A Slave with a Snake

A Slave with a Snake
Ch 4: The First Lesson




A loud bang interrupted the silence of the hall as my heads fall was softened by the table. “Good afternoon…..are you ok you don’t look well.” Sibila has many skills one of which is the ability to sneak up on anyone. I jumped having not known she was there but just turned my head in her direction. “It took me forever the get to sleep last night. I’m still pretty tired.” Nothing was said for several minutes as she ate her lunch. “So how is your new room? Oh have you started your lessons yet?” She uttered excitedly while she took a bite out of a roll. “I love it; I have an entire floor to myself. I feel pretty alone though, and I don’t start my lessons until tonight at six.” I had gotten the vide that what I had witnessed last night was something Saruman wanted to keep private. It was hard for me not to tell her, I have always trusted Sibila and have told her almost everything.


I sat with Sibila for an hour I didn’t eat anything probably because I wasn’t hungry. Sibila left for her next class and I decided to spend some time in the gardens to clear my head. Even though it is noon and in the summer the weather is quite nice. I stayed outside for several hours just walking around. When I do go inside I use the ring for the second time “My quarters.” I whispered, just as I finished saying it felt as if I was being stretched. I closed my eyes because everything around me is blurry. Thankfully it stops but I can’t help but feel a little dizzy. ‘I will never get used to that.’


Entering the den I grabbed a book and hoped to distract myself for the next hour, unfortunately all I could focus on was the upcoming lesson. Sick of fidgeting I decided to head up early. Locking the door behind me I walked up the three flights of stairs to Saruman’s audience room. Knocking on the double doors I realized it was unlocked so I just walked in. Finally having a good view of the place I could see there was two other doors one is right across from the stairway the other is on the wall opposite the throne. The room is well light but looking around I am unsure how for I see no torches or windows. Curious about the throne I walk towards it, it was made of the same black stone as the rest of the building, and it was obviously made for someone quite tall. I could tell by looking at it that if I were to sit in it I would look ridiculously close to a kid sitting in a large armchair. Grasping the armrest I feel the chill of the cold stone, tracing the form of the chair from the arm to the back amazed at how smooth the stone is.


Hearing a loud noise I back away and stand next to the table at the center of the room. The unknown doors to the right open to reveal Saruman, upon seeing me he smiles behind his stripped beard and proceeds to sit upon his throne. “I’m glad to see you are here on time.” His powerful voice echoed slightly on the stone walls, I fidgeted unsure of what to do with myself. “I trust that you can keep everything that happens here to yourself, you must tell no one.” He said surveying me. “Yes milord.” “Good” He then stood up and pulled out a cloth covered object from his cloak, walking towards me he sets it on the table next to me. “I have recently come to acquire a powerful magical device.” He removed the cloth to uncover a large round object that appeared to be made out of black glass, but it appeared to be as if there is something moving inside of it. “Do you know what this it?” He began to circle the table as he observed me. I had an idea but it seemed unlikely. “Is…is it a Palantir?” “Very good, there are a few of the lost seeing stones left; this is the third one I know for sure to exist.” Finally he stopped circling to stand next to me. Once again realizing how short I was seeing as his staff is taller than me. “The third?” “There is one in Minas Tirith and….I am under the impression that there is one in Mordor.” Suddenly distracted at how close he is to me. “Mordor?” I asked unsure of how to react. “Yes several of my sources have lead me to believe there is one in the Tower of Curuth Ongal.” I just nodded as a reply. He seemed to be completely unaware of how his close proximity was affecting me.


“Have you used it yet?” I took a step away from him not entirely sure how I was supposed to feel about him being so close to me. “…….Yes, I have shown you this to see…….if your experience is different from mine.” “You…..you want me to use it?” “Yes it is quite simple all you have to do is touch it.” Taking a nervous step towards the table I pause somewhat afraid of what I might see. Slowly I reach out with both my hands and grasp the cold glass.


My eyes are close yet I can see clearly. At first it is just a blur of movement and colors, I l am barely able to make out what looks like trees and rivers. Suddenly it stops. A black wall of mountains is before me, black clouds with streaks of red never seem to pass the peaks of the spiked mountains. A voice is speaking to me in my head that is not my own. The image moves again it stops in front of Curuth Ongal, orcs, men, trolls and other dark creatures were going about their business with Mount Doom erupting in the background. I didn’t understand the voice at first recognizing that it was using black speech, now it spoke in my tongue asking questions, to shocked at the site before me I don’t answer. The voice gets angry I can feel a fiery pain crawling up my arms as a giant eye of fire fills my vision.


It’s gone; I open my eyes to see Saruman holding me as I have somehow gotten on the floor. Shaking uncontrollably I can still feel the pain in my arms with every heartbeat. My throat is sore and my face is wet. I’m suddenly hit with a brick wall of fear; I press myself further into Saruman as I start to cry violently. He holds me tighter to him rocking back and forth whispering apologies.


It took me several minutes to calm down, as my breathing started to even out Saruman loosened his hold on me. “I am so sorry, I wasn’t sure of what was going to happen.” I didn’t say anything back because my throat is still sore. He told me that I had started screaming and collapsed onto the floor so he forced my hands to let go. I then told him what I saw still uncertain as to what it meant. “Then it is as I feared Sauron is regaining power.” Taking in what he said I stared at the now seemingly harmless Palantir rolling on the floor. “What should we do? I’m not sure Middle Earth could take another attack from his especially as shattered as we are now.” As if considering my comment he didn’t reply back.


Realizing the position we’re in I start to squirm. Taking the hint he let me go and stood up. I began to stand I grasp how tired I am. “You may go I have much to think about.” Grateful for the time to rest I turn to leave as Saruman heads to the room he came out of.


Lying in my bed I couldn’t help but feel as if a great amount of weight is pushing on me. Everything I thought about, what I saw and what it meant filled my chest with a great amount of fear and despair. Even though I was exhausted it took me several hours to go to sleep.



Hope you liked it. Please give your opinion or help me correct my mistakes, review.