The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Commission by his son, King Stephen George Frederick Carrot Albert Galaron the Fifth." Ned wrinkled his brow. "Built nearly fifteen years ago..." he muttered.
    Fred furrowed his brow. "Inward and outward? What's that mean?"
    Ned pulled at his beard and solemnly looked over the words. "Spies perhaps, or others who caught his suspicion. The Galaron family is very careful to keep their enemies at a great distance, if they recognize them."
    Fred guessed Ned meant the strange woman. "Do you think that lady's an enemy?" he asked Ned.
    The old man frowned and shook his head. "I can't be sure without more careful study, which alas means we must return to the castle. There is also the unanswered question of our protecting Pat."

CHAPTER 4
     
    The pair made their way back to the castle and were in time to meet Martley and Pat at the bottom of the stairs. Fred looked the girl over, and both admired and detested the changes. Her hair was well-combed, and her hands and face scrubbed raw. She had on an ornate dress with a high collar that she constantly pulled at, and she tripped every few feet in a pair of heels. She was prettier, but he liked it better when she was herself and not this doll.
    Ned smiled at Pat. "Very pretty," he warmly complimented, though Fred detected a hint of regret. Ned, too, liked her the old way.
    Pat blushed and lowered her head from both shame and embarrassment. "Thank you," she mumbled.
    Martley wrapped a gentle arm around the girl and smiled at the group. "She's a very well-behaved young lady, and all the dresses looked splendid on her." Pat shot her a glare that she fortunately didn't take as an insult. "But now that such fun is done, and you two have returned, I'm to inform you that the king wishes to see you."
    "That's very good timing, as I wish to see him," Ned replied.
    Martley smiled and gestured to the doors behind the girls. "Then if you're at leisure, the king is ready."
    The group made their way to the doors, but Martley put a gentle hand on Fred's shoulder. "I'm afraid the king requested only your friends. You must stay out here."
    Fred looked pleadingly at his friends, but Ned pursed his lips together and shook his head. "Best stay here, my boy. This will only bore you." Pat looked enviously at him as the doors opened at their knocking. Ned noticed Martley stayed with Fred. "Will you not be present, my lady?"
    Martley shook her head. "If you will excuse me, I have one or two chores to attend to." She smiled and nodded at them, and went upstairs.
    Fred stood forlornly near the doors as they closed on him, separating him from his friends. Pat managed a smile and a weak wave before the doors shut behind her. He kicked at the ground and glared at the entrance, but there was nothing he could do but wait for them to come back out. Fred didn't feel like waiting in the entrance hall, so he went upstairs to his shared room.
    Fred had the door closed before he noticed he wasn't alone. His hand flew to the broken stick ever at his waist before he realized it was just an old woman in a far corner. Her broad, hunched back was turned toward him and she muttered to herself. The boy feared she was senile, so he stepped cautiously over to her. "Um, excuse me?"
    The old woman turned to him and Fred could see her face was a mask of wrinkles. "Good day to you, my child," the woman replied in a scratchy, hoarse voice. Each word sounded like a cackle. "I'm just finishing up here, my child, and then it'll be ready."
    He glanced around her and saw a bundle of blankets on the ground. "What'll be ready?"
    The old woman twittered. "Why, your bed, my child. I was told to make one up for ye, and here I am doing it."
    "Oh, right." Fred had forgotten about that problem. He wandered over to Ned's bed and sat himself down. He still had the other problem of getting Pat out of the castle to see the sights and the fireworks. Fred hoped that perhaps Ned would bring it up to the king and receive his permission to view them, but he