Legends! Tricks and Transformations by Anthony Horowitz

Author:Anthony Horowitz [Horowitz, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sort2
Publisher: Pan Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

‘Oh no!’ Glaucus burst in. ‘Begging your pardon, your highness, but that wouldn’t do at all. I mean . . . no offence. But really . . . !’

‘You should forget this Nereid of yours,’ Circe snapped angrily.

‘I can’t!’ Glaucus replied. ‘Leaves will grow in the sea and seaweed on the mountain tops before my feelings for Scylla change.’

‘Very well!’ Circe said and if Glaucus had been looking more carefully, he would have seen two flames suddenly smoulder in her eyes. ‘I will prepare you a potion that will change your Scylla . . .’

‘You will?’ Glaucus exclaimed in delight.

‘Oh yes. It will change her. Wait for me here.’

And with these enigmatic words, Circe swept away, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.

She returned an hour later, carrying a small leather bag.

‘Take the contents of this pouch,’ she said, ‘and sprinkle them in the water where your Scylla likes to swim. Inside there are certain roots over which I have chanted magic spells. Sprinkle them in the water and leave the place at once. I think the results will impress you.’

‘Thank you! Thank you!’ Glaucus took the bag. ‘I will never forget you.’

‘No,’ Circe said. ‘You will never forget me.’

Now every day Scylla liked to swim in a pool at Rhegium which lies near the steep rocks of Zancle. When the sun was at its hottest, she would dive into the crystal waters of the pool, then stretch herself out on the beach to dry. Glaucus found this out and one day, before she arrived, emptied the contents of the leather pouch on the surface. The roots that Circe had prepared were an ugly black and as they struck the water they hissed angrily. But not for a minute did he believe that they would do anything but win his love over to him.

Scylla arrived a short time later. As usual, she plunged into the pool, unaware that it had been polluted. She swam slowly but steadily, enjoying the cool of the water beneath the heat of the sun. Then, still dripping, she lay down on the beach and fell asleep.

She was awoken by a low growling. She half opened her eyes, then gasped in terror. A ferocious dog was sitting at her feet. There was another growl and she opened her eyes completely. Now she saw that there were no fewer than six of the monsters. She was surrounded by them. And these were no ordinary dogs. Their eyes bulged out of skulls that sat awkwardly on bony necks. Their skin was pitch black and hairless. Their teeth were shark-like.

Shuddering, terrified, she moved her arms an inch at a time, reaching for the sand behind her. If she could just pull herself clear without disturbing them . . . She hooked her hand into the sand and dragged herself backwards. As one, the six dogs followed her. Her heart was beating so painfully that she thought it would burst, but again she tried to ease herself away. She moved another six inches.

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