The Princesses of Gavaldon

Chapter 6

A headless bird landed in Beatrix's dress. She jumped on her seat, screaming
and shaking her tunic until the dead canary plopped to the floor. Beatrix regarded the bird with a frown—then noticed the entire hall gaping at her. She gave her best princess curtsy and sat back down. Tedros frowned at her. 

"As I was saying," Pollux said testily.
Hester and Anadil looked at the decapitated bird, then at the celing where a second grade student was giggling.
"Her we like," Anadil quipped, rats squeaking in agreement.
"Your first year will consist of required courses to prepare you for three ma-
jor tests: the Trial by Tale, the Circus of Talents, and the Snow Ball," Castor
growled. "After the first year, you will be divided into three tracks: one for villain
and hero Leaders, one for henchmen and helper Followers, and one for Mogrifs,
or those that will undergo transformation."
"For the next two years, Leaders will train to fight their future Nemeses,"
Pollux said. "Followers will develop skills to defend their future Leaders. Mogrifs
will learn to adapt to their new forms and survive in the treacherous Woods. Fin-
ally, after the third year, Leaders will be paired with Followers and Mogrifs and
you will all move into the Endless Woods to begin your journeys . . ."
Sophie tried to pay attention but couldn't with Beatrix practically in Tedros'
lap. At least Tedros was wearing a disgusted look on his face. Fuming, Sophie picked at the glittering silver swan crest stitched on her
smelly smock. It was the only tolerable thing about it.
"Now as to how we determine your future tracks, we do not give 'marks' here
at the School for Good and Evil," said Pollux. "Instead, for every test or chal-
lenge, you will be ranked within your classes so you know exactly where you
stand. There are 120 students in each school and we have divided you into six
groups of 20 for your classes. After each challenge, you will be ranked from 1 to
20. If you are ranked in the top five in your group consistently, you will end up
on the Leader track. If you score in the midrange repeatedly, you'll end up a Fol-
lower. And if you're consistently below a 13, then your talents will be best served
as a Mogrif, either animal or plant."
Students on both aisles murmured, already placing bets on who would end
up a tumbo tree.
"I must add that anyone who receives three 20s in a row will immediately be
failed," said Pollux gravely. "As I said, given the exceptional incompetence re-
quired to earn three straight last-place ranks, I am confident this rule will not
apply to any of you."
The Nevers in her row threw Sophie a look.
"When they put me where I belong, you'll all feel foolish, won't you?" Sophie
shot back.

"Your swan crest will be visible on your heart at all times," Pollux continued.

"Any attempt to conceal or remove it will likely result in injury or embarrass-
ment, so please refrain."
Confused, Sophie watched students on both sides trying to cover the glitter-
ing silver swans on their uniforms. Mimicking them, she folded the droopy collar
of her tunic to obscure her own swan—instantly the crest vanished off the robe
and appeared on her chest. Stunned, she ran her finger over the swan, but it was
embedded in her skin like a tattoo. She released the fold and the swan vanished
off her skin and reappeared on the robe. Sophie frowned. Perhaps not so toler-
able after all.
"Furthermore, as the Theater of Tales is in Good this year, Nevers will be es-
corted here for all joint school functions," said Pollux. "Otherwise, you must re-
main in your schools at all times."
"Why is the Theater in Good?" Dot hollered through a mouthful of fudge.
Pollux raised his nose. "Whoever wins the Circus of Talents gets the Theater
in their school."
"And Good hasn't lost a Circus or Trial by Tale or, now that I think about it,
any competition at this school for the last two hundred years," Castor har-
rumphed. Villains started rumbling again.
"But Good is so far from Evil!" Dot huffed.
"Heaven forbid she has to walk," Sophie mumbled. Dot heard and glowered
at her. Sophie cursed herself. The only person who was civil to her and she had
to ruin it.
Pollux ignored the Nevers' grumbles and droned on about curfew times,
lulling half the room to sleep. Reena raised her hand. "Are Groom Rooms open
yet?"
All of a sudden the Evers looked awake, except Agatha.

