Let the Games Begin! Read online

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1: The Grand Tournament

  Chapter 2: The Knight of Thornwood

  Chapter 3: A GIRL Knight?

  Chapter 4: Combat Practice

  Chapter 5: At the Bakery

  Chapter 6: The Mermaids’ Gift

  Chapter 7: Not HIM Again!

  Chapter 8: Prove Yourself!

  Chapter 9: Be Your Best

  Chapter 10: The Big Race

  ‘The Secret World of Mermaids’ Excerpt

  About Jordan Quinn and Robert McPhillips

  The Grand Tournament

  * * *

  * * *

  Prince Lucas and King Caleb stood on the balcony that overlooked the palace grounds. It was dawn, and hammers tapped, pulleys squeaked, and men called out orders. The mainland had become the setting for Wrenly’s Grand Tournament.

  The tournament took place once every two years. Everyone in the entire kingdom came to play in the games and watch the shows. The big event was only a couple days away.

  Lucas watched the preparations: The gardeners trimmed the hedge maze. The gnomes polished the oversize marble chess pieces and chessboard. A squire slipped new covers over the archery targets. Villagers set up booths around the arena and stages.

  Lucas turned to his father. “What do you love most about the Grand Tournament?” he asked.

  “What I love most,” said the king, “is the way the tournament brings together all the people and creatures in our kingdom.”

  “I like that too,” said Lucas. “We get to see everyone’s special skills and talents.”

  “Exactly,” the king said. “And how about you? What do you like best about the Grand Tournament?”

  Lucas’s eyes grew wide. “I like the jousting and sword fighting.”

  Then Lucas pulled a sword from a scabbard on his belt. He had carved the sword from a piece of wood. Lucas showed off a few of his moves.

  “I can’t wait to show the Knight of Thornwood what I can do!” he said as he imitated a jab.

  The Knight of Thornwood, also known as Sir Hugh, was the bravest knight in the kingdom.

  The king laid his hand on Lucas’s shoulder. “Do not grow up too fast, my little lion heart,” he said.

  “Can’t stop me!” said Lucas as he squinted and faked a block. Then he stopped playing and looked up into his father’s blue eyes. “Do you think Sir Hugh will give me some pointers?”

  “I’m sure he will,” said the king.

  “Someday I’ll fight with a real sword and a real lance, just like Sir Hugh!” Lucas said. “Ruskin and I will have grand adventures!” Ruskin was Lucas’s pet dragon. He was usually by Lucas’s side, but for the last few days he’d been at Crestwood, training for the tournament. Now Ruskin was back on the mainland, but still hard at work practicing with the other dragons.

  “And someday you’ll be crowned a knight of Wrenly!” the king said.

  Then Lucas held his sword so it pointed straight up.

  “And I will defend the kingdom of Wrenly!” he declared.

  The Knight of Thornwood

  * * *

  * * *

  Lucas climbed the arena’s fence and sat on the highest rail. His friend Clara waved from on top of her horse, Scallop. Lucas waved back. Then he watched Clara put Scallop through her paces.

  First they trotted around the arena. Then they cantered. And finally they galloped a lap. Clara pulled back on Scallop’s reins and trotted toward Lucas. The prince yanked a carrot from his back pocket. Scallop munched it from the palm of his hand.

  “You two make a great team,” Lucas commented.

  Clara patted Scallop and smiled. “I’m thinking of entering the horse race at the Grand Tournament,” she said.

  “You should!” Lucas exclaimed.

  “But it’s all boys,” Clara said.

  “And when has that ever stopped you?” questioned Lucas.

  Clara laughed. “True,” she said.

  “You should feel proud to be the only girl,” said Lucas.

  Clara liked that idea. Then she noticed something unusual. “Where’s Ruskin?” she asked. Lucas never went anywhere without him.

  “He’s up there!” said Lucas, pointing to the sky.

