Free Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker Page A

Hood’s.
    With a strangled sob, Little Red Riding Hood flew into his arms and buried her face in his tunic. “Oh, Uncle Olaf, the wolf that pestered me yesterday washere, and I thought it was Granny, and Granny’s gone and I think the wolf ate her.”
    â€œThat wolf didn’t eat your granny!” said the man. “It chased her out of her house yesterday and she came to mine. I was hunting and didn’t get to talk to her until this morning, but then I came right over to see what was going on. The wolf didn’t hurt you, did it?”
    Little Red Riding Hood shook her head. “But it stole Mama’s basket.”
    The big man laughed. “If that’s all we have to worry about, we’re fine. And who are these people, if I may ask?”
    â€œJust travelers on our way, now that we know the little girl is all right,” said Liam.
    â€œMore travelers!” said the huntsman. “I’ve never seen so many strangers passing through this part of the forest before. First I saw those two dwarves, and now you.”
    â€œDid you see them recently?” Liam asked, pausing at the threshold. “Was one older than the other?”
    â€œDid you talk to them?” asked Annie. “What direction were they going?”
    â€œIt was one day last week,” the huntsman replied. “I was checking my snares up by the ridge when I saw them from a distance. They seemed to be arguing, so I left them alone. They were headed north. And yes,” he said, glancing at Liam. “They both had white hair, but one was stooped, so I assume he was older.”
    â€œAt least we know they came this way,” Liam told Annie as they stepped outside.
    â€œFinally!” Gwennie declared. She was standing at the edge of the forest with her arms crossed, tapping her foot. “You were in there so long! I found Beldegard. He’s waiting for us just up the trail. Did you remember to ask about the hood?”
    â€œWhat hood?” asked Liam.
    The door to the cottage opened and Little Red Riding Hood came running out. “Good,” she cried when she saw them. “You haven’t gone yet. I told Uncle Olaf that you were the ones who showed me that it was a wolf and not my grandmother in Granny’s clothes. He said I should say thank you.”
    Annie gave her a warm smile. “You’re very welcome.”
    â€œGo ahead, ask her,” Gwendolyn urged her sister.
    â€œAsk me what?” said Little Red Riding Hood.
    Annie sighed. “My sister wants a hood like yours. We’d be willing to pay for it.”
    The girl’s eyes lit up. “Granny could use the money. I’m sure she has a spare hood somewhere. Wait here and I’ll go look.”
    â€œI don’t know if I want someone’s used hood,” said Gwendolyn as they watched Little Red Riding Hood run back into the cottage. “I thought we were going to ask the girl’s grandmother to make me one.”
    â€œWe would have if she’d been here and able to whipone up, but we’re not waiting around for her to come back,” Annie replied.
    â€œI’m going to go talk to Beldegard,” said Liam. “Don’t take too long. I think I heard thunder in the distance.”
    Little Red Riding Hood came tearing out of the cottage, waving a dark green cape. “I found it!” she called and handed the cape to Gwendolyn.
    The princess gave her a weak smile, then glanced at her sister. Annie dug a coin out of her knapsack and handed it to Little Red Riding Hood, who clutched it in her fist as if it were the most precious thing she’d ever seen. “Thanks!” she cried, and skipped back to the cottage.
    Annie took the cape from Gwendolyn’s hands and shook it loose of its folds. It was a well-worn garment with a few threadbare spots, but still, it was well-made and clean.
    Gwendolyn rubbed the corner of the cape with her fingers and began to pout.