Serpents of Bienville
“Drawings are pricked on their flesh, depending on their desires; some have points, others snakes or suns; the savages, men, chiefs and notables as well as officers will be pricked in the same way."
"Sweat glistened from the explorers’ brows. The heavy salts were constantly dripping into their eyes, and with the intense glare coming off the glassy waters from which their canoes were floating, their vision was completely obscured. They would have no time to prepare the force that was approaching. As they would row, wiping their salt crusted brow to gain back perception, the travelers detected a dark and distinct movement in the distance. A mass of ghosts were coming directly toward them. It seemed the haints were slowly gliding their way, but almost as if they were going to go through, and past them. Suddenly, all movement ceases. The men are haunted by complete stillness, complete silence. Both parties are frozen—the explorers watching in fear, the ghosts staring emotionless. From the stagnant reflection of the bay, one canoe glides to the front of the idle fleet. A man in uniform rode forward, his canoe parting the waters. As he glided across, his uniform fell off his skin and shattered the glass of the bay. What arose from his flesh was a body of serpents, intertwined and becoming one. The explorer was covered, from head to toe, in the marks of serpents, tattoos wrapping around his body, down his arms, guiding this canoe, guiding him toward the native ghosts that lie in the distance. The explorer made the choice to become one with the ghosts, become lost in the mist, to disappear forever. Bienville and his serpents sealed their fate with the sacred oath forged in flesh, ink and blood. From the initial prick of his skin, he swore to share their future, to have their remains forever lost and deprived honor and recognition, to fall and disappear into obscurity in flames and ashes. These were the Serpents of Bienville."
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