The Thirteenth Knight Read online

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1: The Horn of the Spires

  Chapter 2: En Garde!

  Chapter 3: The Prophecy

  Chapter 4: A Case of the Jitters

  Chapter 5: Shush!

  Chapter 6: A Pregame Show

  Chapter 7: Three Semifinalists

  Chapter 8: The Steam Caverns

  Chapter 9: The Finalists

  Chapter 10: The Thirteenth Knight

  About the Author and Illustrator

  The Horn of the Spires

  * * *

  The snow-frosted peaks of Flatfrost sparkled in the midmorning sun. Prince Lucas watched his best friend, Clara, try to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

  “You look ridiculous!” Lucas said, laughing.

  Clara stuck her tongue out at the prince. “Who cares! I’m just glad it’s cold outside!”

  Back home, the palace had been suffering from a terrible heat wave. Lucas and Clara were happy to have escaped. Prince Lucas’s pet dragon, on the other hand, was not. Ruskin was a red dragon and red dragons loved hot weather—the hotter the better.

  In spite of hating the cold, Ruskin made the best sled chute ever with his fiery breath. The melted snow had frozen into a smooth, slippery half-pipe.

  Lucas, Clara, and their giant friends Tublock, Thea, and Farfalee took turns slip-sliding down the chute. As they dragged their sleds back up the mountain for another run, a horn sounded.

  BALOOOOO! The eerie sound wailed through the mountains and shook snow from the treetops. Deer galloped to safety. Snow bunnies and foxes leaped into their burrows and dens.

  BALOOOOO! The horn moaned again.

  “What was that?” cried Tublock, looking this way and that. The horn sounded like the wail of an unhappy giant. Farfalee and Thea huddled together, their eyes wide as saucers.

  Clara’s eyes had also grown wide, but for a very different reason. She knew what the sound of the horn meant. She grinned at Lucas and Tublock.

  “It’s the Horn of the Knight Spires!” Clara said excitedly.

  Farfalee covered his ears as the moan echoed again.

  “What’s the Horn of the Knight Spires?” Thea asked.

  Clara plunked her sled into the snow to make a bench.

  “Sit down,” she said, “and we’ll tell you the story!”

  En Garde!

  * * *

  “Long ago, there was little peace in the kingdom of Wrenly,” Clara began. “The king, together with the Great Dragon of Crestwood, formed a sacred band of knights called the Knight Spires of Wrenly.”

  Lucas made a fist. “They are the greatest knights of all time! Instead of riding horses, they ride powerful creatures, like bears and tigers!”

  Clara nodded. “That’s right! And the Great Dragon of Crestwood chose only the best knights from across the land to be a part of the Knight Spires. Their job was to be the ultimate defenders of the kingdom.”

  Tublock sat down with a whump.

  Clara continued, “This year the Knight Spires will choose a thirteenth member to add to the squadron.”

  Lucas leaped to his feet as if he were the Thirteenth Knight. He pulled a pretend sword from his hip.

  “En garde!” he cried, waving his pretend sword at Clara.

  Clara drew her own pretend sword and pointed it toward the prince. She loved to play-fight with Lucas because she almost always won.

  Then the play-fighting began. They lunged, tumbled, rolled over in the snow, and got back on their feet. The giant children cheered wildly.

  Then Lucas fell into a snowbank. Clara pointed her pretend sword at him.

  “Okay, okay, I surrender!” Lucas cried.

  The giants clapped for Clara.

  “So, can anyone become a Knight Spire?” Thea asked.

  Clara brushed the snow from her coat. “No, not just anyone,” she answered. “You have to win a game in order to be chosen.”

  Farfalee punched the air with his fists. “What’s so hard about that?” he said. “Games are fun.”

  Lucas laughed knowingly. “But this game is very different,” he said. “The contestants are usually the bravest knights in the land. They have to perform three very dangerous tasks. In fact, most players never make it past the first round!”

  Farfalee stopped boxing the air. “That does sound hard,” he agreed.

  Then Lucas hopped to his feet. “And that’s why becoming a Knight Spire of Wrenly is such an honor! There are only twelve on their team.”

  As the horn sounded again, Lucas waved to Ruskin and whistled for their horses. “And because this is such an important event, we must take our leave now.”

  Clara nodded as Ruskin flapped his wings excitedly.

  The giants waved good-bye as Lucas and Clara hopped onto their saddles and slapped their reins.

  “Hurry!” Clara cried. “We don’t want to miss the dubbing of the Thirteenth Knight!”

  The Prophecy

  * * *

  Lucas and Clara galloped toward the palace gates. Colorful banners flew from the top of every wall and turret. Each one showed the family crest of someone who had come to enter the Knight Spires competition.

  The children led their horses to the stables. Then they raced to the great hall, where all the competitors and their families had gathered.

  Queen Tasha greeted them as they entered. All the excitement made Lucas wish he could compete.

  “I would love to become a Knight Spire,” he said. “Then I would be the noblest prince ever!”

  Queen Tasha rested her hand on her son’s shoulder. “You already are the noblest prince ever,” she said.

