Black Mamba

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The Black Mamba, the Serpent That Warns Only Once

Temperament

Despite its name, its scales are gray as a dead branch. It is the inside of its mouth that is black, and most people see it only once. It is shy, it would rather flee, and few serpents move as fast. Cornered, it rears, opens that ink-dark mouth, and hisses. It will not do it twice.

Handling Him

Never grab him. Let him come, lay your hand flat, and wait until he judges your warmth safe enough to coil around. Born in the hot lands, he is cold everywhere else, and it is the heat of your body that wins him over, far more than your will.

Rewards

A live mouse. A ray of sun on a stone. A warm sleeve for the night. He eats little. He gives no thanks. But he never sheds far from the one who feeds him, and finding his old skin at the foot of your bedroll is worth every oath.

At the Table

He travels coiled beneath your clothes, his head warm against your neck. At the slightest unfamiliar hand toward your pack, it slides out, and anyone who has once seen the inside of his mouth never goes through your things again. At night he stays raised at the edge of the fire, motionless, tongue tasting the air, while the camp sleeps and nothing in the surrounding dark dares come near.