shot a volley of spines. “What was the question, George?” he asked.
“Never mind.”
Russett continued the class as it had begun. After the boys put their plants away and left, he went to Calista’s office. Lucian’s plant didn’t have spines. In fact, none of the plants they had worked with had posed any dangers at all to Lucian. The other boys’ plants were just as they should have been as though pulled from the pages of a textbook. Lucian, however, had thorny plants that didn’t have thorns, spiked plants with no spikes and spitting plants that didn’t spit. How could he teach Lucian the dangers of these plants if his plants were so domestic?
She was walking out as he came up the stairs. “Russett, what can I do for you?” she asked as he came into view.
“I have to talk to you about Lucian’s schedule,” he replied.
“Oh, you as well?” she said. “I was about to go speak to the witches about Lucian. That insufferable dragon still won’t tell me anything. It’s quite frustrating. What seems to be the problem for you?”
“Calista, do you know if Lucian has been given a gift in botany?” he asked, dropping his voice.
“I seem to remember something, but I’m not sure what precisely. Is it causing problems?”
Russett briefly described his concern. “His plants are just so different from the others,” he finished.
“How unusual,” she said. “Well, I have to speak with Maeve and Calypso about Lucian anyway. I’ll let you know when we meet to set the boys’ schedules for next year. I really must go now. I’m sorry to be so short.”
“No one could accuse you of being short, Calista. However, I will let you get to your meetings. If you do discover something highly important, let me know before the meeting please.”
“I will do that Russett.” She continued on her way down the stairs and out the castle doors. She took a deep breath as she walked outside. It had rained the day before and the world smelled fresh and new. She loved springtime; it was as though the whole world awoke and came back to life. The buds on the trees were now tiny leaves that would continue to grow under the sun’s warm rays. She could hear baby birds in their nests calling to their parents. It was a beautiful and wondrous time of year. She took one last breath before knocking on the hovel door.
The door was opened by Maeve. “Why, hello Calista. I was not aware you were coming.”
“I’m sorry to come without announcing myself, I’ve just spoken with two of the teachers and could really use your help,” she explained.
Maeve flushed. “Really? What can I do for you?”
“I have a question regarding Lucian and his quest. We’re trying to get his schedule set for next year and he has proven himself to be very capable in dragon fighting and seems to have an interesting problem in botany.”
“Problem?” Maeve asked. “He should do quite well in botany.”
“Well, that seems to be the problem,” Calista replied. “May I come in?”
Maeve seemed to suddenly realize that they were still standing in the entryway. “Oh, of course! How silly of me. I’m sorry.”
When Calista entered, she saw Calypso and Althea sitting together discussing something. “They look busy,” she said as Maeve led her to where the maps were kept.
“Not really,” Maeve said. “They’re just having their afternoon chat before Calypso goes to Fair Damsels to teach dream interpretation.”
Calypso looked up on seeing Calista and said, “Well, this is a surprise. Is there something wrong, Calista?”
“No, nothing wrong,” she replied. “I just needed some guidance. Draconus is being extremely stubborn, even for a dragon. He refuses to tell me anything about Lucian’s victory a couple weeks ago.”
“Lucian beat Draconus?” Morghana asked, coming into the room. “When?”
“It’s been a couple of weeks now,” Calista said. “I’m afraid I don’t remember exactly which day. But Vulcan is thinking that it would be wise to have Lucian placed in a double class next year to fine tune those skills. I’d like to have talked to Draconus about it, but it seems Lucian has deeply wounded his pride and he refuses to discuss the matter. So, I was hoping that perhaps Maeve could get me some extra information while consulting the stars.”
Maeve smiled and looked at the chart. “It seems that Prince Lucian was having a particularly bad day when he defeated Draconus. I do hope, Sister, that you weren’t too hard on him. You are quite picky,” she directed at Morghana.
“I’m going to be picky on you if you don’t stick to the subject,” she warned.
