The Kingdom of Snakes

Prologue: Patroklos

The first memory I have is of my little brother's birth. I must have been excited for days, and I was angry at Ana when I asked her to let me see the infant and she answered:

"No, I can't! The baby's not yet been born!"

I didn't understand, since my mother had been brought away in the early morning hours and Ana herself had said that she was going to have the child now. When she didn't come back with my new sibling hours later, I grew impatient and longed to see her.

I strode through the chamber were the queen of queens was chatting with her ladies-in-waiting, looking for someone to take me to my mother. I also remember Ellou, the tall, black-haired boy with the piercing eyes, who carried me down to the gardens where the atmosphere was quieter and more pleasant.

Then, when it was long past my bedtime, I was eventually allowed to see my mrother and the newborn child. She looked exhausted and pale and I was scared when I saw her sitting upright in the bed, her back supported by pillows. Longingfully, I climbed onto the bed and snuggled down beside her. Someone came and put the infant in her arms she had just given birth to.

"That's your new little brother, Jazz," she said softly.

I looked at him; he had a face as round as the full moon and a black fluff on his head. Everything about him was so small and so tender; he just looked adorable and I immediately fell in love with him.

"His name is Patroklos."

I carefully took Patroklos' little hand and stroked over his tiny fingers with my thumb. He was beautiful.