Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker Read Free Book Online Page B

all about him.” Beldegard sighed when Rose Red gave him a blank look. “Short man, long white beard, leaf footprints, voice like a choked frog…”
    â€œSorry, I’ve never seen anyone like that,” Rose Red said, shaking her head.
    Thunder rumbled in the distance. Annie looked up to see dark clouds scudding overhead. “Your mother said you told her that someone came to the tavern asking about him,” said Annie, turning back to Rose Red.
    â€œOh,
that
dwarf! Just a few days ago an old dwarf came in looking for his brother. He said there was afamily emergency and his brother needed to come home. It had something to do with their grandfather being sick.”
    Annie turned her head when she heard someone whistling. A stable boy strode around the back of the building. He glanced at the group of people, stopping suddenly when he saw the bear. Turning on his heel, the boy ran back around the stable.
    â€œI think I should go now,” said Beldegard. “People around here are more likely to hunt bears than talk to them.”
    â€œDid the old dwarf mention where he came from?” Liam asked Rose Red.
    â€œI’m not sure,” she said, looking thoughtful. “He did say that he had come a long way. Oh, wait! I remember now! He said he was from the Dark Woods. Yes, that was it, I’m sure of it.”
    â€œThere it is!” shouted the stable boy to the group of men following him. “See—it isn’t on a chain. It’s a wild bear, just like I told you!”
    â€œI have to go!” said Beldegard. “We need to cross the river. Take the first ferry across and I’ll meet you on the other side.”
    â€œBut Beldegard!” Gwendolyn cried as the bear prince loped off.
    â€œDon’t forget me, Beldy!” cried Rose Red. “You know I always liked you better than I liked anyone else!”
    â€œOut of the way!” a rough-looking man shouted atAnnie and the others as the mob armed with pitchforks and grappling hooks tore after the bear prince.
    â€œI hope he’ll be all right!” Gwendolyn wailed, wringing her hands.
    â€œHe’ll be fine,” said Annie. “He’s as smart as a human and as strong as a bear. I’m sure he’ll figure something out.”

Chapter 6
    When tears pooled in gwendolyn’s eyes, Annie patted her on her back. After years of being told to keep her distance from her parents and sister, she still wasn’t comfortable touching them. “Don’t worry,” she said. “You’ll see Beldegard again in a little while.”
    â€œNo, she won’t,” said Rose Red, brushing the loose bear fur off her gown. “That was the last ferry for the day. The next one won’t be leaving until morning.”
    â€œIn that case I should look for a place we can spend the night,” said Liam. “Do you know where we can find a room?” he asked Rose Red.
    She nodded and pointed at the tavern. “There are a couple of rooms upstairs, but they go fast. People spend the night so they can board the first ferry in the morning.”
    â€œI’ll see what I can get,” said Liam. “Wait here, ladies. I’ll be right back.”
    As Liam hurried off, Rose Red eyed Gwendolyn. “So, you think you’re in love with the bear?” she asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
    â€œI
am
in love with him. He’s my one true love!”
    â€œYeah, right. And I’m a royal princess.”
    â€œI’ll have you know that I
am
—”
    â€œNot going to wait here any longer,” interrupted Annie. “Come on, Gwennie.”
    â€œSo why are you two wearing boys’ clothes?” Rose Red said as she followed them to the tavern. “It’s pretty obvious that you’re girls—especially you,” she said, looking Gwendolyn up and down.
    â€œWe… fell in the river and our clothes were ruined,” Annie hurried