The New Elite (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 4)

by Sarah Noffke

  Sophia stuck the photo back into the drawer, having found nothing else of interest in the desk.

  She was about to give up her search in the Captain’s office when she noticed the corner of a piece of parchment peeking out from under a rug.

  Sophia bent to retrieve a letter. The flowery handwriting of the note was hard to read at first, like that of old English. After a moment, Sophia’s eyes adjusted to the strangeness of the handwriting, and she was able to make out what it said. It was addressed to Quiet. To Sophia’s disappointment, it was addressed to him using his nickname.

  Sophia guessed he had that nickname from before he joined the Dragon Elite. It appeared even centuries ago the gnome had been soft-spoken.

  She pulled in a breath, feeling the first bit of hope since coming aboard the McAfee this letter might hold a clue.

  The letter read:

  Dearest Quiet,

  I hope your travels are treating you well. As your mum, I would be proud of you no matter what. Such is the prerogative of a mother. Nothing makes me happier than to know you have followed in your father’s footsteps, deciding to sail the Seven Seas on this beautiful Earth.

  This would make your father so very proud. I know losing your beloved father has been as difficult on you as it was on me. Each day brings its challenges, but I’m certain you feel this more acutely, looking out at the waters he once sailed himself.

  I have decided you should have your father’s most prized possession. I think it will steer you in the right direction when you are lost. Not like the compass you hold so dearly shows you the navigational routes of the McAfee.

  Sometimes the best way to find a path when we are lost is to listen to our hearts. I have enclosed your father’s captain’s hat. When you forget your way, forget who you are or why you have taken this path, look at your father’s hat. It will remind you of who you are.

  The sea was your father’s heart and soul. I suspect it will be yours too.

  May your father’s captain’s hat house your soul on the days you need shelter, and on the days you don’t, I hope it reminds you of your purpose. We all need a reminder of why we serve, and this one will be yours, son.

  With All My Love,

  Your Mum

  The hat, Sophia thought, jerking her head up to the empty display case.

  Houses his soul, Lunis said, having seen everything Sophia had inside the ship. Just like Mama Jamba said.

  Yeah, she wondered. That can’t be an accident. Quiet’s mum had said the hat would house his soul when he needed shelter. That is what I need to give Quiet to remind him of who he is and why he can’t give up. If I can give him back his father’s captain's hat, I’m certain he will give me his real name.

  Her eyes rested on the empty velvet next to Quiet’s desk as Lunis echoed her thoughts.

  Now we just have to find out where that hat is and get it back.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Sophia had more of a pep in her step as she strode into the Castle that evening. A strange aroma that smelled of an odd combination of spices and burned meat hit her nose when she entered the dining hall. Mahkah, who was already seated at the table, seemed to share the skeptical feeling she was having about that night’s dinner.

  She offered him a tamed smile. “If nothing else, I think I have a stash of protein bars in my room. I will share them with you.”

  He nodded appreciatively. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, good,” Hiker said, stomping into the dining area. “This place looks a little more normal.”

  Mama Jamba had fixed quite a bit of the dining area, making it a bit more pleasant than before. Sophia hoped that Mama had taken pity on her and fixed her bed, which wasn’t usable in its current form with the canopy having broken down onto the mattress.

  “What have you all learned during your investigations?” Hiker asked, taking his normal seat, but testing the chair before putting his full weight into it. When he was certain it wasn’t going to break, he relaxed and let out a breath.

  “The Saverus organization was shut down by one of its own subjects,” Mahkah started. “I will need more time to research things, but we are definitely on the right track.”

  Hiker nodded appreciatively to Mahkah as Ainsley walked past the dining hall for the front door.

  “And Sophia, what have you—”

  The leader of the Dragon Elite paused when the housekeeper turned and ambled the other way again, appearing lost.

  “Ainsley,” Hiker called.

  The elf poked her head around the corner, a perplexed expression on her face. “Who?” she asked.

