6 The Mermaids’ Gift

CHAPTER 6

The Mermaids' Gift "On guard!" shouted Clara. Lucas and Clara dueled with two freshly baked cookie swords. Clara swiped her sword across Lucas's blade. The tip of his sword broke off and landed on the floor. Ruskin gobbled it up. "Touché!" Lucas cried. Clara laughed. Mr. Gills whistled through his fingers. "No sword fights in the bakery," he said. "Take it outside. I have a lot of baking to do before the tournament."

"Sorry," Clara said. Then she turned to Lucas. "You want to go to Mermaid's Cove and make sand castles?" "Sure!" answered Lucas. They untied their aprons and ran out. Clara grabbed a bucket on the way. Ruskin squawked and raced after them. Wham! The door banged shut and the bells jangled harshly. Mr. Gills shook his head and chuckled.

"Race you!" shouted Clara. They ran down the lane and onto the narrow path that led to the beach. In a couple minutes, Clara was out of breath. "You win!" she said.

They walked the rest of the way. "What are you looking forward to at the tournament?" asked Clara. "Jousting," said Lucas. "What about you?"

"The horse race" said Clara. "Did you decide to sign up?" asked Lucas. "I did!" said Clara. "After Gilbert made fun of me, I no longer minded being the only girl to race. Are you going to enter Ivan?"