William Wilde and the Unusual Suspects by Davis Ashura

Author:Davis Ashura [Ashura, Davis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DuSum Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

Christmas was only a few weeks away, and all manner of holiday lights, flashing ornaments, and shiny tinsel festooned the Village Green. Some might call it gaudy, but William thought it was pretty. He especially liked it tonight, when hundreds of people stood packed in tight for the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree. There was a festive air to the Village Green, and the aromas of popcorn and candy carried along with strains of traditional Christmas music from a string quartet set up in front of the gazebo. All of it reminded William of holidays at home, of making popcorn strings with his family and listening to Christmas music on the radio.

Jake stood nearby. “The tree looks nice.”

William smiled in pride. He’d helped haul the Asian spruce down from the slopes of Mount Madhava and set it up next to the gazebo. He’d even participated in decorating the tree. Tonight, though, would be the first time all the lights would be lit.

Mayor Lilian Care held up her hands for quiet, and the crowd slowly settled down. “We need not waste time going over why we celebrate Christmas,” Mayor Care began in her aristocratic English accent. Before Arylyn, the matronly woman had served as a governess. “On our home, we celebrate all the major holidays from around the world. Most recently it was Diwali and Maidyarem Gahambar, the Zoroastrian winter feast. Now it’s Christmastime.” Mayor Care broke into a grin. “Besides which, we magi like parties, which means that when the world dies, the last, best party will be here on Arylyn.”

Everyone clapped and hollered agreement.

Mayor Care shouted over their ruckus. “Let’s light the tree.” She waved a wand made of holly and tipped in ivory—a joke since there was no such thing as a magic wand.

The Christmas tree lit with ringing tones that ranged from high-pitched to deep as a church’s bell. Some of the lights changed color, flashing through the spectrum while others sparked like miniature fireworks. From many more came plucked-string notes forming the melody of a song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

William continued clapping enthusiastically, not caring that he was grinning like an idiot. Screw it. Christmas was his favorite time of year.

“What holiday do we celebrate after Christmas?” Jake shouted above the noise of the clapping.

“New Year,” William shouted back. “The regular one. After that comes the Chinese version.”

Lien squeezed in next to them. “Have you seen Daniel?” she asked.

“I heard he and Magnus were fixing a leyline near Linchpin Knoll,” William said. “He’ll probably show up later.”

Lien scowled. “If you see him, let him know I’m looking for him.”

“Sure thing, boss,” William said, doffing an imaginary hat, and he watched as Lien wandered away.

“Is it me, or do those two seem like they want to date but are afraid of what everyone will think?” Jake asked after she left.

“Lien and Daniel?”

Jake nodded.

“It’s not you.”

Mayor Care held up her hands again, calling for quiet once more. “I’m told my speech before the tree-lighting sounded flippant,” she said, shooting a glare at Councilor Duba.

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