Wand of the Witch Read Online Free PDF

grunter's tongue swung from its mouth, slapping against Scruff.
    "He's all clammy," Scruff said. "It's like holding a giant toad."
    "Let's hope his warts don't rub off," Neev said and started walking.
    Leaving the other grunters behind, the Bullies walked between the trees. Dry leaves fell around them and crunched under their boots. Squirrels, caterpillars, and geese filled the forest around them. It was a beautiful forest, and a beautiful day, but an iciness filled Neev's belly. Only last year, they had defeated a horde of monsters and an evil warlock. Would they never find peace?
    Soon they reached Teasel Gate, the northern entrance to Burrfield. Wooden doors filled an archway in a crumbling, mossy wall. A lone guard stood there, an old man with white stubble, a round nose, and watery eyes.
    "Who comes to Burrfield?" he asked.
    "It's us, old friend," Neev said. He had often sat by the old man at the Porcupine's Quills tavern, listening to his stories. "Bullies for Bucks. Don't you recognize us?"
    The guard blinked and squinted. "The Bullies, aye... my eyes aren't what they used to be. They say you've been eating puppies and worshipping the devil. Why should I let you into town?"
    Neev shrugged. "Well, I'm a wizard. I could just teleport myself into town. Romy has wings and could fly over the wall. Scruff is big enough to crash through it. Jamie is small enough to burrow under the doors. And Cobweb... well, she's so sweet, nobody hates her. But if you do let us in, it'll all be much simpler."
    The guard blinked. "Well, I'm not sure what you just said, but I reckon it must make sense. But be wary, friends. Townfolk are mighty angry at you. I'll let you in, but don't go eating any puppies or worshipping no more devils."
    Neev opened his mouth, prepared to deny the charges, then sighed. "All right, we promise."
    The old guard nodded. "Good, good." He opened the door, and the Bullies stepped back into Burrfield.
    As they left the gateway behind, Neev reflected that if grunters arrived at the gates, the doorman would hold them back for no more than a moment.
    "The town needs a dozen guards at each gate," he said to Scruff. "And a dozen more with bows upon the walls. If more grunters are on the way, we can't let them in."
    Scruff nodded, hefting the dead grunter across his shoulders. "We'll tell Bramblebridge. He keeps all his soldiers at Fort Rosethorn. When he sees this creature, he'll send them to the walls."
    Their boots thudded on the cobbled streets. Oaks with orange and golden leaves rustled at their sides. The houses rose around them, built of wood and clay, their roofs made of hatch. Geese flew overhead, honking.
    When they entered a small square with a mermaid fountain, Neev saw Quill's print shop. Quill himself peered from the window; he gasped, his eyes widened, and he disappeared from view. Neev gritted his teeth.
    "The twerp saw us," he muttered. "What nonsense will he go write now? Maybe he'll claim our dead grunter is actually a baby unicorn we slew."
    Romy shook her head. "It's a wood elf ," she said. "I think."
    Jamie muttered too and reached for her sword. "I say we visit him now. I'll bash his printer with my sword!"
    Neev was tempted. Bashing Quill's printer sounded glorious. But he forced himself to walk by.
    "We'll go there next. First we visit Fort Rosethorn and show Bramblebridge the grunter. Once he sends reinforcements to the walls, and Burrfield is safe, we'll deal with Quill. The weasel can wait for another hour."
    Grumbling, the Bullies walked by, leaving the square and the print shop behind. Soon they saw Fort Rosethorn ahead. It rose upon a hill—a craggy, ancient fortress. Moss and roses covered its walls. Neev had never cared for swords or castles—spellbooks and scrolls were his loves—but Fort Rosethorn was still special to him. Father was a knight in this fort. Neev had visited him here many times in childhood; he still treasured the memories of climbing the walls, exploring the dungeons for