Free Moonlight on the Magic Flute: A Merlin Mission by Mary Pope Osborne Page B

people,” said Kathleen.
    “Whoa,” said Jack. “That’s a big job.”
    Teddy and Kathleen laughed.
    “How do we do that?” asked Jack.
    “Simple,” said Teddy. “You must seek out a brilliant artist—”
    “Do you mean like a painter?” asked Annie.
    “It could be,” said Teddy. “But it could also be any person who uses passion and imagination to create something beautiful.”
    “Merlin wants you to help put that artist on the right path,” said Teddy, “to share his or her gifts with the world.”
    “Oh, cool!” said Annie. “Where do we start?”
    Kathleen took a creamy white envelope fromher cloak. It was sealed with melted red wax. In fancy writing, it said:
For Jack and Annie of Frog Creek.
“‘Tis a royal invitation,” said Kathleen.
    Jack took the envelope. He carefully broke the seal and pulled out a thick card with gold edges and gold script. He read aloud:

    “A party at a summer palace! In 1762!” said Annie.
    “Yes,” said Teddy. “The palace is in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most splendid palaces in all the world.”
    “That sounds like fun,” said Annie.
    “Indeed, it should be,” said Kathleen. “But you must watch your manners. And beware of unexpected dangers.”
    “What kind of dangers?” asked Jack.
    “I do not know,” said Kathleen. “But Merlin believes you will need magic to keep safe. Did you bring the Wand of Dianthus?”
    “Yes,” said Jack. He reached into his backpack and pulled out the silvery wand. It was shaped like the horn of a unicorn.
    Kathleen took the wand from Jack. She closed her eyes and spun it through the air, as if she were spinning a baton. In a blur of light and movement, the wand changed into a small silver flute.
    “Wow,” said Annie.

    “A flute?” asked Jack.
    “A
magic
flute,” said Teddy. “Playing this flute will deliver you from danger.”
    “But Jack and I don’t know
how
to play the flute,” said Annie.
    “Do not worry,” said Kathleen. “If the time is right, the flute will make its own music.”
    “Just blow over the mouthpiece,” said Teddy. “And while one of you plays, the other must make up a song. Whatever you sing will come true.”
    “Cool!” said Annie.
    “But when your song has ended, the flute’s magic will end, too,” said Kathleen. “You can only use the flute’s magic once, so choose the time wisely.”
    “Okay, got it!” said Annie.
    “Are you ready to go?” asked Kathleen.
    “Uh, wait,” said Jack. “Party invitation … magic flute … Is that all? Don’t you have a research book for us?”
    “On this journey, Merlin wants you to rely only on your wits and your talents,” said Teddy.
    “Oh. Okay,” said Jack, though he wasn’t sure he had many talents.
    “Tell the magic tree house where to go by pointing to the words on the invitation,” said Kathleen.
    Annie pointed to the words
Summer Palace.
But before she made her wish, she looked at Teddyand Kathleen. “I hope we see you again very soon,” she said. “Say hi to Merlin and Morgan when you go back to Camelot.”
    “And Penny, too,” said Jack.
    Kathleen and Teddy both smiled.
    “Yes, we will,” said Teddy.
    Annie took a deep breath. “Okay. I wish we could go
there
!” she said. “To the summer palace!”
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    It spun faster and faster.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

J ack opened his eyes. He looked down at his clothes. He was wearing a blue velvet coat, a long vest, and knee-length pants. His shoes were black with shiny buckles.
    Jack looked up at Annie and burst out laughing. Her pigtails had changed into thick, cigar-shaped curls. She was wearing a pink dress covered with lace and bows. There was a big hoop underneath her skirt to hold it out. The hoop, the skirt, and lots of petticoats were all bunched up around Annie.
    “You look like you’re standing in a basket,” said Jack.
    “
You
look like an old woman,” said Annie. She