by Anne Forbes
Clara wrapped her arms round her knees and looked at him. “You didn’t come here to tell me that, did you?”
“No,” he confessed. “No, I didn’t. I … I was just wondering how you felt about me having Lord Jezail’s medallion. I mean … you don’t mind, do you?”
“Mind?” Clara looked at him in surprise. “Why should I mind? I’m glad it went to you! I’ve always felt guilty that Auntie Muriel left me the talisman.”
“I did feel a bit left out,” he confessed.
“I know you did,” she answered, honestly. “I’d have felt the same way, if it had been the other way round.”
Neil grinned. “Now I’ve got the wizards to deal with and you’ve got the witches!”
Clara’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I’m going to be tough!” She looked suddenly thoughtful. “Do you remember when we first met the MacArthurs,” she said quietly, “when we used to play on Arthur’s Seat and didn’t know they were magic?”
Neil shook his head. “Oh, I think we did, in a funny kind of way …”
“Life’s strange, isn’t it?” she continued.” It takes you along all sorts of paths. I mean, what would our lives be like now if Dad hadn’t been a Park Ranger on Arthur’s Seat? All this would never have happened to us! Scary, isn’t it? You never know where you’ll end up, really, do you?”
“Well, I’m glad it all happened the way it did — maybe it was meant to be this way for us, who knows?” Neil said with a huge yawn. “It’ll be weird being a magician, though,” he added as he slung his legs over the bed and stood up. “I’m glad you don’t mind.”
Clara grinned as he headed for the door. “Don’t be daft!” she said sleepily.” Night, Neil, and don’t worry about being a magician. You’ll be fine!”
Prince Kalman and Lord Rothlan were saying much the same thing as they sat on the slopes of Arthur’s Seat enjoying the night air. Amgarad soared in the sky overhead, well content with his part in the proceedings. He’d done his bit, he’d rescued Clara and, as Count Vassili had invited them all to stay at the citadel whenever they cared to visit, he looked forward to many happy days soaring above the forests of Ashgar.
In the depths of Arthur’s Seat, Arthur shifted on his pile of treasure. Thoughts of Gladrin and Nestor flickered through his dreams and he knew that one day he, too, would return to the Valley of the Dragons.
So if, by any chance, you’re wandering the streets of Edinburgh in the early hours of the morning, and see a host of dragons flying over Arthur’s Seat, it won’t surprise you, will it? Nestor, Gladrin and many of Arthur’s friends visit him quite often these days. And if you can see them, the chances are that you’ve probably picked up on some of their magic … for, as you know, the power to see dragons isn’t given to everyone …
Copyright
Kelpies is an imprint of Floris Books
First published in 2011 by Floris Books
First published as an eBook in 2013 by Floris Books
© 2011 Anne Forbes
Anne Forbes has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the Author of this Work.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the prior permission of Floris Books, 15 Harrison Gardens, Edinburgh
www.florisbooks.co.uk
The publisher acknowledges subsidy from Creative Scotland towards the publication of this volume
British Library CIP Data available
ISBN: 978–178250–078–0
