over her thigh in an effort to avoid the siren's call of the plump cushions adorning the couch. The vague twinge of pain on her inner thigh seemed scarcely sufficient in keeping her awake. Almost yearned for the ache of the mark on her ankle to return to her once more. The angry crimson serpent ceased to burn now. 

The mark, apparently appeased by the prospect of being reunited with its creator soon, not causing Jing Li any further pain since her arrival. She no longer doubted that this was the manor of the water god Shui Long. Although her mind had been somewhat resistant towards this possibility until now. Jing Li found that she had became more open to the idea of this being a parallel world to her own with each magnificent scene and diverse character she encountered. Summoned from the depths of her weary deliberations by the young maid that approached Jing Li. 

The girl looked on her helpless appearance with a note of exasperation, before stating, "I will untie you now. However, it will cause us all a great deal of trouble should you try to run away." Reminded of the sudden loss of the two women that had preceded her as offerings to the god of Xilian Lake. Jing Li nodded her head in somber compliance to these directions. Aware feeling that she neither possessed the want nor the fortitude in order to attempt an escape, Jing Li sat still as the maid tugged at the ropes. 

Jing Li's wrists released from their bonds; the girl was then to issue a sigh of displeasure. The thick ropes, falling away to reveal the dark bruises and abrasions left from Jing Li's struggle. The judgment diminished moderately from the young maid's expression as she helped Jing Li to stand. The girl, working to remove the stained and moisten articles of her clothing. Jing Li felt a shiver pass over her as the thin layers of the robe were peeled from her body. The persistent chill lingering, despite Jing Li being covered in long flowing gowns of crimson silks shortly after. She tried her best to remain still whilst the other women applied her face and lips with makeup. 

The eldest maid, combing the knots of Jing Li's long black hair and placing it into an elaborate style upon her head. The other maids would glance at Jing Li's temperate expression from time to time. Intrigued by the human woman's quiet manners and calm composure as they prepared her for their Master, none of them would care enough to inquire after the reason for her silence in the hours that passed. The delicate fabrics concealing the unappealing bruises that marred Jing Li's body and makeup applied to disguise the sickly glow of her skin. There was a veil was finally placed over Jing Li's head before she was made to stand again.

Pulled from the room by the group of maid servants as they escorted Jing Li from the building and into a network of covered walkways. Her vision obstructed by the red fabric of the veil and feet beginning to throb from the ill-fitting shoes they had been thrust into, Jing Li conducted each step tenuously. Comprehending the potential difficulty of navigating the estate in these clothes, the maids flanking her altered their pace for Jing Li. Not attributing too much blame to the timid new bride for the delay in their progress as they accompanied her, the group of women eventually came to reach an enormous archway. 

Monstrous ivory snakes, staring down at them from either side of the entry's thick columns. They were met once more by the male attendant who had retrieved Jing Li from the pond. The prickly man, glancing over at the woman the maids presented him with an air of mild contentment. He shooed the women away, before proceeding to hiss another reprimand towards Jing Li, "Come girl, we haven't the whole day for you to stand around." This remark, signaling for her to follow him through the entrance that was guarded by the large serpents. Jing Li hesitated to put one foot in front of the other. 

Not sure whether it was fear or weakness that made her legs quiver and heart beat rapidly in her chest, Jing Li took a deep breath and pushed these thoughts from her mind. Exhausted by the anxieties that plagued her over the past week. Jing Li could not suffer their torment now as she entered the building behind the vexed attendant. The immense hall they stepped into, obscured by darkness. There was only the light of a few sparse candles placed between the pillars and at the grand altar to guide their way. The flames, casting terrifying shadows as they fell across the stone statues of serpents that were bent into violent fits of rage, Jing Li eyed their movements warily as they advanced.

A man awaiting from them at the far end of the hall, he stood before a darkened screen. The covering shrouded by the vapors of incense and the severe lack of light within the room, it was impossible to distinguish a person from behind the partition. However, the command of their presence could be felt as Jing Li neared the screen. Made to stand some four meters from the altar, the attendant announced loudly, "I humbly present the new bride, offered by the people of Luwei Cun." A pause provided to allow for the woman's permissibility to be assessed. A deep voice responded after some seconds had passed, "Proceed." 

The speech that emanated from behind the sizable partition, provoking an obvious shiver to travel down her spine. Jing Li knew from the profound lump, which was forming in her stomach that this was the god that the fate of her village depended upon. Although unable to see him, Jing Li bowed her head respectfully towards the screen out of courtesy. Without considering the repercussions this slight motion might have on her head, which was fully laden with the veil and heavy meatal ornaments. Jing Li was made to immediately regret this action as a gradual ache emerged in her temple.

The attendant, exchanging a nod with the squat man that was to carry out the union. The officiant cleared his throat nervously before commencing with a chant. No family members and few witnesses present, the slow melody was to drone on as Jing Li was made to bow in each direction. Beseeching the gods that ruled over the east, west, south, and finally north to bestow blessings on them as a couple. The ceremony was not to last long but had been tiring for Jing Li to endure alone. Her head, dizzy with pain, by the time the ceremony had concluded. Jing Li was asked to kneel facing the screen. 

Feeling to fatigued by sickness to regard the officiant or the attendant as they departed from the temple. Jing Li did not turn as the large doors of the entryway clamped shut behind them. The sole exit closed tighter than a drum, Jing Li still sat kneeling with her legs bent beneath her before the partition. Her breathing made tense by the air that grew thick with the clouds of incense wafting from the burners at the altar and the pressure of gaze that bore down on her from behind the screen. Jing Li's body shook from the labor of her uneven inhalations and the fever that threatened to overtake it as she heard someone slide from behind the cover of the partition.

The disturbance in the fabric of the screen, too notable to have been made by any normal person. Jing Li accepted that there was not likely to be any escape for her now as she heard the length of the creature's long body drag closer to her. The giant white serpent that unraveled from behind the screen, blurring together with the vicious stone likeness around her. Jing Li stared defenselessly into the yellow eyes of the snake that gleamed with the terrifying suggestion of his appetite.