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.

“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.