  Clara saw the dragons of Crestwood soar overhead. Ruskin, the youngest and smallest dragon, led the way.

  “He’s been practicing for the tournament,” Lucas said.

  The dragons swooped into a loop de loop.

  “Wow, Ruskin’s gotten really good,” said Clara.

  “He’s come a long way,” agreed Lucas.

  Then the arena’s iron gate squeaked and swung open. A group of knights entered, followed by their squires. Each squire carried his knight’s shield and led his horse.

  Lucas gasped. “Look!” he cried. “It’s the Knight of Thornwood! He wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow!”

  “Who is he?” Clara asked.

  “He’s Sir Hugh, the bravest knight in the whole kingdom!” explained Lucas. “I’ve been to all his tournaments held at the castle. And I’ve read everything there is to know about him.”

  “Whoa,” marveled Clara.

  “I know,” said Lucas. “My dream is to be just like him.”

  A GIRL Knight?

  * * *

  * * *

  “They’ve spotted us!” said Lucas as he jumped down from the fence.

  Clara slid out of her saddle and held Scallop by the bridle’s reigns. “One of the squires is headed this way,” she whispered.

  Lucas brushed off his tunic and stood up straight.

  A tall, skinny boy walked toward them. He had a picture of a lion on his tunic—the symbol of the Knight of Thornwood. The squire bowed before the prince.

  “Good morning, Your Highness,” he said. “My name is Gilbert. I’m Sir Hugh’s squire.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Gilbert,” said Lucas. “You must be very talented to serve Sir Hugh!”

  “Yes, what a great honor!” Clara added.

  Gilbert paid no attention to Clara’s comment. He kept his eyes on Lucas. It was as if Clara and Scallop weren’t even there!

  “Sir Hugh is a great teacher,” Gilbert told Lucas. “Would you like me to introduce you?”

  “Would I ever!” cried Lucas. “Sir Hugh is my all-time favorite hero.”

  “Mine too!” agreed Gilbert.

  “Ahem,” said Clara, trying to be part of the conversation. “Someday I hope to become a knight too!”

  This got Gilbert’s attention. He looked at her and laughed. Even Lucas looked surprised.

  “Girls can’t be knights!” declared Gilbert.

  “And why not?” questioned Clara, folding her arms.

  “Because all knights are boys!” argued Gilbert.

  “That doesn’t mean a girl can’t be one!” Clara shot back.

  “A girl knight?” said Gilbert. “Are you kidding?”

  “No!” Clara said firmly. “I can be whatever I want—so long as I work hard enough for it.”

  Gilbert raised his arms in the air. “Who is this girl?” he cried.

  Lucas grinned. “This is my friend Clara Gills,” he said proudly. “And to be fair, she would be a hard knight to beat.”

  Gilbert’s eyes grew wide. Then he burst into laughter again. “That’s very funny, Prince Lucas!” he said.

  “But it wasn’t actually a joke,” said Lucas.

  “Oh, I see,” said Gilbert, controlling his laughter. “I’m so sorry.” Then he went right back to ignoring Clara. “Well, Your Highness, the knights are about to practice,” he continued. “Would you like to stay and watch?”

  “I’d love to!” Lucas exclaimed.

  “Excuse me!” interrupted Clara. “But the
arena is already booked.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” questioned Gilbert.

  “It means I’m not done yet,” said Clara.

  “Knights overrule girls playing pony,” said Gilbert.

  “Then too bad for you!” said Clara, folding her arms. “You’re only a squire.”

  Then Lucas gently pulled Clara to one side. “Be careful,” he whispered. “He may not be a knight yet, but he’s with the knights, and they do outrank you.”

  “Okay, fine!” Clara fumed. “I have better things to do, anyway.”

  Then she stormed out of the arena, with Scallop following close behind.

  Combat Practice

  * * *

  * * *

  In full armor, the Knight of Thornwood and the Knight of Briarwood, Sir Alwin, mounted their horses. They each took an opposite side of the arena.