  “Ainsley,” he repeated, enunciating her name.

  She glanced over her shoulder. “There is no one else out here but me, sir.”

  “I’m talking to you,” he said sternly.

  Her mouth popped open. “Oh, I’m Ainsley. That makes sense. I thought I was an Angela or an Ansel, but Ainsley sounds right.”

  Sophia looked at Hiker. The poor housekeeper was really losing it if she was having trouble remembering her name.

  “Sorry to interrupt you all,” Ainsley began, curtseying in the doorway. “I’m looking for, well, I’m not sure actually. My stomach has been making weird noises, and I’m certain that means something.”

  Hiker sighed. “Yes, you are hungry.”

  “Oh, then I should eat!” Ainsley said, her face brightening.

  “Yes, you should,” Hiker responded.

  “Very well then,” Ainsley sang, working her arms back and forth like she was running but staying stuck in place. “That is what I will do.”

  “Good idea,” he remarked as Mama Jamba came into the dining hall, stepping around Ainsley.

  “Why are you just standing there?” Hiker asked Ainsley, who was eyeing the back of Mama Jamba’s head like she was an alien.

  “I don’t know where else to stand,” Ainsley answered.

  Irritation flared on the Viking’s face. “You shouldn’t stand at all. We sit when we eat.”

  “Okay,” she chirped.

  “So, take a seat,” Hiker ordered.

  “Okay,” Ainsley repeated. The housekeeper sat on the floor.

  Hiker covered his brow with his hand and shook his head. “No, Ainsley, at the table.”

  “Oh, right,” she said, hurrying to push herself up from the floor. She took a seat at the far end of the table, opposite of the others, roughly twenty seats down.

  Hiker rolled his eyes, dropping his chin. “With the rest of us.”

  “Oh,” Ainsley said, sliding out of her seat. She paused before pulling out the chair next to Mama Jamba.

  “What is it?” Sophia asked her, reading the sudden tension on her face.

  Ainsley cupped her hand to the side of her mouth and whispered loudly. “That is Mother Nature, isn’t it?”

  Sophia nodded. “Yes, and she is very nice, and you two are friends.”

  The housekeeper’s eyes widened as she mouthed the word “friends.”

  “Go on there, dear,” Mama Jamba encouraged, sliding her napkin into her lap just as Evan entered from the kitchen carrying a platter of roasted lamb chops. Sophia knew what it was supposed to be, but when he proudly laid it on the surface of the table, it was unclear what the hunks of meat were.

  “What is that?” Hiker asked, tucking his own napkin into the collar of his shirt.

  “Lamb chops!” Evan exclaimed excitedly.

  “What was wrong with those lambs?” Hiker demanded.

  The smile on Evan’s face dropped. “I tried my best, sir. A little appreciation would go a long way.” He turned and stormed back in the direction of the kitchen.

  “Oh, that is right!” Ainsley yelled, throwing a single finger in the air. “I remember where I am. It’s coming back now.”

  Mama Jamba patted the housekeeper on the shoulder. “I knew it would, dear. It always takes a bit after napping, but you will feel back to normal by dessert.”

  “There will be dessert?” Hiker didn�
��t sound excited.

  “Not if you don’t finish all your vegetables,” Evan said, buzzing through the swinging door in true Ainsley style. He was carrying a couple of steaming bowls and laid them down in front of Sophia and Mahkah.

  The two exchanged tamed expressions of reluctance. Sophia knew what was supposed to be in the bowls, and yet, there was no reason the potatoes should be a bubbling purple paste or the roasted carrots should be moving around like little bugs in an aquarium.

  “About your offer,” Mahkah whispered at Sophia’s shoulder.

  She nodded, grateful she had stashed the protein bars for just such an occasion.

  With a polite smile, Mama Jamba used a fork to poke one of the lamb chops. It jumped away from her fork, appearing hurt. “Dear Evan, did you by chance use magic to make this meal?”

