The cobblestone path laid out before them stretched on for a few hundred feet and was flanked on either side by finely manicured hedges. Beyond the bounds of the shrubbery were several ornately carved fountains, each surrounded by emerald, green grass and brightly colored flowers.

“Stay close you two,” Telhari whispered, “And don’t do anything foolish.”

Ellis and Marybeth walked so close behind him that they were nearly tripping on Telhari’s boots. They were surrounded on all sides by a dozen militia men, each wielding a spear that was sharpened and pointed toward them. It was an understandable precaution. However, though Telhari did not fear their assault, the same could not be said for the other two.

After the watchman at the gate had seen the Basilisk head, he was appropriately horrified. He had sounded the alarm out of fear, and they were in turn rushed by six other guards. Telhari managed to deescalate the situation, but not before they were joined by another squadron and escorted through the main gate to the compound. Once inside, they had been herded by the guardsmen through the courtyard where they now found themselves. Finally, the captain brought the group to a halt at the foot of a tall stone staircase: at the top of which sat a large, ornate building.

“Wait here.”

The captain ascended the steps and disappeared through a great doorway. After several minutes, they heard the sound of footsteps from inside. Once he had pushed the doors open, the captain stepped promptly to the side and brought his feet together in salute. Another man came suddenly into view; he was stout, with short black hair and an unpleasant frown. His face was clean shaved, and he wore a finely embroidered red and brown vest over a dark blue undershirt. His pants were light brown and he wore fine leather boots. As he stepped outside, the man was overcome by the wind chill and drew up the fur cloak that was draped over his shoulders. He carefully descended halfway down the staircase and stopped.

“Show me the creature’s head,” he commanded.

Telhari moved to obey, but the man raised his hand.

“Not you.”

He then gestured to one of the men that encircled the trio. The man, chosen at random, looked left and right in an attempt to delay the inevitable. Finally, he slowly walked toward Telhari who handed him the sack. The man nearly crumpled under its weight, dropping his spear so that he could grasp the sack with both hands. Telhari stepped back from him politely. The man lowered the sack to the ground and dragged it along the pathway to the foot of the steps. He looked up at the man on the steps, who gestured for him to proceed.

“Go on. Quickly, now.”

The militia man nodded and grabbed either end of the knot. He undid it and let the cloth fall from his hands.

A look of shock and disgust appeared on the noble’s face. Telhari could hear the rubbing of leather as the men shifted around him, gripping their weapons more tightly. Finally, the nobleman spoke.

“This creature…You say it is a Basilisk?”

“Yes, my lord,” Telhari answered. “The creature was found living inside a cave to the northeast of your city.”

“And you say you’ve come to collect a reward for its capture and defeat?”

“That is correct, my lord.”

The man paused, bringing his finger to his chin in deliberation. “Then tell me, hunter, why have I not before heard of this creature plaguing our land? Or am I to believe a monster of fiction has found its way into our midst, without so much as a warning?”

Telhari kept calm and continued.

“I come at the behest of a formal request, signed by your governor and—”

“A contract for the slaying of wolves, is it not?”

“You are correct, my lord.”

“And this creature, this basilisk, is not named nor mentioned at all on this contract?”

“No, it is not.”

“So, then I find myself wondering once again. How it is that a fabled monster has somehow found its way into Malendar’s Edge without anyone knowing?”

Telhari could feel himself slipping.

“Are you suggesting that I am being untruthful?”

“A reward for 10 nobles is quite hefty indeed. Certainly, men have colluded and schemed for less.”

Telhari stepped forward as he spoke, gesturing to the head of the basilisk laying on the cobblestone.

“You would deny what is right before you?”

“Sorcery! A trick of the eye. Surely your kind are capable of such a thing. It would be child’s play, no doubt.”

“Oi! Are you saying he’s some sorta liar!?” Ellis cried out as he charged forward. “What kinda idiot can’t admit what’s right in front of his nose!?”

Telhari grabbed Ellis from behind and covered his mouth, but it was too late.

“Who is this boy!?”

