Read Online Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah by Lee Edward Födi - Free Book Online Page A

eggs, don’t think of eggs,” Oki whimpered.
    “Hush,” Kendra said gently, trying to calm her own nerves at the sight of Burdock. “Remember, we’re not his enemies here, not in this time. He doesn’t even know who we are.”
    “Not yet, anyway,” Oki squeaked.
    “What’s up with the furry fretter?” came a voice, and Kendra turned to see Gayla approaching.
    “Oh . . . just the usual,” Kendra replied, tugging on a braid. “Er . . . I thought you were dancing with Krimson.”
    “That pea-planting puddlehead?” Gayla growled, crossing her arms. “I punched him in the eye.”
    “Why!?” Kendra cried.
    “He said I looked beautiful,” Gayla explained. “What a jerk. Come on; let’s just watch the match. I sure hope Burdock doesn’t win.”
    “Me neither,” Oki piped up.
    The sun was now setting and Eens were streaming in from every corner of the fairgrounds to watch the Magicians’ Match. Before long, the first stars began to appear in the sky and Winter Woodsong glided onto the stage.
    “I’m afraid we have a slight dilemma,” she said after a short introduction. “As you know, the Magicians’ Match is always among seven—no more, no less. And yet we are down to six, for Master Thistledown has taken ill. Too many pucker-pears, it seems.”
    A light chuckle arose from the audience. After a moment Winter continued. “What magic-maker amongst you will join the match?”
    “Maybe Uncle Griffinskitch can enter,” Kendra whispered.
    “I keep telling you, Braids,” Gayla said. “He’s my brother, not my uncle. And besides, they stopped letting him compete after he won seven times in a row.”
    “Well, why don’t you compete?” Oki asked.
    “You know what, Eeks? That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” And with that Gayla marched towards the platform.
    “Oh dear,” Oki murmured. “What a mooflehead I am! What if this changes the timeline? EEK! If we all turn into eggs it’s going to be my fault!”
    “No one’s turning into eggs,” Kendra insisted. “Let’s just watch.”
    And watch they did, as Gayla strutted right up to the stage, brandishing her wand with a theatrical twirl. “I, Gayla Griffinskitch, shall compete in the Magicians’ Match.”
    “You?” Burdock asked, his one eyebrow twitching. “You may be talented and beautiful, young apprentice, but you are not a wizard yet.”
    “Hmph,” Gayla grunted. “Maybe you’re just worried you’ll lose.”
    Kendra watched Burdock’s face burn red, though she couldn’t tell whether it was from embarrassment or pure rage. Whatever emotion was percolating inside his decrepit heart, the nasty Een seemed to find a way to contain it, for he eventually said, “I’m not worried at all, my dear. Not at all. But we wouldn’t want to make a mockery of the match . . . would we?”
    Kendra pulled furiously on one braid; it looked as if Gayla wanted to punch Burdock. Or worse. But just then Winter Woodsong stepped between them and proclaimed in a loud voice: “At times such as these we must remember the words of old Leemus Longbraids, founder of Een: ‘Jamboreen is for one and all, the short and the tall.’ So I shall let young Griffinskitch compete!”
    Burdock gnashed his teeth. The audience cheered. It was highly unusual to have someone so young compete in the match, and Kendra could instantly tell that Gayla had become a crowd favorite. The tempestuous Teenling raised her chin and proudly took her place at the end of the line alongside Roompa Ringtail, who offered her a smile of encouragement.
    Then Kendra heard a humph and she turned to see her uncle standing next to her. She knew that type of humph. It was one filled with pride.
    “It’s always good to have a Griffinskitch in the game,” he declared, though whether it was to her or no one in particular, Kendra wasn’t sure.
    Winter Woodsong now quieted the crowd with the lift of her pale hand and announced, “Let me remind you of the rules. This is a contest of