"What's a Groom Room?" She asked the girl with white hair. The girl giggled. 

"Watch and see. By the way, I'm Crystal, Elsa's daughter." Agatha smiled."Pleased to meet you."

"Well, I was planning to discuss Groom Rooms next assembly," Pollux said—
"Is it true that only certain kids can use them?" asked Millicent.
Pollux sighed. "Groom Rooms in the Good Towers are only available to
Evers ranked in the top half of their class on any given day. Rankings will be pos-
ted on the Groom Room doors and throughout the castle. Please do not abuse
Albemarle if he's behind on posting them. Now as to curfew rules—"
"What are Groom Rooms?" Sophie whispered to Hester.
"Where Evers primp, preen, and get their hair done," Hester shuddered.
Sophie sprang up. "Do we have Groom Rooms?"
Pollux pursed his lips. "Nevers have Doom Rooms, dear."
"Where we get our hair done?" Sophie beamed.
"Where you're beaten and tortured," Pollux said.
Sophie sat down.

"Now curfew will occur at precisely—"

"How do you become Class Captain?" Hester asked. The question and the
presumptuous tone behind it instantly made her unpopular on both sides of the
aisle.
"If you all flunk curfew inspections, don't blame me!" Pollux groaned. "All
right. After the Trial by Tale, the top-ranked students in each school will be
named Class Captain. These two students will have special privileges, including
private study with select faculty, field trips into the Endless Woods, and the
chance to train with renowned heroes and villains. As you know, our Captains
have gone on to be some of the greatest legends in the Endless Woods."
While both sides buzzed, Sophie gritted her teeth. She knew if she could just
get to the right school, she'd not only be Good's Captain, she'd end up more fam-
ous than Snow White.

"This year you will have six required classes in your individual schools," Pol-
lux went on. "The seventh class, Surviving Fairy Tales, will include both Good
and Evil and takes place in the Blue Forest behind the schools. Also please note,
both Beautification and Etiquette are for Good girls only, while Good boys will
have Grooming and Chivalry instead."
Agatha woke from her stupor. If she didn't have enough reasons to make Sophie come to her school,
the thought of a Beautification class was the last straw. They had to get Sophie out of
here tonight. She turned to Crystal, now fixing her lipstick in a pocket mirror.
"Sorry, but can I borrow your lipstick?" Agatha asked.
Crystal beamed and gave it to her.
"Keep it."
"Breakfast and supper will take place in your school supper halls, but you'll
all eat lunch together in the Clearing," Castor grunted. "That is, if you're mature
enough to handle the privilege."
Sophie felt her heart race. If the schools ate their lunches together, tomor-
row would be her first chance to talk to Tedros. What would she say to him? And
how would she get rid of that beastly Beatrix?
"The Endless Woods beyond the school gates are barred to first-year stu-
dents," said Pollux. "And though that rule may fall on deaf ears for the most ad-
venturous of you, let me remind you of the most important rule of all. One that
will cost you your lives if you fail to obey."
Sophie snapped to attention.
"Never go into the Woods after dark," said Pollux.
His cuddly smile returned. "You may return to your schools! Supper is at
seven o'clock sharp!"
Sophie rose with the Nevers, mentally rehearsing her lunch meeting with
Tedros. Her eyes were locked on Tedros, a hunter stalking
its prey, until she was shoved from the hall by villains.

Meanwhile, Agatha was giggling with her friends when she saw Tedros again. Her heart began to thump.  

As the two girls were pulled to their opposing towers, their opposing desires couldn't have been clearer. Agatha wanted her

prince and her friends, and getting the best score ever in Beautification. But an invitation for School for Good wasn't enough for Sophie. Sophie had always
wanted more.
Sophie wanted a prince.