Tricked Read online

  “Ouch, Jocelyn!” I hold my throbbing shoulder.

  “Don’t get your purple hair in a knot. I didn’t challenge you to a duel,” she says. She points her sword to two people in fencing gear standing behind us. “They did.”

  I look behind me. Their masks are pulled down, and their swords are ready for attack. I wait for Harlow to stop the madness, but she watches us with interest. The other girls in the club gather around to see what will happen.

  “If it’s a duel they want, I’ll give them one,” I say. Holding my hurt arm, I rise to one knee and grab my sword. I hear the figures laughing through their masks as they draw near, so I swipe low and hit them both in the shins. The sneak attack sends them to the ground.

  “Nice one, Cobbler!” Jocelyn says.

  I grab my sword and cockily swing it in the air before walking over to my downed opponents to remove their masks. I grab the shorter one’s mask first, but before I can pull it off her face, the kid jumps up and slashes me. I feel a burning sensation in my chest.

  I am not about to let myself get torched twice. Backing up, I raise my sword. While one opponent slinks away, the shorter one jumps up and clinks swords with mine. The sounds of metal hitting metal vibrate through the room as the two of us push back and forward, slashing at the air and at each other as we cross the room. We turn left, then right, then find ourselves nearing the corner of the room, but we keep going. We both seem too stubborn to accept defeat.

  My opponent slashes me in the shoulder.

  I hit her in the thigh.

  She comes close to slashing my knees, and I jump out of the way.

  I catch her on her hip, and she winces. As she staggers back into an armory closet, I slash my way forward ’til she’s tucked inside its doors. I know I have her.

  “Go, Gilly! Go, Gilly!” some of the girls shout.

  I stick my sword under her chin. “Surrender.”

  “Never!” she shouts.

  I falter as I vaguely recognize the voice, and that’s where I lose ground. My opponent pushes on the door to the armory closet, and it almost hits me in the face. I stumble and fall as I jump out of the way. Within seconds, she has her foot on my back and her sword on my chin.

  “I think you’ll be the one surrendering,” she says.

  “Nice one, Cobbler,” someone says, and I suddenly realize they’re not referring to me.

  Wait a minute.

  “Anna?” I ask, sounding more out of breath than I’d like.

  She pulls off her mask, and her long, shiny hair falls in ribbons down her back. Anna smiles haughtily. “In the flesh.”

  “Excellent!” Harlow applauds as she walks over to join us. “I didn’t realize I had two Cobblers on this team.”

  Anna stands up and bows. “My Queen, I’m not on the team yet—but as you can see, I should be.”

  Harlow brightens at the queenie term of endearment. “How did you get the uniform?”

  Anna looks up defiantly. “I took it from the armory so I could prove to you that I was a worthy opponent for anyone on this team—including my sister.”

  Whoa.

  Jocelyn starts to laugh. “I like this Cobbler.”

  Harlow scratches her smooth chin and looks at us thoughtfully. “Me too.” She points to Anna. “And this Cobbler is the clear winner of this battle. You’re on the team.”

  “Yes!” Anna fist-bumps the girl she was with earlier. The girl removes her mask, and I see it’s Gretel. Great.

  Harlow looks at me. “And if you want to stay on this team, Gillian Cobbler, you better up your game. Everyone back to work!” She turns and walks away, and fencing practice resumes. My friends and even Gretel head off to work. Anna and I just stand there.

  I extend my hand. “Well played.”

  Anna hesitates. Finally she shakes my hand and smiles.

  “Was that so hard?” I ask.

  “I still beat you,” she points out, and I smile.

  “You’ve had a lot of practice,” I say. “We spent years playing pirates.”

  Anna’s smile fades. “And you never let me win. Not even once. Why do you have to be better at everything?”

  My face falls. “Is that what you think? That I’m better at everything?”

  “I think no one really cares what I do,” Anna says, and I try to interrupt. “Don’t try to deny it. I’m only a year and a half younger than you, and I have eyes. Father and Mother think you’re the golden girl in the boot. Our brothers and sisters think you’re a hero. Even our teachers at Jack of All Trades fawn all over you. No one cares what Anna Cobbler does.”

