Of Snakes and Dreams by VITA ANNA
There once lived a woman that owned a big water mill. Each day she worked hard, yet the stable prosperity was nowhere to be seen. So, one day she sat by the pond and sighed in distress. Just what should she do to provide for her own older years?
The woman, as it turned out, was not the only one distressed by her thoughts. Her sight attracted the guest, and this guest was…quite cold.
The Snake, of at least ten thousand palms long, was slowly, in spirals, coming out of the pond. The Snake asked of women’s worries that were behind her grim look. She listened, she hissed, and then she proposed, ”I shall give you my scale, it will bring you the riches, the prosper and luck. In return you, however, will have to give me something you own yet don’t know of so far”.
The woman thought of the deal for a while, although proposed by a snake, it sounded too great. From food and the home to the old years in comfort - the scale could provide it all. Far more, what can she own that she does not know of?
And so she agreed, and the Snake disappeared. Just one shiny huge scale was left in the woman's hand. And since then a woman indeed had a prosperous life. What the Snake was after got revealed only in a few months.
So the woman had to face a terrible choice: break the sweet deal to save her own flesh and blood, or abandon the child. But who said the deal can be broken? The oath was already done. And the woman was never a liar to back down on her word, so she prayed to the gods that she would not feel any motherly love for that child.
As the nine moons passed, the child was born. It was not given a name nor taken to the mother’s arms. It seems like the gods have listened to the prayers once in a while.
The Snake came for payment by the following morning. From the waters, all black, her head covered the sun. “You are the first human that did not try to fool me by hiding the promised”, the Snake spoke, while her body was still rising above. “For that, I will give you one more beautiful scale. And worry not, any child that you will have next - is ought to be wise, gracious and loved”.
On that, the woman and the Snake have waved their goodbyes.
The Princess
The boy was taken to the underground kingdom in which the Snake ruled. He was given a common snake name and was sharing their tasteless food. Although never hungry or in other need, as soon as he was able to work - he was ought to complete any task that the old Snake would give. And those tasks were no jokes, they were long and exhausting. And with each passing year they were just getting worse. From polishing pebbles in gardens - to sorting the rice by its size, the meaningless work for him never stopped. With no joys underground, with no friends nor entertainment - there was nothing there to look forward to. Even in sleep he could not see a single dream - utter bore, nothing more, nothing less.
But one day, the meaningless bore was put to stop. When dusk came and the work was done for the day, on the other side of the garden wall someone was joyfully laughing with the voice as bright as the stars.
“What can this voice possibly be so joyful about? I was there just a moment ago - and saw nothing of worth”, the millerine’s son thought. And for the first time curiosity got a hold of him, so he got over the wall just to take a small peak. And what a great sight it was indeed! From the pond in the garden the tower was rising. Out of every colorful window of it - the snakes were crawling out. And as soon as they were touching the ground - they were taking off their scaly skins, turning into exquisitely dressed and painted people. And they all were greeted, like one, by the girl with the most cheerful voice and the smile. She stood before the tower in her green shiny clothes. Her body and face were painted with reds and golds, and in her hands she held a scaly black skin.
The vision before the millerine’s son's eyes was beyond mesmerizing. In his short life he has never seen a single snake taking off its skin, let alone for this creature to be covered in so many colors. Bewitched and amazed, he did not stay quiet enough - and got noticed by the young snake with that black skin. She looked him in the eyes, but did not say a word. Only quietly waved her hand to suggest that he should go.
Although disappointed, he obeyed her sign. Quite luckily for him, in fact. As soon as he came down from the wall, the well-known voice hissed to the snakes that were coming on. The old giant Snake started greeting the guests. While the mind told the boy to leave while he could, the curiosity was just a bit stronger. What if the Snake will greet the girl too?
And just as he hoped, in a moment he heard - the girl was the Snake’s niece, she was here to stay, and that in three years there ought to be a grand feast.
The Wooden Sparrow
The new day brought new tasks from the Snake: to write dozens of letters in a language he could not speak, let alone understand. Furthermore, he had only the time till the next rising sun. There was no moment to slack, yet he went to the gardens, in hopes to see the girl one more time.
The day was going to noon, the letters did not want to end, but the worst news of all is that - the Snake’s niece didn’t come even once. Neither tower, nor other snakes were around: it almost seemed that yesterday was but a silly short dream. But what a beautiful dream it was, after all! There’s no way he could just forget it without checking the gardens once more. Even the risk of losing his head, for not finishing letters in time, seemed not that grim in exchange for a chance of seeing such a dream one more time. Just like that he started to stroll around. Trying to hear the beautiful laugh, or to see the reds and golds between the gray trees of stones. Yet, the search was in vain. There is nothing left than to proceed with writings right where he stands. Letter by letter, that all looked the same, with no word he could read or a sign he could comprehend, he still was ought to complete what was ordered.
“How silly, do you intend to write it all by hand?”
Right before him she stood. She was not a dream, but quite real in fact. The black skin was held with the belts, and her gown looked like a colorful glass. And the voice, oh that voice, was impossible not to recognize, cheerful and loud, clear and with a hint of pride.
“You know, if you listen to me - there will be no need for such tedious things”.
Quite embarrassed, as if he did something bad, he lowered his head, “Oh no, miss, you do not have to help me. I am sorry if you saw it like that”.
