Wand of the Witch by Daniel Arenson Read Free Book Online Page B

more evil, for heaven's sake?"
    Willow sniffed back tears, but managed to puff out her chest. "I am evil, Madrila! I can be as evil as you. If you'll just teach me, maybe some really evil spells, I can—"
    "You must earn your spells," Madrila said, interrupting the younger woman. "What happened to the slinkers you took to Burrfield?"
    Willow trembled. She looked around, as if searching for an escape route. Finally she swallowed, lowered her head, and said meekly, "The Bullies killed them. I'm sorry, Madrila. We fought them well, but...." She winced as if expecting a blow.
    Madrila only stared silently. Her eyes were ice. Finally she spun around, stormed back into her house, and slammed the door shut. A lock clanked.
    Willow stood outside, trembling for long moments. Finally she sighed, lay down by the campfire, and curled up.
    "Looks like another night outside for me," she said quietly. "At least I have you for company, my dear monsters."
    The creatures, however, seemed not to hear her. They were busy fighting over who got to lick the cauldron. Willow sighed again, hugged her knees, and seemed to fall asleep.
    "We've seen enough fow n-n-now," Cobweb whispered. "Wet's go home and teww Neev and J-J-Jamie what we weawned."
    Romy was looking at the empty cauldron ruefully. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away, nodded, and the two Bullies began heading back home.

 
    Chapter Five
    A Good Year for Pitchforks

    John Quill stood outside the walls, holding an oil lamp. He stared down at the dead monsters—furry things with weasel noses, sharp claws, and toes the length of their torsos. He shook his head ruefully.
    Oh, Bullies, he thought. Will you never learn to stop your senseless monster slaying?
    Leaving the bodies, he stepped back through the gates into Burrfield. As he walked down the street, he began planning tomorrow's article. He smiled as he imagined the Bullies reading it.
    "You will learn, Bullies," he said to himself. "You will learn that brawn cannot win every battle."
    That Scruff was a beast of legendary strength. That Jamie was a runt, but skilled with the blade. Neev was a powerful warlock, Romy an evil demon, Cobweb a deadly archer. Warriors, Quill thought in disgust. All they know is how to fight, how to kill. He snorted. I might have skinny arms, and no skill with weapons, but I too am strong. I have the strength of words... and words are deadlier than any weapon. He allowed himself a small, tight smile. I will be Burrfield's newest hero.
    He entered his print shop. Dawn had not yet risen, and his assistants slept on the floors. Quill took his boxes of letters—each one was printed onto a metal cube—and began arranging them in printing plates. As he worked, his smile grew.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Scruff woke up, stretched, and shuffled outside to grab some tea leaves. The paperboy rode by on his donkey, waved, and tossed a Gazette onto his feet.
    Scruff knelt, picked it up, and howled in rage.
    He stormed back inside and slammed the newspaper onto the table.
    "More rubbish!" he said.
    Romy and Cobweb crowded around him, peeking at the newspaper. Emblazoned across it appeared the headline:
     
    "BULLIES FOR BUCKS MURDER A UNICORN FAMILY"
     
    The article stated that a family of forest dwellers, almost certainly peaceful unicorns, were found dead outside Teasel Gate, which the Bullies had been guarding. Spiderling arrows filled them, and they bore wounds the shape of Romy's pitchfork.
    "I'm famous!" Romy announced when Scruff read them the part about her.
    The rest of the article explained that the unicorns had only wished to bring peace, love, and rainbows to Burrfield... things the Bullies obviously hated.
    'The only thing the Bullies love is blood,' the article concluded. 'In this reporter's opinion, they should be locked in Fort Rosethorn's dungeon and forever kept from harming another soul.'
    Scruff had just finished reading when the door slammed open. Need and Jamie rushed in; they had been out guarding the