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.