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.
The children asked Cook to make tea and cakes for their guests. Then they ran to the balcony and set up chairs and tables. The balcony had a perfect view of the obstacle course below. The king’s men had already set up the targets and were putting the suits of armor into formation.
The guests arrived at four o’clock. Lucas ran to the lair and got Ruskin. Then he grabbed a bucket of fish from the kitchen. Everything was ready.
Stefan blew the royal trumpet and then announced the show. “Your majesties and special guests,” he cried, “I now present Ruskin the scarlet dragon!”
The king and queen and Clara’s parents clapped their hands. Then Lucas threw a fish to Ruskin and gave him a signal.
Ruskin dashed toward the targets and blew a perfectly round hole in each one. Everyone clapped and whistled. Lucas showed Ruskin a fish and gave him another signal. The dragon disarmed the knights’ armor and didn’t burn a single suit. Everyone on the balcony jumped to their feet and cheered.
“Bravo!” Cook yelled.
Then, as Ruskin enjoyed his fish, Lucas looked up at the balcony. “Father, does Ruskin still have to be sent to Crestwood? Or can he stay?”
The king stood by the balcony railing. “Son,” said the king with a smile, “Ruskin may stay.”