  They held up their lances—long wooden shafts with a blunt tip on the end. The flattened tips kept the knights from getting hurt. The first one to hit the opponent’s shield or helmet won. If they missed, they had to turn around and charge again.

  Jousting showed off a knight’s skills in horsemanship, his mastery of the lance, as well as his combat moves.

  Lucas and Gilbert sat on the fence. Gilbert untied a bugle from his belt and offered it to Lucas. “Would you like to start the match?” he asked.

  “I’d love to!” Lucas replied, grasping the bugle.

  He looked toward the knights. They nodded and lowered their lances into position. Lucas raised the bugle to his lips. Then he took a deep breath and blew. The knights charged at each other.

  Sir Hugh struck. He swiftly jabbed Sir Alwin’s shield and won the first round. Gilbert kept score by sliding beads across a wire. After five rounds Sir Hugh had defeated Sir Alwin four to one.

  “Now we’re going to play Grab the Flag,” Gilbert said.

  He ran across the arena and joined the others on horseback. The knights and squires divided into two teams. Each player wore a flag on his back. Sir Hugh’s team wore blue flags, and Sir Alwin’s team wore white. The first team to capture all the other team’s flags won.

  Lucas sounded the bugle.

  The teams rushed toward each other. Round and round they galloped. Hooves pounded the dirt. The knights and squires cheered and hollered as they snatched the flags off one another’s backs.

  “Go, Gilbert!” shouted Lucas as he watched the squire yank a flag from another boy.

  Gilbert waved the flag overhead. Then he galloped back into the fray. Sir Hugh plucked three flags in a row. His team won.

  Gilbert trotted over to Lucas. “Now it’s your turn,” he said. “Follow me!”

  Lucas jumped from the fence and followed Gilbert into the arena. The squires rolled a wooden horse into the ring. Then they set up a target at one end of the arena.

  “I know you’re a great horseman,” said Gilbert. “But the wooden horse will help you get the feel of holding a lance on horseback. It’s not as easy as it looks!”

  Lucas nodded.

  “Hop on!” said Gilbert.

  Lucas climbed on top of the wooden horse. Gilbert handed him a lance. It felt heavy and awkward to Lucas. Gilbert showed him the proper way to tilt it.

  “Now we’ll pull you toward that target,” said Gilbert, pointing. “When you get in range, aim the lance and hit the target.”

  “Got it!” said Lucas.

  “Go for the bull’s-eye!” Gilbert added.

  Lucas nodded.

  Gilbert and two other squires grabbed hold of the wooden horse’s lead. Then they began to pull the horse. The wheels squeaked and the horse picked up speed.

  As they neared the target, Lucas held the lance steady. Whack! It struck the ring just outside the bull’s-eye. The squires cheered.

  “Good shot!” Gilbert shouted.

  “Not bad for your first try!” said Sir Hugh, who had been watching. “You’re a natural!”

  “You sure are!” agreed Gilbert.

  Lucas beamed. “May I try again?”

  “Of course!” said Gilbert.

  Lucas practiced with the lance all morning. Then he tried it from on top of a real horse.

  “This is so hard,” he said.

  “It takes a lot of practice,” said Sir Hugh.

  “Then I will practice every day,” vowed Lucas.

  At the Bakery

  * * *

  * * *

  Lucas grabbed Ruskin from dragon training and raced to Clara’s house. Clara lived above her father’s bakery, the Daily Bread. Lucas couldn’t wait to tell her about his morning. Bells jingled as Lucas pushed open the door to the bakery. Ruskin scampered in behind him.

  “Well, look who’s here!” said Clara’s father, Owen Gills.

  Mr. Gills reached into a basket and tossed a biscuit to Ruskin. Ruskin caught it between his teeth. Crumbs rained from his mouth as he munched the biscuit.

  “It sure smells good in here!” remarked Lucas.

