Free Zepha the Monster Squid by Adam Blade Page B

deal.”
    Tom and Elenna followed him to a small door at the far end of the hall and down a long flight of stairs. Elenna was bouncing with excitement.
    At the foot of the steps was a narrow passage. Aduro led them on, then stopped outside a padded door. A single shaft of light shone down from a high air vent and gleamed on the door’s brass nails and lock.
    “This is strange,” the wizard said. “I was expecting to meet the king’s master of arms here. He’s notthe sort of man to be late. I wonder what has happened to him?”
    “Maybe he’s inside,” Elenna suggested.
    Aduro turned the door handle, but the door remained shut. “Locked,” he muttered. “Maybe —”
    He broke off at the sound of a loud groan coming from inside the room. Tom and Elenna exchanged a glance.
    “It sounds as if someone’s hurt,” said Tom.
    Wizard Aduro laid the end of his staff against the lock and commanded, “Open!”
    The lock clicked and the door swung open. Inside the room, an elderly man lay sprawled on the floor. A ferret was nosing at him anxiously. The old man tried to get up, but his strength gave way and he slumped down again.
    Tom and Elenna ran to his side. He was barely conscious. His face was pale, his black tunic wastorn, and his face and hands were covered with tiny bites and scratches.

    Tom helped the old man to sit up.
    “Aduro, can you magic a jug of water for him?” Elenna asked. “Quickly!”
    But the wizard simply stared at the space in the middle of the room, empty except for a wooden armor stand. He didn’t seem to have heard Elenna’s anxious plea. He looked stunned.
    Tom jumped to his feet. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
    Aduro turned to him, blinking as if he were just waking up. “Something terrible has happened.” His voice was hoarse. “The golden armor. It’s gone!”

C HAPTER T WO

A N EW Q UEST
    “C AN YOU TELL US WHAT HAPPENED?” A DURO asked, kneeling beside the injured man.
    The master of arms drew in a shaky breath. “Bats!” he whispered. “The whole room was full of bats. They took the armor.” He covered his face with his hands. “I have failed the king.”
    Aduro touched the old man’s shoulder. “No, my friend. Evil has been at work here.” Standing up again, he thumped on the floor three times with his staff.
    A moment later, Tom heard running footsteps in the passage, and two servants appeared in thedoorway. Their eyes grew wide with shock as they looked inside.
    “Carry the master to his room,” Wizard Aduro ordered. “Send for King Hugo’s healer. And say nothing of what you’ve seen to anyone.”
    The two servants lifted the elderly man carefully. Elenna scooped up the ferret and gave it to him as he was carried out into the passage.
    As soon as the master of arms and the servants were gone, Tom turned to the wizard. “This was Malvel’s work! It must have been. He is still alive after all.”
    Aduro nodded gravely. “I fear that you are right.”
    “What armor was he talking about?” Elenna asked. “Why is it so important?”
    “Tom, the armor was to have been your reward for completing the Quest,” Aduro explained. “Once it belonged to the Master of the Beasts. It brings magical strengths to its rightful owner.”
    “But …” Tom was puzzled. “You couldn’t give me the armor if it belongs to the Master of the Beasts. I remember you told me that Malvel had imprisoned him long before my Quest began, but why isn’t he still wearing it?”
    Aduro let out a long sigh. “Many years ago, the Master of the Beasts should have returned to the palace for the New Year feast. Instead, the empty suit of armor appeared in the Great Hall as the nobles were taking their places.” The wizard paused, then went on. “Malvel had captured him, then sent the armor to mock King Hugo — and me.”
    Tom felt as if an icy hand had clutched his heart. He hoped the Master of the Beasts had not suffered too greatly in the hands of the Dark Wizard.
    “However,