Introduction: Beneath the clear night skies a new life wailed unto being. Alas, the joys and jubilations of this most sacred union between man and woman was not to be. For a great serpent descended from the heavens, demanding the boy be forfeit. Mother wailed, father begged. But what could mere humans do in the face of such might. Nay, the dread beast would be satiated, naught the lands burn for time unending....