Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 50.3 — Mr. Dumfries Says Goodbye

Ch. 50.3 –  Janine waited patiently for her potion to work. At last Mr. Dumfries opened his eyes. He tried to move and cried out in pain. “What happened?” Bernie yelled and flung himself onto Mr. Dumfries. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” The old man groaned. His hands shook as he put his arms around…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 47.5 — Mr. Dumfries Sets Out

Ch. 47.5 -- Mr. Dumfries paced back and forth in his living room. Pale gray light filtered in along the edges of the closed curtains. The gingerbread he had eaten for breakfast had filled him with strength and energy. He had bathed, trimmed his scraggly beard, and dressed in his best uniform. He now had…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 40.4 — What Happened at the Castle

Ch. 40.4 -- Mr. Dumfries made his way through the narrow, snowy streets until he reached the castle gates. His breath puffed out in a frosty cloud, and his hands tingled with cold. He knocked on the small side door, and a guard dressed in furs opened the narrow window. “Who goes there?” “I am…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 40.2 — The Call to Arms

Ch. 40.2 -- Felix spat. “Nonsense. Your family wants you to believe that you're too old, but it’s not true. Don’t you remember the stories from your childhood, and what were you promised on your name day?” Mr. Dumfries scratched his chest and frowned. “Sorry, I can barely remember my name nowadays.” The cat hissed…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 40.1 — Mr. Dumfries Gets an Unexpected Visitor

CH. 40.1 – Josiah T. Dumfries the Eleventh sat in his rocking chair and stared into the fireplace. He should have been happy. The wood crackled, the flames danced, and the room was warm and cozy. A mug of steaming tea sat on the side table. He was retired now, with a decent pension. His…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 23.2 — Life with a Dragon

23.2 -- Fritter soon discovered that Janine was worth three times her salary. She kept the caves neat and swept up. She cooked such delicious meals that soon Fritter had to let out his belt a notch. She organized the treasury, supply room, and the blacksmith shop. The books were all dusted and shelved in…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 22.4 — The Truth about the Donkey

Ch. 22.4 -- Janine took her pack out of the cart and patted the donkey’s head. “Thank you for all your hard work.” The donkey regarded her with large, sorrowful eyes. “You’re the first human I’ve met who could understand me. I used to be a boy. Is there any away you could get a…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 22.3 — Fritter Gives an Interview

Ch. 22.3 -- Janine felt sorry for the gnome. “Perhaps you’d like to recite his poem for us.” Fritter cleared his throat and stood up straight. “It was a bright day, and all around/ the Toves were digging in the ground./ The Borogoves were miserable, for it was molting season,/ the Raths were lost and…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 22.2 — Janine Meets Fritter

Ch. 22.2 -- The wheels of the cart creaked as they crept up the steep road that corkscrewed back and forth up into the mountains. Janine felt sorry for the little donkey that had to pull such a heavy load, so she got out and walked beside him. Sometimes she pushed the mail cart from…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 21.5 — Janine Looks for a Job

Ch. 21.5 – Janine gritted her teeth. She should have known better. Name day gifts always turned out wrong. “I need a job.” Bee picked up The Nelsonia News from the counter. “Let’s see what the want ads have to say.” Janine read the date at the top of the front page. “Mr. Dumfries may…