Berlina's Quest Read Online Free Page B

of the wand growing longer, until it touches the object—the flowerpot. Then, picture the end of it grasping the pot. When you raise the wand, the image in your mind has hold of the pot and raises it, too. Do you think you can do that?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Berlina. “I never heard of such a thing, but you did it.”
    â€œYes, I did,” said Forsythia. “Here, take this and try it.”
    Berlina took the wand, and with a look of concentration on her face, pointed it at the flowerpot. After a moment, she raised the tip a little. The flowerpot wobbled, then rose into the air until it was a foot or so above the sill. It hung there until Berlina lowered the wand and let it sink back to the sill.
    She looked at the wand, at the pot. Turning to Forsythia, she exclaimed, “By the wings of a wyvern, that’s terrific! But…does it only go up and down?”
    Forsythia, who was now smiling, said, “What would you have it do?”
    â€œMaybe move sideways? If the mental image of the wand is grasping the pot, could I move it from one end of the sill to the other?”
    â€œWhy don’t you try it?”
    Berlina pointed the wand and raised it. This time, the pot rose smoothly with no wobbling. When she had it in the air, she moved her hand sideways, and the pot floated to the other end of the windowsill, where she put it down. With a smugly satisfied look on her face, she said, “Yes, it works sideways, too. I guess I qualify to play your game, right?”
    Now, all three of the women were smiling. “Your Highness, this was truly more of a test, but we called it a game, so you would feel easy about it,” said Forsythia. “Only a witch could perform the task we gave you to do, so that means…”
    â€œThat means I’m a witch?”
    â€œYes, Your Highness, and from the way you caught on so quickly, you are potentially a very powerful witch. You need training, of course, but that is why my assistants and I are here. If you agree, we shall remain here in the palace and work with you.”
    Berlina shook her head. “These have been the strangest birthday gifts I’ve ever gotten. First, I get a companion who is a shape-shifter. Then, I find I’m enrolled into witchcraft school. Shades of the dragon! Of
course
you three can remain.” She paused. “Now, all I have to do is figure out some way to explain to my mother and father why all of you are here.” She turned to the white-haired girl. “Felistia, my parents are a bit…well, old-fashioned. Medieval. I fear the idea of a commoner simply being a companion might not sit well with them. Would the description of maidservant bother you? In name only, just to grease the wheels? At least until they get used to you.”
    Felistia shook her head. “No, Your Highness. It would not upset me. I expect I will have to behave in a proper manner when others are around, anyway. Doing a few chores that might be expected of a maidservant would be no problem.”
    â€œGood, good. By the way, as far as addressing me, when we are in private, you don’t have to use ‘Your Highness.’ ‘Berlina’ or even just ‘Bee’ will do.”
    â€œThank you, Bee. Many who know me well address me as ‘Fee’. Bee and Fee—sounds like a recipe for all sorts of fun…or mischief.”
    â€œSo, that’s settled. Now, I just have to explain the ladies of the Order of the Flowers. Oh, well. I’ll think of something. Come on. Let’s get back to the party. I want something to eat. Does witchcraft stimulate the appetite?”
    â€œNot particularly, Your Highness. I’ll bet Felistia would like something, though. I know that shifting uses a lot of energy and requires food. Right, Fee?” The girl nodded her head, and all of them left the room to go back to the banquet hall where the food was.
    As they got to the entrance to the