The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2) by Heidi Willard Read Free Book Online Page A

Fred wondered.
    "Where would that have been? What place would have granted us such security?" the creature challenged them. "All our enemies believed us dead, and by remaining here we lived as secure as those who are dead."
    "Doesn't sound like much of a life," Fred muttered. Pat shot him a glare and he shrugged. "What? It's true. Living down here sounds pretty bad." He sniffed the air. "Smells pretty bad, too."
    "We've talked enough. You cannot leave here," the creature insisted.
    The pair backed up as he approached. Behind the large one were all the rest. They watched on and blocked any hope for escape. "But people will look for us," Pat countered. "We're very important." Fred grabbed her shoulders, but the damage was done.
    The creature paused and lifted his non-existent eyebrow. "How can two children be important?" His eyes lit up and he leaned in. The hopeful grin on his face made Fred shudder. "Are you royalty?"
    Pat shrugged off Fred's hands and stomped up to the creature. She stuck her face in his. "How dare you treat us like this." She aimed a blow at his face, but he caught her wrist. The girl didn't back down from his glare. "You think we're children, but I am to inherit the guardianship of this city and lead its army. As their leader, they will look for me."
    A rumble ran through the creatures, and Fred rolled his eyes. "Now we're dead," he mumbled.
    The leader straightened and his eyes narrowed. "You are to be captain of the army and protector of the city?" he asked her.
    "Yes," she firmly replied.
    The creature slowly raised his free hand palm-up and long, sharp claws slid out from the fingers. Pat's eyes widened and she pulled back out of his reach. She fell into Fred's quivering arms. The creature stepped forward, and his face twisted in anger. "If what you say is true then we shall have further revenge on the guards of the city for our fallen brethren."
    Fred fumbled for his broken stick at the same moment the creature jumped at them with a great roar. He lifted the weapon, swung it around Pat's face and held it out in front of her. It transformed in a brilliant flash of light that blinded the beasts and sent them scrambling back. The leader dropped short of them and jumped back.
    He held one arm over his eyes and knelt on the ground. "What? You're a castor?" he asked the boy over the terrified cries of his people.
    Fred slammed the end of his staff on the ground and the whole cavern shook with a small earthquake. Sparks also burst from the jewel at the tip and softly landed on the dry cloth that covered the bones. They caught fire, and there was enough clothing left to fill the small tunnel with smoke.
    "Get out!" Pat yelled at everyone. She shoved Fred ahead of her, and when they passed the creature she gave him a push toward the cavern.
    The three stumbled out of the tunnel coughing and wheezing, and glanced over their shoulders. Firelight lit up the walls, but the dampness of the cavern and lack of fuel kept the fire from spreading any further. Pat recovered from the smoke inhalation and stomped up to Fred. "Are you trying to get us all killed!" she shrieked at him.
    He shrank from her furious face. "How was I supposed to know it'd do that?"
    "Because it's your staff!" she yelled back.
    "Papa?" At the small voice they turned to see the young girl creature kneeling beside the leader. "Papa, are you okay?"
    He coughed and nodded, then brushed her aside and glared at the pair. "Why did you do that?" he asked them.
    Pat sighed and pointed at Fred. "Because he doesn't know how to control-"
    "No, that's not what I mean," he interrupted. His eyes were soft, and his face held confusion. "Why did you push me out? You could have left me behind to fend for myself."
    Pat dropped her arms to her side, frowned and shrugged. "Because we don't want to hurt anyone."
    "Then you are very different from the people who inhabit this city, and those who rule it," the creature commented. He groaned and rose to his feet, and the