“Oh, I mustn’t be too far off. Anyhow, Lucian was very upset and I would say allowed his emotion to get the best of him. But he was able to control those emotions to work for him instead of against him. What a unique quality. It will be very useful to him in the future. Looking at his quest, oh my. Well, I’d say double dragon fighting is just what Lucian needs. You may also consider his botany classes. He must continue those. Both of them”
“How can he continue in a class for dangerous plants if the plants show no danger to him?” Calista asked.
“Well, dear, you are only thinking of the one part of the blessing. It is true that Lucian will not have his way barred by thorns or brambles. Plants that pose those dangers to anyone else will be altered by his very presence,” Calypso explained. “However, there is another part to it. Beauty will follow Lucian wherever he goes in the plant life around him. I’m sure that Russett has noticed differences beyond just the lack of dangers in Lucian’s plants. If not, perhaps he should take a closer look at Lucian’s plants.”
“What did Lucian do to warrant such a powerful gift?” Calista asked without thinking.
The witches looked at each other before all turning to Calista. Calypso spoke, though there was a chiding tone to her voice. “Calista, we cannot reveal that to you; gifts are highly personal as are the reasons behind them. As Althea was then the head of our Sisterhood, she had the greatest power of any of us. You must remember that as the head, we have not only our own unique power, but also a smidgeon of the power of our Sisters. By being the one to bestow the gift, Althea could give a gift of great power. However, it is not for us to say why the gift was given.”
Calista blushed. “I’m sorry; I suppose that was prying. Is there anything else that you can tell me?”
“Well, you’ll want to give Lucian classes that will utilize the unique qualities of his gift,” Calypso said. “And I believe Maeve made it clear that a second class in dragon fighting would also be wise. Beyond that I’m afraid we have nothing to add. Now you must excuse me, I’m late.” She opened the door and disappeared.
Calista thanked the others and walked towards the greenhouse. Russett was working with a class of younger students as she walked in. She stood at the back and smiled as she watched the boys work. When the class was dismissed and the last of the boys left, she said, “The plants Lucian has grown, what all have you noticed about them?”
“It would be easier to show you,” he replied. He motioned for her to follow him into the back of the greenhouse. When they arrived, Calista could easily see which plants were Kaelen’s and which were Lucian’s. It was a night and day difference. “As you can see, the plants that Lucian has planted lack spines. It’s almost as though his spines were transferred to Kaelen’s plants. I know that’s not the case, but it does look that way doesn’t it?”
“It does. Lucian’s plants have some flowers on them, don’t they?”
“Yes, as long as they are plants that he himself planted,” he replied. “The plants that the other boys planted don’t flower, but even if he works near them, they don’t do anything to him.”
“Part of Lucian’s gift is centered on beauty,” she said. “We’ll have to plan his schedule accordingly. But he will still need the dangerous plants class too. I think it would be best if you put him in a separate class from his peers.”
“I agree,” he said. “There’s not much I can do for this semester. But next semester
we’ll see what we can do.”
That weekend the boys went to the shops. Several of them needed new trousers, especially Lucian. He had tried to make the trousers from home last as long as he could, but they were now far above his ankles. In fact, he’d needed to write to his parents because he needed an entirely new wardrobe. Nothing fit him at all. Not only had he grown several inches in height, but his shoulders had continued to come in, making his jackets and shirts uncomfortably tight. The letter he received back from his parents had money sufficient for two new shirts, two pairs of trousers and a jacket. It had also included the command that he stop growing. Lucian was beginning to hope that he’d stop. He was well over six foot and definitely taller than his princess. Now as they were in a clothing shop, the others were sitting waiting while Lucian was having a final fitting in his new clothes. “That looks pretty good,” the young seamstress said. “How do they feel, Prince Lucian?”
“Perfect. They’re very comfortable.”
“Well then, come over to the counter and we’ll get this paid for and you can head back to school. Should I expect you again soon?” she asked teasingly.
“No, I think you left enough room in these to have the hems redone if needed,” he said. “Thanks,” he added as he handed her the money for the clothes. “Do you mind if I just wear these out?”
“Not at all,” she laughed. “In fact, shall I keep