The Snake’s niece frowned, “It is true, I do not have to help you at all. However, if I do - we can play a game. And as any young snake, I am quite fond of those.”
Still uncertain of how to even answer a proposal like that , he simply nodded and quietly asked for her help. But was his request said politely and right? What if he got too excited with a thought of some games? Truly, how dare he ask mistress's niece to do his task? He certainly should stop her now and politely decline.
But the paper was already grabbed from his hands. Little snake stuffed them inside her sleeve in a complete disarray. Then she raised another sleeve and pointed it right to the sky.
From the sleeve, the wooden sparrow had flown. After the sparrow, the wooden hawk appeared and aimed for the first. It hunted the sparrow and was about to fly away, but the sleeve had one more bird to spear. Wooden owl swallowed the hawk in the sky and, right away, it started to fall to the ground. It touched the earth and cracked in half. And from that crack the dozens of adorned letters started to come out. In spirals, in shapes, they were swirling around before finally resting as a big stack.
“Go on, check the letters. Is that what you had to write?”
And the letters indeed were correct. Although still not understanding a single word, the symbols to him looked exactly right. Such wonders were not something the boy had ever seen. Is that what all snakes can do? How can it be a thing? Something that could’ve made him lose his head turned out so easy to fix.
Alas, before he could process all that, the young snake already dragged him with her to attend to her games. From magical chess, to butterfly race. And from wonderful stories she was eager to tell, to even some contents of the letters themselves. It was hard to watch out for the time. And only when night was about to pass, he remembered that he had to go to the Snake before the sun was up. Unwilling to go, let alone to let go of such precious time, he still had to say his goodbyes.
“Oh that is quite alright,” the little snake said, “I will carry you there in no time”.
And just like that he was before the Snake’s door. The scaly princess, however, was nowhere to be seen.
…
Since that day, the boy started to see dreams in his sleep. Hearing stories and playing games became familiar to him. And each day since he could see his new dear friend. It is hard to shortly describe what they were talking about. From the snakes’ customs to the gossip about the world above, and from songs to the books - it was all a part of their spent time. And those tales and stories were so vivid and bright that the boy caught himself dreaming sometimes of seeing it all with his own eyes.
With the little snake even tedious tasks were ought to be fun. For when you have a choice and a splendid company, even the most meaningless of the job can be great and heartwarming. So in just a year and half the millerine's son became completely inseparable from the princess. And one evening, near a small hidden pond, surrounded by dancing mice made of glass, the girl asked him what he was dreaming about. And for a moment or two he stayed silent, in fact.
“Well, can’t it stay just like that till the moment I die? I want you, my friend, to be here. Would it be too much to ask?”
Little snake’s face got bright upon hearing such a response. But in a mere second a gloomier expression appeared, “What if such a wish would allow you to live only a year and half? Would you still wish for that?”
And to that the boy had no response yet, so the snake told him of a feast that was soon to take place. The event, as grand as it can be. Held for the snakes all over the seas, with entertainments and beautiful ballrooms, with the guests almost as strong as the gods, and the dishes with the tastes richer than any food out there. And the main dish is - those like him.
“For my aunt will not hesitate. She has respect for your mother but not for you. You are as good as a kettle raised to be slaughtered for food. But the worst part here is that no man can resist the urge to be consumed on such a feast. So I need you to choose now while there is still time. I can grant any wish as long as you promise to listen to me.”
But the boy did not know yet what to ask for. He wanted the riches, but he did not even know what they were; he did not care for the family, nor did he care for the people he never met; he wanted to see all the wonders he heard of the outside, but how can he be sure if she would stay with him outside? Here - there is always a friend, here - there is always her nearby.
The discussion cut short, the little snake kissed her goodbyes for the night. But before disappearing, she said one last time, “I can make any wish come true. From saving your life to making you a king. From taking you outside and giving you riches that no man ever seen to showing the lands of beauty that only tales tell about. As long as you listen to me.”
Then she was gone.
The Promise
Year was soon to pass by, and some of the snake guests started to arrive in anticipation for the upcoming grand feast. The work multiplied, as the guests were eager to demand silly requests. Luckily, there was still the little snake that would both help with the tedious job and heavy mind. She had not, however, brought up neither the feast nor the wish again even once. Sometimes it even seemed like the conversation never happened at all.
Until one day.
And on that one day the millerine’s son overheard the conversation of the guests.
“Ah, I heard the Snake’s niece will be married to the beautiful prince after the feast. His looks are like a timid spring rain and his temper is certainly sweet! What a lucky young lady she ought to be!”
The other guest added, “Oh and what a wonderful time! After the celebration as great as it is there is no way not to fall for a beauty head over heels! It is all about pleasures in the purest form!”
Another guest nodded, “Ah, I remember myself how I married a man the previous time! With the herbs and the honey he tasted like no one else!”
The last one replied, “Truly, the last to be eaten remembered the most! No other sweet tender meat is compared to the one you personally chose.”
What a horrid conversation it was to hear out, so there is no wonder that the boy got his wishes sorted out. It is only too bad that his fear was not about his life.
…
Instead of throwing himself into the little snake's embrace, instead of cheerfully greeting her, and instead of asking to show him the mice made of glass, he stood in front of her with a fear for loss in his eyes.
"I know what I want now. Just a year here with you is indeed not enough. I want to be out. I want the riches you promise. And I want to be there with you."