  “We’re making cookies and bread for the Grand Tournament,” said Clara. “You want to help?”

  “Sure!” said Lucas. He loved to help in the bakery. Lucas washed his hands in a basin, took off his cape, and tied an apron around his waist.

  “Look what we’ve made so far!” Clara said excitedly.

  She pointed to racks of bread and cookies shaped like swords, shields, dragons, and horses. Lucas’s stomach rumbled.

  “I feel like I could eat a horse!” Lucas declared.

  Mr. Gills laughed. “Please, help yourself!” he said.

  Lucas slid a horse-shaped cookie from a cookie tray and took a huge bite.

  “Mmm,” he moaned. “Best horse I’ve ever had!”

  “We only use the finest horses in our recipes,” Mr. Gills said with a wink.

  “Ew, that’s disgusting!” said Clara as she plopped a ball of dough in front of Lucas.

  Lucas began to roll the dough.

  “You’ll never guess what I did with the knights this morning,” he said.

  “What?” asked Clara.

  “I rode a wooden horse and learned how to use a lance,” Lucas said. “Sir Hugh even said I have natural talent!”

  “That’s a huge compliment, coming from the bravest knight in the land,” Clara said with a smile.

  “And Gilbert agreed with him,” said Lucas.

  Clara’s face fell at the mention of the squire. “I don’t like Gilbert one bit,” she said.

  “I don’t blame you,” Lucas said. “He wasn’t very nice to you.”

  “No kidding,” agreed Clara.

  “He just doesn’t understand what kind of girl you are,” Lucas said.

  Clara stopped rolling her dough. “And just what kind of girl am I?” she asked.

  “You’re strong, brave, and kind,” he said, not missing a beat. “And you’re a first-class horsewoman.”

  “Those are the qualities of a great knight!” declared Mr. Gills.

  “Exactly,” said Lucas.

  The Mermaids’ Gift

  * * *

  * * *

  “On guard!” shouted Clara.

  Lucas and Clara dueled with two freshly baked cookie swords.

  Clara swiped her sword across Lucas’s blade. The tip of his sword broke off and landed on the floor. Ruskin gobbled it up.

  “Touché!” Lucas cried.

  Clara laughed.

  Mr. Gills whistled through his fingers. “No sword fights in the bakery,” he said. “Take it outside. I have a lot of baking to do before the tournament.”

  “Sorry,” Clara said. Then she turned to Lucas. “You want to go to Mermaid’s Cove and make sand castles?”

  “Sure!” answered Lucas.

  They untied their aprons and ran out. Clara grabbed a bucket on the way. Ruskin squawked and raced after them. Wham! The door banged shut and the bells jangled harshly. Mr. Gills shook his head and chuckled.

  “Race you!” shouted Clara.

  They ran down the lan
e and onto the narrow path that led to the beach.

  In a couple minutes, Clara was out of breath. “You win!” she said.

  They walked the rest of the way.

  “What are you looking forward to at the tournament?” asked Clara.

  “Jousting,” said Lucas. “What about you?”

  “The horse race,” said Clara.

  “Did you decide to sign up?” asked Lucas.

  “I did!” said Clara. “After Gilbert made fun of me, I no longer minded being the only girl to race. Are you going to enter Ivan?”

  “Can’t,” said Lucas. “Ivan threw a shoe. I can’t ride him until he gets a new one, and all the blacksmiths are too busy with the tournament right now.”

  “That’s too bad,” Clara said.

  “It stinks,” said Lucas. “But at least I’ll get to watch you.”

  The friends jumped off a boulder and onto the beach. Then they walked along the water’s edge. As they rounded the rocks into Mermaid’s Cove, Clara gasped.

  “Look!” she cried, pointing up ahead.

  Lucas saw a large mound of seashells piled at the shore. They shimmered in the sun.

  Clara and Lucas ran toward the shells.

  “The mermaids left them!” exclaimed Clara. “This must be their gift for the tournament!”