are parts that they can use in their magic.”
“You do realize that by defeating her, Lucian has won her trove,” Vulcan added.
“But she was a school dragon. She didn’t have a trove.”
“Calista, all dragons have a trove,” he said, as though this was something obvious. “Even Draconus has a trove down in his cave. He just keeps it hidden away out of sight. Andromeda was less secretive. Hers takes up the bulk of her part of the cavern under the school. It’s now Lucian’s.”
“We can discuss that later,” she replied, rubbing her temples. “For now we should make sure that Lucian is okay and prepare for the meeting with the princesses.”
The next morning as princesses filtered into the school, Moira and Allegra found Lucian standing next to George, his leg bandaged and holding crutches. “Lucian! What happened?” Allegra asked.
“I got on the wrong side of a mother dragon,” he replied. “But don’t worry; I should be fine in a few days.”
“More like a week or so,” George corrected.
“Well, how are you going to ride your horse today?” Moira asked.
“We’re not going to be riding,” Lucian replied. “Calista and Phillipa have arranged for us to take one of the school phaetons to enjoy the woods in today.”
“Do you know how to drive?” she teased.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” he retorted.
George escorted Leticia and Allegra out to their horses while Lucian led Moira to the phaeton. As Lucian clicked his tongue to get the horses going, Moira said, “So, you didn’t mention anything about a dragon in your last letter.”
“That’s because it happened yesterday,” he replied. “There wasn’t time to write you a letter.”
“Would you have, if you’d had the time?”
Lucian turned to her briefly, before turning back to watch the horses. “Yes. You said you wanted to know what was going on.”
She nodded. “I did. So, how bad was it, really? Don’t just say it’s nothing because I won’t believe you. You’re red all over like you’ve got a bad sunburn.”
“Not sunburn, scalds.”
As he hesitated, Moira added, “I’ll just ask George if you don’t tell me yourself.”
“Oh alright; it was bad. I wasn’t just bitten; I was trapped inside for about a minute. So, I slashed through her mouth, yelled at the other dragon and then went to the infirmary and blacked out. I guess dragon saliva is really toxic.”
“You almost died, didn’t you?”
“No, not really. The dragon’s dead and now I’ve got a huge treasure trove under the school.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I have no idea. I tried telling them to give it to Draconus, but apparently that will offend him, so I told them to keep it and they said they couldn’t. Maybe I’ll give everyone really big birthday presents this year.”
Moira laughed. “Why not donate it to a museum or something? I’m sure there’s got to be someplace that will take it.”
“Yeah, maybe. I’m just not going to worry about it. It’s not all that important to me.”
They rode together in silence for a while, enjoying the beauty of the fall foliage and the stillness of the glade. Soon they had reached the end of the woods and Lucian handed her out of the phaeton so they could join their friends at the picnic. Jacobi and Clarissa were sitting together while George sat next to Leticia and Allegra. “It’s so nice being here together,” Clarissa said. “I wish these days would go on forever.”
“It would sure be nice,” George admitted. “I enjoy the company.”
Lucian added, “It’s so nice out today. I think this is the most pleasant fall meeting we’ve ever had.”
“It is lovely,” Moira agreed.
All too soon they were saying goodbye. “Keep writing to me,” Moira said as they prepared to leave. “You do write beautifully, even if you don’t think so.”
“Don’t say that too loudly,” he teased. “Airlia will have me writing sonnets again.”
She laughed, “I don’t know; that might be a good idea.”
“I’m sure it’s not. Enjoy the rest of your semester.”
“I’ll see you in December,” she returned as he gently kissed her hand. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Year 6 Chapter 3
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Fall soon progressed into winter and the boys spent a lot of time indoors. Homework was almost always done in the common room with their hounds sitting nearby. Lucian was surprised to receive a letter from Gelasia one evening that he was to share with the group.
My Dear Young Friends,
I wished to write to you to inform you that Kaelen’s transformation is nearing completion and I fear it has been very difficult on him. I would ask that you each make an effort to write him at least one letter about your friendships. You are his greatest support group and to be cut off from you has deeply wounded him. I will use what magic I have to protect these letters from his claws, but as I age, I weaken; my magic will likely be a temporary fix.