  Lucas rolled his eyes. “You have to say that,” he said, “because you’re my mom.”

  Clara laughed, then she quickly covered her mouth before the queen heard her.

  Queen Tasha smiled. “But it’s also true!” she said. “You’re already a great swordsman, and each day you learn how to care for the people of Wrenly—just like your father.”

  Clara nodded. “That’s right. Plus, one day you’ll oversee the kingdom, including the Knight Spires.”

  Lucas blushed. The truth was that he already had perhaps one of the most important roles in the kingdom.

  Queen Tasha turned her attention to Clara. “And what about you, dear Clara?” she asked. “Have you any thoughts of competing?”

  Clara breathed deeply. It sounded like such an astounding idea. “Of course I’d love to,” she said, “but I’m still too young.”

  The queen smiled. There was a twinkle in her eye. “Perhaps not,” she said. “There has been a prophecy announced while you two were in Flatfrost.”

  Lucas and Clara both raised an eyebrow.

  “What kind of prophecy?” Lucas asked.

  The queen stepped back from the crowded reception, and the children followed her.

  “Well,” the queen answered, “the dragons of Crestwood have foretold that this year’s search for a Knight Spire would require a broader range of contestants.”

  “Really?” Lucas questioned.

  “What does it mean when they say a broader range?” Clara asked.

  The queen held up her hands so she could explain. “The Knight Spires have lowered the age limit for this year’s competition,” she said. “This will allow more contestants to enter, just as the prophecy foretold.”

  Lucas grabbed Clara’s shoulders. “Clara, you have to try out!”

  A smile swept across Clara’s face. “Well then, far be it from me to reject a prophecy and a prince’s request!”

  A Case of the Jitters

  * * *

  The line of contestants wrapped all the way around the palace grounds—twice! Clara stood behind her not-so-favorite squire, Gilbert. Sh
e wanted nothing more than to ignore him, but she decided to give him a chance. Who knows, she thought. Maybe he’s gotten nicer.

  “Hey, Gilbert,” she said casually.

  “Oh, h-h-hi, Clara!” he stammered.

  Gilbert sounded nervous, so Clara smiled warmly. “Don’t worry,” she said reassuringly. “I’m a little nervous too, but I’m also excited!”

  Gilbert acted as if being nervous was the farthest thing from his mind.

  “I’m not nervous,” he said. “A real Knight Spire never gets nervous.”

  But Clara noticed that Gilbert now had beads of sweat on his upper lip, too, and his neck had grown red and splotchy. He was hiding his fear.

  “Being nervous is a good thing,” Clara told him. “You can’t be brave without being afraid first, because then you would have nothing to be brave about.”

  Gilbert’s jaw dropped at Clara’s clever answer. At the same time, a shadow swept over both of them. Gilbert jumped at the sudden darkness. When Clara turned around, she had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter. It was Tublock. The giant cast a large shadow over them as he blocked out the sun.

  “Hey, Tublock!” Clara said. “Are you here to compete?”

  Tublock nodded happily. “Well, at first I came to watch,” he said. “But when I heard about the prophecy, I had to sign up.”

  Clara bumped fists with Tublock and introduced the giant to Gilbert. Gilbert shook Tublock’s hand uncertainly. Then the three contestants moved through the line until they got to the check-in desk. King Caleb and Prince Lucas greeted them.

  “Hello, friends!” Lucas said, showing them where to sign in.

  Clara and Gilbert bowed before the king and the prince, and then they signed the ledger. Tublock signed in too. No giant had ever entered the competition before. The king complimented him on being the first.

  As the threesome approached the arena, the Horn of the Knight Spires sounded nearby. This signaled for everyone to be seated. The competition would soon begin.

  A rumble came from outside the stadium. The sound grew closer and closer. Soon three knights galloped into the arena, each riding a different beast—one on a lion, another on a tiger, and the third on a bear. The one on the lion sounded the horn again.

  BALOOOOO!

  The Knight Spires of Wrenly had arrived.

  Shush!

  * * *

  A hush fell over the contestants. The knights’ armor gleamed in the sun-light as they lined up before the king and bowed. Tublock leaned over and gently tapped Clara on the shoulder.

  “Where are the rest of them?” Tublock whispered. Unfortunately, his whisper was louder than most people’s regular voices, and everyone heard him.

  “Shhh!” Clara shushed, elbowing him. But it was too late. The Spire on the lion had heard and now looked their way. Tublock’s cheeks turned red. The Spire trotted over to where Clara and Tublock were sitting and stopped in front of them.

  “Your friend asked a question,” said the Spire, addressing Clara. “Are you able to answer it?”

  Clara didn’t know if she wanted to kick Tublock or simply disappear. Then she noticed Lucas in the stands, waving his arms wildly and pointing in different directions. Clara didn’t know what he was trying to tell her.

  Finally she looked at the Spire and shook her head. “No, brave sir, I cannot.”

  Then Gilbert cleared his throat loud enough for the Spire to hear.

  “Perhaps you can answer the Head Spire’s question,” the Spire on the bear said.

