Twelve
1591 Words
Journal of Frankie DragonSpire
Dear Diary,
Miss DragonSpire being late is by no fault her own, I was captivated by her grace and beauty and only wanted to keep her talking a little more. The sound of her voice is like the tingles of small bells and the glow of her skin, like sunlight that burns through the day with its radiance, never have I known such depth of feeling.
Wow, Zoric has a way with words; I had to write it in here, so I would never forget. It was corny as hell, but really cool too.
Frankie DS
Something went wrong! Gertrude Horst's experiment exploded with a cloud of black soot that covered everyone from head to toe. We all walked out when the gong sounded looking like we had been playing chimney sweeps with Mary Poppins! Mr Jasper roared with laughter all lesson. Casper stormed off to math with three other females from our class. Kadina and I exchanged worried looks, wondering if my cousin was going to attack the next person unfortunate enough to laugh in her direction. With a shrug, we walked up the stairs to music. So much for doing my composition, as it turned out our music teacher Mr Hipolostus wasn't there, his wife had food poisoning, and he went home to look after her. Miss Carp was assigned as our substitute teacher. Miss Carp was a short, squat woman with a round little nose and
squinting eyes. She had thick black square glasses that had seen better days, and she wore shoes that squeaked when she walked. Kadina and I covered in black soot were not even allowed in the classroom; we were to sit outside and read chapter one through four of our textbooks. Miss Carp had taken our appearance as a personal affront to her authority after we told her that it would not wash off easily. I earned us detention next week when I asked Kadina what the time was. Kadina earned us another one when she answered me. By the time the gong sounded, we were intensely irritated with Miss Carp and were ready to kill her, in front of witnesses. I launched to my feet with a sigh of relief. Reaching out, I helped my friend up. We decided to make a quick and stealthy getaway before the teacher from hell came out to yell some more.
"Gods Frankie, that woman is nuts, I cannot believe that she thought we covered ourselves like this on purpose just to spite her, we didn't even know she was here." Kadina snarled, looking back over her shoulder.
"Brush, it off, man; don't let it get to you. Hipolostus will be back for the next lesson, and we won't have to see the Carp again." I assured her as we walked around a corner, our soot-covered appearances attracting a lot of attention. I should say, Kadina's appearance, as the other students were too scared to laugh at me. I turned at the sound of a cranky yet familiar voice.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up, Sods." Casper snapped, bearing her fangs at two of ninety people that she passed.
"Hey Casper, don't worry about it," I said when we caught up with her.
"Says the DragonSpire! Everyone is too afraid of you to laugh." My cousin growled as we rounded another corner and came face to face with Magnus and Lucian. Stepping back behind my ill-tempered cousin, I was gesturing wildly for them not to laugh or even say a word from behind Casper's back. They got the hint, thankfully.
"Casper babe, what happened? Are you alright?" Lucian pushed as much concern into his voice as he could. Casper sighed.
"Yes, we're fine. Gertrude's diamond powder exploded; she heated its bottle instead of measuring a little out and putting it in her vial, and viola chimney sweeps all round! I was standing next to her." she grumped.
"Oh no, but are you alright?" He asked. Magnus was laughing silently at Kadina and me. I spied Mark and Poppa waiting just outside the entry doors.
"Oh, my god, that's the horrible Dresdorian DragonSpire! I heard he eats fledglings." I called out. The entrance hall suddenly fell quiet, hundreds of eyes zeroing in on the ancient male. Having recognised my voice, Poppa shot a mock glare in my general vicinity. The students hurried past my grandfather like scurrying ants. I chuckled under my breath as I strolled across the room.
"Poppa, what are you doing here?" I asked grinning through the soot. He and Mark coughed quickly smothering grins.
"What on earth have you been doing?" Poppa asked, handing me his handkerchief. I tried to wipe the sparkly black soot off my skin, but it stuck like glue and to my dismay began to itch.