  “Crumb cake, Anna. You’re being ridiculous. Mother and Father love you.”

  “Maybe, but they don’t make plans for me like they do you,” Anna says. “All they talk about is you running the family business. You can be trusted! You’re a hero.” She mimics my parents. “What about me? Father can’t be bothered to listen when I talk about expanding Cobbler Shoes to include hosiery and hair accessories, like this one.” Anna motions to an orange butterfly clip in her hair. With a quick tap, the butterfly clip springs to life and flaps its wings.

  “That’s so cool.” I reach out to touch it. Anna pulls away.

  “Father didn’t think so.” She sounds hurt. “He said, ‘Ask Gilly what she thinks.’”

  “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that,” I say gently. I want to tell Anna the truth—that I don’t even like working at Cobbler Shoes. It’s not my dream. It’s his and Anna’s. But I can’t find a way to say those words out loud.

  “He doesn’t care what I think, but I don’t care anymore. Mr. Stiltskin thinks my accessories are genius, and he wants to help me manufacture them. I won’t need to be part of Cobbler Shoes. He says I’m so smart, I can have my own business.”

  My face tightens. “He’s a trickster. You can’t trust him.”

  “He said you’d say that,” Anna says. “And he knows why you’re here.” A cold feeling sweeps over me. “This school—and me—we don’t want or need a hero. We like Fairy Tale Reform School the way it is now. So do us all a favor and just go home, Gilly, before someone gets really hurt. I won’t warn you again.”

  I don’t go after her. I don’t even know what I’d say. Does Anna really think Stiltskin is the only one looking out for her?

  A sprite lands on my shoulder. “For you,” she says, handing me a scroll.

  I unravel it and read the message.

  G—Royal Ladies-in-Waiting meeting tomorrow. Don’t be late. (You’re not getting out of this one!)

  —Rapunzel

  Happily Ever After Scrolls

  Brought to you by FairyWeb—Enchantasia’s Number-One News Source!

  Meet Fairy Tale Reform School’s New Teacher: Rapunzel!

  by Babette Babcock

  Name: She is Princess Rapunzel to her loyal subjects, but according to her recently discovered brother, Jaxon, she is simply “Raz.” Aww!

  Occupation: With Princess Rose suffering from mental exhaustion while still under castle arrest, FTRS had no club advisor for their esteemed Royal Ladies-in-Waiting Club. Sources say Mr. Stiltskin wanted to cancel the group, but Rapunzel negotiated for the club to continue with her as advisor. “These girls have worked tirelessly on their princesses’ behalf, and we’re grateful for their dedication to Enchantasia,” says Rapunzel.

  Hobbies: Spending so many years in a tower has made this princess the most outgoing in the royal court. “I love to do anything and everything!” Rapunzel loves to draw and paint, but the princess also enjoys fencing and has recently taken up archery.

  Strengths: Kick-butt businesswoman! Rapunzel’s hair-care line is the most successful in the lands! Just don’t call her a beauty. “I’ve got brains, and I’m not afraid to use them.”

  Weaknesses: Hates to be alone. “If you spent that m
any years in solitary confinement, you’d hate it too.”

  Check back for more coverage on Fairy Tale Reform School!

  CHAPTER 10

  Pink Ladies

  As if my argument with Anna wasn’t bad enough, now I have to go to a Royal Ladies-in-Waiting meeting!

  This was a part of FTRS I did not miss.

  As I sit in a pink satin chair, my head feels dizzy from the competing perfumes that cloud the air. Everywhere I look, I see my least favorite color: pink. Pink wallpaper, pink chairs, pink flowers, tablecloths, and teacups. Pink banners left over from Rose’s delusional reign (“CHARMED to See You All Here!” they say in pink lettering) are being taken down by goblin student leader Tessa. Her bestie, Raza, has a new banner ready. “Welcome to the RLWs, Rapunzel!” it says in shimmery lilac.

  I nudge Maxine. “No pink?”

