Wizard's Chambers

The castle buzzed with gargoyles moving about, getting ready for Edge's inauguration ceremony.

"Excuse me," I stopped one of the gargoyles rushing by.

"Yes?" She was a small female, and she looked frightened by me.

"Can you tell me where the wizard's chamber is?" I tried to keep my voice gentle so I wouldn't scare her any more than I already had.

Her eyes grew large. She pulled out of my grasp and pointed up. "Top floor."

"Thank you." Jesse and I headed for the staircase she indicated and began to climb. On our way up, I asked, "So what's the story? Why did Edge want to talk to you?" We came to a landing and paused.

Jesse went past me and continued up. As the silence lengthened, it became obvious he was having a tough time talking about whatever it was.

I made a face before running after him. When we reached the top of the second landing, I tried again. "So?"

"What?" He feigned ignorance.

"The new emperor. Edge. What did he tell you?"