The Serpent Sorceress (comic story)
The Serpent Sorceress is the first story in the Kaza’s Mate, Gwenna web comic.
Plot
Commissioner Smedley emails Kaza and Gwenna that Narlana, daughter of the serpent priest, has been seen in the area. They resolve to investigate.
Unknown to others, Narlana and Mitchell have already penetrated the old serpent temple. They are waiting for Kaza when he arrives, Narlana sends snakes against him, and he is captured.
Meanwhile Gwenna has met up with Smedley and Wimberly. They go to the Natari village for allies, and are told a large gathering is being held at the temple that very night.
By nightfall everyone is at the temple. Narlana summons a giant snake called Nerkash but Wimberly shoots it in the eye and it flails around causing the cultists to flee. Gwenna calls for Narlana to surrender but Nerkash is closer and it swallows her whole.
The cultists have run off and are expected to be little trouble in the future. Fortunately Smedley knows a herpetologist who can re-home interesting snakes. And Wimberly’s effective shooting has won him acclaim among the Natari; Gana introduces him to three young women who wish to get to know him better.