A whistling hiss sounded from deep within theearth.
Pegasus swung around just in time to let Angelique watch a creature emerge from the large geyserhole.
The creature had silver belly scales with a gold and coal-gray scale pattern on its back. Sharply ridged black feathers flowed down the creature’s sides. They were beautifully deadly—Angelique knew each feather was coated in poison. Feathers also sprouted from its tail, and a black crown shape made of spines and reptilian webbing perched on the basilisk’s head. Though its body was snake-like in shape, its muzzle was longer and crowded with teeth, though it still possessed prominentfangs.
It was a basilisk, a beast considered the king of snakes and incredibly dangerous tofight.
“That’s a basilisk!” Prince Touchy-Feelyshouted.
“Thank you, Manual for Field Identification of Magical Creatures,” Steffen drawled. “Have any other useful tidbits toshare?”
“It’s poisonous, and there’s no way we can outrun it,” said Straight-NosedTwin.
Smashed-Nose Twin flung a dagger at it, which bounced off the scales of its back. “Seems like it’s impervious to blades.” He scratched his broken nose as he peered at the hissingcreature.
“The softest scales are on its underbelly,” Prince Touchy-Feely said. “Aimthere.”
“With what?” the youngest prince snarled. “We weren’t given a bow orcrossbow!”
“I’ll take care of it,” Angelique shouted. “You princes rideahead!”
Trying to end the basilisk with them would be a miserable experience if riding with them is any propermeasure.
“It’s deadly, Lady Enchantress,” Steffen said. “Are you certain you can handle italone?”
Angelique gulped as she eyed the creature, which was slowly rearing its head back—probably so it could see them better. It wasn’t full grown—for although it could wrap around a cottage and crush it, its head was about the size of a large dog. (Legends said they could get to be as big as dragons.) But behind her—even with the basilisk staring them down—she could still hear the princesarguing.
“Rune could go in with a spear while the rest of us act asbait?”
“It’s poisonous. Rune isn’t going anywhere near that thing when all he has to wear is a cotton shirt andtrousers!”
Yep. All they’ll do is argue. As long as I stay back far enough, I’ll be safe from it.“I’m certain,” Angeliquesaid.
Steffen looked east andsquinted.
Angelique could see the war on his face—chase after his sister, who was untrained and pitting herself against a witch, or help the enchantress who had done so much forthem.
I’m fairly certain I can tip the scales to motivate him to leave.Angelique cleared her throat. “Steffen.”
The prince swung back around to face her. “Yes?”
Angelique raised an eyebrow. “Gabrielle iswaiting.”
Steffen’s eyes burned, and he swung his horse around. “We’re moving on,” he shouted to his brothers. “Lady Enchantress Angelique will take care of thebasilisk.”
The princes started to fall in line behind their eldest brother, except for thetwins.
They exchanged looks before they dumped a spear, two broadswords, and several daggers onto theground.
What are they doing? They can’t possibly know my core magic!Angelique eyed the basilisk, which hadn’t moved from its coiled position, then slipped from Pegasus’ back. “Princes, I am a mage, not a warrior,” she lightly remindedthem.
“Perhaps, but just in case,” Smashed-Nosesaid.
His more serious twin nodded inagreement.
They clicked to their horses and hurried off after their brothers, who were already cresting a hill, continuing their push to CastleBrandis.
Angelique kept her eyes on the basilisk but patted Pegasus’ shoulder. “You might want to leave for this part,friend.”
