Quest Maker by Laurie McKay Page B

moment later, he felt his cheek hit the cold tile floor.
    The pressure soon let up. He blinked at the sideways room and realized he was lying on the floor. With a silent curse, he pushed up to his knees.
    Ms. Primrose was now standing. When she spoke, she mercifully did so in English. “Get off the floor, dear.”
    Caden tottered to his feet. “What was that?”
    She looked nostalgic. “Contracts made in a tongue of power are unbreakable. They’re powerful. Once an agreement is made, nothing can breach it. Not even I can stop how it concludes.”
    â€œI see,” Caden said.
    She let out a soft sigh. “There are so few capable of the words, so few. None I know of in the last millennia but you.” She frowned at him. “The fainting was a bit dramatic, though.”
    â€œIt wasn’t intentional,” he said.
    She waggled her finger at him. “Well, don’t do it next time.”
    It seemed the exchange had mostly returned her oldlady persona. Then her phone rang. Any amusement Caden had brought her seemed to fly away. With a gnarled hand that shimmered with blue scales, she reached for the phone. Before she picked it up her gaze skittered back to him. “Now, chop, chop, back to class. Don’t neglect your studies.” She put the phone to her ear. “That will be tantamount to failure, dear.”
    Times such as these were times for confidence. “I’ll master reading and unmask the saboteur.”
    â€œFor your sake and your brother’s, I hope so.”
    Caden bowed to her. With time and effort, he would find the ones responsible. He would save Jasan and his friends would be protected. “I take this quest with honor and good intent.”
    â€œFind out who’s embarrassing my school.” She picked up the phone and the room was again bathed in blue light. She kept her hand over the receiver. “You have seven days.”
    Wait. What? Caden’s confidence faded. “You said nothing about a time limit.”
    â€œDon’t take that tone with me. What did you expect? Such quests have rules.” She shook her head. “Princes these days,” she said. “Seven days is standard. Those are the rules.”
    They stared at each other. The silence of the room was broken by a low, hungry growl. Her pupils narrowed until they seemed to disappear in the icy blue of her eyes. Caden felt cold, damp breath on his neck; he felt like he was nearjagged, tearing teeth. He dared not move; he dared not look away.
    â€œFail and I’ll gobble you up.”
    At that moment, she sounded like she wanted to eat him. Caden uttered a respectful farewell. Then he bolted out the door.

S even days. That’s all. Next Tuesday, Caden and Jasan would either be saved or be dead.
    Caden composed his royal self as he walked. When he stepped from the blue-tinted long hall into the main corridor, it was like emerging from the Winter Castle catacombs to the bustle of the grand floor. There was sun and color. There was life. Once he was standing outside his literacy classroom, he inhaled deeply. He needed to investigate. At lunch, he’d sneak to the science room.
    Mr. McDonald, his teacher, opened the door. His hair was thick and white. His shoulders had a constant downtrodden slump. “You have a note?” Mr. McDonald said.
    In his dash to get away from the hungry Elderdragon, Caden hadn’t asked for a note. He crossed his arms. “No, but she wanted to see me.”
    â€œYou still need a note.”
    â€œI still have none.”
    Mr. McDonald shook his head. “Then you’ll have to stay with me after school today.” He fiddled with some papers on a nearby desk and pulled out a pink detention slip. “That’s her policy.”
    The class consisted of two other students. The first was Tonya. She was pale and pudgy, with pretty blond hair and glasses. “B-but,” she said, “Caden was excused.”