10 Showstopper!

CHAPTER 10

Showstopper! Stefan parked the wagon by the kitchen entrance. Lucas and Clara jumped to the ground. "May we go?" asked Lucas. Stefan smiled. "Yes, you may go," he answered. "See you tomorrow!" called Clara as she ran down the lane toward home. "Bye!" Lucas said. Then he put Ruskin on a leash— just in case—and they ran up the stone steps two at a time to the kitchen. He stopped when he saw Cook. "We've brought you more ice!" Lucas declared. "Well done!" said Cook. "You're right. Harvesting ice is hard work," Lucas said. "And I'm so sorry for all the trouble we caused."

Cook dropped his spoon into his mixing bowl and gave Lucas a hug. "Apology accepted," he said. Then Lucas headed to the royal library to see his mother and father.

"Welcome home, son," said King Caleb. "We missed you!" Queen Tasha exclaimed. Lucas told his parents all about their adventures in Flatfrost. "I'm glad to hear that Ruskin has improved," said the king. "He has," Lucas said. "Does he still have to go to Crestwood?"

"Not if his fire breathing is really under control," said the king. "Can I set up an obstacle course and prove it?" Lucas asked. "That would be splendid!" replied the queen.

Lucas smiled. "You are hereby invited to the garden balcony at four o'clock for a show of skills." The prince invited Clara's family to come over too. Then Lucas and Clara called upon the king's men to help set up an obstacle course. They ordered archery targets, suits of armor, and weaponry from the armory.