You think, "I was rattled. I found myself unable to find the forest for the trees. I ran my hands along the bark, searching for any type of clue that might help me understand what the Dame wanted. I should have been listening. Now I was out here playing patty-cake with a tree..."
You think, "...I felt pretty foolish."

You think, "Ever since I left the Dame standing in her room all alone I couldn't help but wonder..."
You think, "What was the towel for? I stopped and looked myself over twice, nothing on my face or hands. I knew I should have been paying attention while she was talking, but her voice kept me occupied."
You think, "I found myself running my hands over trees. They all looked alike in this little copse. I felt strange, like being watched. The feeling passed after a moment... As I ran my hands over the tree in front of me, I was struck by an odd feeling of deja vu..."
You think, "I didn't remember seeing this place before, but somewhere in the dark shadows that shrouded my mind, I knew I had. Sure it had changed, but a lot had changed since I walked through that first swirling portal on Ispar. I was no hero there. I was simply living my life. I felt like I was waiting for something."
You think, "I had the urge to dance..."
You think, "I suddenly realized that this tree was different from the others. There was a light syrupy texture that coated the branches. I pulled my hand up to my lips for a quick taste."
You think, "A heavy weight landed on my shoulders in the form of my head. It was like having 'Weight of the World' cast on you while making a run to the shop to unload your latest armor haul. Everything slowed down and a taste of honey filled my mouth. I dropped to a knee..."
You think, "...but it wasn't enough. I fell to the ground, like a mosswart who had zigged when he should have zagged."
You think, "The world spun out of control, a long gray tunnel filled with purple shards told me that I was heading back to my lifestone. The tree's sap had played the role of hammer to my olthoi shell."
You think, "But my ride through the big swirl dropped me somewhere else. I didn't know where I was. An open book on a nearby desk called to me."
You think, "The book told a strange tale. Seems that there was an operation waylaying adventurer's foolish enough to come into contact with that tree. Some kind of strange powder created by a man that lurked in the shadows coated the branches. The powder induced hallucination and caused paralysis. That explained the dancing... and the falling down."
You think, "Reading on, I found out that whoever was keeping this little ledger was responsible for delivery of those that fell at the tree. Seems like I was supposed to be next."
You think, "I had been kidnapped. Whoever had written this journal had thought better of delivering me to the brigands. They'd left me with my armor, weapons and trinkets...I'd need to find them and shake them down for information. Judging by the timbre of the book, that wouldn't be hard."
You think, "Outside, I heard the sounds of the jungle. I wasn't on the mainland of Dereth. No, more likely this was the Vesayen Islands. Somewhere outside, I figured on finding answers."