"Now A'isha offered a small package wrapped in white silk. I opened it to find an old coin, strung on a leather cord. The faded symbol on it was barely recognizable as Primarily, it was translated to mean , though like any words in the old language, it had a million connotations. A'isha explained, "A gift, for your Naga. These coins were once worn by all of the , the priests and priestesses of Anhamirak during the time of Maeve's coven. The came to be known as the Snakecharm, since Anhamirak's symbol was a serpent. The are remembered only in nests such as this one now, but once, such a charm was the only coin a dancer needed throughout her life. It is said that even enemies at war would refuse to strike someone who wore an And once...the Naga wore one, too. "The day Danica stood in the synkal and you announced her as your mate, I recognized in her the soul of a dancer. You two brought peace to two lands that had long before forgotten the word. It is past time for other bridges to be patched; sha'Mehay would be proud to see our Naga--and, I hope, the mother of your next Diente--wearing our once again." "Thank you," I answered solemnly. "I know Danica will be honored." "It will be the nest's gift of congratulations, as soon as that avian doctor admits the obvious," she said with a grin."