Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #12 March 2015 | Page 9

pretty, pretty shiny things before me. “Can you give me a lift back to shore?” I asked. “These are real?” I asked stupidly as I picked up a handful of the coins. They were heavy as one would expect gold coins to be and clinked as they fell through my fingers into the chest. “Then can we eat you?” asked the hungry one. “Yes they are.” The male hydra replied. “Oh, goodie! Portuguese!” “Thanks…” I looked at them and then back to the beach. “Can I ask a favour?” Inwardly I groaned, but I was offered a strong neck to ride on, and two more heads picked up my ‘payment’ though how I was going to lug it up to my apartment, I had no idea! “Certainly, we are more than happy to help, especially after you helped us.” Somehow I doubted that they would co-operate so soon. In fact, I was incredibly surprised they did that after one impromptu session, where I barely did anything but gawp and bear witness to their bickering and a decapitation and double-regeneration of a head. “No, Lester, you can’t eat her. We will go and get some nice Portuguese fishermen shortly.” They set me down on the beach, and I waved goodbye as they dove under the water. Well, I thought, this was an interesting day. PAGE 09