Ellis wrestled from Telhari’s grip. “My name is Ellis!”

“Tell me, Ellis, do you know what happens to commoner filth that speaks out of turn?”

Ellis bit his tongue. The guards surrounding them began to inch closer. The nobleman held his hand tense in the air— ready to give the signal to attack.

“Guards—!”

“Baylorn! Enough!”

The man named Baylorn caught himself, looking around frantically for the source of the voice. Telhari could hear someone mumble under their breath from beyond the hedges. The grass crunched softly beneath the feet of a man who stepped suddenly into view. He was a fairly tall and slender man with light brown hair: some of which hung on either side of his face, and the rest of which was tied behind his head. Judging by his facial features, he seemed to be in his forties. He clapped his hands together several times, loosening the dirt on his gloves. Then, he pulled the gloves off and dropped them onto a stone bench. As he walked forward onto the cobblestone, the militia stood at attention and saluted him.

“My lord!” they said in unison.

Telhari looked up at the man on the steps, who was now shuffling nervously back and forth— sweat gathered on his forehead.

“Lord Palonius…I did not know you were in the courtyard. I assumed you were busy and was… merely handling tedious affairs—”

“Come now, Baylorn. You know very well that on Wednesdays and Sundays I tend to the gardens.” Lord Thistletwat patted the dirt from his knees and walked toward the Basilisk head. “Besides…I would not want to miss this.” He crept closer until he was ten feet from the head. He squatted down low and stared at it intently and unmoving. The guards waited. Palonius remained still. Now, even Baylorn was beginning to grow scared.

“L…Lord Palonius?”

“AH!”

Palonius jumped up from his squatting position with surprising vigor, startling Baylorn and the guardsmen. He patted himself all over and slapped his face a few times. “Amazing…I looked into its eyes, but I am not dead? Fascinating.”

“Why would you test out something like that on yourself!?” Baylorn cried out.

“It won’t kill you by lookin’, it’s the venom that does it”

Palonius looked inquisitively at the young woman who spoke to him.

“Venom you say? So, the stories are false?”

“My Lord…” Baylorn groaned as he started down the steps. “Surely you mustn’t believe the word of these fanatics?”

“Oh, I do, Baylorn. I certainly do. Basilisks are quite real, I’m afraid.”

Baylorn stopped in his tracks.

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“So…this is really…” He looked down at the disfigured skull and crooked jaw: wrapped in glistening, scaly hide and brandishing rows of jagged teeth. Baylorn winced and drew himself back.

“See! Told you!” Ellis butted in. “You owe Telhari and apology!”

“Ellis.” Telhari reached out and grabbed him by the shoulder with force. “Enough.”

“But I was just—”

“Telhari!?”

Palonius spun around to face them both.

“Not Telhari from the Battle of Torsden’s Rift?”

“Well…”

“Telhari, who marched against Dardanus and the armies of Thargos? Telhari of the Thunder Blade?” Palonius had moved right in front of Telhari and stared at him intently. “Oh, but of course you must be…look at you.” He examined Telhari from head to foot. Then he did something so unexpected that Telhari himself couldn’t contain his surprise. Palonius stepped back a foot’s pace, stooped his head low, and bowed. “It is an honor to meet one of your kind.”

“M-My lord! What are you doing!” Baylorn spat the words out as fast as he could and rushed forward. He made it almost all the way before he caught sight of the basilisk head and stopped short.

“Excuse me…my lord,” Telhari started. “I am who you say. But I must confess, I am surprised that you know so much. I did not expect—”

“Knowledge of your kin to reach so far into the mountains at the edge of nowhere?” Palonius said with a soft chuckle. “Yes, yes, I know. The east is certainly lacking in…well, a lot of things, really.” He beckoned Telhari onward as he spoke. Telhari followed him toward the steps, passing Baylorn as they went. Not wanting to be left behind, Marybeth and Ellis jogged after them.

