The Title of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 8) Read Online Free PDF Page A

little extra thrown in to cleanse you of any errant sins that might be trapped in your mortal shell.”
    “Was that your idea too?”
    “Oh, no, I don’t really go in for the agony and torture routine like so many of this lot do. I tried to have you sent to the Executioner, but my pleas fell on deaf ears, more’s the pity.”
    “Thanks for trying, buddy.”
    “Merry, t’was nothing.”
    “Dang, there’s a lot of folks, here, ain’t there?”
    “T’is only natural. Stake-burning is a popular thing, don’t you know. Merry, good, clean, wholesome fun that the entire family can enjoy.”
    “I didn’t know that.”
    “Merry, t’is all the rage, forsooth.”
    “I reckon I’m going to get tied to that big old piling sunk in the ground.”
    “Merry but you are a bright boy! Here we are, just put your back to the post, Icksi. Are the bonds affixing you solidly in place too tight?”
    “No, they’re not too loose, and not too tight. I reckon you got ‘em just about right Spyke. Thanks.”
    “You’re very welcome, Icky. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
    “No, I reckon you got me fixed about as well as a body could be fixed. Oh well, so long Spyke.”
    “Fare thee well, Ichabod. I don’t suppose that will be for very long, though.”
    “Here come a bunch of folks toting faggots. I mean, bundles of wood! Bundles of wood! Here come folks carrying bundles of wood! Oh, wait, we’re in England. It’s okay.”
    “Nyeh, henh, henh, King Arthur, please allow, me, your most trusted advisor, the Great Merlin, to ignite the flames that will extinguish this nasty little sorcerer from our midst.”
    “Oh, Merlin, you know I can’t say no to thee. Prithee, knocketh thy self undone.”
    “Nyeh, henh, henh! Thank you, your Majesty!”
    “That sure is a mean cackle you got, Mr. Merlin, sir. You sure do fling yourself about with reckless abandon as you gesticulate madly in the casting of your spell. I must say you exhibit a lot more enthusiasm for this modern interpretive dancing than I would have figured you for. I can see how your audience would have difficulty in spotting your surreptitious tossing of volatile smelling powder on the pyre.”
    “Harken, Arthur my King, and thou shalt hear our Merlin chant his mystic spell.”
    “Ha! Thank you, Guenevere my Queen, of course. Everyone shusheth, so that we may listen to Merlin’s words.”
    Phauzzee, whauzzee,
    Whauzzah bhierre.
    Phauzzee, whauzzee,
    Hhaudde knjo Hhairre.
    Phauzzee, Whauzzee,
    Wuzzint-veh Rifhuzzee,
    Whauzzee!
    “Hey, I saw that! You’re cheating, Mr. Merlin! You had a little sparker device stashed up your sleeve that you are surreptitiously using to spark this eclectic funeral pyre.”
    ~spark~ ~Ploophee!~
    “Ooh! Ahhh .”
    “ Eek! After all that colourful smoke has cleared away, I can now see actual flames flickering around me!”
    “Sire, we forgot to read the proclamation over this ghastly ogre.”
    “Dear me, you are correct. I suppose even a monarch such as myself gets in a hurry when a good ‘burn at the stake’ is going on. I find myself getting caughtte up in the thrill of the event and sometimes wish to rush through protocol. Pray forgive me. Read this miscreant’s death sentence.”
    “Hear ye, hear ye, all in attendance at this convening of King Arthur’s Court, this day of 528, June, the twenty-first, having been judged...”
    “Hey, wait a second! Did you say that today was the twenty-first of June, 528?”
    “Do not interrupt this proceedings with your dribbling comments, you little babblenaughtte! Be silent while you burn at the stake. Show a bit of decorum, boy.”
    “But I thought it was the twentieth! What time is it?”
    “Mid-day.”
    “That’s the same as noon! Noon is the same as twelve o’clock! Oh my Goodness, I mean, hey, y’all better cut me loose or I’m going to blot out the Sun!”
    “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”
    “It ain’t nice to laugh at me in a mocking and derisive manner while I’m