her desk writing when he walked in. “Prince Kaelen, you’re a tad early. Did Russett let you out sooner than normal?”
“I don’t think so. It’s just really cold so I ran all the way,” Kaelen replied.
“I see. Well, how is your reading coming along? Have you found any answers about the gems you asked about?”
He grimaced. “I’m only about a third of the way through the book. I’ve found a little bit about amber, but it didn’t mention turquoise there at all. So I’m still reading.”
“Well, perhaps since you are early,” she began, “we can discuss what you’ve learned so far and perhaps I can help you gain some new insight.”
“Okay. Um, I read that amber promotes warmth and is thought to give strength to the wearer like the strength of trees. But I didn’t quite get that.”
“It’s really very simple, Kaelen. Amber is from ancient tree sap; the blood of the tree if you will. It is blood that gives life, strength and warmth. There are those who believe amber to be a gift from nature, the sacrifice of one living entity to strengthen another.”
“I don’t remember reading about that,” he admitted.
As Adrian walked into the room, Calypso said, “I believe that comes later in the book.” Turning her attention to Adrian she chided, “You’re late.”
“I’m sorry,” he replied, “I was held after swimming for a while because my eyes went all blurry. Achilles wanted Tallia to look me over before I went to any other classes.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes ma’am,”
“Then let’s begin.” Calypso turned to the chalkboard and began writing notes on it while beginning her lecture. The two boys got out paper and pens before feverishly taking notes.
One Saturday late in the semester, the boys decided to make a trip to town to get a few necessities. Adrian had so much make-up on that he felt sure people would notice. He was wearing mittens to cover his hands and to keep him warm. As they rode in the carriage towards town, he felt himself drifting to sleep. The others would poke him and at one point Kaelen stomped rather viciously on his foot. “Ouch!” Adrian yelped, jumping from the seat.
“Stay awake, Adrian,” Kaelen warned. “We don’t want you going into hibernation.”
“Sorry guys,” he yawned. “I’m just so tired.”
Lucian took off his coat and wrapped it around Adrian. When they arrived and the boys split up to do their own shopping. Adrian soon realized that Lucian was heading the same direction. “Let me guess, Moira’s accessories are too limited,” he teased, yawning.
“I just figured since I’m in town anyway I’d get a little something for her.”
“That was my thought. Well, actually, for your sister, not Moira. The hard part though is I have no idea what to get her.”
Laughing, Lucian said, “Well, if you help me out I’ll return the favor.”
“Deal,” Adrian yawned. “Please tell me we’re almost there. That dirt looks so inviting and I’m so very tired.”
“Just hang in there,” Lucian encouraged. “We’ve got just two more buildings to go. Why do you want to go to the dirt anyway?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Adrian replied. “I might dig a little bed out of it to sleep in. Or maybe I’ll just lie down on it. I’m too tired to dig right now.”
They walked inside a shop with large windows and a sign hanging outside that read Fernando’s Fine Jewelry in fancy script. “Good morning young sirs,” a frail-looking old man said in a heavy accent they weren’t able to identify, “and what can I do for you?” The man was small, with silver hair and a well-groomed goatee.
“We’re just looking for gifts for our princesses,” Lucian replied.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” Fernando said with a smile. “What did you have in mind?”
“That’s part of the problem,” Lucian admitted.
Fernando laughed. “I see, well come this way my young friends and I’ll show you what I have. Now, describe your princess to me. We’ll start with the short one.”
Flushing, Adrian concentrated on not ribbeting, “Well, Allegra is a beautiful girl. She’s got wavy auburn hair and warm, brown eyes. She’s always smiling and there’s a light in her smile that makes every problem seem easy to overcome. She’s the world to me.”
Fernando said something in a language neither understood before continuing, “I’m sure I’ve got just the thing for her. Step this way.” He took them over to a case of stunning necklaces. “For a ray of sunshine, I give gold to add sparkle and glow to her light. For love and fire, ruby. Finally, diamond to make it last forever. This necklace was designed by fairy craftsmen years and years ago. It is a mortal’s reproduction, but no doubt you see how beautiful it is. Imagine this around the neck of your beloved.”