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest, nodding proudly. “Why, yes. Eat up. And if you want seconds, there is a lot more where this came from.”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary,” Hiker choked.

  “The thing about cooking with magic is the same with any skill,” Ainsley lectured, sounding more coherent than before. “You can’t do something with magic if you don’t know how to do it otherwise. At least you can’t do it well.”

  “Oh,” Evan said, his smile fading. “Well, I don’t know how to cook real well, but I’m certain this is pretty good anyway.”

  Hiker pushed away from the table, shaking his head. “I refuse to eat this. Would you fetch the bread?”

  Everyone sat and waited.

  After a moment, Hiker gave Evan a pointed expression.

  The dragonrider pressed his hand to his chest, surprise on his face. “Oh, you mean, me, sir?”

  “Of course, I mean you,” Hiker roared, his temper flaring.

  Evan hurried back to the kitchen, throwing his hands up in the air. “A thank you wouldn’t kill you,” he grumbled under his breath.

  Mama Jamba peered across the table at Sophia. “And so?”

  The question hung in the air, catching Hiker’s attention.

  Sophia smiled. “I found the house...”

  Mama Jamba beamed. “Very good. You think you know where to find it?”

  Sophia nodded. “I think I know who can tell me where to find it.”

  Mother Nature’s eyes darted to Sophia’s hands resting on the table. “Yes, and the timing is perfect. Your nails look like they could use some polish.”

  “What are you two going on about?” Hiker asked, lack of food making him grumpier than usual.

  “Well,” Mama Jamba began. “As you know, Sophia is on a mission to fix Quiet. I think she is on the right track. Just a few side trips, and I’m certain she will have the gnome back to his old self.”

  “Good,” Hiker grumbled. “I’m tired of having half my staff missing or incompetent.”

  Sophia looked around the table and realized Wilder was gone too, obviously on his secret side quest assigned by Subner. It felt weird to be there without him. She had gotten used to him being beside her at most meals.

  Evan pushed through the kitchen door carrying a basket of rolls he tried to pass off as bread. When he laid them on the table, Ainsley pushed back in her chair and doubled over with laughter.

  Hiker didn’t at all appear amused. “What is that?”

  “The bread you requested, sir,” Evan said dryly, narrowing his eyes at the housekeeper, who was still laughing uncontrollably.

  “Why is it burned?” Hiker asked, eyeing the nearly black rolls.

  “It’s fine,” Evan said, picking up one of the rolls along with a knife. “You just scrape off the outside.”

  Hiker shook his head. “Would you get that out of here. Bring us…I don’t know, anything edible.”

  “’Would You,’” Ainsley said, still laughing. “Someone has inherited my old name! Would You!”

  Evan shook his head and grabbed the basket of burned bread. “I slave away for you lot, and this is the thanks I get. You know I don’t have to put up with this treatment—”

  “Yes, you do,” Hiker interrupted.

  Evan waved the basket of burned bread around. “I will have you know I’m a dragonrider. There is a good reason I don’t know how to do any of this stuff.”

  “We must all learn to adapt,” Hiker commented dryly, looking around the table for something to eat. The only thing remotely close was the centerpiece of flowers, and Sophia wasn’t sure they weren’t poisonous, which was probably still better than the food Evan had served.

  Ainsley continued to laugh as Mama Jamba pushed up from the table. “Well, you know, a little fasting is really good every now and then.” She stood and gave Hiker a pointed expression. “But I would like pancakes, so if you would do as I requested, Hiker, that would be for the best.”

  He sneered, obviously not happy about whatever she was referring to. “I just don’t think—”

  “What?” Mama Jamba interrupted. “Are you worried about someone breaking into the Gullington then?”

  He tightened his fist on the table. “Mama we did discuss this and—”

  “And I told you, as the one who is keeping the security up at the Gullington for the time being, that it will be fine,” Mama Jamba cut in.

  Hiker growled. “But what if they—”

  “Steal all your secrets?” she asked, interrupting again. “What if they help you and keep me from starving?”

