CHAPTER 1 – KING LOUIE
After King Louie had defeated General Cramstack and the chameleons, the land was at peace. To ensure crafty chameleons would never again fool the blue-belly lizards, King Louie established the School of Wisdom. All adult blue-belly lizards were required to attend the school for six months.
“Has every blue-belly been trained in the school of wisdom yet?” King Louie demanded.
“Every lizard except for the prison guards. They have to train their replacements and then they will go to the school next week,” responded Hector.
“Every lizard except for the prison guards? Was it wise to leave the prison guards until last?” replied Talis.
“I’m responsible for deciding who goes to the school and when.” Hector shot back. “The King has chosen me to make this happen, and I decided the guards go last.”
“And you don’t have a problem with training the guards last? You don’t have a problem with the guards being the last to learn how the chameleons lie and change colors and deceive? Even though they happen to be the ones guarding Trina, a chameleon.” Talis replied shaking his head.
Hector stared at Talis in anger.
“Talis, come outside with me.” King Louie motioned Talis to follow him out into the courtyard.
“Talis, you are making Hector look bad,” Louie said softly.
“I didn’t think this was about Hector. I thought this was about ruling the kingdom the right way. Why are you allowing lizards like Hector to do these things my King?”
“Hector and I go way back. He was one of my friends growing up. I like having Hector around,” replied Louie.
“Louie, you are my King. I am here to serve you. I promised your father, before he died, that I would look after you. I kept you safe while you were little. When you got older, I trained you in the forest. We fought the chameleons together and defeated General Cramstack. I am so proud of you and I know your father would be proud as well. But you must listen to me now. Chameleons are not the only threat to the lizard kingdom,” replied Talis.
“What do you mean?” Louie said looking away.
“Don’t you remember when we were in the forest? I told you about your father and how he said that evil would always find new ways to attack. He fought against the evil of his day and did well to establish this lizard kingdom. But when the chameleons came, they killed your father. The chameleons were yours to fight, and you did. But now you think all your enemies are gone?” asked Talis.
“The chameleons are all gone, except for Trina. And the guards will be trained at the school soon enough. After that, what is there?” Louie asked.
“Maybe nothing. Most probably something,” Talis replied.
“You worry too much Talis. Look, I know Hector and some of my other counselors are young and sometimes less than wise. But they are trying to do their jobs, and they are my friends. So I want you to treat them with respect. I am the king and I like having them around. Besides, if something really serious comes up, that’s why I have you.”
CHAPTER 2 – LATE FOR SCHOOL
“Here is a summary of the most often used methods that chameleons use to trick and deceive,” said the teacher. “Memorize this list because it will be on the test.”
“Hey Harry,” whispered Dent. “Take a look at number three and number six.”
“Oh my,” replied Harry. “You think…”
“Who’s guarding that chameleon lady tonight?” Dent whispered urgently.
“I think Jack is,” answered Harry.
“Jack hasn’t been to this class yet, has he?” Dent asked, raising his whisper.
“No he hasn’t. He’s next on the list. But you don’t think she’ll try something tonight, do you?” Harry asked with a shudder.
“Time for your dinner, Miss Chameleon lady,” stated the guard.
“So Jack, tell me about yourself.”
“I’m just a guard. Now take your dinner.”
“Just a guard? You must be one of the best guards if you were assigned to me, yes?”
“I don’t know about that. They rotate a few of us when it comes to you.”
“Well, you’ve been the only one allowed to see me the last few days. I figured that meant you were the best.”
“The other two guards are at…”
“The other two guards are gone? Not here?”
“They’ll be back shortly. Now eat your dinner.”
“Jack, can you keep me company while I eat? Tell me about yourself. Are you married? Do you have family?”
“I shouldn’t talk to you too much.”
“It won’t do any harm. I’ll just be sitting here eating while you do all the talking. I just want to listen. Now, tell me about yourself.”
“Okay. I guess that won’t hurt.”
Dent and Harry hoped they weren’t too late as they burst in the door.
“Jack! Jack!” they shouted.
Dent nearly tripped over Jack next to the prison door.
“Is he alive?” asked Harry.
“He’s alright. Just a bad lump on his head,” Dent replied.
“She tricked me, escaped. Help. So sorry,” Jack whispered.
“Oh lizard! What are we going to tell Talis and the King?” Dent sighed.
“Let me guess. She figured out you were alone by getting you to talk,” said Harry.
“Yeah. How did you know?” asked Jack.
“Then she got you to talk about yourself. Probably got you talking about your family, your upbringing, battles you’ve fought, old scars you might have on your body…then you got a little too close to her,” Harry continued.
“How do you know all this?” demanded Jack.
“And then she disappeared for a moment. A moment short enough to confuse you but long enough to snatch the keys from you without you knowing it. Then she waited for you to turn your back and…wham!”
“Yes. That sounds right, but how do you know all this?” Jack demanded again rising to his feet and rubbing his head.
“Because I’m not a stupid lizard!” Harry exclaimed.
“Hey, easy Harry,” Dent interjected.
“Trina escaped because he’s a stupid lizard. He got fooled by chameleon tricks, which isn’t supposed to happen on this island anymore.” Harry said raising his voice.
Dent grabbed Harry by the neck scales. “Harry! Would we have done any better if we hadn’t been to the school?”
Harry softened. “But what are we going to tell Talis and the King?”
“The truth,” Dent said shaking his head, “the truth.”