Adrian looked over the necklace that was being held before him. A heart-shaped pendant of gold with inlaid ruby and diamond chips amidst delicate scrollwork hung from a delicate gold chain. He noticed small hinges to the side. “Is this a locket?”
“Very perceptive of you,” Fernando said. “It is indeed a locket. Inside, your princess can stow a portrait of you, to always be carried above her heart.”
“What do you think, Lucian?” Adrian asked.
“I think it’s lovely, just then sort of thing Allegra would love,” he replied.
Nodding, Adrian said, “That’s what I was thinking. I’ll take it.”
“An excellent choice sir,” Fernando said, placing the necklace inside a box. “And now for your very tall friend; what of your princess?”
Describing Moira in detail, Lucian painted a portrait in words of his princess. When he finished, Fernando led them to a different case. “I believe that your princess would do best with rose gold, giving the necklace fire and a brilliant glow. For beauty and serenity, sapphires. And always there are diamonds. They represent the everlasting nature of love,” he explained as he pulled a necklace out of the case. “This is also fairy design. Look at how delicate the workmanship is. Can you see your true love wearing this when you rescue her?”
It was exactly what Lucian would have imagined. Tiny chips of diamond and sapphire swirled around the star-shaped pendant. “It’s perfect. Don’t you think so, Adrian?”
“She’ll love it,” he agreed.
“Then we will wrap these and take care of payment over here,” Fernando said with a smile. He led them over to a desk where he carefully wrapped each boxed necklace in paper and tied a small ribbon around them. The boys paid for their purchases and then walked back out into the cold. They met the other boys at the clothing shop and soon headed back to the carriage. For much of the ride they were poking and prodding at Adrian to keep him awake. The temperature was falling and by the time they reached the castle, everyone had given Adrian their coats and he was still drifting in and out of sleep. They half-carried him into the castle. Calista was in the hallway when they arrived. “What happened?”
“Nothing happened, it’s just really cold outside,” Jacobi said.
“Of course, he’s becoming more like an amphibian. He can’t maintain his own body temperature. Bring him to the infirmary. I’m sure Tallia can get him warmed up sufficiently.”
Carrying Adrian between the two of them, Lucian and Kaelen made their way to the infirmary. George and Jacobi followed along. When they walked in, Tallia had a tub steaming in the middle of the floor. “Take the extra layers off of him and then set him in the tub. Lucian, can you bring a fresh set of clothing for Adrian to wear please?”
“Sure,” he said as he walked back out. He quickly went up to Adrian’s room and found his clothes. When he’d collected everything, he went downstairs to the infirmary where everyone else was sitting around the tub.
Adrian opened his eyes sleepily. “It feels nice in here. What happened?”
“You started hibernating,” Kaelen replied. “Nothing we did could keep you warm enough.”
“I’ll just stay in here then. It’s warm right here.”
Tallia laughed, “You can’t stay in there forever, Adrian. You’ll get all pruny. But I think we’ll give you another ten to twenty minutes until you’re feeling a little more alert.”
The weeks seemed to fly until finals. Adrian’s change had become more noticeable than ever. He had several bald patches where greenish-hued skin showed though. His eyes were constantly bugged out and more yellow than green. Perhaps the worst of it was that he could barely speak. He had to concentrate on speaking without croaking. Sometimes he concentrated so much, that he forgot what he was trying to say. The day before the meeting he had his spell breaking final. He mustered up his courage and said, “Calypso, I need to, ribbet ribbet, ask a question.”
“Of course, Adrian, what is it?” she asked.
He paused to gather his thoughts and focus on sounding human. “Calypso, is there any way, ribbet, for me to be normal tomorrow?”
Calypso eyed him for a moment. She then turned to where Kaelen had just taken his seat. “Stay after class, Adrian. We’ll discuss your options in private.”
The final seemed never-ending as Adrian tried to answer the questions. He had difficulty using his pen properly. It became stuck to his hands at awkward angles and he’d try to dislodge it before continuing. When Kaelen left the room, Calypso beckoned to Adrian to sit at a seat right next to her desk.
“In answer to your question, Adrian, yes, there is a way,” she began. “But mind you, it comes at a price.”
“Whatever it