** Author's Note: I am sooo sorry it's taken me so long to write the next chapter. I didn't realize until today that it's been over three months. In that time I have moved twice and now I am at College. So please forgive me. Once again, thank you for all the great reviews. You are so nice.

Chapter 3: Fantasy Land

"We will use the portal to get to Xanth, but first we must get some supplies. The food there is very different and we'll be traveling for a little while. Do you know how to use a knife?"

I looked at him quizzically and with a slight tremor in my voice managed to squeak out "Wh-Wh-What?"

"I take that as a no. But that's OK. You should carry one just in case."

"How dangerous is this place exactly?"

"It really depends."

I was not totally convinced yet of how sane I was to undergo all of this but I really had nothing better to do. 'Besides, my life is practically over anyway. Who cares if I die?' I quickly pushed the thought away but a hint of its dark nature lurked in the back of my mind. I helped Turn Key gather all the supplies we would need: Two knives and some water.

"Is this all we're bringing?"

"Yes." Turn Key gave me a look that said 'What else would we need?'

"Well, don't we need clean clothes, sleeping bags, pillows, or anything normal travelers would need?"

"Of course not. All of that stuff grows on trees."

"Trees?"

"Yes." I thought about pressing further into the subject but I met his eyes and saw trees bearing pillows and blankets as well as some with food. I shook my head to clear the image and decided just to go along with him. Within an hour we were standing outside on the lawn.

"Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." And with that, in accordance to his name, he turned the key.

All at once there was a swirl of colors and I experienced a slight feeling of disorientation. Then we were standing in a beautifully lush field with a stream running nearby. It looked nothing like the lawn outside Turn Key's home.

"Whatever you do, don't drink the water unless you know it's nature." I opened her mouth to question what he meant but he cut me off. "Just trust me. We'll be walking to the North Village first. I don't know if Chlorine and Nimby will be there or if we'll meet them before we even get there but either way it's the safest place to head to. One way or the other they will find us. They always find those who need them. It's got something to do with the dragon-ass but I still don't know if I understand it."

"I know I don't understand any of this."

"Well, lets get going, shall we?"

I followed him towards the river. "What were you saying before about the 'nature' of the water? I know you said just to trust you but I am curious."

"Water in Xanth has different natures depending on what kind of spring or well it is in. For example there are hate springs that cause the drinker to hate the next person they see. On the other hand there are love springs which make them love the next person they see and cause them to want to summon the stork immediately. This is how we got many of the crossbreeds we have today. Both are equally dangerous. There are also healing springs which are very helpful but all look the same so it's hard to be sure."

We walked some more and finally reached the spring. In the spring were floating...cookies. "Why are there cookies in the water?" I was extremely confused. It wasn't just a few which would be the case if someone dropped them in but there were hundreds of all different kinds.

"This is the 'With-a Cookie' river of course. That means we aren't far from the North Village. it is directly south of here. I'd say if we walk a few hours today, then rest, we should be there tomorrow afternoon. We are closer than I expected but I don't see any reason to complain about that, do you?" he took off at a brisk pace before I could comment. "It's been quite a long time since I've actually been in Xanth. It's a shame I can't stay longer. Alas, I have my duties to attend to. But I won't leave until we find Nimby and Chlorine. But don't worry they'll take care of you. You'll like Xanth. It's much more exciting than Mundania. If I could..." I was listening throughout his whole speech and looking around all of a sudden I saw an extremely grotesque creature. I screamed and felt everything going black.