[even as he's removed many of the plants attempting to eat him, there are still more, because of course. they're surrounded by forest, why would there not be even more around? the serpent fires off more of his magic to protect himself, even if his weakening state means that some things slip through the cracks, so to speak. plants scrape at his limbs and face, tug on his hair and tail, and his best method is to fight them off by burning them.

so shalem is quite glad for the help, embarrassed as he is. it's for that reason that shalem doesn't put all of his weight on the boy.]

Ah, thank you. But shameful, for you to help me like this when I came in to help you in the first place, but... Oh well.