6 Shapes in the Clouds

CHAPTER 6

Shapes in the Clouds "We have no time to lose!" Lucas cried, running up the gangplank with the others close behind him. They cast off and headed east in a blustery wind. The ship creaked and heeled to one side. Whitecaps foamed on the crests of the dark green waves. The sun poked out between clouds, and its rays shimmered like spotlights on the water.

Falsk stayed close to Clara, who leaned on the rail and studied the choppy water for clues. "Do you think I'll ever see my fairy friends again?" Falsk asked sorrowfully. "What if the last thing they remember about me is how I tricked Amber Quill into jumping into a mud puddle?" Clara looked the False Fairy in the eye. "You must think good thoughts and be strong for your fairy family,"

she said. Falsk nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek. "If we do find the fairies, I promise I'll never play another prank for the rest of my life."

Then Clara held a finger to her lips. "Shh," she said. "Do you hear something?" Falsk listened. An eerie tune whistled in the wind. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo... Falsk knew instantly what this bewitching sound meant. "That's the song that charmed the other fairies!"

Swiftly she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a tuft of milkweed fluff to push into her ears. "Get below, Falsk!" the prince shouted. "Ruskin, help her down." The red dragon led Falsk into the ship's cabin to get her farther away from the strange humming sound.