Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 50.2 — Bernie

Ch. 50.2 – Janine found Queen Natalie and Mary at the edge of the forest, standing beside a body. A young, extremely dirty boy with long shaggy black hair sat on the ground, with Mr. Dumfries’s head in his lap. The boy howled as he stroked the old man’s white hair. “What happened?” Janine asked. “You…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 47.6 — At the City Gates

Ch. 47.6 -- A drizzle began. By the time Mr. Dumfries reached the city gates, his cloak was beaded with drops. The two guards, who had been drinking and playing cards at a table under the eaves by the gates, stood up with sneers on their faces. “Well, well, if it isn’t old Gramps,” said…

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. 40.8 — The Queen in Danger

Ch. 40.8 -- Butterfingers trembled with fear. After a moment he gathered his courage, slipped out of hiding and ran to the queen. He put his hand on her throat. To his relief a pulse still beat there. “Your Majesty, please wake up.” Her eyelids fluttered, and she moaned. When the queen opened her eyes,…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 40.7 — Butterfingers in the Castle

Ch. 40.7 – Butterfingers scurried along his usual route through the secret passageways of the castle. He had just opened the secret door behind the statue in the alcove across from the queen’s apartment when the large doors opened. Butterfingers shrank back out of sight. Two enormous guards carried the queen out of her rooms…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 36.9 — News about Prince Eli

Ch 36.9 -- Mr. Boddikins, the royal court recorder, knocked on the door, then came in and bowed to Queen Natalie. “Your Majesty, if I may interrupt?” “What is it?” She looked up from the legal papers she had been studying as she sat by her husband’s bed. “I just received a message from Saltonia, in…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 28.7 — Consequences

Ch. 28.7 -- Sorrow welled up inside Eli as his father went limp. Doctor Billings rushed in and set his black bag on the floor by the king. He knelt, leaned over, and put his ear against the king's chest. After a moment he looked up at the boys. “I'm sorry, but there's nothing I…

Jay B. R. Wokky Ch. 15.4 — Ezra Invents Something New

CH. 15.3 -- Ezra stared out the window at the green, leafy maze on the south side of the gardens. On a grassy hill in the center of the maze was a giant sundial, built by his great-grandfather. Ezra shook his head. The slithy toves had just about eaten all the limestone beneath the sundial.…

Jay B.R. Wokky Ch. 8.1 — Banished

Chapter 8.1 Banished -- Colin and Bernice were hauled before the king the next day. Eli watched from his usual hiding place as the witch and wizard humbly apologized, but the king was in no mood to listen. “Because your magic salve healed the children’s burns, your lives are spared. However, the gifts you gave…

Jay B.R. Wokky Ch 7.5 — In the Weapon Master’s House

Ch. 7.5 --  Cudgel stepped outside and slammed the front door shut. The dog skidded to a stop, turned, and ran back to the door. He began to bark and scratch at the wood, trying to get back in to Eli. “Oh, no you don’t. You go and do your business. Then I’ll let you…