Page 32 of Untamed

“I’m your whyzer, Juancho,” Uncle Uly said.

Juancho bounced on his toes. “Does that mean I get a special power today? Will I be able to fly or read minds or heal or something like that?” The eagerness in his little voice reminded me of how I had felt not too long ago. How the tides had shifted.

Uncle tapped on the boy’s shoulder with his staff. The top of the staff glowed as if holding firelight. I had never seen a person receive their gifting before because the ceremonia was personal and done at a very young age for most. People also never knew when the whyzer would arrive, so no one had the opportunity to send invitations.

An old woman, who swept the front of the herbalist shop next door, stopped to watch. Other pedestrians gathered around.

“Juancho, I bestow on you invisibility.” Uncle’s words echoed between the buildings despite the clomp and rumble of horses pulling wagons of food on the road.

The boy vanished under Uncle Uly’s staff. I blinked several times and tried to catch light bending along the boy’s figure, but no hint of him remained. Was he still there?

“You just made a thief of him,” the old woman said. “I’ve seen the likes of him before stealing a coin from a pocket. No redeeming him now.”

Uncle Uly nodded. “It’s possible he could become a thief, or he could find some other work to earn the coins he needs.” Uncle Uly turned his gaze down again. “Would you like a quesito from the bakery?”

The boy’s tan skin and tattered clothes reappeared. “That was awesome! It feels like little bugs landed on all my fingers and toes.” He wiggled his hand with glowing light on each finger pad. The pale markings must have been hidden under all the dirt.

“He’ll never do a day’s worth of real work in his life,” the old woman muttered and swept the cobblestones in front of her shop with angry swipes.

We entered the bakery and ordered three treats from behind a glass display. The moment the clerk placed the treat in my grasp, I took a bite of the sweet, cheese filled pastry. Why would Uncle Uly take me on this walk just to pick up treats?He must plan to soften my shell before demanding I use my powers.Wecontinued our stroll with the boy flickering in and out of view by our side.

Though I could have devoured my bread, I nibbled on the sweet edges, savoring my break from lessons. The roads twisted and turned. Many people parted in front of us and some bowed. My expensive attire or well-known face could have branded me as royalty.

Uncle Uly approached the guard at Giddel’s Wall Gate. “Good sir, what’s your biggest need at the moment?”

The guard’s brown eyes flashed in recognition. “Duke Uly, it’s an honor to see you.” The tall man dipped his head toward me in greeting. “Princess. Thievery has increased these past few months. Prices of goods have risen with more people moving into town and supplies being scarcer.”

“What’s your gifting?” Uncle Uly asked the guard.

The guard kept a stoic countenance. “I can discern truth from lie.”

“What if you could have a witness to uncover the culprits?” Uncle eyed me.

“Do you know of someone who can blend into the throng?” The guard asked. “If so, we’d love to hire someone with that ability.”

Someone shoved my side.

“I can do that.” The little boy appeared between Uncle Uly and the guard. “No one can see me, see.” The boy vanished and reappeared. “I can’t hold it long but it’s going to grow, right Señor Whyzer Man?”

“Indeed, it will.” Uncle Uly arched his eyebrows to the guard in question.

The guard’s prickly face curved into a shape that could almost pass as a smile. He bent downward to meet Juancho’s gaze. “Do you promise to always tell the truth?”

“Yes. I will never lie to you.” Juancho’s head bobbed with enthusiasm.

The guard nodded at Uncle Uly with approval.

Uncle Uly patted the boy’s head. “You have a big job, little one. If someone refuses to pay you, send a note with a bird. The birds seem to recognize my name now.”

A pigeon flapped onto Uncle Uly’s shoulder and cooed.

Juancho nodded vigorously. “I will.”

“Good.” My uncle patted the boy’s head. “The Ancient One will be with you if you seek Him. Always remember that and His commands.”

We left the boy at the guard’s post at the gate. A knowing look tiptoed across Uncle Uly’s expression, but I didn’t respond to it. Sure, some gifts can work beautifully together to make our community better, but how could my gift be useful?

Uncle Uly broke the silence once we passed the herbalist’s shop. “I’ve watched Juancho pickpocket in the square since I arrived in Giddel. I debated withholding his powers, but I also believe he can use his experience, and his new ability, to help others.”

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