This is probably my favorite debut of the mission!

It also has Dash and Ozzie interludes - always a plus. Without further delay, let's check out Sassy Snake!

 
Sassy part I

My name is Sassy Snake and I am a healer and musician. Well, actually, I am learning to do both and I hope to somehow combine them both and perhaps do musical therapy. Since I am studying both medicine and music, you can imagine that I have quite a lot of workload and the stress and strain that come with it. I got my love of herbs and medicine from my mother as well as my ability to appreciate the beauties of nature. I got my love for music from my father as well as the ability to speak to snakes who I have found to be quite sociable and pleasant. Sometimes I like to try new things on my own without considering the consequences and it looks like I have done that this time. Since noone really knows where I am that is who I expect will come to my aid; noone. I only hope that I haven't bitten off more than I can chew this time.

I was just kicking back and relaxing in the woods after hiking, looking around to see the plants and checking them out to see which ones I could use for herbs. The murmur of the nearby brook was soothing to my nerves. It had been a hectic and busy week what with the studies and the medical practice and the visit home! I had to get away for a bit to be by myself and clear the cobwebs out of my brain. I had picked a lonely and solitary spot for my camp and I was starting to relax fairly well. Then I saw it! The tree! Oh yes, I know you are thinking, so okay Sassy what is so weird about a tree in the woods, huh?

Well, this one looked good for what I needed it to be. I needed to restore some energy and this beauty looked like it was full of power and had some to spare. It was gorgeous, standing majestically with its branches held out almost inviting me. Most people don't know that you can get energy and power from plants and of the ones who know it, few know how to do it properly. Of course I knew that there would be a price to pay, there always was a price of some sort, but I figured that I could handle that. Anyway, that would come later and by that time, I would have more energy to face it.

I walked slowly over to the tree, lay face-up at its base and started to send my thoughts out to tell it what I wanted and what I was doing. Then I slowly touched it with my hands, slowly encircling it so that the power would flow from it to me. I released my consciousness and focused deeply on the tree; what it was like to be a big tree like this, how it felt, how I would feel if I were a tree. Then, all of a sudden, it happened!

I started to feel the energy flowing into my body and at first it felt like it was coming too fast! I would be drowned in it! It was too much to handle! Oh man! I really blew it this time! I could feel pain shooting through every nerve and fiber in my body and my skin began to feel like it was burning off! This was definitely not good! This wasn't supposed to happen; not like this! I felt myself floating away, drifting away helplessly in to space and a black void overtook me and I slid in to it.

The next thing I was aware of was falling and then the jerk and jolt of a fall and then pain all over me and the burning of my skin! It looked like there was going to be a heavier price to pay for that energy. I must have tapped the wrong tree! I must have absorbed negative energy in to my system rather than positive energy. So, here I was; who knew where and when, stuck for good, not even sure if I could move and not sure if anyone could help me if there was anyone around.

I tried to turn my head but it started to hammer out the "Anvil Chorus." Not good at all! I started to slowly move other parts of my body, my legs and arms and hands and feet. They all moved but there was still the pain and burning. I tried to sit up, but that was too much for me right now and I plopped back down again. I took a deep breath and let the oxygen flow through my system, hoping that this might somehow help.

That's how I ended up here.

As best as I can without moving my head, I slowly look around me and it doesn't even closely resemble where I came from. That's not good either. I slowly move my hands to my belt pouches and I try to think of some herb that might help me. I did find some Feverfew earlier; I eat that now. I give it a bit of time to work and at least some of the pain seems to have subsided until it reaches a tolerable degree. I realize that I have more potent cures about me, but I am hesitant to try anything stronger in case it has bad results when it mixes with the negative energy. I don't want to make things worse, if that's possible.

After a few minutes, I try to sit up and I manage it somewhat and then using some rocks I lever myself in to a standing position. The woods spin around crazily for a few minutes, but then things stop and I think I can move. I heard a stream nearby and my instincts tell me to head for it, but I am slightly hesitant as to whether I should trust them right now. I slowly walk around and don't see any indications that anyone else has ever come that way. I finally figure I had best make for the stream. There will be water there and I could use that right now!

