A Tale of Two Castles

“Ah.” He patted the horse’s flank. “The cows in Tair are striped, honey, small for cows, but their milk is sweet as honey. I wish you a safe journey.”


The following day His Lordship left his castle in Sir Misyur’s trustworthy hands and took with him on the cog only enough valuables to half fill the hold. Much of the rest of the hold was stuffed with ITs hoard.

His Lordship, my masteress, and I stood on the deck along with Goodwife Celeste and Goodman Twah, who had delayed their departure to cross with us. I was glad to know the goodwife had peppermint leaves in her purse.

IT said, with satisfaction in ITs voice, “There are those who keep to their lairs and those who travel. We travel.”

The cog master raised the gangplank.

I closed my eyes and imagined the mountains of Lahnt and our valley hidden among them. Home and then away again with my two friends—deducing, inducing, using my common sense, and mansioning.





About the Author

GAIL CARSON LEVINE’S ELLA ENCHANTED won a Newbery Honor. Levine’s other books include EVER and FAIREST, both New York Times bestsellers; DAVE AT NIGHT, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; THE WISH; THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction WRITING MAGIC: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture books BETSY WHO CRIED WOLF and BETSY RED HOODIE. Gail and her husband, David, live in a two-centuries-old farmhouse in New York’s Hudson Valley. You can visit her online at www.gailcarsonlevinebooks.com and at www.gailcarsonlevine.blogspot.com.

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