Becoming a Dragon by Andy Holland Read Free Book Online

should accompany them.
    "A bit; he told me that there are two years, and five classes for each year, all about the same size as each other.  My class has twenty four students and — "
    "And you're in Oak class?" her mother asked, interrupting her.
    "That's right," Crystal replied.
    "Oh, good. That's nice; that's where I was as well. And your father, which is where we met of course, but they don't take that into account when they pick the classes."
    "How do they pick the classes?" Crystal asked.
    "Well, they try and get an even mix from each of the principalities and the capital, to make sure everyone gets to know people from all across the Kingdom."
    Crystal nodded. The Kingdom was divided into five regions - four semi-autonomous Principalities and the Centre, which was dominated by the capital city, Furnace, her new home. The Principalities used to be of little significance, and had been ruled by the sons of whoever was king at the time, or his brothers if he didn't have four sons, but that changed a few generations ago. The sons of King Henry II (the great grandfather of the current King, King Henry III), never relinquished their power to their nephews, the sons of King Micah the weak, but passed power down to their own children, and King Micah agreed to allow them considerable control over their own lands. The centre was now the only region where the King had absolute power. Although he nominally had overall control of the army and some other limited national powers, he was barely more powerful than any of the four princes. The Western prince, Prince Carl, was believed to be considerably richer than the King. Crystal's family could be considered part of the royal family, as her father was nephew to Prince Edward, ruler of the Southern Principality, but that was not how her parents viewed their position in society, so Crystal would never considered herself a princess.
    As daughter to someone in the military council, Crystal already knew a few people from each of the five regions of the Kingdom, but she was probably alone amongst her peers. Other than those in the military council, only the richest of the lords and the princes visited the other principalities that often, with most preferring to stay within their own regions. This was not always the case, but animosities between the regions had started developing long before they became formal Principalities. Other than trading purposes, the Principalities had little to do with each other. Most of the children of the nobility would never have even left their home towns. This was to be their opportunity to mingle with the offspring of the ruling classes from the rest of the Kingdom, and was indeed the reason for the foundation of their school, set up to try and improve the relations between the different regions.
    Her mother continued with her commentary. "They don't usually allow relatives in the same class, but teachers can be persuaded to bend rules if you have enough influence."
    "Mother, you didn't!" Crystal was shocked.
    "Of course not. Not me. But your cousin wanted to be in the same class as you, and, well you know how she usually gets her way."
    Crystal smiled to herself, pleased that her cousin went to such trouble, and amused at the thought of her badgering her parents till they gave in. "What about the twins? Would their parents have done the same?"
    "Possibly, although I understand that they're staying with their older brother. To be honest, he could have done so himself, dear, as he is heir to the West. His family have contributed a lot to your school. I don't know them at all well, of course; the party was the first time I met them. Your father was the one who invited them. He thought you'd like to meet your new classmates."
    Crystal smiled, pleased that her father still fussed over her, but then her smile turned to a frown as she remembered the strange blond boy he had brought to her party.
    "What is it, dear?" her mother asked, noticing her dark look.
    "Just