“Hello, Tinker Bell,” the Minister of Winter said.
Did she just glare at Tink?
“Goodbye, Tinker Bell.” The tall fairy commanded the parade of winter fairies to follow her in a line behind her.
“But...” stammered Tinker Bell.
Peri looked back at her sister, all she could do is shrug an apology.
Iridessa and Tink's other friends alighted next to her. “What's up?”
“Sigh~ I have no idea. The Minister of Winter pretty much silenced Peri and took her away with the rest of the Frost-talents.”
“The Minister of Winter? But – “ Fawn started.
“I know,” Tinker Bell said, “but it seems she's not missing and is alive and well.”
“Why didn't she say anything to Queen Clarion, then?” Rosetta wondered.
“Maybe there was some kind of fallout between them?” Zarina suggested, knowing what that felt like.
Iridessa shook her head. “No. something is very wrong here. Let's follow them!”
***
“...Here at Faerie Academy I am known as Lady Snowflake,” the Minister of Winter spoke to her pupils.
“This place looks like a human ruin,” Spike glanced around, she hadn't decided if she thought that was cool or not.
“It is, and it's 300-years-old,” said Lady Snowflake. “The academy, that is; the castle is twice that old. 600-years-ago the Queen of the Fairies, Mab, was friends with the humans who once lived here. The family promised that all fairies would be safe in these castle walls, so it was our ancestors' home a long time ago and it eventually became Faerie Academy.”
Peri waved a hand. “What do you mean our ancestors?”
But Lady Snowflake turned and started the tour, by pointing out class rooms and other key interests.
“Why didn't she answer you?” Iridessa heard Gliss ask Periwinkle.
“Maybe we'll come to the answer later in the tour?” Peri guessed, but she sounded doubtful.