I slowly walk toward the stream and I stop when a gigantic snake slithers from the brush in front of me blocking my path. Ignoring the pain I am feeling, I bow low to the snake and look in to its eyes (letting the snake make eye contact first) and say, "Good evening mistress and sister. I mean no harm to you nor to your hatchlings, but might I be permitted to use the path to get to the stream after you have passed?"

The snake rises up and I am afraid she is going to attack me, perhaps I said it wrong or used the wrong words. I step back slowly and respectfully but the snake suddenly lowers herself and nods in agreement. "Certainly Sister. You may drink and welcome. We ssee very few of your kind here. My name is Mama Mamba."

I tell her, "I am Sassy Snake and it is a pleasure to meet you. I can't tell you how much this kindness means to me. I could really use that water right now."

Mama Mamba answers, "Yess you do look quite shaken up. Where have you come and what has happened to you?"

I then ask, "Well, I tried to tap a tree for energy but something happened and I wound up here instead. You say that there have been no other humans here lately?"

Mama seems to accept the answer. "Quite true, sister Sassy. We guard this pool quite jealously and few humans have ever dared come and fewer have ever dared to drink. Then again, few have spoken to us with courtesy and respect. For that you may feel free to stay as long as you like. I would ask more questions of you, but I think that this would be rude seeing as how you need water and perhaps a good sleep."

With this, she flicks her tail and squirms away and I can finally get to the stream. The water! Ooooh! The water tastes so good! So sweet and wonderful and I drink a lot of it before stretching out to have a sleep. Perhaps in the morning, all of the pain and burning would be gone. Then what, I didn't know.

Interlude 1

Having barely survived an unexpected fight, Sebastian Dash found himself wounded and worn down from the short fight with Konall. Large dark spots in Dash's eyes raised the already raised the critically high danger of trying to rush down a mountain, but the alternative- facing down Konall- was much worse. Thankfully, it would seem as though natural wind erosion and mortal or divine intervention had shaped relatively safe walking paths around the mountain.

Outside of the "safety" of the cave, Dash felt the bitter cold winds immediately bite into him. Dash's sleeveless rusty red top benefited from being made in the relatively advanced Honorburg area, but did little to stop the biting cold. There were two paths. Normally, Dash would chosen the safer looking path but a quick glance revealed a unique problem under the situation. The way it winded down, it would take way too long to get out of Konall's line of view. Konall grew up in the mountains. If he caught sight of Dash, any chance of Dash escaping - or surviving- would vanish.

The other path looked a little (read: much) steeper, but it offered a better chance of getting out of Konall's sight. Dash made his way there without hesitation, sparing only the slightest glance upwards for potential falling disasters. Ice and rocks would be the obvious worries, but in his home dimension, Dash had seen things such as falling goats in his home mountains. Similar oddities might be a risk here.

Those mountains were more like home to Konall than Dash. Even after one of the amazing Island healing herbs, Dash's vision refused to really clear up. His limbs were sore from the battle and quickly becoming numb from the bitter cold.

Fortunately, even with everything else working against him, Dash had a bit of experience rock climbing himself, which was necessary here for some of the gaps in the very steep path down the mountain. It'd be night soon, and Konall might already be tracking down Dash. The only goal here would be to find a suitably defensible cave, or reach the ground. Truth told, the cave was a far second option, as it could potentially leave him open all night to a possible ambush from his hated rival Konall, with nowhere to escape.

Something in Dash's mind snagged on the idea. Konall was his rival? When did that happen? Had Dash betrayed him? He couldn't remember betraying Konall, or Konall betraying him. Dash knew something was affecting his thought process right now, but he couldn't quite figure out what was wrong. Concussion? Cold? Experience forced Dash to focus on the matter at hand. There were several places he had to quickly find a stable handheld on the side of the mountain in order to compromise a dangerously long fall. Watching for loose rocks would also be a priority, and his head was throbbing. Focusing was harder than usual, too. A lot harder.

