Spellbound
Chapter 15

Azadarin had procured a big domed cage into the forest and a 20 foot high fence encircled it very convincingly. On the safe side of the fence stood Nathaniel and Penelope listening to what was hissing and growling on the inside and at once all the merriment they were having left their bodies very quickly. Azadarin was throwing them both into this cage and with the spells that they now knew he was going to see if they could hold their own in a real battle against a Serpentum Felus.

This creature was definitely not to be messed with. It was deadly. It had the body of long snake with the legs of lion, it was covered in fur and in its mouth it had two very long and blue coloured fangs that protruded like a snake with a collection of other sharp teeth that would normally be found in the mouth of a lion. It was wicked fast when it moved and could jump when it attacked hence the high fencing around the cage...and it growled incessantly because it was hungry. Nathaniel and Penelope looked from Azadarin to Nibbles and back to Azadarin for some sort of sign that this was just a joke but they were both left wanting. This was going to happen and happen sooner than they thought. Azadarin spoke to them both.....

“I chose you two because you think on your feet and work well together as a team, you have been given some spells that will save you from this creature but you just have to use them to your advantage and not let this Serpentum Felus get the best of you. He is hungry and likes to play with his food before he eats it” said Azadarin in a cold chilling voice.

“No pressure then?” said Nathaniel looking at Nibbles who had a look on her face that made him realise Azadarin meant business and so did this creature in the cage.

Nibbles was concerned and worried for them both and Nathaniel could see this in her face.

“Now...I am going to distract this creature and see that door over there with the big lock on it I want you both to undo it and get into the cage and put those spells you learned to good use ok?” said Azadarin turning and walking to a ladder that went to a platform to oversee the events and side track the Serpentum Felus so that his students could get into the cage with it.

Nibbles was perched on his shoulder as he took his place on the platform high above the ground and she whispered in her friends ear....

“Are you sure they are ready for this Aza....because to beat this creature you really need to be on your toes and use the magic you have shown them very carefully and they are only coming to grips with the spells this very morning” said Nibbles just a bit anxious that this was going to be the last time she saw her friends alive or again as a two lumps inside the Serpentum Felus stomach.

“I believe in them both Nibbs ...and I know you do as well...I wont let anything bad happen to them..trust me...but lets just see how they do because this will boost their confidence if they can beat this beast”

“Ok Aza I trust you....just don’t let them get hurt please”

“I wont Nibbs...I like them both too much to let that happen” and he looked down at Nat and Pen who were going over the spells to each other like they would in the library with their schoolwork.

“Ok Pen...this thing can jump” said Nat.

“And it’s wicked quick so we have been told” answered Pen.

“If either one of us distracts it the other can strike then vanish to the other side of the cage then we take turns in frustrating the living hell out of this creature and wear it down ok”

“That sounds good....I have a question Nat” said Pen.

“Bit late for one of those now Pen” said Nathaniel flexing his arms and legs and getting ready to enter the cage.

“Can we still perform the spells even while we are under the influence of shape shifting or being invisible?”

“Thats a good question Pen, but it would have been even better if you had asked it this morning instead of 20 seconds before we may die in a cage with a huge creature I know I have never seen before” said Nat sarcastically back to her.

“Well I’m going to try it whilst invisible or if I shape shift so lets just take turns at wearing away this things defences, take advantage of its weakness’s and end this fiasco as soon as we can ok” said Penelope flexing her arms and legs as well to be ready to spring into action the second she entered the cage.

“Azadarin has just given us the signal Pen, let’s go and unlock that door...oh and by the way...if something bad happens...I really like you” said Nat lifting the bolt that held the door shut tight and Penelope answered him.

“Why didn’t you tell me that at breakfast....WHY NOW?”

There was a blinding flash inside the cage because that was Azadarin’s way of distracting the Serpentum Felus long enough for Nat and Pen to enter and re-lock the door behind themselves. The only trouble was as soon as Nathaniel closed the door behind them and locked it the creature heard the sound of the closing door, turned and looked directly at them both standing there...and flashed its fangs and teeth at them then adopted a striking pose bending its legs to jump at the meals that now presented themselves to to it.

Azadarin and Nibbles watched on in silence.