The little snake nodded and said, "The snakes do not break the promises, I will give you all that you wish. I can make you a prince, I can make you a king, and I can make the world open before you like you please. However, I need you to follow all that I say. Regardless of how unnatural, bizarre or humiliating it may be. Can you promise me that?"
And he did.
The Feast
The feast was about to begin. All of the preparations were already done. Usually gray and dull, Snake's domain looked splendid and alive. Stone trees were decorated with colorful shiny ribbons. On their branches hanged golden fruits, and the crystal birds were singing the songs that would melt the most resentful heart. The animals of precious metals, and soft fluffy fur were walking around. The snakes in peculiar clothing were preparing to play instruments of curved forms. The air was filled with beautiful smells: from cinnamon and any baked good out there, to every single flower one could and could not think of. Yet none of those smells clashed with each other. Yet none of the bizarre decorations made anyone feel like it's too much. But in such an enticing place of such mesmerizing time, the little snake did not allow her friend to relax. Tons of commands were given to him.
"Do not speak with other snakes for too long, do not tell them your name, your hopes or who you serve. Do not eat the food from the tables. I will throw the leftovers behind the left and right shoulders. You can only take what I throw to the left. Do not drink the wine, do not dance and do not sit with the snakes. If they give you advice, do not listen to it. If they insist, say that your status does not allow such a thing. Whatever they say whatever they do - do not forget what you promised to me".
Just as she finished, the Snake's servants appeared. They were looking for millerine's son, to prepare him for the feast. The colorful herbs for his face and the clothes as bright as the moon and delicate that they could fit through the needle's eye. If such a dress was prepared for a mere servant in here, it's not hard to imagine how much grant the princess's or the Snake's clothes would be.
All dressed in splendid fabrics, with the intricate colorful designs on his body and face, surrounded with the sweet smell of unknown herbs - any mortal could mistake him for a prince. However, snakes are no mortals, they would not mistake him for nothing that he is not. Either way, regardless of whether the boy looked like a prince, a food, or a slave - the task was given to him to serve the guests their wine. In the ballrooms and terraces, in the gardens or the giant floating platforms in the ponds, wherever the table and a thirsty guest was - the wine was ought to be brought. And there were truly a lot of those thirsty snakes, for the boy could not catch a break. And from such a tiring task, his throat was on fire craving some of that sweet and sparkling wine that other servants were gladly enjoying. But remembering what his dear friend said, he had to refuse the drink himself. Speaking of a friend, where could she be?
She appeared from the pond with her aunt. Both wore their snake skins on one shoulder, secured by the broche. Of the beauty of those dresses there is no need to talk much. Even the rudest and nastiest of the snakes were mesmerized, even the pure philistine would acknowledge the artistry of such gowns. In such awe the millerine's son stayed long enough for his friend to join the table with guests. The servants were eager to serve her the food and the drinks, other snakes were already circling around her to do their greetings and talks. And, although the crowd around her was three times smaller than the one around her aunt, getting close would be no easy task. So he waited, and waited, then waited some more. But to no avail, she was not free even after all of that time. Thirsty, tired and desperate to see her close at least once he cursed the day he wished to get out. For if he did not ask to live, she would be with him now, not wasting the seconds on others, but cherishing the moments with him.
Some snakes' servants and sons stopped by. All dressed in light gowns and with theatrical compassion in their eyes.
"We can see how you look at the princess. Isn't it sad? She will not notice you unless you do something right now. What about offering her some wine? What about sharing it with her? What if you drink it first and then offer her some? Or how about dance? The music should start so soon! Or what about eating some of those delicious sweets? Well truly if she'll see you having fun she might join you!"
And although he remembered the promise, and although he knew that he swore on obeying to what she said, just for a moment his mind wanted to reach for a goblet with wine. For surely she would have to notice if he misbehaves…
Someone reached for his hands and gently spinned him around.
"Did you drink any wine? Do you wish to dance? Are you talking with your kind and having some fun?" said someone.
"I would not dare, young miss. For slaves do not drink wine without the Snake's command, nor do they dance without one."
Then someone gently spinned him around again and proclaimed, "Well that is great, because I brought something less deadly for you to drink".
Obviously, the "someone" in question was the little snake. She was even more cheerful and bright than she usually is. So bright, in fact, that the boy had to avert his gaze for a moment or two. But not looking at her did not work too well. In just a second, with no warning, a crystal goblet was near his mouth.
"Poor thing, you must be starving! Worry not, there should be tons of delicious foods that you can eat! Come, come! There's also a beautiful seat near me!"
And she dragged him with her to the huge shiny ballroom with a table as long as a road. The broad velvety chair, covered in pillows of different sizes, was pushed behind the other bigger seats. On this chair she sat him down. Looked in his eyes once again and proclaimed, "Remember to eat only what I throw from my left shoulder. You might not be happy right now about that, but you will understand why I do what I do."
Just as she ended, the music started to get louder. The guests with more drive started to enter the room and choose the seats. All were ecstatic as the dancing was soon to begin. But what kind of dancing would it be if guests didn’t try the delicious foods and meats?
So, of course, every snake wanted to swallow an appetizer or two, before moving to the hypnotically beautiful rhythms.
