Listen Carefully Part 1

“Listen carefully,” Mrs. Moon said, flicking her wand towards the tallest, greenest hill in the landscape. “Only students who listen will be able to capture the dragon’s egg and skip their exam.”

The pale, autumn sun crested Blackburn Peak as Arabella Bluethorn and her classmates gathered at its muddy base, necks craned towards the top.  There was a quiet rumble of chatter, but silence fell as Mrs. Moon rose her hand. “Remember, it isn’t about speed. Use your magic – but use your brains, too.”

Arabella tightened the strap that bound her wand to her arm. Smarter girls like Robyn Wrenclaw, who was unfairly blessed with brains and brawn, stood a better chance at finding that egg. But Arabella would not give up. She might cake herself in mud, fall flat on her face, but she would claw her way up that peak if it meant escaping the beastly end-of-year exam.

As if she’d heard Arabella’s thoughts, Robyn glided to her side.

“Good luck, Arabella.” Robyn cooed, her eyes lined with charcoal.

Arabella suspected Robyn wished her anything except luck, but she simply smiled. “Thanks, Robyn. You too.”

Then the horn blared, and Arabella launched herself into a sprint, already two steps behind Robyn.

NEXT STOP: Part 2 Five Valleys Shopping Centre (King’s Street Entrance)