board set up on it. They sat down and started playing, silently at first. After a few minutes, Lucian said, “So, why did you want to be on our own?”
“Just wanted some time alone. I like being with everyone else, but we really only have two more days after this to be together at all. I want to enjoy some time with you.” They were quiet again as they played. “Checkmate.”
“Hey, I thought you said you weren’t going to win so fast this time.”
“I said I wouldn’t win in five minutes. It’s been at least ten.”
“I don’t know why I bother playing that with you,” he said as Moira set the pieces up again.
“Well, we can go play fairy stones now if you’d prefer,” she suggested.
“That one I’ll at least stand a fighting chance at winning,” he retorted.
They continued to go from game to game until it was time for luncheon. Several parents had arrived and were waiting for their children in the foyer. Lucian soon saw his parents and he and Allegra went over to talk to them as they waited for their meetings. There wasn’t much of a wait before Lucian and Lysander were called into Calista’s office. “Well, Lucian, time has flown. It seems only yesterday you were a timid boy walking through those doors for the first time. But you’re not a boy anymore. King Lysander, Lucian’s final meeting with me will be private so that we can go over some of the particulars of his quest.”
“I understand,” Lysander replied.
“Lucian, your grades this semester are superb. Morghana was very impressed with your final in healing. Considering we both know how picky she is, I hope you will take that as a compliment.” He nodded and she continued, “Vulcan says that Draconus is still mourning his mother’s death, but that you have been doing very well with the lectures and written assignments.”
“Do you have any idea when we’ll actually be fighting in that class again?” he asked.
“I don’t. Dragons are very proud creatures, Draconus in particular. He is not going to forgive you easily, if ever. Between us, I don’t think he’s actually mourning at all. I believe he’s realized his vulnerability and is distancing himself from it. If needed, I will have a discussion with Draconus about the class. As far as your other classes are concerned, nothing but positives from everyone. Lysander, do you have any concerns or comments?”
“No, I don’t believe I do,” Lysander replied. “It sounds as though Lucian is doing very well.”
“Indeed he is,” Calista agreed. “I’ve rarely had the pleasure of having so many gifted and generous boys in one class. Lucian is certainly a light in our school and we’ll miss him very much when the time comes for graduation.”
Lucian blushed at the praise. “Thanks.”
“Do have a wonderful winter break and I’ll see you in January.”
They left her office and went downstairs to the dining hall to wait for everyone else. Soon they were joined by Moira and Lavinia.
Supper was soon ready and the friends sat together and enjoyed their meal. As they were eating, Allegra asked, “How are Uncle Sebastian and Aunt Rowena?”
“Just fine. They are currently up north near Greyshores,” Lavinia replied. “Rowena grew up there and missed the province of her birth. Naturally Uncle Sebastian decided that meant they needed to go on a trip. The last letter I received, they were both doing very well.”
Laughter and light-hearted chatter filled the air about them as the meal progressed. Soon Calista and Melantha were dismissing the youngest students and the dining hall was being transformed into a ballroom. As lightly fluttering, magical snow fell silently about, seeming to dance around the music floating in the air, Lucian led Moira out to the dance floor. He spun her gently before holding her close. The music and atmosphere of the room was enchanting and his princess beautiful. It was a perfect moment and he wished it could go on. For a long time, neither spoke as they swayed with the music. Moira leaned against Lucian, listening to the deep, but gentle sound of him humming with the music.
“You have a nice voice,” she said after a while.
“Not really,” he replied, grinning. “I just don’t know how to stay quiet.”
“Well, I think you sound nice,” she retorted, returning his smile. They were quiet again for while and she thought, Why can’t nights like these last forever?
The music ended and Lucian led Moira back to her seat. He then took Allegra out while he watched Jacobi and Clarissa attempt a simple waltz. He chuckled, “I guess some things never change.”
“No, I suppose they don’t.” She frowned for a moment.
“What’s the matter?” Lucian asked.