"Someone's Diamond powder blew up and covered the whole class, but don't let Casper catch you laughing. She's a little sensitive; she was standing next to it, so naturally, Cas looks like a coal mine threw up on her Everyone is laughing at her, mostly because they are too chicken to laugh at me." I sniggered. The men before me coughed again their eyes dancing with amusement.
"Being a DragonSpire does have it's advantages. I dropped in to say goodbye; I have been called in on council business. Tonight, someone gave them a confirmed report that there are six changelings in the world, although I do not know what they want me to do about it. I rather enjoy the idea. Even more so than last time. It's a dragon thing." Poppa whispered. My eyes opened wide.
"What does it mean? What will they do to us?" I asked hurriedly. Poppa shook his head.
"I don't know sweetheart; I'll call you when I have news, stay close together. Francesca this is important; I need to know if you or any of the others have ever heard of Salomor. I heard you say the name during your transition, is there anything you know about it?" The dragon within me lifted her head struggling to surface, she was furious, and that fury directed towards this Salomor, whoever he was. I clapped a hand to my chest, eyes wide, a ripple of red flashed over my skin. I sucked in a deep calming breath. Poppa was staring at me. I shook my head, slowly, running through my mind like a computer file. I did not voice what just happened inside me—keeping the reaction of my dragon to myself, feeling it would only cause more significant problems. Poppa's eyes lit with pride.
"I don't remember saying it. Doesn't ring a bell to me, but my dragon knows it? She is fighting me and snarling. I will ask the others, but I do not know how much they will know either. Why do you want to know Poppa, is this Salomor someone you know, does he know something about us?" I asked. Poppa only smiled and gave me a big hug, deliberately evading my question. I sighed as Cas came over, Poppa hugged her too.
"Goodbye, girls, I'll see you soon." He called not once breaking his stride down the front steps; he waved to us before getting into the back of his limo. I turned to the four standing behind me.
"Can you guy's conference call?" I asked seriously. Everyone nodded, smiles fading. Zoric finally joined them; he was breathing hard.
"Frankie, what is it? I felt you, you were furious?" His face creased with a concerned expression. He reached for me one large hand spanned my waist.
"Can you start a conference call?" I asked him. Zoric nodded.
"As soon as I get home, I promise." He replied the look in his eyes showed confusion and intense interest.
"Thank you, I'll explain then, there are too many ears here." I squeezed his hand tightly before stepping away. Casper and I waved before sliding into the back of the Rolls.
"What's going on, Frankie; why all the cloak and dagger stuff? What did Dorian have to say to you?" Casper asked worriedly. The Rolls Royce drove out the gates of the school. I peered out the window at the passing scenery cloaked with the shadows of the night.
"Poppa's been called to an urgent council meeting," I answered. The tinted privacy screen separating the front and back seat slid down. I saw Marks eyes in the rear vision mirror.
"Not a good time for this conversation, your Grandmother is waiting. She will explain it all to you when you get home." His tone told us clearly that such talk even in the car was not a good idea. My stomach dipped a mixture of fear and anticipation. Something was going on. Mark pulled the car to a stop at the front stone stairs; Grandma was waiting in the doorway. The agitation marring her beautiful features turned to something somewhat different, the corners of her eyes crinkled, and her lips fought to turn up in a smile.
"What on earth happened to you two, you look like you have been rolling in coal dust?" Grandma's eyes shone with mirth.
"Accident in Alchemy." We replied together. There was a noise from behind us. Casper and I turned as one; there were cars coming up the drive.
"What's going on and why wasn't Frankie allowed to tell me anything in the car?" Casper asked as the cars came to a stop. Mr and Mrs Mentalis stepped from their limo, Lucian slid out after them.
"The two of you go and clean yourselves up," Grandma told us firmly as she readied to welcome her guests. We bobbed our heads quickly hurrying inside and up the stairs.
- Writer