  He sighed. “You are a timeless being who can’t be killed.”

  “That doesn’t mean I like going without my chocolate chip pancakes,” she fired back. “Now, I’m going to retire for an early night, but I look forward to a full breakfast tomorrow.” She turned for the exit. “You know what to do, Hiker, my dear.”

  He yanked his napkin out of his collar and threw it on the table.

  Sophia expected him to also get up from the table and storm off, so she was surprised when he looked at her and said, “I’m going to ask you to do something I never thought I would.”

  She tilted her head to the side, nervous and intrigued. “Yes, sir?”

  He cleared his throat. “I need you to ask your friends at the House of Fourteen for help.”

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Sophia couldn’t believe what Hiker had asked her to do as she made her way to the area outside the Barrier. It was not something in a million years she expected to hear from the leader of the Dragon Elite.

  Hiker Wallace was asking for help.

  From outsiders.

  Things had really changed.

  It just went to show circumstances affected everything. Hunger affected people’s resolve, and when things got difficult, the strong were only as powerful as those they could call on for help. Thanks to Sophia, the Dragon Elite had a few new allies.

  She had texted her sister Liv, sending the full request to her. Sophia half expected Liv to call her right away and ask if Hiker had lost his mind or been killed and impersonated by aliens.

  Instead, Liv, who had seen many changes through tragedy and hardship, herself included, simply sent a message that read:

  “I’m sorry the Dragon Elite has had it so rough. I will need a few hours to put everything into place. Meet me at the House at midnight.”

  Sophia sent a confirmation as she crossed the Barrier.

  The timing was perfect. Sophia had enough time to go and see Mae Ling and return by midnight to the Gullington.

  She halted, recognizing an immediate problem. The last time she had visited her fairy godmother, it had been at Happily Ever After, the college for fairy godmothers. Since she hadn’t been accepted to the college, she couldn’t portal directly to the school, and she had broken the wax seal Mae Ling had sent for her to use last time.

  Sophia stared out at the rolling green hills and considered her options. She started to think about returning to the Gullington when something wafted down from the sky.

  As quickly as she could, she yanked Inexorabilis from her sheath and brandished the sword, read
y to slice whatever it was. Her eyes narrowed on the small red shape. It was a round balloon drifting down to the ground. Attached to it by a string was a small blue bag.

  Sophia had been cautioned about grabbing objects sent to her unexpectedly, but something told her this time it was okay. She jumped into the air, gaining more height than any normal magician would have on a good day. Her fingers grabbed the plastic bag and pulled it down with the red balloon.

  Excited and nervous, she untied the red balloon from the package and let it drift off into the sky. She pulled a note from the package and opened it first.

  Dear Sophia Beaufont,

  It’s okay you released the balloon. It will pop and biodegrade within minutes.

  Since you need a way to Happily Ever After, I have sent these macarons for you to use as portals. Simply take a bite, and it will transport you. I realize you are hungry, but only eat the one cookie since you will need the others for trips you take to see me. Don’t worry, I will have food for you when you arrive.

  See you soon.

  Love,

  Mae Ling.

  Sophia pulled open the bag, relief filling her as she smelled the sweet scent of the cookies. A much-needed treat and a way to get to her fairy godmother. Of course, Mae Ling knew she needed to see her and had sent a way. Having a fairy godmother who anticipated her needs was the best.

  Maybe things were looking up.

  She pulled a single blue macaron from the bag and took a bite, entering the strange portal to Happily Ever After College, a place she was more than happy to return to and explore after her last visit.

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  The Happily Ever After College was just as Sophia remembered, bright and colorful with the smell of baked goods and candy strong in the air. It was nighttime at fairy godmother school, wherever it was located.

  The main building stood in the distance. The rainbow-striped runner started a few feet from where Sophia had portaled in and ran all the way up to the door. The windows of the building were all lit up, making her wonder if it was late evening, before bedtime.