Free Kendra Kandlestar and the Crack in Kazah by Lee Edward Födi

the rascally raccoon coaxed his silhouette to tiptoe across the stage and, with much theatrics, kick Burdock’s shadow right in the rear, so hard that it went flying from the stage. Burdock had to go collect it while the audience roared in laughter.
    “Burdock doesn’t look very happy,” Kendra said.
    “That’s because Roompa’s beating him at every turn,” Gayla said. She looked over her shoulder to make sure her brother wasn’t listening, then leaned closer and whispered, “If you ask me, Burdock tried to cheat.”
    “What do you mean?” Kendra asked in surprise.
    “When I was up on stage I saw old Brownie sprinkle something on Roompa’s wand,” Gayla said. “Everyone else was watching Perla Proudfoot perform.”
    “That’s not fair!” Oki squealed. “We have to tell someone!”
    “Just calm down, Eeks,” Gayla said. “Whatever Burdock did, it hasn’t seemed to affect Roompa’s magic yet. I just wished I knew what he was up to.”
    The final round was the Symphony of Stars, and to no one’s surprise, the last two contestants were Burdock and Roompa. Burdock went first, chanting and waving his wand with much aplomb. He lifted his arms to the air and gradually the stars began to sparkle and hiss, flaring to brightness as if they were tiny candles that had suddenly been transformed into bonfires. Soon the whole sky was booming with a thunderous and threatening shower of stars. Streaks of light fired down towards the fairgrounds, causing many of the Eens to duck or run for cover. It was an impressive display to be sure, but Burdock could not sustain it for very long. After just a few seconds, his fireworks came to an end.
    Roompa now took his turn. He strode to center stage, closed his eyes, and began to murmur. At first Kendra wondered if he had simply run out of magic, but then Oki tugged her sleeve and she looked up to see the stars begin to twinkle in the sky. At first Kendra didn’t understand what was happening—then, suddenly she realized that Roompa was painting a picture with the stars, a wonderful constellation in the shape of the founder of Een, Leemus Longbraids. In one hand, the ancient wizard was holding his wand, and from it gushed a fountain of shooting stars.

    “Wow,” Kendra murmured. “It’s beautiful.”
    “There’s no doubt he’s won!” Oki squealed in delight.
    The crowd was cheering, but quieted as soon as Burdock strutted to the front of the stage, a nasty snarl smeared across his face. He snatched Roompa’s wand from his paw and glared at it suspiciously “Wait a minute!? What is this?” Burdock demanded.
    “You have some complaint to make, Master Burdock?” Winter Woodsong asked, flitting across the platform.
    “Yes!” Burdock growled, angrily shaking Roompa’s wand. “I do indeed. This crooked critter—Roompa Ringtail—is a cheater!”



IT WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS that sent the crowd into a stir. You know the type of moment, like when your principal suddenly makes a surprise announcement during assembly and everyone begins to whisper and murmur all at once. And Burdock loved it. This Kendra knew just from watching him strut across the platform, his chest puffing with importance. Roompa, on the other hand, looked completely flustered— Just like Ratchet, Kendra thought.
    “Master Burdock,” Winter Woodsong said, “this is a most serious accusation.”
    “I speak the truth,” the arrogant wizard hissed, passing Roompa’s wand to her. “Look, his Eenwood is covered with a powdery residue. And we all know Roompa experiments with all sorts of ridiculous potions and powders. I suspect he’s tried to magnify the magic of his wand.”
    “Hmm,” Winter murmured.
    Kendra looked over at Burdock. He looked so pleased with himself that she wanted to kick him in the shin or zap him with her wand—anything to wipe that smug expression from his face. But it was Gayla who took action. In the beat of an Een’s heart she was up on stage, confronting Winter