And truly the best dishes were waiting for them. The table, although huge, was barely holding the weight of all that it held. Fruits, cut to look like animals, were dripping with intoxicating juice just after a bite. The meat smelled of garlic, butter and herbs and was almost melting on the tip of a tongue. But not just the fruits, and not just the meats that the table held. The salads, the fish, the soups, the chocolate and ice cream fountains. Small sandwiches shaped like flowers and stars, and even bizarre exotic dishes of questionable kind.
But of all of that beauty, the princess throws only small fruits. No meat and no bread, no beautiful dishes or intricate desserts were meant for him to eat. Even though those small fruits were delicious and sweet, it was still hard to not to think that she was mocking him. After all, even the right to sit next to her was taken away for the reason he couldn't know. It is not very easy to trust in her - when other servants and sons are eating all they can see, when they drink sweet wine and talk with beautiful snakes all they want. How is it fair? But yet, even with resentment, he did as he promised and ate what she gave.
The music got louder again. The drums got prominent and invited all to swirl in the dance. But instead, half of the servants fell to the ground. "They ate the meat", the boy realized. No one stopped to care for those who fell to the ground. Even other servants did not stop. Instead they were eagerly dragging some snakes for the dance. Few particularly noisy ones even dragged the little snakes with themselves. But this time the millerine's son was not too eager to get jealous just yet. "They drank the wine".
The music got excruciatingly loud and hypnotic by that time. It was hard to see a thing between the bodies of those who were about to dance. Until the drums got even louder somehow.
Then, like on command, snakes started to bite into flesh of those who were dancing with them. Furiously, cruelly and with a wild spark in their eyes. The scene was beyond gruesome. The scene was beyond dark. Yet none of the servants or sons tried to fight. The opposite was true, in fact. They were desperate to be consumed, it seems. Greedily putting their own necks under the teeth of the snakes that were somehow back in their skins. Up to five meters long, they were swallowing what was left of that recently living meat. And when the dancers were gone they started to snack on those who fell on the floor.
Is the little snake eating somebody too? And is that what "marriage" looks like for snakes too? Well, if that's the case that "prince" might not be that big of a deal. After all, he won't accompany her for long then, but the millerine's son will. That's what he thought.
"I am so sorry, my dear friend, you must be so scared!"
He was not.
"I should've gotten you outside of this wretched room before the music began", the little snake was worryingly standing before him. Her mouth was not covered in blood. And the snake skin was still taken off.
"You didn't eat?"
The princess was appalled by hearing this, "Are you scared I might eat you? I would've never, I can promise you that! You remember the snakes do not break their promises, do you not?"
He should've been grateful, but he was bitter instead. Who knows, maybe he drank some of that wine and now was eager to be eaten too? Or maybe the wine isn't that much of a fault? Either way, the little snake couldn't tell what he thought, so she said, "We are leaving as soon as midnight strikes. Do not get too far."
"So can we dance while we wait?"
The Dance
"Do not make it harder for me", was her response. She did not mention the promise, although it was certainly implied. Regardless of what was, and was not implied in the answer, the question itself was peculiarly out of place. Some men are still being eaten. Some snakes were still dancing , and that infuriatingly hypnotic music was still playing. Certainly, not a great time to have fun if he wanted to live, rather than passionately getting loved for a minute or two.
After that conversation the events should've been as follows: in the right time getting out of the snake world underground and giving the boy the riches and stuff he desired. Having a beautiful castle that never gets gray, seeing the most weird and wonderful things all over the world, and certainly doing what all friends do - enjoying the wonders together and not getting bored. But alas, once again when the little snake had to separate from the boy to humor her aunt, some more servants, somehow still alive, and snake sons stopped by and started to give some advice.
"Look at that, look at that! She does not care a bit for your yearn and distress! If only you danced with her - she would not stand so far mistreating you here!"
He tried to ignore them. For the princess ordered not to speak with them. He tried to ignore what they said. For the princess rightfully warned him before.
"Oh are you so scared to be eaten that you would rather stand here?" He was not. The snakes do not break the promises, she would not kill him there.
"Well, did you know that on a feast the snake can't refuse to dance if you hold her hand and invite her to?"
Is it true?
"Don't you want her to pay you some mind? Don't you want her gentle cold hands to spin you around? Have you ever stood close enough to her in this celebration? For the snakes smell like the spring itself on this day. For their voices as enticing as the melody that the goddess would sing to her child. You should know, you should hear, you should smell."
And it is how he broke his first promise to her. Yes, she smelled as good as the cool waterfall found in the desert. Her soft tender shoulder was a pleasure to lean on. And she was twirling him around the halls, around and over what had remained of the bones. Around and near other snakes and their pairs, and close to the pond, and everywhere where the magic could overwhelm the heart in a second. And all of that while sweetly holding his hand. But she stopped, stopped to whisper in that beautiful voice he would've never forgotten, "Ah, just what have you done? Now it's almost impossible for me to save you."
The Snake saw it all. What was done by him, and how her niece was distraught. How he was not eaten, all due to her niece trying so hard. How he was greedy and not pure in the heart. She was back in her skin. Furious, huge and with long poisonous teeth. If the niece plays too long with a food - the game should be put to the stop. And in a moment the boy's head would've been bitten off.
But the little snake did not forsaken him yet. Although he disobeyed, although broke the oath - she still saw the friend, she still truly cared. So out of the hallways, out of the gardens and far from the snake she ran after grabbing his hand. But trying to win the race with a huge scary snake is the same as agreeing to lose beforehand. There was no other way but to put on her skin.
