Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [137]
Ellie nodded. “That’s what we’ll look for.”
“Wizard Pater says I have bad habits but that they’re just habits, they aren’t really me. And you can get rid of habits.” Yawn put his hand on Tak’s head and rubbed between the horns. “I’m doing better. Wizard Pater says so.”
“I’m sure,” Ellie said, praying that it was true, “that you will do better and better now that you don’t have to be with only children all the time. And your parents will teach you things. That will be interesting. It’s harder to be good when you’re bored. You’ll get older. It’s easier to decide to do right things.”
“It’s the practice,” said Bealomondore. “The more you practice doing good, the easier it is to make the right choices.”
Yawn nodded. “Yeah, Wizard Pater says something like that.”
A low rumble vibrated the floor. The dragons jumped and chittered.
Ellie looked at Bealomondore.
“Let’s go check it out,” he said and started toward the door.
Ellie took Yawn’s hand and pulled him along with them. Tak dogged her steps as if to say she couldn’t leave him behind again. The minor dragons made a ruckus as they flew over their heads and sped to the source of the noise.
The air became thick.
Dust poured in through the door to the subter. The children coughed.
“Put cloth over your noses,” Bealomondore ordered. He put his own nose in the crook of his elbow and rushed to the open door to close it. “Let’s move away from this room.”
“Tut, tut, no need,” said Fenworth from the hallway. “It will clear away in no time. I’ve summoned a stiff breeze from the ocean. I think it was the ocean. Not being on the surface obstructed my accuracy.”
The wizard went to the door and opened it. After sticking his head out and looking in both directions in the tunnel, he motioned them forward. Everyone followed him as they made their way out of Tuck and into Rumbard City. When they stepped on the surface, Old One and Orli were there to meet them.
“The city’s gone,” exclaimed Cinder, the first of the children to see outside.
Old One looked around and nodded in agreement. “It never should have been here in the first place.”
Wizard Fenworth put his hands on his hips. “I wasn’t expecting this. How about you, Pater?”
The wizard nodded. “I thought Wulder would take our spell one step further. I’ve been asking Him for years to wipe away our mistakes and give us a new chance.”
Yawn approached Wizard Pater and looked up into his face. As an o’rant, he was taller than the young lad. “Does everybody get a new chance, sir?”
“Yes, everyone.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Everyone?” The boy persisted.
“Everyone who wants it.”
“I want it.”
“So do I!” said the adults in unison.
“Is that group mindspeaking?” Librettowit asked. “I’ve heard of it but never seen it played out.”
Bealomondore’s arm went around Ellie’s waist. “I’ve seen a lot of things in the last four years. I think I’m just getting used to the idea that Wulder works wonders. And I’m expecting more surprises down the road.”
“Wise thinking,” said Fenworth as he clapped the tumanhofer on the back. He turned to Pater. “Should we try a double swirl, Pater? Do you think we can move all of these people to Bellsawyer between the two of us?”
Pater nodded.
Librettowit secured his portfolio under his arm. “Wizards! Why can’t they stick with the things they know they can do? Why do they have to experiment? Why do I always have to be along when they do?”
The wind picked up, and the swirl began.
Appendix
People
Airon
Purple minor dragon, has a talent for music.
Amee
Black and white minor dragon, communicates with animals.
Aval
Urohm girl.
Barm
Urohm boy.
Graddapotmorphit Bealomondore
Tumanhofer artist, warrior, diplomat, and part owner of the family mining business.
Sir Beccaroon
Grand parrot, magistrate over his district, former guardian to Princess Tipper.
Stemikenjon Blamenyellomont
Ellie’s uncle, husband of Tiffenbeth.
Tiffenbeth Blamenyellomont
Ellie’s aunt, wife of Stemikenjon.
Carrie
Urohm girl.
Cinder
Urohm boy.
Ellicinderpart Clarenbessipawl