Looming Shadow: Journey to Chaos book 2 by Brian Wilkerson Page B

raised her hand and stood up.
    “In my home village, we
have a festival dedicated to Dengel.” Before the teacher could say anything,
she continued, “ The Feast of the Fallen One. We deface his statue, burn
effigies, and recite his many atrocities. It will be available in the Darwoss
Herald if anyone is interested.”
    Shadow Dengel floated
to her chair and tried to grab her hair, but his translucent hand passed
through. It should be “Feast of the Favored One,” you smug, ugly,
know-it-all slu–
    Eric grabbed his hair
and tossed him into the ground. No one else could see him, so they assumed he
was tussling with Tasio, thus leading to more rumors. The teacher dismissed the
sight and continued the debate.
    “Yes, Ms. Enaz, we know
how disappointed your race is that he shared magecraft with 'lower life forms.'
Our textbook is interested only in an impartial view.”
    Annala looked affronted
and sat down with her arms crossed.
    “So when does the
textbook get that impartial view!?” Revas asked. He was already on his feet. “All
I saw was constant praise of him!” Oito put a claw on his shoulder.
    “I beliefffe what my
friend isssss trying to sssay issss that the texsss doesssn't talk of Dengel
perssssonally. Only an account of hissss actionsss on the world sssstage.”
    To settle the matter of
whose presentation was more effective, Eric suggested a pop quiz. The teacher
quickly put one together and scored them ten minutes later. No one could
remember a thing about the lecture, but everyone scored high on the
presentation.
    “You're welcome,” Eric
said with an obnoxious smile, but to his surprise, the teacher didn't look
upset or angry. In fact, he looked bemused .
    “No wonder you're the
Trickster's Choice. Class dismissed.”
     The teacher left
without saying another word, and the bulk of the class followed him out. Eric's
trio of friends stayed behind along with one other. Without leaving his seat,
Norej slow-clapped. It was hard to tell if he was pleased with Eric for his
performance or himself for thinking of it. Step by step, he descended to join
them. He stopped in front of Eric and offered his hand.
    “Well done, Trickster's
Choice.”
    Eric shook it. “Thank
you. My pay?”
    Norej brought out a
sack and placed a few coins in Eric's waiting hand. “Money well spent.”
    For the second time
that day, Oito and Revas were stunned. “This was your idea?”
    He looked at them with
disdain. “Is there something wrong with your eyes? Didn't you see me pay the
mercenary?”
    Revas’ claws extended.
    “Assskk a ssstupid
quessstion. We get it. Do you do thisssss offften?”
    “I have the experience
to put both of you to shame. You never realized that I was the one
behind the bubble bum plot.”
    All three friends
gasped. Then Revas retorted with, “You never realized that we were
behind the chicken and the egg plot.”
    “How about you pool
your resources?” Eric put in. “Together, you could terrorize the school.”
    “I'd rather not work
with dumb animals.” The cat and lizard imitated a chicken and bawked. Norej’s eyes
narrowed. “Meet me in the chemistry lab. We'll talk.”
    He marched out, his head
high and shoulders back. Oito and Revas pulled down their eyelids and stuck out
their tongues at his back. Annala rolled her eyes and pushed them out the door.
    “Go. You might become
friends from this.”
    “Impossssible!”
    “Yeah, and besides, you
need us to walk you home.”
    “I’ll be fine. I have
my bow and my Eric. I mean, my friend Eric.”
    The faces of the beastfolk
simultaneously shifted into sly grins.
    “Stop that! Go to the
chem lab and plan your pranks.”
    “If you want to be
alone with him that badly…”
    “ Go! Or I’ll
recite the Periodic Table of Elements, including all protons, neutrons, and
electrons!”
    They ran away. Annala
turned shyly to Eric and squeezed her hands together behind her back.
    “Sorry about that. Good
friends can be annoying.”
    “It’s no