Isla ‘s quick thinking and swift reflexes were a match for the first wasp. Her lantern caught its wing as it tried to fly around her, and the crackle of bright flame lent a new source of light to the scuffle. It buzzed in panic, its flight becoming erratic as fire raced along the length of its wing and began burning its thicker body. No longer able to steer, it bumbled towards
Jigano had the advantage of seeing the danger of fire and the wasp that wasn’t dying fast enough. But he also had to believe in the good sense of his friends, since there was more buzzing coming through the door. Trusting Amalia to get the door upstairs and keep the rest of the Atheneum safe he instead focused on the next wasp to buzz angrily out of the room Samuel had opened. Twisting his cloak from his shoulders he flung the heavy garment over the third wasp as it emerged, the thick folds of fabric bearing it to the ground. He pounced to stomp on it –
Just as the enraged queen freed herself and rose into the air, multifaceted eyes reflecting red in light of the fire and lamps. Jigano fell flat on top of his cloak, crushing the third wasp as the queen winged by overhead, barely missing him with her stinger. Keeping a wide berth from Isla’s fire, she banked and began to head back at the bard for another, faster pass.
