The Wand-Maker's Debate: Osric's Wand: Book One by Ashley Delay, Jack D. Albrecht Jr Read Free Book Online Page A

but I need to ask you a few questions, my friend.”
    “Yes, Sir.” Kenneth knew he was right; the sooner Osric was caught up on the investigation, the better.
    “I was told you did not hear the explosion. Is that correct?” Osric was aware that he had to ask the right questions, otherwise he would end up getting useless information that brought about more unanswered questions. He knew as soon as he had asked that it was the wrong one.
    “Explosion!? What?!” Kenneth, seeing the look on Osric's face, changed his answer. “I mean, no, Sir. I heard no explosion.”
    Osric was relieved to be questioning his friend. Nobody else would have recognized Osric's distress and reigned in their curiosity like that.
    “Did you feel anything outside the palace?” Osric probed again, trying to focus on the interview rather than his sore body and pounding head.
    “No, Sir.” Kenneth could tell that Osric was in pain, and wanted to make it as brief as possible.
    “What did you see?” The only question he knew for sure would yield results. He needed to hear it directly from Kenneth, and in his own words. Even the smallest detail could make a huge difference.
    “Nothing inside the palace, Sir.” He had suspected that, but Kenneth continued. “But outside, I was standing at my post talking to James, and we saw four unicorns come strolling up the way.” Osric was careful to note that he said strolling, not running. Kenneth pointed toward the market district as he described the scene. “And, I'm not sure why, but they were still a fair distance off and they started running, and I mean a dead run!” He placed much emphasis on the last two words. “The three on the right stopped at the door, and the one on the left just kept running, straight into the palace. We didn't know what to make of it.” He paused, replaying the moment in his head. “I heard the walls crashing down. I tried to come in to help but the unicorns had blocked the door. No matter what I did, they wouldn't let me through, until all the walls had fallen.” It was apparent that he was upset at not having been able to save anyone. “Then they went over there and laid down in the grass.” He indicated the three creatures they had passed.
    “Thank you, Kenneth. You did everything you could, my friend. I need to find James and ask him if he remembers anything else.” He hoped that he could learn more by comparing their stories, but he doubted it.
    “No, good Sir.” Osric hadn't even noticed James enter behind him. “Sorry if I startled you, but I saw you walk in here from just over there,” he motioned to a tent set up near his cart, “and I got here just in time to hear the story. Every word is exactly as I would put it. Every word, good Sir. I mean, they just showed up and everything went crazy. You do not see unicorns that often, and when you do, you don't see that many. It was like something out of the fire-tellings.” James set a plate of warm food down in front of Osric as he finished speaking. “You must be famished after your nap in the rubble.”
    “Thank you, James.” Osric suddenly realized how hungry he was. Dru sprang forth, drawing his coin purse from a pocket to pay for the Contege's meal.
    “No need for that, son. I will donate the food to any man that will aid Osric today. I hear rumors of war.” James spoke in hushed tones.
    “War?!” Osric gasped.
    “Yes, good Sir. I took my cart back to the Dragon Deck to sell for the day, as the messengers for the peace envoys were boarding to leave. Each accused the other factions of causing the walls to fall.” James was pointing his fingers at each man in the room, reenacting the scene he had witnessed. “Each one swore retaliation from their people. Only the messengers were left, you see; everyone else was in the palace when it fell. They were nursing their heads from their own celebrations in the square, and tempers were flaring. The weasel and irua messengers were shouting at those of