Contributor: Dr. Rodney Horne

“There are no wizards anymore.” Ben growled. “They died off with the last of the dragons at the end of the Cerulean age.”

“But Da!”

“No! And I don't want to hear any more of it!” He shouted, sending his son cowering, crying. “You stay away from that crazy old man! He's dangerous. Why, I have half a mind to go down to Harod Street myself and pound some sense into his crazy old brain.”

“No Da!”

“Get to your room, son!” Ben shouted. “And no more talk about wizards! If I ever catch you hanging around Harod street or that old man again, I'll whip your hide with a belt so hard you won't sit for a week!”

Screaming, crying, Simon ran up the rickety stairs to his attic bedroom and slammed the door. “You're wrong!” He shouted over and over again. “Old man Kell is a wizard! He is! He is!”

“Shut your mouth!” Ben yelled back. “Else I'll get my belt now and knock you deaf!”