Free Kendra Kandlestar and the Shard From Greeve by Lee Edward Födi Page B

Oki,” came a voice, and out of the shadows stepped Professor Bumblebean. “We are indeed in the Een library or, more accurately said, well beneath it. As you know, all the books in the Een library grow on trees, but down here in these secret cellars, some of the most mysterious books sprout from the roots of these elder trees.”
    “I’m sure we’d all love to sit here and listen to you prattle on about books, Boringbean ,” Jinx growled irritably, “but it’s been a rather long night. Maybe you can tell us what in the name of Een is going on, since our new friend here hasn’t had the courtesy to do so yet.”
    “My word!” the professor cried, looking over at the cloaked stranger. “You haven’t told them who you are yet?”
    “It was more important for us to make a hasty exit,” the stranger replied, and his voice now seemed to change, seeming more familiar than ever to Kendra.
    “Wait a minute,” the Een girl murmured, “you sound like—,”
    But before she could finish her words, the cloaked figure pulled back his hood and Kendra, Oki, and Jinx all gasped.
    Standing before them was the ancient sorceress, Winter Woodsong.



AT FIRST KENDRA THOUGHT she must be staring at a ghost, for she simply could not fathom how Winter Woodsong was alive. And then the ancient Een smiled, causing such a maze of wrinkles to dance across her wizened face that Kendra knew at once that this really was her beloved old sorceress. They all rushed forward to embrace the aged witch—even Jinx (though she looked rather sheepish about it afterwards).
    When the hubbub of this joyful reunion had subsided, Winter took a seat on one of the tree roots, produced her staff from a fold in her cloak, and levied all her weight against it. She seemed pale and exhausted, as if the trek through the underground tunnel had demanded every last gasp of strength.
    “Are you all right, Elder Woodsong?” Kendra asked.
    “Thank you, yes, child,” the white woman responded after a moment, patting Kendra’s hand. “It’s been a long day for this old magic-maker.”
    “They said you were dead!” Oki exclaimed.
    “Which pleases me greatly,” Winter admitted, that familiar twinkle beginning to return to her eyes. “You see, I’m the one responsible for the collapse of the bridge. I want Burdock to think I drowned.”
    “Why?” Kendra uttered.
    “Well, it seems to me that being dead is the best way to stay alive,” Winter returned with a cryptic chuckle. “Now Burdock can stop trying to murder me.”
    “It’s a cold trick to play,” Jinx grumbled.
    “Well, she is Winter after all,” Oki declared. “Of course she’s cold.”
    “I don’t like your puns,” Jinx told the mouse. “And I think, Elder Woodsong, you could have warned us of your plan.”
    “No one knew of it but me,” Winter assured Jinx. “Why, the plan’s success depended on the utmost secrecy. After the collapse of the bridge, I donned this dark cloak and made my clandestine journey to the library.”
    “She gave me quite the fright, I do say,” Professor Bumblebean declared.
    “But what will you do now?” Kendra asked the old woman.
    “I will hide here, underground,” Winter replied, her gentle face flickering in the torchlight. “Very few know of the underground network of tunnels that was built by the ancient Eens, back before the time of the curtain. Here I can live in all safety, traveling in secret to and from many places in Faun’s End. No longer do I have to worry about assassins and would-be murderers; I can turn my energies to more important matters.”
    “Like rescuing master Ratchet,” Oki declared. “And Kendra’s uncle.”
    “Indeed,” Winter agreed with a slight nod. “The professor has told me all that has happened. I promise you, we are devising a plan to free our friends. But first we have a more pressing dilemma to address.”
    “What could that be?” Kendra asked.
    “Why, your own safety,” Winter replied. “When I felt