After a short walk, at least an hour, I could see the marketplace, with several other colonies surrounding it. It was built in a large clearing in a thick dark forest, overshadowed by several towers built surrounding the town. Our colony was secluded from the others, mostly because of our continuous fear of the other creatures that lived in them. Even from this far away view, I could see what made a large fraction of the crowd: Serpentine. I felt dread well up in my stomach.  They were a continuous threat to us. Serpentine are a large, powerful race of humanoid snakes, with many different subspecies and rulers. In fact, to this day their leaders are in the power-struggle between all of the greatest kings of the scattered worlds. But here were only people who wanted to step away from the fighting, or were hiding from the kings. 

I stepped down the hill between me and the town, and could now see that in relation to other people, Serpentine are actually quite large. I completely ignored all the humans around, not even very easy to be seen next to their snake-like neighbors Long thick necks, and scaly bodies, each with a small but noticeable pair of claws on each of their hands. They didn’t see me act so warily around them, not even regarding me as noticeable. I tried to do the same, pretending their presence didn’t make me want to cry.

But what confused me most, was the transition that came when I arrived here. As I continued to walk through the marketplace, I recalled the stories from our elders about them, how the Serpentine would often take terrible rituals where for the next day every living they saw, they would kill. I learned they used to be barbarians and war hungry warriors, stealing children for slaves, or attacking villages without taking any of their supplies, just for sport and blood lust.

As I continued, I could see the differences between some. Several of them had black and grey scales, with large jaw bones and muscles, and grey metallic spikes angled off of their bodies. These ones were some of the largest of the types, all of them possessing large muscles and thick bodies. Another type had white and red scales, with large fangs. Several of those snakes had two heads, and they made a smaller fraction of the Serpentine present. There were more types, like the light and dark green ones, which seemed to be the fastest and most active, and some of them were running just because it was faster than walking. Another type was blue, with yellow spiral symbols across their scales and cobra-like hoods. They had very deep eyes, the type that you could get lost in so easily, and you couldn’t find your way out as easily. Each of the types of Serpentine seemed to remain in their own group, only socializing with their own subspecies. 

I continued walking, somewhat faster than before. I wanted to get away from these monsters as soon as I could. 

Soon I started realizing how loud it was. People and Serpentine were both yelling, advertising their product, or calling friends or family. I was one of the few quiet ones, but not the only. I could see that between some of the larger booths, there were groups of Serpentine watching people walk by. I realized they were looking at me. I suddenly wished I didn’t look as out of place as I did. I continued walking.

Farther away from the yelling, I felt the feeling of dread slip away. There were less Serpentine here, and more people too. It was much quieter, with a much more serene atmosphere. Far away, I could see the people and Serpentine both working in the fields side by side. I sighed. They would soon see the truth about Serpentine, that they never feel kindness or human emotions. They only want profit, and will remove anyone in the way of receiving it. 

I wished that I didn't feel so out of place. I was starting to get anxious, and fearful, knowing that no one from my colony would be able to help me if I got in trouble.

“Do you want some bricks?”

I looked to the source of those words, behind me. There was a much younger Serpentine, one of the black ones. He was much smaller than the adults of his kind, and his spikes that ran down his neck and back hadn’t matured yet. He had an almost human face, although it was clear that he wasn’t from the scales and radiant colors, and powerful jaw line.

“I said, do you want some bricks?”

I turned and faced him. “What makes you think that I want some of your bricks?” I said, and I admit, kind of meanly.

“Well, you are leaning against the shop. The sign above you says bricks. Want any?” I couldn’t see any emotions. He looked bored.

I decided to keep the conversation going, with nothing else to do. “Do you always ask people minding their own business if they want some worthless bricks?”

He didn’t seem insulted by my comment about the bricks. “I’m new at this, just holding down the fort for my brother until he comes back. You’re lucky he isn’t here, or he’d be yelling at you for touching his property.”

“So this place is owned by your brother?” I said back, actually finding interest in talking with one of the people our people hate.

“No, actually it belongs to my dad, but he acts like everything is his.” He didn’t even bother looking at me. 

“Do you know where I can buy food?” I asked, not remembering to stay cautious. 

He sighed, sounding even more bored than before. “You sure you don’t want any bricks?” 

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m sure I don’t want any of your bricks. Go ahead and save them for someone else. But I really need to know where I can buy food. My whole colony could depend on it. Please?”

The Serpentine looked at me, then at the bricks, pretending to be reluctant to help me. 

"Yes, they're over at the main square, take a left by the necklace booth." He sighed, then went back to his small pad of paper, and kept writing. I was curious about what he was writing, but decided to think nothing of it. I started walking back down the street.