  The crowd gasped and Clara shrank down, having embarrassed herself in front of the Head Spire.

  Gilbert, on the other hand, stood tall so everyone could see him.

  “The Spires are never allowed to be all in one place at the same time,” he said. “They have to be spread out across the kingdom to protect all of Wrenly.”

  The Head Spire nodded. “That is the correct answer,” he said, then strode on his lion toward the king.

  Gilbert leaned forward so Clara could see him.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, even though Clara had not thanked him. Then he added, “But don’t expect any help during the competition.”

  Clara clenched her fists. Sometimes Gilbert could make her so mad. She had to control the urge to talk back, but fortunately, she forgot her struggle when the king stood to make an announcement.

  “Welcome, each and every one of you, to the Knight Spires of Wrenly Competition!” he said. “The Knight Spires are on a quest to find their true thirteenth member. Each search leads contenders to different realms of Wrenly to prove their worth. Now the time has come to reveal where you will compete.”

  The horn sounded, and the Head Spire stood in his stirrups.

  “Brave contestants!” he called out. “Get ready, because tomorrow we sail for the island of Crestwood.”

  A Pregame Show

  * * *

  The king’s family, the three Knight Spires, and the royal court boarded a ship bound for Crestwood. The competitors sailed on a separate ship. Friends, family, and fans had to find their own way there.

  When the two ships arrived, the royal family went to the grandstand that faced Crestwood’s largest volcano, Mount Fireburst.

  The prince could hardly sit still. He longed to talk with Clara. He hadn’t seen his best friend since the day before.

  “I want to wish Clara good luck!” Lucas told his parents, searching the arena for signs of his friend.

  Queen Tasha plumped the pillow on her seat. “Clara knows you’re rooting for her,” she reassured her son. “And we are in the front row. Surely she’ll be able to see you cheering.”

  Lucas knew his mother was right, but he still felt antsy not being able to talk to his best friend.

  The prince wasn’t the only one who was restless. Ruskin couldn’t sit still either. That’s because Crestwood was Ruskin’s birthplace. Being back on the island made him want to do dragon things. He couldn’t take sitting any longer, and WHOOSH. He leaped from his seat and took flight.

  “Hey, come back!” Lucas commanded as he watched his dragon fly straight to the top of the volcano. But Ruskin paid no attention.

  “Don’t worry,” the king said. “He’ll return.”

  The crowd watched Ruskin soar. He flew to around the rim of the volcano. Round and round he went. Then the young dragon plunged into the opening. That’s when Lucas grabbed his father’s leg.

  “What’s he doing?” he cried.

  The king stroked his beard. “I’d say he’s showing off,” he said.

  “And I’d say he’s having fun,” the queen chimed in.

  Ruskin shot out of the volcano, dripping with lava. His scales glowed like hot coals. Then the volcano rumbled, and a fountain of lava rose into the air and splashed back into the opening. Ruskin did a loop the loop in the fiery spray. The crowd roared with delight.

  “Wow,” the king remarked. “The volcano seems more active than usual.”

  Queen Tasha waved a fan in front of her face. “That volcano must be the cause of the heat wave we’re having,” she said. “What is making it so active?”

  Another spout of thick molten lava burst into the air.

  “Maybe the volcano is excited for the contest!” Lucas suggested.

  The king frowned. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t get too excited,” he said, though he wasn’t terribly concerned. He knew the wizards kept a watchful eye on the volcano, and most likely they had activated it for the challenge.

  Ruskin returned to his seat and squawked happily.

  “Crazy dragon,” the prince said, shaking his head.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, on the edge of the arena, Clara, Gilbert, and Tublock waited for the first challenge to begin. Tublock brushed the moisture from his brow.

  “It’s so hot,” he complained.

  Clara’s clothes felt damp and uncomfortable. She loosened her tunic to let some air flow through. “You’re not kidding!” she agreed.

  Gi
lbert harrumphed at both of them. “How we handle the heat is most likely part of the test,” he said as if he knew everything.

  Clara frowned. “And how are you handling the heat so far?” she asked, knowing full well Gilbert was as uncomfortable as she was.

  Gilbert wiped his brow. “Well, you don’t see me complaining, do you?”

  Clara rolled her eyes, but she didn’t dwell on Gilbert’s silly behavior for long, because the mournful Horn of the Knight Spires had begun to blow again.

  BALOOOOO!

  The competition was about to begin.

  Three Semifinalists

  * * *

  “Welcome, honored contestants!” the Head Spire called out. “The time has come for the first challenge—a test of bravery and strength.” He held his hand toward the volcano. A glowing yellow dragon scale was wedged at the base of Mount Fireburst. “Whoever pulls the dragon scale out from the volcano will move on to the next round.”

  Clara studied the volcano and quickly spied the brilliant golden dragon scale. It sizzled and smoked with heat.

  “Contestants, BEGIN!” the Head Spire called out.

  A strong and giant knight in heat-protective armor and gloves marched up to the scale.

  “Psshaww,” he scoffed. “This will be no problem for me!” He grabbed hold of the scale, and it hissed in his hands.