"I will carry you on my back, you will have to hold as tight as you can and do as I say. I am not as fast as my aunt, without the tricks we won't run too far"
Just like that, he was already holding for his dear life to the scaly back. The little snake could not be called small anymore. As long as ten bears, and as broad as three, she was still not as huge, nor as fast as the aunt. So the threat was catching up.
"Throw my hairpin to the ground, if it slow her down even for a second you just might live"
The thrown hairpin turned into the whole forest of narrow long threes. But it only gave them upper hand for a bit. Soon the Snake was getting close once again.
“Throw my belt to the ground if you wish to live”
And her belt turned into a fast and wide river, yet it barely slowed down the Snake. Although the Snake's breath could've been felt, although she was close and no less angry at all, the princess has given last order.
"Throw my crown to the ground"
The crown became a tall mountain that could pierce the underworld's sky, but it was barely enough for them to get to the edge of the land.
Then they crossed.
Three Years to Wait
On one side of the border was a dark night. On the other - the sun just started to rise. Both the Snake and her niece could easily cross, yet neither of them would. The little snake was letting all know what she decided to do. The aunt had to stop the chase, but it did not mean she changed her mind.
"What have you done, stupid child? You warmed the rat on your chest. You see the equal in a slave, you made up the lies that you are the same. You prolonged the time of a thing that should be consumed at the peak of its life. You confused a toy with a friend, and you will have to face the fruits of these lies. He will drag you down, where those like you don't belong. He will parasite off your dreams and call them his own. Mark my words, you'll regret pitying him."
Then, in spirals, she left.
…
In the world outside stood the deep and dark night. Moon was barely visible under all of the clouds. Yet the moment felt magical for the millerine's son. No prince, no servant would tear them apart. Any scene that she told him about they could see now. Now they can dance and drink wine whenever they like.
Yet the little snake didn't seem thrilled, "Please tell me you disobeyed me not in a bad will. Please tell me someone scared you into doing that. Tell me you did not mean to break your oath. Tell me she is wrong. That it wasn't greed."
Then he lied. For that's what she wanted to hear. And it worked. The princess did not seem so gloomy any more. She slid off the ring from her tail and put it in his palm.
"I can't give you the castles and riches I promised you yet. Put this ring in the ground in the place you want to live. There shall appear a beautiful house with a little garden of colorful trees, the pond with fish made of gold and a lovely terrace with ornaments that would amaze any carpenter. If you ever find yourself in need of more money than what is stored in the house - just ask it for more. Whether you're hungry or cold - do not worry, just ask for whatever is missing to make you feel at home. And whenever you might want to change a city, a village, or a lonely field - just ask the house to turn back into the ring."
In none of those words the boy heard that she would be with him.
"Will you not stay with me?"
The princess quietly answered, "When you danced with me you cursed me to stay there and feed on the flesh in my snake form. Yet I left to save you. Now I am in constant hunger, unable to turn back as I please. I will have to go back and see you only once a year. Each time like that I will be able to fulfill part of your wish. Can you wait for me? There's a total of three full years that I will be gone. Can you fix your mistakes and this time listen to me? "
Seeing her only once in a year? That's a torture, indeed. What does this stupid world outside matter if he can't get what he needs? If he won't know how to act and what to do, how will he live in a place with no friend of his? Oh, how much he wanted to cry, for he would rather be dead than not having her. She should've eaten him, indeed. That would've spared him the thinking of how to make her stay.
And cry he did. The round big tears were rolling down his cheeks while he begged her to stay. If that's the hunger that makes her leave - why not eat people here as she pleases. If she can only stay in the snake skin - that's no bother to him, he might miss her tender embrace, but missing her whole is much worse. If she's simply mad at him for disobeying and does not want to look at him - he can stay out of her sight for as long as she wants. If only she stayed and didn't leave him alone!
The consolations dragged the whole night. She was telling him stories, she was wiping off his tears and promised to come back. And when, exhausted, he fell asleep - she put in the ground the ring herself. In the house, not too small, not too large, with invisible hands as servants to help, with the pond and the garden neither too bleak nor too grand. On the hill by the forest not too far from the people, yet not too close to intrude in their life with no warning. In that house she put him to rest and then left. Only hoping that he would not forget what he swore to do. For although she was flattered by his tears, the words of her aunt were too sincere to dismiss.
…
As time passed by, the year was soon to be over. The boy lived with no discomfort, as there was always something to eat or to wear, and the invisible servants were always there to attend to any need. During days his wait was painfully long, while during the nights the colorful dreams were easing the thirst for the time when she would come. For the dreams were created from stories and tales that she told. From her wishes she shared, from the wishes he hoped to be part of.
But saying that days were only filled with lonely waits would be false. Some of the men from the village nearby soon started to come by. Be it the interest or something else, didn't matter that much. The boredom was too great, as the millerine's son was counting down the days for the little snake to come back. So he allowed other men to call themselves his "friends". Or at least in a sense of how man can be a friend to another man.
