The Snake Enchantress: Tales from the Pearl Legends

By M.O. Olivares

Arno can’t believe his good fortune. He and his family are beginning a new life in Tigbi, a lush and prosperous village. But when his twin brother goes missing, he quickly discovers that Tigbi is not the tropical paradise it seems. It hides a dark secret. His brother has paid the price. Now, he is next.

Short fiction at 17,000 words, The Snake Enchantress is a teen and young adult fantasy tale from the Pearl Legends. Start your adventure now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.O. Olivares
• Release date: Nov 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370423903

M.O. Olivares

M. O. Olivares is a Pearl Islander, descended from the tribe of Zales, western Usnon. She remembers a childhood of balmy sweet-scented evenings, huddled over lamplight, listening to tales of a bygone era. Sadly, the aswangs, manananggals, and tikbalangs, as well as other creatures that used to roam the land, including the love-sick kapre who pined for Olivares’ mother through a window, have long departed. She writes so they will not be forgotten.For more information and to join the mailing list, visit: www.PearlLegends.com

Book preview

THE SNAKE ENCHANTRESS

TALES FROM THE PEARL LEGENDS

M.O. Olivares

Copyright 2017 M.O. Olivares

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

TALES FROM THE

PEARL LEGENDS

(Short Fiction)

The Monkey Man

The Octopus Girl

The Snake Enchantress

PEARL LEGENDS SERIES

(Novels)

The Cycles of the Moon

THE SNAKE ENCHANTRESS

TALES FROM THE PEARL LEGENDS

Copyright 2017 M. O. Olivares

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic (Internet), mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording or otherwise — without the express written permission of the author. Exception to the rule would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction, inspired by Philippine myths, legends, and folktales. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

ISBN: 9781370423903

For more information and to join the mailing list, visit:

www.PearlLegends.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER ONE

The wagons clambered slowly up the hill.

We’re almost there! Arno said, nudging the carabao with his knees and pointing to the landmark in the distance. In the cart behind him, his father grunted. His mother put a hand to her mouth to stifle a cry, except she couldn’t help the tears that started to run down her cheeks.

Arno glanced at his two brothers in the second wagon. His twin, Ubed, whipped his water buffalo. Intent on getting ahead, Ubed steered it to the side and broke free from the line.

I see it, Arno, Nilo squealed. He rose to get a better look.

Sit down, Arno told his younger brother who was standing between clay pots and wicker baskets containing a pitiful assortment of family possessions. If the wheels hit a rock, you might fall.

For goodness’ sake, Ubed interjected. Nilo is not a baby.

Arno scowled.

Nilo grinned at his older brothers and dutifully sat back down.

You’re such a killjoy, Ubed said.

I’m only looking out for him, Arno hissed. Before Ubed could retort, Arno twisted round to make the announcement to the rest of the group.

Arno was leading of a convoy of eight wagons, carrying four families, the last survivors of their tribe. They had been traveling for many days across hills, plains, and woods. Journey by water buffalo was painfully slow. They could have arrived sooner and in more comfort had they taken horses, except the horses, along with the livestock, the crops, and the rest of their tribesmen had succumbed to the disease. The wagons and the goods they carried were all that remained of their once proud and flourishing tribe.

Arno brushed his long, dark hair from his face, wiped the sweat from his brow, and rubbed his sore backside. They had made an early start, but now the sun was rising overhead and with it, fierce heat. Then a brisk breeze grazed his cheek and swept through the countryside. The parched landscape crackled.

As the convoy advanced, the landmark came into focus.

An enormous wooden carving of a coiled snake positioned on the side of the dirt road snarled at them as they approached. It wasn’t exactly as his mother had described it. Arno had been on the lookout for a snake figure, but he wasn’t prepared for the huge, lifelike, and ugly statue. Arno found it odd that a tribe would adopt a snake for an emblem. It was hardly welcoming. Particularly to one who hated snakes—like he did.

We’re finally here, his mother cried out. Tears were now streaming unchecked.

The village of Tigbi—and their salvation—was on the other side of the hill.

Arno swatted the water buffalo, urging it to hurry up. The carabao swung its head from side to side and proceeded at its usual leisurely pace.

Ubed snickered from behind. Arno shot him an irritated glance.

The wagons creaked on.

As their destination neared, Arno’s stomach began to grumble. He ran a hand over his bare chest and felt his ribs jutting out at the sides. Next, he hitched his loincloth higher. It seemed to be getting looser despite his efforts to wrap the cloth tighter each day. Thank goodness, the end to their nightmare was in sight.

The disease had caught their tribe by surprise, descending upon their village with