My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 14

- So where is this fountain with the magic water? Mark asked Gabriela as she had found it once, her appearance being the proof of that.- The fountain lies in a small cave and the entrance is guarded by a manticore.

- What’s that? Mark asked wondering what type of creature that might be. It sounded nasty anyway.

- That's a very dangerous beast, Lizzy intervened. I thought they were extinct, mom.

- Nope, I had to fight it myself.

- So what is it? Mark asked again already his imagination running wild.- Well… it has the body of a lion but it has a human head, this one is a male. And bald. And old. But still strong. It has claws and small but powerful wings, like those of a bat. And its tail is like a scorpion's tail. But this one can shoot poisoned spines from its tail with which he paralyzes his victims before he kills them, making them easier preys.

- Hmm, Mark said, seems like the devil himself!

All three laughed at his remark. Even Gabriela.

- So, Mark went on, how did you get past the manticore, Mrs. Gabriela? Did you tickle it to death?

- No, but if you want to try it, that would be funny. I fought him with my spells. Let's just say he can't fly anymore.

- That's good…but it can still fight, right?

- Yep, besides having lost its wings, I left it pretty much alive. I am sure it has healed from his wounds meanwhile and that it will put up a good fight.- Ok, it doesn’t matter, so can we, Mark said in an optimistic tone. I'll cut off its tail and you two will … I don't know, use your spells I guess.- Sounds like a plan, Lizzy hurried to approve. He can do a lot of harm if he can sting us with his poisoned spines.

- It's settled, now follow my lead and I will take you to the manticore’s cave where the fountain of eternal youth is.

The moon was up when they finally reached the manticore's cave. The

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cave was surrounded by blossomed magnolia trees and it smelled divine. Not to say that it looked magnificent, all those purple flowers everywhere. And in their midst there lay the entrance to the cave, the one which had the fearsome beast as a guardian.

- I will be a gentleman so after you, ladies! Said Mark winking at Lizzy. Then he drew his sword from the scabbard and said: nah, I will go ahead, I was only joking. But Gabriela stopped him on the spot.- Wait, I know you are trying to be brave, but it is best if I lead. I fought it once and lived to tell the tale. What's the most dangerous creature you have ever killed, Mark?

- Uh, he said blushing up to his ears, a few days ago I would have said the training dummy in my back yard, but I don’t know if that counts.- You must be joking, right? Said Gabriela examining him and trying to figure out if he was trying to be funny again or if he was serious in which case… it didn’t sound too good to say the least.

- But now I can say I have slayed a river creature, a sort of mermaid, Mark said without bragging.

- Leave him alone mom, Lizzy felt the need to take his side so she immediately answered for him. He just didn’t have the opportunity to fight many real opponents yet, that’s all.

- Ok, ok, you don't have to be so bitter about it! And Gabriela took the lead. They entered the manticore's lair stealthily to see where it was at that moment. They saw it in a corner resting in a sort of nest. It seemed to be asleep. It even snored.

- Maybe if we can take it by surprize we can chop off its head, I mean I can chop off its head, uttered Mark a bit frightened at the sight. But he couldn’t seem a scaredy-cat, could he? Especially not in front of Lizzy. He didn’t care what her mother thought about him but he cared what Lizzy thought.- As much as I’d like to see you try, trust me you won't even make it close to it without it sensing your scent. We need a different approach.- A diversion? Offered Lizzy enthusiastically.

- Yeah, something like that, her mother agreed. We need a plan.- I could draw it out of the cave, said Lizzy, and you two wait outside at the entrance. When the manticore comes out after me, Mark cuts its deadly tail and you mom finish it off.

- Are you sure you can do it, dear? I could be the bait and draw it out, offered Gabriela.

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- No, I will do it, mom. You just make sure it dies before it gets its claws on me, ok?

- Deal.

Lizzy entered carefully while Mark and Gabriela got out and positioned themselves on each side of the exit/ entrance. Mark readied his sword and Gabriela focused her inner manna for a stronger spell. Meanwhile, Lizzy started to approach it carefully, watching her every step until she thought she was close enough. She didn’t even have to do anything to draw its attention. The manticore felt her scent and woke up looking directly at her. She felt her heart racing inside with the thrill of the game, as it was like a cat and mouse game to her. Then she began running for the exit, the same she had come in through. She just hoped Mark and her mom would do the job. She did her part, now she would have to rely on them. But the manticore stopped at the exit. It didn’t take another step. It felt two more scents coming from the outside and realized it must have been a trap so it stopped there, guarding the entrance.- Now what? Whispered Mark.

- Well, it was worth a try, Gabriela said, but I think we will just have to fight it. Lizzy, I will cast the first spell, then you cast whatever spells you know and you Mark… you just be yourself and do whatever you can.- Mom, stop picking on him!

- I wasn't, honestly, Gabriela said but crossed her fingers.- Ok, I had enough of this, and Mark rushed upon the manticore with his sword raised high in the air to everybody’s surprise, even the manticore's. Mark tried to behead it but the manticore avoided his blow and was about to bite his hand with its powerful jaws when Lizzy came to the rescue. She summoned a powerful wind which toppled the manticore. It tumbled even further back into the cave. Mark was on it again, ready to strike. The manticore swished its scaly tail and made Mark trip over. Then it turned to sting him with the tip of his tail but Lizzy saved him once again. She sent an ice blast that froze its tail just before it touched Mark's skin. Then he cut it off, he cut off the manticore's tail which scattered on the floor in thousands of little ice shards. This got the manticore real mad. It roared with all its might. Mark got back on his feet fast and started parrying the manticore's blows. But he was getting tired with the effort. The training dummy back home was more docile, it didn’t fight back, he thought.- Enough playing, he heard Gabriela speak loudly and her magic shield

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enveloped him again, protecting him. Now, Lizzy, now! Sent down the rain of fire, Mark is safe within the shield! Do it now, I can't hold it long! Next thing he knew, Mark saw fireballs coming, descending from the sky, as meteors raining down on Earth. They hit everywhere, leaving ashes behind. They even hit his shield, but didn’t touch him. Unfortunately for the manticore, it couldn’t say the same thing. It burnt like a shrimp in a frying pan. In a few minutes it was all over. The manticore was dead and the road was clear. All they had to do now was to get the magic water. The trio entered the cave and headed straight for the short tunnel leading to a large room where the fountain was. It was spectacular. Flowers were everywhere around it. The smell was so nice that it almost made them want to fall asleep. But they were on a mission. Sleep was for later. Now they had to fill their flasks with the eternal water and return to the king.

As soon as they filled their flasks, they saddled their horses and started their journey back to the king's court.