Soon, the village men were spending more and more time at his home. Some of them were married already and liked to complain, some of them were soon to be and could not stop talking about that. Some of them weren't and they couldn't stop whining regardless of how annoying they were. Either way, the men's useless talks were meant to end, as they were more and more eager to find out about the house. Was it the boy's mother who ordered to built it? Was she that rich? Did she plan to marry someone new? If it was the mother who built the house - why did she send her son so far away? Or maybe it wasn't the mother? The sister? The daughter? How could it be, he seemed too young? Or maybe that was his future wife? Once again, why send him that far? Did he disgust her right before the wedding? Oh, the men were certainly eager to know. And each question was more and more personal. And more and more weird.
Yet he dodged stupid questions each time, only saying the place was built by his friend and that he's waiting for her to come back. Anything else was too precious for him to share. And why would he do that? The year was about to pass, he had other things to attend.
And just as promised, and as soon as the sun sat down, the cheerful voice could be heard outside. She appeared with no tail this time. As radiant as before and as sweet as before. So they talked the whole night. Just like she used to, she was telling him stories. She told him of how she tried to retrieve the trinkets they had to throw to the ground, she told him of how angry her aunt was and still is, she told him how to use the retrieved hairpin to make any ship or carriage to travel the world. The ship that would shine like a piece of crystal or glass, the carriage that would love gems in the places it was. She promised to come back next time with even more beautiful gifts.
And every second spent with her was so cherished and sweet. And the closer the time for the sun to rise came, the more desperate he was getting to beg her to stay. But she had to leave, after putting back her scaly black skin.
So he had to start waiting for another long year.
The Skin
But alas, such a long wait petrified him too much. He can barely live through one more year, but two? And what if it will take longer? What if she won't come back forever to stay? What if she'll leave and what if she'll find someone else?
So the next day, when the men came, he did not keep his mouth shut. He told them about the snake, he told them too much. And he heard in response, the stuff he would've never thought about.
"Make sure she falls asleep and then just throw the snake skin in the fire to burn. She would not go back underground this way."
He dismissed it at first, but with each passing day his new "friends" would repeat the same advice.
"She will have to stay this way. No more princes, no feasts and no balls. All the dreams that she told you about - you can start sharing them now. Burn her skin, make her stay."
Then, finally, the year has passed.
…
She came as the sun set, in the carriage pulled by wooden mice with glass eyes. Smiling and inviting, she stood before him. And as soon as she reached out her hands, the mice turned into birds and started to sing. And the sounds reminded of violins. And the instruments that only the ones on the feast could ever hear of. She pulled him to dance, to sing, and to laugh. Not like the dance underground when she was displeased, although it clenched his heart just as much, if not more.
Make her stay. How can you live if she'll just go away?
The little snake then took off her crown. The one that she had to lose. The one that she had to throw away for his mistake. She put it on his head and proclaimed, "I promised to make you a king. Just tell me where and over who you wish to rule and I will give you the throne."
But he didn't care, "Can I wish for you to stay instead?"
She shook her head, "You have to wait one more year."
The whole year is too much. He can't wait that long. He can't live for that long. Even dreams in the night can't comfort him enough to bear such a curse. In a year he might not be young anymore, in a year her aunt can marry her off, in a year she can forget about him, in a year the Snake might bring other slaves.
Make her fall asleep, burn the skin, make her stay, share the dreams now and here.
So he begged her to rest with him. Till the sun came out he wished to lay in her arms and see her having dreams. Peculiar request indeed, but why would the princess suspect a thing if the one who was asking is her dear friend? With no doubts, and no concerns the little snake laid on the bed, that her magic made, in the house, her magic built. And although millerine's son laid next to her, as soon as she fell asleep he got out of her hands.
In the matter of minutes her skin was stolen. In the matter of seconds it was already burning. In a matter of moments he felt that now they can be, although not one, inseparable at least. Then he went back to bed as the fire was greedily eating the dark, sparkling scales.
She can't go anywhere. She will stay. He will share her dreams.
The Mountains of Glass
She woke up before the sun started to rise. Then gently raised millerine's son to stand up. Although with a weak voice, she started saying her goodbyes and was about to put on her skin like she usually does.
But it was gone. And the terror lit up in her eyes.
"What have you done?"
But he had no time to lie this time. The princess and the room got covered in flames. The flames of beautiful colors that were rapidly getting more and more gray.
"Why did you not listen? Why did you choose to believe those you just met over me? Why did you break the promise you so eagerly gave? Why couldn't you wait? Was I not sweet or kind enough? Was I not generous or did I not treat you tender enough? I swear, I should've eaten you, instead of foolishly trying to be your friend!"
And the tears were rolling down her cheeks. The flames were obscuring the view. And her body was transforming into something that could fly away. So he tried to grab her hand. But alas, he only got burned but the fire, the fire as gray as the stone trees he hated so much.
She was gone. The fire, the colorful magical birds and the servants disappeared too. Every bit of magic, but house. All of the things that reminded of her the most. Now he was alone. This time for good. No friend will come by in a year or even two. She was right, she should've just eaten him back then. She shouldn't have asked what he wished for, nor to even be friends with him at all. But now it's too late. Even after committing a gruesome mistake, the parasite will still try to latch.
So, burned and despaired, he went to the Snake's domain. If she kills him - it will be no different from now anyway, but if she won't - he might know where to find his princess.
…
The road to the Snake's kingdom was neither short nor long. Neither pleasant nor unbearable. And in some time, neither awfully long nor quickly, he entered the stone gates. In the center of the stone hall, the Snake was spiraling in all of her tall and scaly glory.
