Quest Maker by Laurie McKay

wanted, but she seemed hungry. Although it was likely unwise, he felt she must understand the consequences of ever eating his brother. “If you kill Jasan,” he said, “we will be enemies.”
    For a moment she stared at him with her too-small pupils and pale-blue eyes. Then her icy expression broke. The sides of her mouth tipped up. She noticed the drool, pulled a flowery handkerchief from her pocket, and dabbed at it. “Oh my,” she said, and the entire room seemed to warm up. “How terrifying, dear.”
    His threat was by no means trivial. Truly, Caden was insulted. He pointed at her. “I still have a dragon to slay. I’d prefer it not be you.” Likely he was saying things he shouldn’t, but he felt no need to stay quiet. He was too wound up from the events of the last two days. Besides, his words seemed to only better her mood. “So don’t eat my brother or my friends, else I reconsider.”
    â€œI quake in my scales, dear.” Then she laughed and wiped her eyes. The icicles hanging from the shelves started to melt. “This is why I’m glad I haven’t eaten you. In my foulest moods, you cheer me.”
    If this was why he was here, he’d rather be in reading class. “Is that why you summoned me?” he said. “To amuse you?”
    â€œOh pish. Don’t get huffy.” She leaned back and flapped her handkerchief at him. “You said you had pride in my school. You meant that.”
    With Ms. Primrose, Caden was always sincere. “I did.”
    She puffed up. “It’s my jewel. My greatest treasure.” She’d appreciated his pride in the school more than he’d realized. “Yet someone dares tarnish it. Not everyoneshares our love. Yesterday’s incident—” On the word “incident” her voice became sharp again. The cold returned. “The police deemed it an accident.”
    It seemed Ms. Primrose didn’t share the opinion that it was an accident. “You disagree with the police,” he said.
    â€œIt’s not my job to agree or disagree with them. It’s my job to follow my rules.” She was getting irritated again. It seemed he’d charmed her for but a moment. He would get better as he continued to practice. “I’ve gotten calls from parents.” The temperature in the room plummeted. “Derek’s mother has called five times.”
    Ms. Primrose disliked Derek’s mother. Derek’s mother was a lawyer and a local, though, and it seemed the combination made her less appetizing.
    â€œOh, they’ll stop soon, but my school is getting bad press. All the magical work to make them forget is making me irritable. I haven’t the time to polish my buttons or rearrange my treasures.” Then she leaned forward. “Now, if I was brought proof someone caused that accident . . .” She blinked—a slow unnatural movement. “Then I’d have someone to eat.” She paused. “Oh my, pardon me, someone to blame. That’s what I meant. Yes. Blame.” She nodded as if to agree with herself. “Then eat.”
    Caden wasn’t to blame for the smelly green gas, and she didn’t seem overly inclined to eat him just yet. So it seemed she was asking him for help. “What is it you want from me?”
    â€œYou’re a prince, aren’t you?” She leaned forward and clasped her gnarled hands together like she was about to deliver the most exciting of news. “Well, dear, I’ve got a quest for you,” she said.
    Caden perked up. A quest? Elite Paladins were often sent on quests. Technically, he wasn’t fully an Elite Paladin, and he was already on a quest to slay a dragon, but he was confident he could handle another quest. “What type of quest?”
    â€œOne to unmask a saboteur. Find out who released the gas. If you succeed, I’ll grant your brother’s life, regardless of that