Free The Wand & the Sea by Claire M. Caterer Page B

collected itself and flew out of the water. “Wow!” said both of the boys together. Even the Dvergar’s faces shone as the moonlight struck the wave’s tip.
    â€œHalt!” cried one of guards on the far side of the moat. He was hidden in the shadow of the gatehouse, but Holly saw the shape of the crossbow he raised. “Who comes, in the name of the king?”
    â€œThat’s Pagett,” Everett whispered.
    Just as he spoke, the snakelike tube of water paused over Pagett’s head. Then in a rush, it descended. They could just make out the moon’s reflection. The knight spoke no more.
    â€œHalt, I say!” came another voice, but a second wave poured over the top of the first.
    â€œThat one’s Gervase,” Ben said. Now all they could hear was the constant rush of the waterfalls over the knights’ heads.
    Holly hoped Nerys was right, that they were only enchanted and not drowned.
    She nodded to the centaurs. The Mounted slipped silently into the moat, their heads just above the water.
    Holly almost cried out at the shock. Though not deep, the water was icy. Jade winced and shook his fur. Ben’s teeth chattered as he clung to Wiggers on Brune’s back. Silently, they forded the moat. As they drew up to the lip of the gatehouse, Holly saw the two knights behind a giant cascade of water. It tumbled over them back to the moat and over the top again like a perpetual fountain. Behind the glassy water, the knights’ eyes were closed, but they seemed to be alive.
    Holly knew the spell wouldn’t hold for long. She pulled herself up into the gatehouse, then helped Ben and Everett as the Dvergar dismounted. The centaurs nodded to Holly and crossed back to the other side of the moat. They were far too big a group, Holly thought; it was only a matter of time before someone coughed or Ben sneezed, and every guard came running.
    Past the gatehouse they walked under a portcullis into a narrow passageway. It was open above to a kind of catwalk. Another portcullis loomed over the far end of the passage. Holly knew the iron gates could be lowered with a single blow to the winch chain, trapping all of them in the castle. She was sure she heard footfalls above on the catwalk, but when she peered into the gloom, she saw no one.
    They walked more or less single file, with Everett in front. He knew the castle layout better than anyone, because King Reynard’s castle was a mirror image of Darton Castle in Hawkesbury back in England. Holly followed behind him. She wanted to keep her wand extended, but Bittenbender hissed, “D’ye want to tell the whole castle we’ve got an Adept with us? It’s weapons ye’ll be needing, lass.” Holly stowed the wand and pulled out a small dagger instead. They glided silently as a group beneath the second portcullis and into the castle proper.
    Now, Holly thought, we’re in real danger.

Chapter 16
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To the Dungeon
    The whole plan seemed foolhardy now. If they had split up, they might not be noticed—kids walking around the castle would be mistaken for pages, and the Dvergar were short enough that they might be too. But with all of them together . . . and yet, how else could they proceed? Swikehard and Wiggers brought up the rear, their swords drawn, and Ben stuck so close to Holly that the point of his sword kept poking her shoulder blade. Everett led them through several passages until they stepped into the arched walkway surrounding two sides of a silent, moonlit courtyard.
    They halted at a sound from the arcade just opposite them.
    â€œD’ye call this food for a prisoner?” It was a gravelly voice belonging to someone used to shouting a lot.
    Everett turned back to Holly, his green eyes so round, they took up most of his face. Grandor, he mouthed.
    Holly recognized him: the knight who had tried to kill them—more than once. The little group shrank into the shadows of the