“He’s been gone a full year now,” Allegra replied, a mist of tears in her eyes. “I miss him so much, Lucian. His last words to me were that he loved me, but I never told him. Does he know how much I love and miss him?”
He pulled her into a hug. “I’m sure he knows. How could he not? You showed it every day.”
She nodded, but didn’t speak. Even though the song had not yet finished, Lucian led her back to where their parents were standing. She threw herself into Lysander’s arms and just cried. Alexandra stroked her hair, soothing her cares with reassurances that all would be well as Lysander held her. When he had a moment, Lucian went to Moira and said, “I think we’re going to go ahead and go. Allegra’s…”
“She needs rest,” Moira finished for him. “Have a good break.”
“You too,” he replied and followed his family out of the ballroom. He was disappointed to leave early, but knew that his sister needed him. It was a long time before anyone went to sleep. Allegra was very upset and it took a long time to console her. When he finally was able to go to his room to sleep, Lucian felt not just physically tired, but also emotionally. It was hard to watch his sister feel so much pain and be so powerless to do anything for her. After a long while of lying silently on his bed, Lucian finally began to drift to sleep.
The day after arriving in Maltisten, the family spent together in the parlor, talking about the things that had happened and how the semester had gone for the two children. Allegra described her new classes in great detail. “Calypso comes and teaches me spell breaking. Lucian, you were so much more interesting. All she does is have me read out of boring, long books. The worst of it is that I’m in the class by myself, so there’s not anyone else in the class to answer her questions. It’s always me and if I don’t give just the right answer I get huge essays and reading assignments.”
“Trust me, it’s not much better in a full class,” Lucian replied. “She gives out those assignments if there’s anyone not paying attention.”
“Well, then there’s the water life studies, which is really weird and I have no idea how that’s supposed to help me,” Allegra continued. “It’s taught by this ancient fairy, Zinnia Toadstool, and she’s obsessed with frogs.” Shuddering she said, “It’s really creepy. But the good thing is I’m still in dressage. Augusta is helping me come up with the program for the summer dressage finals. It’s a shame you’ll miss it, Lucian.”
“Why would I miss it?” Lucian asked.
“You’ll be on your quest then, dear,” Alexandra pointed out.
“Oh and I’m also still in glassblowing,” Allegra added before Lucian had time to really dwell on the fact his mother had presented. “Rhianna has me working on making spheres infusing metal in glass. It’s really challenging, but I’m enjoying it. So far I’ve only managed to do it twice. The others have had some pretty major flaws. I think I like the first one I did best though. It’s a clear glass with tiny gold strips infused into it, so it looks like a shower of gold inside. It’s really beautiful. She won’t let me bring it home until the end of the school year though.”
The family continued to chat and laugh late into the evening, while the butler brought in trays of goodies for them to enjoy by the fireside. Lysander often stood to stoke the fire and add more pieces of wood. When Cook finally could not take it any longer, she walked into the parlor. “You can’t surv
ive on toast and cakes alone,” she said with her hands on her hips. “Come to the dining room for a real supper.”
Laughing, Alexandra said, “Alright, Cook, we’re coming.”
They walked together to the dining room and sat around the table, continuing their conversation. They enjoyed the peaceful time together, talking and laughing about anything that came to mind. Lucian hadn’t really thought of it much before, but he really did have a wonderful family. He hoped that when he finished his quest and he and Moira started a family of their own that they would have nights like this; nights of talking late and laughing often. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend life.
Year 6 Chapter 4
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School began and Lucian fell back into the regular routine. Now that their winter finals were behind them, the boys went back to researching the lost princesses with George. It was a difficult process because there was so little information to go on. Lucian was scanning a fairly recent book about lost princesses when he said, “You know George, some of these princesses have been out for so long; how do we know they haven’t left on their own and found someone else to love?”
“We don’t,” he replied. “But I’m going to look for them anyway. Gelasia said that some of them return to the school, and somewhere there must be a record of them.”
“Isn’t it more likely