At once both Nat and Pen made themselves invisible and ran to opposite sides of the cage briefly confusing the creature then Nat reappeared and set the creatures back legs on fire. The fur burned quickly and sent the creature into a rage that was something that was frightening to behold and to hear. It howled in agony and ran towards Nat who promptly disappeared again and ran in the opposite direction. It was the Penelope’s turn to inflict some damage and she aimed her fire spell at the creatures ears setting them ablaze . This made it thrash its head around to put out the flames and give Penelope enough time to vanish and head in a different direction to the howling creature.

Nat reappeared and set fire to the creatures front paws which made it leap backwards and howl into the sky lashing it paws together to put out its burning fur. After the flames were put out it backed itself up against the huge fence and coiled up like a snake does and a long serpent tongue flashed in and out of its mouth as if it was tasting the air for any differences it could taste or smell.

Nat and Pen remained invisible at different sides of the cage standing frozen to the spot. They knew that the next time one of them became visible it might be for the last time. Both Nat and Pen tried really hard not to breathe hard or give away their position. The Serpentum Felus was listening and tasting the air. It knew they were there but just couldn’t see them. Azadarin spoke in a whisper to Nibbles.....

“Get ready Nibbs...because I think they worked something out between them before they walked into the cage....they are doing so much better than anyone I have taught before wouldn’t you say?”

“I agree with you Aza but that still doesn’t make it any easier to watch what is happening” said Nibbles clinging tightly to her friends shoulders with her bat claws.

Directly on the opposite side on the creature still smarting from its wounds appeared something that took Azadarin and Nibbles quite by surprise...but not as surprised as the Serpentum Felus. Its eyes flew wide and it bared its fangs and teeth hissing like fire that had water thrown on it. Penelope had shape shifted into another Serpentum Felus and was raised up in a striking pose to take a few chunks out of the creature who had already taken a beating and was very guarded and so totally surprised to see another of its kind within the confines of the cage. It coiled back even more and howled at Penelope as she screamed at the singed creature before her.

The now deeply confused Serpentum Felus became even more cautious and angry figuring that attack was the best form of defence so it sprung up from being coiled against the fence and lurched towards Penelope in the same form only to hurtle into a wall of flame that protected Penelope by Nathaniel standing in front of her and completely invisible except for the flames that emanated from the fingers on his hands. Nibbles whispered to Aza....

“I did not see that coming did you?”

“No Nibbs...I didn’t see it either but it is really good and I am so proud of them both because they are using their heads” said Azadarin not wanting to take his eyes of this match of wits and magic that was happening before him.

As the Serpentum Felus entered the wall of intense flames it cried out and fell to the ground. Its eyes had been burned so badly it was now blind and unable to see where the next volley of attacks would come from or be able to defend itself anymore. Nathaniel reappeared in front of Penelope and she turned back into her normal self to stand next to him. Penelope yelled out to Azadarin.....

“Azadarin does it have to die... or can we fix it?......” and as soon as she spoke the blind snake hurled itself in the direction her voice came from, Nathaniel pushed Penelope to the side out of harms way and in one very quick movement Nat changed into an even bigger Serpentum Felus and sunk his teeth and fangs into the skull of the striking creature rendering it dead in his mouth.

He then dropped the lifeless creature to the ground of the cage and reappeared back into his normal human self and went to help Penelope get up off the ground and make sure she was ok. Then without asking he took hold of Penelope’s hand and he walked her to the door out of the cage, unlocked it and they stepped outside together to await Azadarin and Nibbles to join them once they came down from the platform above.

“Well done both of you...you have acceded my expectations and that of Nibbles as well...that will be enough for today so let’s go home and rest now” said Azadarin very proudly while Nibbles flew to Penelope’s side and made sure she was ok as well.

On the way back to the log cabin Penelope spoke quietly to Nathaniel.....

“I thought I was going to be eaten Nat, thank you for saving me” and she squeezed his hand in appreciation.

“I would never let that happen to you Pen, so let’s rest now and see what happens tomorrow” and he squeezed her hand in return.

Azadarin was already planning dinner in his mind for his new Wizards in training that evening, but at the same time he was also planning tomorrows new assessments....new spells coupled with dangerous opponents for Nat and Pen, it was time to raise the level of danger.....again.