“See over there?” Palonius continued, pointing to the flowers he had been tending. “Tulips, they call them. Under normal conditions, you will never find them in these parts.” Together, the group followed Palonius up the steps to the manor as he continued to speak. “In the south, there is a wondrous place, the Flower Gardens of Lariel, where I studied for many years. They have the botanical knowledge necessary to grow all manner of beautiful things. Have you heard of Lariel?”

“Yes, I—”

“Oh, what a silly question. Of course you have!”

Together, the group reached the top of the steps and continued toward the two large, carved wooden doors that marked the entrance.

“The soil of Lariel is some of the most fertile you will ever find. So how then, you may be wondering, am I able to grow such flowers here, in the dry and unforgiving soil of the Malenday Corridor?” Palonius did not wait for an answer. Instead, he spun around, pointed his finger at Telhari and smiled wide. “It is thanks to magic.” With that, he spun back around and pushed open the doors to the manor.

The group stepped across the threshold and into the foyer. The ceilings were over twenty feet high, lined with carved pilasters of dark wood. The space between each pilaster was painted with alternating patterns of burgundy and cerulean, and each wall space was filled with any number of paintings or tapestries. The floors were of polished stone with a rippling of grays, blues, and browns. Two great stone pillars rose from floor to ceiling at the base of a central staircase. Silver ornaments spiraled upwards along columns at regular intervals, each adorned with an assortment of flowered plants whose leaves spilled over the sides and hugged the stone.

Ellis couldn’t contain his excitement.

“Wow…this house is amazing!” As he gazed around the manor, he caught Marybeth’s face, as she raised her eyebrows at him. “…My lord,” he added.

“Yes,” Palonius sighed with satisfaction, “It is quite the collection. I’ve spent many years traveling. Studying. Learning. So many wonderful things to see out there in the world.”

Behind them, they could hear the sound of hurried footsteps and panting. Baylorn burst through the doorway, gripping his knees for support.

“My lord… the creature…!”

“Ah, yes! Baylorn, thank you for reminding me.” Palonius turned to face Telhari. “Thank you for killing such a foul creature. No telling what damage it could have done to our people if it was allowed to survive.”

“Uh, but my lord—”

“Baylorn! Fetch Artur and tell him to bring my coin purse.”

Baylorn shook his head, grumbling to himself as he headed down the corridor and disappeared.

“Lord Thistletwat,” Telhari asked, “You say you had no knowledge of the creature?”

“Certainly not! Had I known that such a thing was lurking on the outskirts of our city, I would have sent the full might of our militia after it. Though, you’ve saved me a great deal of effort and manpower by dispatching with it yourself.”

“Then, you have suffered no complaints from the peasant farmers?”

“None that I was made aware of. Ah! Artur. Baylorn. Come quickly, now!”

Baylorn rushed as fast as his short legs would carry him. Behind him was a younger man —Artur— who was pushing a cart on wheels. He wore a plain blue set of robes and a silver trimmed belt. Artur brought the cart next to Palonius and laid out a silk cloth embroidered with the symbol of the Royal Omnirian Treasury. Palonius snatched the coin purse from Baylorn and opened it up. Artur then pulled out a quill, a piece of parchment on a wooden slab, a wax candle and a large wooden stamp. He began to write on the parchment while Palonius counted out the coins.

“One…Two…Four…oh, damn! Baylorn! We must get the rest from the vault.”

“My Lord! Surely, it would be unwise to access the vault in the presence of such company?”

“Right you are, Baylorn. Unwise indeed.”

Baylorn smiled to himself.

“Baylorn! Let me see your coin purse.”

“Wh-what!?”

“We must make up the difference. Hand it over.”

“But! My lord?”

“Now, Baylorn,” Palonius began in a reprimanding tone, “It is my seal on the document. And look— Herman and Artur have signed as well. We shall not have our administration gain a reputation for falsehood and trickery.”

Baylorn reached slowly under his fur cloak and untied the coin purse from his belt. Palonius took the purse and counted out the remaining fare, placing it with the other coins in the center of the embroidered cloth. In a few moments, Artur had finished drafting the document. He then began to double check the coin count, slowly removing two coins and handing them back to Palonius. Palonius winked at Telhari, then shrugged his shoulders and put the coins back into his own purse. Satisfied, Artur signed the parchment, folded it and placed it on the wooden slab, facing it towards Palonius. He then held up a red wax candle and waited.