Dash came to a long downward path, sliding down to the ground. Dash didn't bother to look back as he darted across the loose rocky grounds, only sparing half a glance back before he vanished behind a separate mountain.

There was no sight of Konall following him. Hopefully that didn't mean he was ahead of Dash already. Dash could hear the faint and distant sound of water as he felt more humidity in the air around him.

Sassy part II

That night as I drift off to sleep, I can hear the sounds of snakes all around me; sometimes slithering, sometimes talking, one even singing a soothing lullaby. None of them are bothering or disturbing me. I am comforted by their presence and I feel safe and secure knowing that they are near at hand as I sleep.

My sleep is filled with dreams. First I see a slender silver snake who seems to be guiding me toward some ridge. Next, I hear the sounds of fighting and see swords flash, but these do not last long. Next I see a group of faces that I don't know and they slowly blend in to one face. It is a worried and perplexed face; the face of a very puzzled man. He looks distinguished and dignified like an administrator or banker. If he is a banker, he is obviously going through some hard financial trouble. He twirls and strokes his thin mustache nervously and from time to time he rumples his hair. I look at him and I think, "A nervous man. Upset stomach maybe, dyspepsia or worry. A cup of Chamomile tea would do him a lot of good. I would have to put some cinnamon or mint and anise or something to flavor it. Lemon and sugar would counteract the effects of the Chamomile."

Next, I see another face! A beautiful face! It is handsome and yet rugged. He is tall and dashing, but he looks like quite a rogue. Dashing rogue? I wonder to myself if that has any significance. I look him over several times. He looks like Prince Charming! In every way, like him except for that long sword he is carrying; but this man looks like he knows how to handle it! My mind begins to think of all of the love potions and aphrodisiac charms that I have ever learned. My heart begins to race and I feel a level of excitement shake me.

I awake with a start to find it is morning. I make myself a bit of breakfast and tea and afterwards go to the stream to wash and bathe and to drink. I am coming up out of the water, naked and helpless, when I suddenly see something that startles me.

I see the slender silver snake from my dreams. She slowly comes down to the stream for her drink and I wait till she has finished before I bow to her. I say, "Hello sister."

The snake says, "Good morrow to thee, little sister. Didst thou sleep well? Hast thou enjoyed partaking of the water of our pool?"

I answer, "Yes indeed I have and I really needed it. It was so kind of you to allow me that pleasure. My name is Sassy Snake."

Snake explains, "Mama Mamba didst tell of thy kindness and gentleness and verily I see that thou hast respect and reverence as well. They doth call me Serpentina and thou also canst do likewise."

I nod. "I am glad to meet you Serpentina. I had a dream about you. You looked in my dream as you do now, beautiful with your scales gleaming in the early morning dew and shining as pure silver."

Serpentina says, "Thou art indeed noble and kind. Thou didst ask about strangers yestereve? Yea, I didst see several on yon ridge to the north. Dost thou wish to come and see?"

Remembering my dream, I say, "Yes, if you don't mind I would please like to go there very much." I quickly dress and get my gear together, taking some water with me. Serpentina leads the way toward the ridge. Sometimes I have to move slowly so as to not take the lead and at other times, I have to run with all my might just to keep up with her. It takes the better part of the day before we finally reach the top of the ridge to the north.

I look around from the ridgetop. I see the woods with the stream and I see desserts on two sides of us and I see a long chain of mountains leading farther and farther north. I am drawn in some indescribable way toward these mountains. Serpentina shows me where there are footprints of the strangers and they are definitely human.

