THE WILL STORY
“Hold on,” Ezra said. “I’m gonna talk to him, maybe he’ll recognize me.” The blue mantis surged forward quickly. “Tenebrim, stop!” Ezra said. The animal dragged its feet and slid to a halt. It was still several yards away, and it began to tilt its head as if it were...
Ezra was gone, but Bet responded in a flash. “Come on, we have to help him,” she said. “He’s gonna get himself in trouble.” Then she began to sprint towards Ezra. Will rolled up the map and slid it in his pocket as he began to follow. It certainly felt good to have...
“I need to get home as quick as possible,” Will said. “My parents. What are they thinking? They didn’t even want me to go outside. I need to get back to them.” “Let me remind you, the faster way is more dangerous,” the old man said. “I know, and I don’t care.” Will...
Will didn’t know why, but something told him this wasn’t a man who would be easily tricked with a lie. “I… well,” he sorta sputtered. “Spit it out,” the old man said. Bet and Ezra both went rigid in anticipation of his answer. Even Seebrus lifted a sleepy eye in...
The three of them cautiously made their way in. After what he’d just heard from the man, Will wasn’t sure this was the best place for him to find proper treatment. If the Mender couldn’t tell which one of the three of them was hurt, would he really know how to fix his...
“Twenty dreckles,” Ezra said. “Twenty? You’re a thief you know that?” “Maybe,” Ezra said. “Still, it’s worth it and you know it.” The men shuffled nervously and gave one another a cautious glance. Finally, one nodded to the other and they both reached back into...
“So what are we doing?” Bet said. Ezra squinted his eyes and stared down the dusty thoroughfare. “Remember ‘Hit and Run?’” he said. “Oh,” Bet’s voice trailed away. “Well… that didn’t work so well.” “But it will this time. Look, he’s got an honest injury,” Ezra pointed...
The three of them crossed the market square and made their way toward a wide, stone gate on the opposite side. This was nearer the strange animals Will had seen earlier, and as they got closer to the beasts, Will’s eyes became glued to one specifically. It must be...
Will remembered his so-called confidence he was supposed to have here in Bezda. “No,” he said. “I want to see what it is.” Will heard Ezra growl as he followed Will toward the shop. As Will approached, the woman set down her fan and leaned forward against the table,...
Ezra scooted to toward the shadow of a stone wall, and Bet gathered to his side.“So, what’s it gonna be?” he said to Will. “You mean with Swoop? Like, what do we do about a Mender?” “Yeah, exactly that.” “Well.” Will was actually torn. He didn’t want to go without...