tiptoes trying to see into his paws.
âPaper.â Clârnce felt proud that heâd remembered Hazel had said to read it on maybe the fourth day. He didnât think he should wait until then. What would a day early matter? Especially if it meant he could ignoreher orders. He unfolded the paper.
âNo. I meant that shiny thing in your necklace.â The little wizard want-to-be stretched higher on her toes.
âMale River Drâgons do not wear necklaces. They wear chains with small cases for carrying important papers and things.â He snapped the locket closed. âLike this paper.â
âNo. I mean the shiny thing. The thing that looked like it was on fire inside your lock ⦠I mean, ornamental case.â
Clârnce wrinkled his brow at her. The Whisper Stone was the only thing in his case, and it was just a dull, dingy old rock as silent as any pebble. Which it shouldnât be. It was almost like Hazel had switched the real one for something she picked up in a bathroom pit, so she could send him on the Journey and drive him crazy.
Tricking him made more sense than so easily giving in to sending him off to become Primus. The sister heâd grown up with would never give away the chance to be Primus to Clârnce. She was probably busy getting a waiver so she could become the next Primus while he was on this wild snark chase. It didnât matter so much. Just for the chance to get away from her and school, Clârnce was willing to make the trip. Who wanted to be Primus anyway? Not him. After he got back, heâd tell on Hazel to their mother. No matter how important Hazel thought she was, she would never cross an Elder, especially their mother, who was very good friends withThomas, the current Primus.
Clârnce decided the sun was in the little wizardâs eyes. The pebble he carried was definitely not shiny, not special. He ignored her question and read his paper, which oddly was written in Albion instead of Modern Drâgon:
Dear Lout of a Brother who does not deserve anything,
This is not a trick, which youâve probably convinced yourself it is. You are definitely on the quest to return the Whisper Stone to the Council Chamber and claim the Primacy.
I know itâs ridiculous to believe youâd be doing a good job, but I hope at least youâve remembered to read this on the third day. If youâd put any effort in, you could have flown straight to Ghost Mountain and delivered the stone in one day and completed the Journey required of every Primus to be. But I know you. Youâre fooling around doing stupid stuff.
âThen why didnât she just do it herself?â Clârnce muttered. He read on.
I know youâre asking why I didnât do the job myself. Why I didnât usurp you. Believe me, if I were allowed, I would have. But you, you lout, have to be the one. Just believe me on this.
Now get your rear in gear and get to Ghost Mountain. And if, as Iâm sure, youâre still nowhere near it, you know timeâs up and you HAVE to GET a Wizard Partner and get help with the toad-swallow spell to unleash your ability to fly. Itâs an embarrassment to this family and all River Drâgons that youâve scared off all possible Wizard Partners, and for River Sakes, never bothered to learn to fly. HONESTLY!
Clârnce turned the paper over looking for a map or anything more. But the back was blank. âI donât think she meant I have to swallow a toad,â he muttered. âShe was just being angry Hazel, I think.â
âYeah. Whoever wrote that was really snarky,â Great and Mighty said from where sheâd climbed on a rock to read over his shoulder. âYou need my help. It says you need a Wizard Partner. Iâm coming with you.â
âDidnât you say you were just learning to be a wizard?â He looked up at her. A beginner wizard who reallydidnât know how to throw a