+ MOAT +

The gravel path is straight and orderly, despite the years of neglect, and the occasional overgrowth. Lamps once stood here, to light the ways for carriages or horse-riders, but now the posts are broken and twisted, long since extinguished.

As you get closer the path changes to stone, an arching bridge spans partial the gap to the ancient fortress. At your approach to the end of the span, all the creatures fall silent as ancient gears creak and a great noise booms. The chains are drawn up - the ancient drawbridge lowers ominously, as it falls –strange air rushes towards you, were you expected?

As you take that first step crossing the boundary to the bridge, you hear a great shriek echo from the castle ramparts breaking that silence – something has awoken! A great winged beast alights on a pinnacle close to you- and then dives headfirst towards the bridge!

You weren’t ready to take on a creature like that so soon! Fleeing from the creature, you lose your footing and slip – falling down below the bridge – the smell of swampy water rushes up to greet you.

Following the splash, you are suddenly overcome with the fear of another myth – are there crocodiles in the moat? Thrashing around, you don’t see any, but the fear builds up inside– trying to get out.

A tail erupts, continuing down from your spine, along with extra legs along your sides. Scales over take skin, and you swim for the surface. Your eyes brighten as more open along your spine As you emerge on the rocks, you’re no crocodile, you’re a BASILISK.

———
September Patreonsketch: Hg3300
Theme: THE CASTLE
Digital
2019
~Age