“It’s not the way it was designed,” he answered. “We’re in charge. If we sign on for that, then that’s what we’re seen as. Partners. I won’t bow.”
Like he was being challenged, Mama Jamba nodded in appreciation. “Right you are, son. Hold your ground. Don’t bow.”
“But can you find a common ground where they still have to stretch?” Sophia offered. “Something that’s out of their territory? Something that’s out of their normal? Then you seem like you’re still in the right and have the supremacy, and create the partnership but with higher ground? However, you’re in their territory.”
Mama Jamba indicated her with a sunflower. “See why I chose her?”
Reluctantly, Hiker nodded. “Why were you snooping?”
“Just trying to help, sir,” Sophia offered.
Whether Hiker knew that Sophia had witnessed the intimate moment with Ainsley or not was unclear by the expression in his eyes, but what was clear was the regret. It seemed like he was waiting for someone to rescue him. Like there was a dragonrider out in the sky waiting to swoop down and fix his problems. Ironically, the only one who could save Hiker was probably him, and it would only happen if he allowed it.
After a long moment, he strode for his desk. “Well, there’s lots you can help with. The strangers—”
“The men are on that, sir,” she answered.
“Well, then go to the Elfin Council—”
“That’s for you, son,” Mama Jamba interrupted. “But not yet.”
Hiker turned his chin and gave Mother Nature a long, cold look.
Finally, he glanced back at Sophia. “And the sheep?”
“I’m on it, sir. I think I know exactly who can help.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Fairy Godmother College looked different.
Not bad. Not scary. But definitely different.
It put Sophia on edge and made her pull Inexorabilis when she stepped through the portal created from the bite of macaroon.
It wasn’t large monsters or fire or rapid winds that put Sophia on guard. Instead, to her surprise it was something small that buzzed through the air and streaked past her at lightning speeds, making her jerk from side to side.
“Are those bugs?” she asked aloud to no one at all.
“They’re robot spies,” a voice at her back answered dutifully.
Sophia whipped around, sword held at the ready, and found a familiar face although one she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was Amy, the math professor Sophia had chanced upon once before.
“Oh, a robot…spy,” Sophia repeated. Then added, “Why?”
The professor strode up next to Sophia and shrugged while holding out her hand as a bug—or what the dragonrider had thought was a bug—landed on the palm of her hand. Its wings flapped and showed their metal workings as it landed. “They give us intel on our Cinderellas and Prince Charmings. More for our knowledge than anything else. They help us to know how to help them.”
“By help, do you mean intervene?” Sophia asked.
The professor simply smiled. The look seemed to say, “Fill in the blanks as you wish.”
“I’m looking for Mae Ling.” Sophia glanced around the always pristine grounds of Happily Ever After College through the swarm of strange robot spy bugs. She never seemed to know where to start at that place because the grounds went on and on, but she was always inspired by the college’s beautiful environment.
“When you’re looking for your fairy godmother, you have to know that she’s always looking for you,” Amy answered with a smile.
Right on cue, the short, unassuming woman known as Mae Ling materialized beside the two with a studious expression on her face as she appraised the robot bugs buzzing around. She shook her head. “I never much liked the spies. I think there are better ways.”
Amy considered this and shrugged. “There are always different ways, that’s for sure.”
Like this had been a constant topic of conversation, the two simply exchanged looks that said, “We will talk more about this later.”
“You need to see me about something,” Mae Ling stated, no question in her voice.
“Yes.” Sophia split to the right as Mae Ling veered on the path and left Amy to amble toward the college on her own.
Sophia waved to the professor as she continued with her fairy godmother. “I need help with the exploding sheep at the Gullington.”
“I would say more than just you needs help with that,” Mae Ling stated, like this preexisting problem wasn’t news to her—which it most certainly wasn’t.
“No, Quiet doesn’t seem to understand what to do about the problem, which is rare,” Sophia offered. “Like, why would they suddenly start exploding? And how? And poor little sheep, not that their fate of getting eaten by a dragon is that much better. The whole thing is quite the conundrum.”
“I like that word.” Mae Ling smiled. “Conundrum sounds like what it is. Most words aren’t like that.”
Sophia mused on the notion for a moment and grinned too. “Yeah, I think you’re right. It is a good word. Anyway, there are many strange things happening at the Gullington. A place that’s supposed to be unaffected by the outside world seems to be affected by everything lately.”
“It’s important to remember that nothing is removed from the world at large,” Mae Ling imparted. “We are all a part of everything. We are all connected. Move away and distance yourself, and you’ll still find your life is affected by the current affairs of the world. There’s no avoiding it.”
Sophia nodded. “Yeah, I guess that’s true. It’s just that the Gullington has the Barrier, and no one is supposed to be able to enter it unless they serve the Dragon Elite or are one of us. And now we’ve got strangers strolling around the Castle and sheep were exploding. It’s all a big mystery.”
“I can’t help you with the visitors in the Castle, but I trust you’ll find out who can and discover the reasons behind it,” Mae Ling offered sympathetically.
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s because the Great Library has been moved,” Sophia stated. “Hopefully when the paint dries or whatever, then all that strangeness will stop.”
Mae Ling giggled quietly. “I’m certain that it will simply be replaced by new strangeness.”
Sophia laughed too. “You know how my life goes.”
“As far as your sheep problem goes, I have some ideas of ways to fix them, but it will take more research on my part,” Mae Ling explained. “This is a very complex problem, and also sensitive. The wrong solution could make things worse.”
Sophia grimaced. “Our food supply for the dragons is exploding. Let’s not get any worse.”
“Yes. You might not be aware, but the problem is widespread all over Scotland, so it appears that it’s not confined to the Gullington.”
“That does make things more complex. I’m grateful for any insights you can provide.”
Mae Ling smiled. “You always are. In the meantime, you need to focus on having armor made for you and the other Dragon Elite.”