Serpentina says, "These were made from the feet of thy kind and thy race. Thou are standing on the border between my people and thine. Not many of thine come here and fewer still do we allow to return; but we wish that thou wouldst return to us whenever thou canst. Always wilt there be a place for thee in our homeland. Take ye care of these that thou wouldst follow. I trust few of thy kind, but thou art different." With this, she lovingly coils herself around my leg squeezing it several times.

I bow slightly. "I do thank you Serpentina and Mama Mamba and the others for your kindness and your mercies. I do hope to return to you some day, but now much as it does sadden me, I feel that these mountains are drawing me on. I admit that I don't know where they lead or what I will find; but I am comforted by the love and friendship that I have found among you."

Serpentina says, "Fare thee well, little sister Sassy. Returnest thou to us soon. May you find nothing but good things ahead of thy wanderings." So saying, she gives my leg another squeeze, uncoils herself from my leg, waves her tail at me in farewell and slithers out of sight back to her tribe. I will start out early tomorrow morning and see where my feet will take me, not realizing how long it would be before I could keep my promise to return.

Interlude two

Ozymandias Whelk - Ozzie to his friends, although he wasn't entirely sure if he had any - polished the lenses of his glasses for the tenth or eleventh time since she'd left. They weren't really getting any cleaner and the strange blue sand of this world was scratching them something rotten, but it still reassured him. The repetition of the action was soothing. It made him think of his old, boring life... his gloriously boring old life.

And the more he thought about filling out forms, filing records and tabulating columns, the less he was thinking about his current... situation? Predicament? Conflab? He wasn't even sure what word was appropriate for this... this... insane place.

It was all her fault. The business with the kidnapped princesses had been fun, in hindsight - at least, the parts where he wasn't terrified out of his mind, which had admittedly been most of it - but he wasn't cut out to be an adventurer. That was for confident people with fancy weapons and stylish hair, people like Mr. Dash and Miss Aleena. Oh, the feeling had been good, knowing that he'd had a hand in the princesses being returned safely. But how much had he really contributed?

Now, he'd allowed her to drag him here where he was completely out of his element. All that nonsense with the sword, and the frankly unsettling sensation coming here which felt like someone was pulling the contents of his stomach out through his soul. And now, after all that hassle of dragging him here, she'd left him. She'd gone looking for food and water, leaving him alone in this bizarre world - he wasn't quite sure how she was supposed to know what was edible and potable in this place, but she'd been insistent.

There was... a noise. He dropped his glasses, then fumbled as he tried to simultaneously pick them and up pretend that hadn't sounded like a wild animal on the prowl. Despite himself, he looked around nervously. Nope... he could see anything beyond the strange undulating landscape and the small campfire before him. Ozzie wasn't sure whether not being able to see any monsters was a good thing or a bad thing.

He reaffixed the glasses on his head and scanned the horizon once again. For just a second he thought he saw... no... or yes? A figure in the distance. Humanoid, he could tell that much... except with... something writhing around its feet. That was more than a little strange, but regardless, this was the first sign of life he'd seen here. He stood up, wondering whether or not to approach the figure or stay well away.

It hadn't noticed him yet, apparently. It seemed to be staring intently at something he couldn't see, hidden beyond a ridge. Uncertain of why, Ozzie found his feet moving, drawing him to where the figure was looking. As he crested the hill, he saw two more figures. Both of them were familiar, one of them surprisingly so, and both of them were tensed up with weapons drawn, about to pounce. The sense of tension and anger in the air was so thick you could spread it on toast.

Ozzie's face dropped and he began pelting down the hillside, crying out as he did so: "STOP! STOOOOP! Stop it, Mr Dash!"

He just hoped he'd be quick enough to prevent Mr. Dash from finishing her off for good.

------

"Not all of the treees in the forest are to be trusted."

See? Very good, huh? We'll continue our story with Sassy, Dash, Ozzie and the stranger meeting up but we've got a host of other characters to spend time with first! Xodus, Zanther Wolf, Aleena and the Bearsmashers are up first in separate pieces.

And by the time we're back to the threesome featured here, we'll only be a third of the way in! Wow.