4 All That Glitters

CHAPTER 4

All That Glitters Percy sniffed Clara's boots. Then Clara took a giant step over Percy and walked toward Lucas. "So, guess what?" said Clara as she tried to ignore Bella's watchful eye. "What?" asked Lucas. "I have an idea for our next adventure." Lucas's eyes widened. He loved it when Clara got ideas. "What is it?"

"My teacher said we have to research a place in Wrenly that we haven't been to before," Clara explained. "Where haven't you been?" Lucas asked. "The Stone Forest," said Clara. "Have you ever been there?" "I've only seen it from the road," said Lucas.

"Same here," said Clara. Then Bella huffed. "Why would anyone want to go there?" she questioned. "Isn't it just a bunch of crummy old towers and creepy dark tunnels?"

Clara almost said, Who asked you? But she stopped herself. If Bella didn't want to go to the Stone Forest, then Lucas wouldn't be able to go either. Hmm, thought Clara. How can I make this adventure sound like one that Bella would want to go on? She took a good look at the princess. Then she noticed the lovely gemstone hanging in the middle of the princess's forehead. It gave Clara an idea.

"Bella, did you know the most beautiful jewels in the kingdom come from the Stone Forest?" she asked. "Those creepy underground tunnels are just bursting with precious gems."