  “Of course not,” she says in surprise and points to the purple necklaces that squeeze her thick neck. “Purple is Rapunzel’s favorite color.”

  “Very good, Maxine!” compliments Tessa. I stare at her warily. She wasn’t very nice to Maxine when I begged them to let Maxine join the club last semester. Tessa clears her throat. “I’m hoping the three of us can put bygones behind us. I could use all the help I can get in fixing the RLW reputation.”

  “From being known as brainwashed victims of Princess Rose?” I ask lightly.

  Tessa’s ears twitch. “We refer to it as being put under a spell that our poor princess was cursed with as well.”

  I snort. “Princess Rose was the one who cast the spell.”

  “Because Alva made her,” Raza says. “It’s all in the letter she sent us. Didn’t you get one? She’s recovering from the ordeal at her and the prince’s lake house in Captiva. She feels dreadful about what happened.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “Does she? I guess having the delusional dream of taking control of the kingdom from your fellow princesses will do that.”

  “Anyway,” Tessa says loudly—which is the approved way an RLW can change the subject without offending the other person (From the RLW Handbook, Rule 47, filed under “Perfectly Pink Conversations!”). “Rose will be as dewy as, well, a rose, when she returns to her duties next summer. In the meantime, we get Rapunzel.”

  At the mention of the princess’s name, several girls begin brushing their hair with glittery gold brushes stamped with the letter R. They’re part of Rapunzel’s hair-care line.

  I touch my hair. I didn’t get to comb it this morning because Peaches ate my brush. When she coughed it up, it had turned into rock, which was different.

  “Want me to fix your hair, Gilly?” Tessa asks brightly.

  I back away. “No.”

  “You want to look your best for Rapunzel.” She spins me around as I try to get away. “Don’t be such a sprite about it. Let me just add a ribbon!” She unties a black-and-white ribbon from her wrist and pulls at my hair. I feel her tying the ribbon. “There!”

  The girls in the room coo. One hands me a mirror. My brown hair has been pulled away from my forehead and the purple locks secured in the bow at the back of my head.

  “From Rapunzel’s accessories line,” Tessa tells me. “Maybe she can bring us some items. We’re not allowed packages anymore. Maybe if they’re hidden in gardening supplies, Mr. Stiltskin won’t notice.”

  “Gardening supplies?” Maxine asks.

  “Yeah,” Raza says. “Mr. Stiltskin had a bunch of RS members outside digging holes and testing soil yesterday. They planted a bunch of seeds.” She shrugs. “Maybe gardening is going to be a new club.”

  Now what would that trickster be doing in the garden? Growing hay?

  “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  We all jump to attention. Rapunzel has arrived with zero fanfare, unlike the princess welcomes we’re accustomed to. Her waist-length blond hair is pulled back in a braid that is woven with purple ribbons. They match her floor-length dress, which is corseted with more ribbons. She makes eye contact with me, then quickly smiles at the group.

  “Princess!” Tessa drops into a curtsy that we all quickly copy. “We are so honored to have you lead our humble RLW chapter.”

  “There is no need to curtsy,” Rapunzel says, sounding embarrassed, “and please, don’t call me Princess. I prefer Raz.”

  The RLWs look at one another in confusion.

  A princess that doesn’t want to be called a princess. This is practically unheard of in Enchantasia. Rapunzel sounds as unpretentious as Jax.

  She moves to the center of our group, and we all back up to give her gown space. “Before we get to business, I wanted to introduce our newest member.”

  “Newest member?” Tessa frantically consults her pink notebook, which is overflowing with sticky notes. “We haven’t had a single pledge request.”

  I frown. Anna used to want to be in the RLWs, but I guess she hasn’t pledged.

  Rapunzel smiles. “This person came directly to me.” She pulls a wand out of a hidden pocket and waves it at the back wall. A door appears. There are audible gasps as a boy enters the room.

  “Ollie?” I blurt out. Maxine and I start to laugh.

  “Ladies, that is rude,” Rapunzel scolds, and we quickly stop.

