Chapter 18: The egg
14 January, 2008 – 12:26 pm
Down, deep in the confines of the cold and darkness, the four robed figures entered the chamber, again as they had done before.
The ancient terror they had reawakened slept amidst the rubble of its re-birth, secured to the rock wall by a thick iron chain fastened around its neck. To be totally sure and to avoid all unnecessary risks, the creature had been fitted with a leather hood resembling something a bird of prey might wear.
The comb of the cockatrice rippled gently as it slept.
One of the figures approached with hand outstretched towards the creature. For there, alone among the debris and detritus, was a perfect solitary newly laid egg.
The man picked it up gently with trembling hands and inspected it. The black pockmarked shell reflected no light as he rolled the egg over.
Finally, he turned, holding the egg reverently, and walked out through the door and up the rock-hewn steps. The remaining figures filed out behind him.
As the figures exited, one turned to another with a whisper.
‘What shall we do with the creature?’
The other figure considered the question for moment before answering.
‘Let it be.’ he said. ‘We may have a use for it later…’
‘We should test the Cockatrice.’
‘On someone?’
‘Indeed. Anyone in particular?’
‘Oh, a few people spring to mind…’
‘I see.’
‘Let me think some more on it. I shall have an answer for you soon.’
The sleeping creature licked its beak with a flickering snake-like tongue and continued to dream.