"What do I see? Unfinished dessert? Did you come to get eaten before getting spoiled?" No answer from him. He knew the Snake wasn't done.
"Oh that's right, you didn't want to happily go like your kind is supposed to. You decided to parasite off my niece. Too bad your host finally saw you for what you are, little leech. If only she didn't have to get burnt in the process, but alas, it seems like some lessons have to be learnt from life."
The Snake finally stopped for a moment.
"If you hope for my help, you better forget it. I see you know no remorse. I see you are not capable of what she hoped for"
But, of course, he wouldn't back down. When begging and pleading did not work out, he tried to tell her of wishes the princess had promised. "Snakes do not break their promises", and he was promised one more wish. The request disgusted the Snake. She was about to get furious, but then suddenly spoke a few more words: "Alright, I'll tell you where she is. I'll tell it all and will watch you fail. She is in a different kingdom now, attending her wounds. For a human to get there you would have to cross three mountains made of broken glass and wear off three pairs of metal shoes. There you will finally realize that you're better off dead."
Then she gave him the shoes and the small ball of yarn that would lead him to the first mountain. But that was as much favor as the Snake would give. The stone gates closed at once.
…
The ball of yarn rolled for a few days. It was rolling on small old roads, in the forests, and by the rivers. The way was exhausting, but not yet undefeatable. The shoes of steel added weight, but were not slowing him down yet. Everything was uncomfortable, yet not unbearable. That was the case, at least, until the yarn finally stopped. The mountain, too wide to pass by, made of broken pale glass, with the pieces shining painfully bright on the sun, was standing in all its terrifying glory. But, regardless of how intimidating it is, he had to ascend. There was no turning back. Or rather, nothing to turn to and nothing to await.
Unsurprisingly, the ascending was horrendously complicated. There was not a single bit of a ground on which he could rest on, there was not a single trail that would ease the way, and there was nothing to dim the painfully bright reflected light. And pushed to his limits, exhausted and despaired he lost his senses and fell to the ground.
Instead of meeting a gruesome death, however, his body was catched by a creature that seemingly appeared from nowhere. The black goat, that tenderly bleated, easily carried the boy on her back. For her, reaching the peak was not a hard task at all. So she helped him to there. Then they were almost halfway down. And in no time, the mountain was already behind. On the ground, which was not touched by sharp glass, resting on the soft fur of the goat was surprisingly nice. In his sleepy daze he even saw the blinks of the dream.
Regardless of how nice the rest was, the way ought to be continued. But where to go next? The roads and fields before him were too many to simply rely on a chance. And there was no yarn anymore. There was nothing to guide him and, quite frankly, it terrified him to the core. He tried to figure out what he could do, but there was really nothing that could come to his mind. He would've sobbed and complained, but who to complain to? The goat certainly would not understand.
But the despair had to be put to the pause. Someone else, aside from the goat, appeared before him. Woman in the hood that covered her face. With a voice neither old nor young. The woman that both resembled a witch and the old priestess in the way she stood and spoke. That woman spoke, "What do I see? The rugged boy managed to get so far? Well that's even sad, as there's no way you will find your way any further than that. Unless, you'll rely on someone as wise as I am."
But he already could sense that she would not help for free.
"What is it? The goat got your tongue? Well, it doesn't matter. If you wish to get to the next mountain you'll have to pluck your eye. Then I will get you there in no time. But if you're not willing to sacrifice a part of yourself… just give me the goat. Her head will look great on my wall"
The proposition made him stunned for a while. The witch was getting annoyed, so she angrily hissed, "You better make up your mind before the princess forgot about you and found someone else".
But even without the witch's pressing he would've not hesitated to accept the offer. What he was doing is justifying his choice to himself. The goat was very nice to him, it felt wrong to give her away. Yet, if he had lost his eye, how would he proceed his way? He would not even be able to see the little snake. That is not something he could accept - he would rather trade off something else. Even if giving away a goat to be butchered pained his heart a bit.
And the witch accepted. And the witch grinned. And the ground itself folded and moved; the winds were carrying him like the princess once did; and the waters, that were meant to block his way, obediently laid flat as mirrors to not disrupt the winds' work.
In a matter of moments he was before the green glass mountain. So, just as before, he started to go up the glass trails. Much harder this time and even more hostile. The ascent was taking hours upon hours and the end seemed only more and more far. Suffered from thirst and tired once more, there was a chance that he would simply collapse again on a deadly glass floor. However, it seems he was favored by the luck herself, no less, as the black cow with kind eyes was already there to keep him on his legs. She helped him conquer the mountain like a goat did, and at the very bottom even allowed to feed on her milk. But to no one's surprise, just like last time, as he did not know where to go next, the witch was ought to appear with a trade proposition. Hard to tell if that was the same witch or not. Hard to tell if she wanted to see him succeed or distraught. But it is easy to say that her trade was not meant to sound good.
"The way to the third mountain is grueling and hare. The burning rivers and winds of ice would postpone your reunion for months. But just give me what I ask for and I'll help you right away to get there. "
The witch certainly laughed to herself, "Let me cut off that beautiful hair of yours. Or give me that cow, so I can cook it and eat. The choice is yours, as the treat is mine either way."
