Quest Maker by Laurie McKay

held up his red marker. “Now it’s time to learn some math.” His gaze shifted to Tito. He tossed a paper his way. “There’s some enrichment for you.” Tito bent down to pick it up but he didn’t take his gaze off Rath Dunn or Caden. “You go sit in the back, Tito.”
    Caden nodded at Tito to do as he was told. Tito sat one row back. His whole body looked tense.
    Rath Dunn, on the other hand, looked delighted. He grabbed Jane’s desk and dragged it so that it was edge to edge with Caden’s. Jane had carved the elvish word for “mother” on top of hers. It looked like it had been crushed under Rath Dunn’s fist. The desk screeched against the tiles like it hurt.
    Rath Dunn placed a problem sheet between them. “Now, sit, prince.” The sides of his eyes crinkled, but he didn’t fully smile. “I’ve made you a special worksheet, one even you can understand.” He picked it up and began to read. “One brother dies by the hand of another.” He held up his finger. “Now, listen carefully. For one month their father mourned, after two months he vowed justice, at three months he suspected, at six he—”
    â€œThis is fiction,” Caden said.
    â€œIt’s a math problem, a series. Answer the question.” With dramatic flair, he raised the paper once more. “Howmany months until the king dies?” He then waited, as if he were a patient tutor and not a terrible villain. His line of sight shifted over Caden’s shoulder. “I’m certain Tito knows.”
    Yes, Tito was good at math. So was Brynne. Jane was decent at it. Caden swatted at the paper in front of him. He was capable enough with numbers. “What is your point?”
    Some cruel glee returned to Rath Dunn’s expression. “Sometimes, I need some fun. One day, when I’m in control, you’ll see how bad that could really be for you.” He tapped the desk. “Now, what’s the answer, son of Axel?”
    The day Rath Dunn gained control would be bad for all of them. Caden forced his shoulders square. It was important not to show fear. It was important not to play this game. “The answer is never.”
    â€œWrong.” He wrote a giant red X on the paper.
    Rath Dunn snorted. “Next question. Ten Elite Paladins are impaled onto spikes. Fifteen are thrown into the fire. Twenty-five drown. Forty—”
    â€œI’m not answering these questions,” Caden said.
    Rath Dunn wrote another large X on the test. “But we’re just beginning. Question three.”
    Two hours and many taunts later, Rath Dunn abruptly ended his lesson. “Time to go.” He got up, put Jane’s desk back in place, and opened the door. The hall looked deserted.
    Slowly, Caden got to his feet. “We can walk home.”
    â€œYep,” Tito said.
    â€œNo need for that.” Rath Dunn grabbed Caden’s arm. Quick as wind, he grabbed Tito’s as well. “Like I said, I’ll drive you,” he said. “I have permission.”
    Bad things were about to happen. Caden felt it deep in his gut. Bad things were about to happen, and the crimson-dressed despot in front of him was the reason.

R ath Dunn dragged them to the parking lot. There was only one car left. It gleamed red like an elfish ruby, and looked as fast as an Autumnlands firefox.
    Near the car, Rath Dunn released Tito but kept Caden gripped tightly and pulled out a key. Tito stepped back. The red car’s lights flashed, and the car door clicked and unlocked. “My Audi,” Rath Dunn said, and Caden could tell he liked the car. “Get in.”
    Caden pulled against him. “We won’t get in that car with you.”
    Tito stepped farther away. “Give us back our phones.”
    The long spring shadows stretched between the school and the mountain and over the asphalt. Rath Dunn laughed and began to drag Caden toward the car.