It’s #BookQW and a teen wizard proves he’s ‘eager’ to lead.
More from Chapter 19:
Fern had almost dozed off in her corner when a low comment from Mr. Grouse pulled her back.
“Incredible change has come over that lad.”
“Aye, I couldna agree more,” said Sir Snap. “He’s been on three of my projects, absorbs a hell of a lot of information and regurgitates ideas when ye ask, but he never was one to lead.”
Listening in wasn’t usually Fern’s thing, but right now, she couldn’t exactly leave.
“That’s what’s different,” Mr. Grouse said. “When he marched into the meeting and practically dragged us out, I lost every doubt I had about Beri’s ability to take his place. Not that I haven’t always liked the lad, but he’s been a follower. Tonight, he had sound reasons for needing our help and had the trip exactly plotted.”
“And was willing—even eager—to go himself. Canna tell ye the trouble I had gettin’ the lad off the isle for that work we did on the mainland.”
“At least you succeeded.” Mr. Grouse gave another of his low chuckles, and she could imagine his blinking eyes. “After that Scottish faire debacle, I still can’t get him off the isle with me, nor can anyone else. Maybe the motivation has come in the form of this pretty stranger? She’s been good for Lark, and I think she’s been working the same magic on our lad.”
“Aye, he’s keepin’ a close eye on her. Dinnae suppose we’ll ever know how she got herself into this.”
“I assumed it was the rip I helped repair at the base of the falls, but the seal looks solid.”
“Ach. I’ll be hard-pressed nae to question Soila, but ye are right. The lad deserves to handle it. How do ye think she survived the fall?”
Fern held her breath, straining to hear Mr. Grouse’s low response.
“Whoever got her onto the islet must have saved her, even if he brought her here for some wicked purpose.”
Then Duffy had caught her? Magically?
His voice turned speculative. “Do you know any others with the password to enter these waters? It’s fortunate Beri remembered I come out here to assess her birds every season. Here he comes now.”
She shouldn’t be hearing this stuff about Beri, but why was he afraid to go off the island?
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The Windborne YA nature fantasy series starts with The Witch of the Meadows!
Pick up the ebook on my Payhip Store or at other major retailers!
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Did you notice Mr. Grouse’s reference to ‘that Scottish faire debacle’? That story now has its own novella, in which the isle’s teen wizards are challenged to fit into human society at a Medieval faire.
Read Trial at the Faire for free with Kindle Unlimited or buy it for .99 on Amazon.
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