The response had no delays, "I already look ragged. If I also cut off my hair the princess might not even recognize me. How can I let it happen?". And although a bit sad to allow for such a sweet cow to be butchered, he did not back away.
The witch chuckled, and lifted the ground below his feet like a fabric. In just a blink of an eye the landscape before him changed and transformed. Then the witch disappeared, he was left alone. All while the red glass mountain stood before him.
…
It was unlike the two others. It wasn't sharp nor hostile. Only tons of crystal bridges were connecting small trails, mixing together and confusing the mind. The most beautiful and sparkly labyrinth out there.
In the middle of the first bridge the cat with luscious black fur was taking her nap. As soon as the millerine's son took a step on that bridge, the cat lifted her paws revealing the yarn ball underneath. She proudly pushed it and watched it lead the easiest way up. Following yarn up the beautiful bridges was as easy as taking a stroll. No possible pain nor exhaustion. The proud cat was keeping him company, periodically climbing up his shoulders to watch around. The boy grew very fond of this creature, in fact.
The witch was there again.
"Right ahead of you shall appear stone gates. Behind them is the palace in which the snake princess rests. You can go there right now, if you please. However, do I need to remind you what you look like right now? All ragged and not pleased at all. There was no stunning beauty to begin with, but now you're uglier than a boiled rooster. I bet your princess wouldn't even want to look at you."
He would bet on it too.
"But with some magic, you know, you can get as beautiful as someone she would like. And the price is so small. Just let me take that cat that follows you around. I will have a delicious meal and you will have the charms that snakes can't ignore."
So the cat had to go. Yes, it helped, yes, it cheered him up, but what does it matter if the princess might not even pay him a glimpse of her sight? The deal was agreed on. He got his spell. He became as fresh as cold spring waters, or whatever the snakes like to say. After that he was eager to open the stone gates. Excited and thrilled he entered and thought what he had to tell the little snake for her to come back.
The Deal
But there was no princess behind the gates. Only the witch, no, the Snake, was sitting on the stone throne.
"I told you to wear off three pairs of steel shoes. I told you to prove what you can do to earn forgiveness. I told you that there are no shortcuts and cheats, yet cheating is what you did."
But the speech of the Snake was disrupted by him, "Well, how is it fair? I suffered and pushed on through the struggle and pain. I deserve to at least see her once".
"And you did. Exactly three times you have seen her, in fact. And exactly three times you sold her off to cheat your way out or to pamper your ego. I told her that you're nothing but a leech that feeds off one's soul. I told her that seeing you as an equal is nothing but her youth playing jokes. I told her those of your kind should be enjoyed when they are still young and fresh. I told her that sharing her dreams with you is the same as killing them off. And lastly, I told her that honesty is not a thing that men are known for. They are known for their greed."
He tried to object, explaining himself. He did not mean the princess harm. Never did, never would. Is it a sin to take a piece of the colors and dreams that she showed? Is it a sin to want to stay close to the light and warmth?
But to argue with someone as old and as strong, with someone wise and as furious as the flamy gods, is a task with no possible win. Her snake tail was already holding and choking him off.
"If you only knew how much she tried to convince me that you are more than just a dessert for a snake to enjoy. That you meant no harm, that there was an excuse every time, that I am wrong and she might be right. That you are her friend and you love her strong enough to recognise. That you have a soul, that you have a mind. She was so convinced that even I started to doubt. Too bad she was wrong. "
But before the Snake could get rid of him once and for all, the small dainty bird sat on her. Then the bird chirped something with a voice as cheerful, as the one the boy would've never forgotten. "Ah, what did she say? Don't torture me with silence, tell me what she thinks!" And the bird looked at him with grief as he spoke. "If only you recognized me earlier, if only you waited, if only you listened to me and not someone else", none of those words were spoken or chirped, but there was no need. Too clear was her sorrow and pity.
The Snake frowned, then loosened her grip. "My dear niece asks for a compromise. She can't forgive you for what you've done, you can’t be her friend after that. Yet she still pities, still thinks you're a person and not just a food. She asks to let you be, as not seeing her anymore is enough of a punishment on its own."
He immediately declined, "I would rather die looking at her than rot alone somewhere I don't belong".
"Do not say such a thing, you only make it harder for me", the princess would've said, but she couldn't talk in the form of the bird, so the Snake spoke instead. "If you're not eager to do as she says, then the only option is to do as I say. I will take away all those thoughts that you have in your head, so that you don't misbehave ever again. Eternally by her side, always there for her to use. Neither person nor food. Neither loved nor despised. Lower than servant, slightly higher than tool. Would you agree to such a sacrifice? There's no cheating out, you will pay for what you've done."
So, one last time he did not listen to what his dear friend said. He agreed to the deal. He is now with her to stay.
…
The Snake turned him into a beautiful wooden sparrow that her niece can use any time. Now, he is a part of that magic he was so mesmerized with. Always there to do any chore regardless of how meaningless and trivial it is. Always there to remind her of the fool that she was. Hard to tell how upset the little snake was, hard to tell if she forgave him at all, and it's hard to tell if she will ever find a way to get rid of that spell. Either way, in a sense, his wish was fulfilled. Whichever dream of her own she might bring to life - he will be present to at least share its sight. And although he had never seen a single dream of his own after that, wooden sparrows do not need such things either way.
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- CREATIVE WORKS: FICTION & PROSE University of Alaska Anchorage Department of English