Vortigern turned his head toward the slab, then back at the boy, then at Merllyn, his clouded left eye probing for a bluff.  Merllyn, sensing danger, pointed to his pups and said, “My priests will examine this contrivance, and confer upon its validity.”

The three apprentices sheepishly approached the pavement.  Waddy and Swaddy looked back at their master, eyes woeful like dogs who’ve been kicked, and took positions on either side of the slab.  Snid looked underneath as the two pulled upward, then with a yelp leapt backward, scurrying like crustacean on all fours.  All but Aurelianus stepped back.

From beneath came two serpents, writhing and twisting in a chaotic dance, roll...

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