“My lord.”

Palonius rubbed his hands together and cleared his throat. Telhari watched as Palonius began to whistle a single note. As he continued, the tone changed to a second, lighter note, layering itself within the first. Telhari felt a chill along his skin— he knew this feeling.

Palonius held out his hand and in a split second a flame jumped to life and ignited the candlewick. Artur held the burning candle above the parchment and let the wax drip onto it. He then blew out and candle and placed it back on the cart. Gripping the wooden stamp, Artur brought it carefully over the pool of wax and pressed it down. Palonius took it from him and handed it to Telhari along with the coins.

“Dated, signed and…double counted.”

“Thank you,” Telhari said politely as he took the items from Palonius. “I must admit, I never thought I would meet an Aurellian mage residing among the Omnirian nobility.”

Palonius smiled.

“It seems we have both been pleasantly surprised by strange company today.”

Telhari pocketed the coins and folded the parchment neatly into fourths before putting it in his breast pocket.

“Baylorn?”

“Yes, My lord?”

“Have the men bring the head around the back. And contact one of the local artists! I should very much like to record its likeness.”

As Palonius and Baylorn talked with each other, Telhari went over to Marybeth and Ellis.

“Come. We should stay no longer. We have a long journey back to Viemen and we need provisions.”

Together they walked toward the entrance to the manor, whose doors remained open.

“Which artist should I send for, my lord?”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter. Any master will do.”

“And what shall I tell them, my lord?”

“Tell them there is a bloody basilisk head at the manor! I should think they would relish the opportunity. Besides, I am sure dear Egurd would like to see what manner of beast has been troubling him so.”

Telhari stopped.

“Egurd? Doctor Egurd?” he asked.

“Yes,” Palonius said with a curious look, “The very same.”

“Why should Egurd want to see the likeness of the creature?”

“Well, he is the one who commissioned the request, after all.”

Telhari grew tense.

“I thought it was by your decree, my lord?”

“Well, I signed it, yes. But Egurd was the one who first informed me. Of course, he thought they were wolf attacks. Had we known it was a basilisk causing trouble, we would certainly have approached the situation differently.”

“I see…”

“Yes, terribly sorry about the confusion. I was beginning to wonder why it was taking so long. Months and months had gone by, and not a single person had come! Egurd had assured me the reward was worth the trouble, but even still. No one had come to us. Until you, of course!”

“Well, it was a good thing we arrived when we did,” Telhari said. “May I ask one more question?”

“Why, of course.”

“Has word come to you regarding any lost children?”

“Hmm? Not that I am aware…Baylorn?”

“None to my knowledge, my lord.”

“Is there concern, Telhari?”

“I had thought I heard as much from the locals, but I believe I may have been mistaken…” Telhari turned on his heels and ushered Ellis and Marybeth along. Then, he turned over his shoulder one last time. “Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Thistletwat. We will not forget it.”

“It has been my pleasure! And should you ever find yourself in Edge again, know that you have a friend!”

Baylorn snorted.

Telhari nodded at Palonius and pushed the two out into the courtyard.

“Come quickly,” he told them. “Keep up.”

Ellis and Mary looked worriedly at each other but said nothing. Telhari moved at a brisk pace down the steps to the courtyard. He passed the guards —who were now arguing among themselves— and stole one last look at the head of the basilisk. Telhari had a gnawing sensation in the pit of his stomach, a feeling of unrest.

“Telhari? Is everything alright?” Mary asked him.

“No, Mary.”

“What is it?”

“Keep close,” he said, ignoring her question. “We’re running out of daylight.”

A final splash of orange and yellow was painted across the horizon, as the sun dipped between the mountain peaks. And as the sunset faded, a deep shadow was cast. Within seconds, the cityscape of Malendar’s Edge was covered by the black curtain of night.