The Silver Dwarf (Royal Institute of Magic, Book 4) by Victor Kloss Page B

that.”
    Charlie was beaming from ear to ear. “Let’s get this thing back to Heidi, before it tears a hole in the box. Then I think we both deserve some serious
lunch.”
    Over the next couple of weeks, Ben and Charlie continued helping each other in their weaker areas, while working to finish up the checklist in their strong
fields. It was a harmonious relationship that worked wonderfully, except for the odd occasion when they both got stuck, such as the time they failed to
convince a family of dwarves to sell them a set of cooking bowls for their target price. Or when neither of them could work out how to resolve a petty
squabble between two neighbouring pubs. Diplomacy and Trade continued to be a pain at times.
    “Other than those two hiccups, we’re doing okay though,” Charlie said.
    “That’s great,” Natalie said. “You guys will definitely be ready in two weeks’ time.”
    The three of them were back in the common room, catching a well-earned break, before another intense session in the combat room for Spellsword training.
    “You guys are still on the checklist, then?”
    Aaron’s voice floated across the room. He was sitting on a table with the other grade-two exam candidates.
    “Yes, we are,” Ben said coolly.
    Aaron shrugged. “I see. I thought you’d be done by now, Ben. I’m finished, and now just spending time revising. I highly recommend it if you want to score
high grades in the exam.”
    “Are the rest of you guys finished?” Ben asked.
    They all shook their heads, and Ben felt a little better.
    “I’ve still got to finish up the Warden and Trade checklists,” Frederick said. “Trade is a nightmare.”
    “We’ve got a little bit to do on each of the departments,” Amy said, referring to herself and Georgia. “But I definitely want to take Aaron’s advice and
get some revision in before the exam. I bet it will help.”
    She gave Aaron a smile, and was delighted when he returned it.
    “It will be interesting to see what scores we all get,” Aaron said. “Personally, my family are expecting me to maintain my record of straight As. I don’t
want to disappoint them. How about you, Ben? What are your expectations?”
    Ben shrugged. “I just want to pass, and make it to the third grade.”
    “Oh, I’m sure you’ll do that,” Aaron said. “However, you’ll need a really good score if you want to—”
    Aaron’s sentence was cut short, as his eyes shot past them to someone who had entered the common room.
    Ben turned. It was Dagmar, and she was marching right up to them.
    “Ben, Charlie, come with me,” Dagmar said.
    Without waiting for a reply, she turned, and immediately left.
    Ben and Charlie exchanged confused glances, and then followed Dagmar out of the common room.

— Chapter Nine —
The War Room
    “Where are we going?” Ben asked.
    Dagmar was marching upstairs, her large feet clacking on the marble staircase.
    “The War Room,” Dagmar replied, upon reaching the gallery on the Warden floor. She looked even stonier than normal as she led them through the double
doors, and along the corridor. Ben immediately spotted Wardens hurrying along at breakneck pace, many of them lost in conversation, so that Ben had to
sidestep to avoid being knocked over. Dagmar didn’t move a jot, and several Wardens almost crashed into her, until they spotted who she was, and promptly
moved aside. Dagmar eventually stopped by the aforementioned War Room. Ben could hear lots of voices beyond.
    “Stay by me or you’ll get flattened,” Dagmar instructed.
    Without further explanation, she opened the door, and they stepped inside.
    Sticking with Dagmar was harder than Ben had anticipated. His first reaction was to stop and stare. The room was huge, and absolutely packed. There must
have been at least fifty members in the room, almost all of them talking, or shouting, creating a scene of mayhem. Taking up most of the right side of the
room was a huge table, on which a giant map of England