Chapter 3

Preparations were being made as Amber was leaving for Lotaholes Castle the following day. Her mother was in quite a state. Towels, books, pens and clothes were sent flying everywhere. No doubt, every mother wants the best for her child.

Now, Amber had received a parcel on her doorstep a few days ago. She had rushed to pick it up, to find that it simply said:
Amber Glassfire----Lotaholes Academy

Amber had it torn apart before you could say “Diddledoo”. Inside lay a light blue and white checked blouse, a white skirt and a pair of shiny white leather shoes. It will be a great school, thought Amber, even the uniform is prettier than most schools I’ve attended. It will be great, except for the fact that there will be a lot of holes in there, which will totally explain the namesake of her new school. (Well, not exactly a new, new school, more like a new, old school. Ancient, in fact.)

While packing her bag in her bedroom, Amber felt a strange, unexplainable urge to wear her locket. She retrieved her locket from the little oak treasure chest under her bed and hung it around her neck. Instantly, a warm, comforting feeling overcame her. She felt something magical about this delicate, gold-wrought locket that carried the gem of her namesake. “Oh well, I could use some luck at Lotaholes Academy”, Amber decided. “It will be nice to make some new friends, maybe we will even have adventures together. Who knows?”