  “Thank you, My Princess.” Ollie bows. “I expected there to be some hesitation. It’s not every day a lad joins the Royal Ladies-in-Waiting.”

  “There’s never a day that happens,” says an elf sitting on a pink armchair. “This club is for girls.” There’s agreement among the group.

  “Says who?” Rapunzel asks.

  “Well, for starters, we’re called the Royal Ladies-in-Waiting,” Raza reminds her.

  Rapunzel looks at Ollie and shrugs. “How do you know it’s not really the Royal Lads-in-Waiting?” Ollie puffs out his chest and adjusts the shirtsleeves on his uniform. He’s wearing pink cufflinks. “I don’t believe clubs should discriminate based on gender or creature. That is not the RLW way.”

  Tessa and Raza begin stuttering. “No, but…”

  “Us lads have as much to offer the royals as you lasses do,” says Ollie, sounding a lot like a mini Blackbeard. “I would be honored to be this club’s token male—for now.”

  “Excellent!” Rapunzel picks up the hem of her dress and glides around the room. “I like the idea of the RLWs changing with the times. Gone are the days when this club’s sole purpose was just to do whatever was asked of you.”

  “But, Raz,” says Tessa, trying the nickname on for size, “what if a royal does the asking?”

  “You should question anyone who asks you to do something you don’t feel comfortable with,” she says, and I know immediately she is talking about not only Stiltskin, but also what happened with Princess Rose. “For too many years, I accepted my sheltered fate and did nothing to try to change it. I assumed that the cards I had been dealt were meant to be, but I was wrong! Who said I had to be kept locked away? No one should decide your future for you but you. If you don’t like where your life is headed, change it.”

  I start to applaud before I even realize what I’m doing.

  “I like her,” whispers Maxine.

  “Me too.” For so long, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the princesses. Rose may have fooled me, but my gut tells me Rapunzel is the real deal.

  “Change takes time, but I think we can show the kingdom that the RLWs are capable of much more than turning napkins into swans,” Rapunzel says. “This group can be anything we want it to be, so I want to hear your thoughts. What is an RLW to you?”

  We look at her blankly. She waves her wand again. Poof! Quills and parchment appear on the tables around the room. “Let’s get to work and decide,” she says.

  Inspired, we all run to grab a seat. Rapunzel stops me.

  “May I have a word in the courtyard?” she asks.

  Uh-oh. She’
s going to yell at me about crashing the royal ball. “Of course.”

  I glance at Maxine, but her tongue is hanging out of her mouth as she concentrates hard and presses the quill to the parchment. The quill breaks in half, but a new one magically appears and she starts again. I follow Rapunzel outside.

  I swallow hard. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for—”

  “Shh!” Rapunzel sprinkles silver dust into her hands, then blows it into my face. I start to cough. “‘Distraction dust,” she says and places a small bag in my hand. “It can keep You-Know-Who from hearing our conversation for the next two minutes.”

  “Sweet.” Maybe I’m not in trouble after all.

  “Do you know what’s not sweet?” Rapunzel says in a very unprincessy manner. “Crashing a party with foreign royals and causing such a scene that it lands on Happily Ever After Scrolls! If you had intel on what this menace was doing at FTRS, you should have shared it with the royal court. Not struck out on your own without a solid plan.”

  “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to ruin your party,” I apologize. Princesses and their parties. Geez.

  Rapunzel rolls her eyes. “I don’t care about the party! It was just a cover so we could learn what he’s been up to in other kingdoms. And you ruined our chance to find out!”

  “We didn’t know you were already onto him,” I say in surprise. I always assume the royal court is two steps behind us.

  “Do you really think we were going to allow a trickster like him to run FTRS?” Rapunzel sounds insulted. “Princess Ella agreed to let this school open because she liked Flora’s vision for the students. But in the wrong hands, a gathering of kids like this could be used for evil. Look how Alva and Rose tried to control students!” Rapunzel shudders. “Stiltskin may claim he’s trying to keep everyone here safe, but he must have an ulterior motive for choosing FTRS as his next stop. He certainly won’t tell the royal court why he’s here. He is refusing to meet with us.”