I do hope that you are all well. You have come so far since I first met you. Each of you is a true gentleman. Do not forget your friendships. It is friendship that makes us successful more than any other asset we are given.
Again, please write to Kaelen. The transformation is difficult and at times painful. Give him hope and encouragement. He needs it.
Thank you and may the sun always shine upon you.
With Much Love,
Gelasia Stardust
“She sure knows how to make you feel guilty,” George said when Lucian folded the letter. “I hadn’t even thought of writing to Kaelen.”
“I didn’t either,” Jacobi admitted.
“Well,” Lucian said, grabbing paper and pens, “I suppose there’s no time like the present.”
Each sat down at a desk and began writing. Lucian looked into the warm fire dancing in the hearth as he wrote:
Dear Kaelen,
I know what you are going through must be challenging. We’re all rooting for you here at Charming Academy. The winter snows are beginning to fall and it sparkles under the sunlight. Don’t forget your quest. You can be successful, I have no doubts. If you ever have need of me, send for me and I will find you. You are one of my best friends and I will gladly do all I can to help.
Anyway, I’ve got to be getting back to my homework. Write anytime you need something and I’ll be sure to respond.
Your Friend,
Lucian
After writing the letter to Kaelen, Lucian opened up his spellbreaking book. One of the other students in the class had made a smart remark to Calypso and as punishment they were all reading chapters three through six, a one hundred-fifty pages. Many had wanted to strangle him, but said nothing about it. They all knew that Calypso would simply add to their assignment. Lucian decided that sometimes getting a curse was better than yet another essay or reading assignment.
As the winter progressed, the boys prepared for their winter finals. Most of their free time was spent studying rather than researching the lost princesses. Anytime they were brought up George would shake his head. “We’ll go back to them when spring semester begins. I can’t rescue anyone if I fail my classes.”
Finals flew past as they always seemed to do. Lucian was glad the semester was finally over and nervous too. It suddenly occurred to him that the year was half-gone already and he still didn’t feel like he was ready for a quest. As the princesses arrived for the meeting, he didn’t allow his feelings to show. Instead, he pinned his new medals to his jacket and walked downstairs with a smile on his face.
“Lucian,” Allegra said with a smile as he came down the stairs, “we were beginning to think you’d gotten lost.”
“I see your leg has healed,” Moira added as she came over.
For a moment Lucian couldn’t respond. Moira was stunning in a blue dress that was almost purple. She was wearing the necklace he’d
given her and it sparkled bewitchingly in the soft light of the chandelier. Her hair was up in an elegant knot with ringlets surrounding her face. She looked at him and he said lamely, “Uh, yeah, it healed.”
Laughing she asked, “Do you like the new dress?”
Trying to regain some composure, he cleared his throat. “It’s really nice, Moira. I can’t think of a time you looked lovelier.” And he meant it. Six years ago she was a sullen, plain girl with little to like. Now, she was the most beautiful young woman he knew.
She smiled, as though she’d been able to glimpse Lucian’s thoughts. He blushed as she said, “Thank you. Shall we join everyone else for breakfast?”
“Yeah, that would be good.” He shook his head while walking with Moira into the dining hall. He was acting like a love-sick puppy. I am a love-sick puppy, he thought to himself as he watched Moira sit down at the table and give him a brilliant smile. Everyone laughed as they enjoyed their meal together. Once finished, they headed to the gym which was once more an enchanting winter wonderland with snow encrusted pine trees and warm fires burning in magical hearths. The group of friends decided, like the last year, that they would stay at one of the hearths and just chat. It was hard to really break into pairs because they had an uneven number. At one point Moira leaned over to Lucian and asked, “Would you like to go play a game of chess with me?”
“You’ll win!”
“Well, yeah, but it will be fun anyway. I promise to not win in five minutes like last time.”
Still laughing, he agreed, “Alright, I get the hint. We’ll see you all a little later.” He followed her to a table with a chess