The King's Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) by Cheryl Carpinello

Author:Cheryl Carpinello [Carpinello, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Middle Grade Adventure
Publisher: Silver Quill Publishing
Published: 2012-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Ghost of Manorbier Castle

Gavin didn’t wait to see or hear any more. He left the side of the keep and ran across the courtyard. Angry shouts followed him. He dived around the corner of the stable, scrambling to get away without being seen. As he ran, a hand shot out of a side window and grabbed him by the collar. Gavin nearly fell from the sudden stop.

“Now, where do you think you’re agoin’?” the stableman asked.

Gavin twisted, trying to break the older man’s grip.

“Let me go. I’m not hurtin’ no one.”

“Let you go, huh? Not until King Edward has a chat with you.” The man pulled him up and back to the edge of the window. He heard the old man curse, and the pressure on his neck lessened.

Gavin pushed off the wall with his hand. The old man lost his grip. Gavin landed face first in the dirt.

“Help! The boy’s over here!”

Gavin jumped to his feet and took off running, rounding the corner of the stable. Ahead was another, smaller building, an open door right in front. Not knowing where else to go, he dashed through the opening and into the dark. The foul smell almost did him in. Gagging, trying to hold his breath, his gaze swept the darkness.

“My swords! What could stink so bad?”

Seeing the stench’s source, he clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from throwing up. On the other side, lit only by a slit in the roof, lay the decaying body of a man. Unable to hold back any longer, he threw up. Still spitting and gagging, he looked again through watering eyes at the man. Wisps of white hair stuck out of the skull. It was impossible to tell who he had been. Some flesh remained, but only enough to discern that the figure was indeed a man.

Shouts outside brought him out of his stupor. He looked around, but saw no way out other than the door he’d come through.

“What I wouldn’t give to be back home,” he said. “I could die here. No one will believe the thief is a prince of Pembroke!” His stomach still queasy, Gavin searched the darkness for a hiding place. He moved further toward the back of the room and then froze; his heart skipped several beats.

Two lights shone in a dark corner. A quiet voice spoke to him. “Here! Come here! I’ll halp you.”

A small figure stepped out of the darkened corner, his frail hand extended. Ragged white hair like that clinging to the corpse sat atop the apparition’s head. Gavin backed away, but the ghost followed. “Who...what...who are you?” he croaked.

“Don’t be ’fraid,” the apparition said. The outstretched hand still reached out. “You must come quick. The smell will keep ’em at bay for a while, but soon enough they’ll search in here for you.” The ghost turned and beckoned him to follow.

Having no other choice, Gavin did as he was told, even though the way took him closer to the rotting corpse.

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