Astro-Knights Island Read Free

“It’s so much harder to cook and clean without Mordred’s inventions to help us. That’s why I have to get up so early.”
    The sound of a trumpet interrupted them, and the crowd grew silent as the King stepped out onto the balcony of the Castle. Like the Queen, the King’s red, fur-trimmed robes were singed and dirty, and Simon thought he could see some new gray hairs growing in his once-brown beard.

    The three knights stepped out onto the balcony and stood respectfully behind the King.
    â€œCitizens of Arturus!” the King began in a booming voice. “Today has been a grievous day. Our kingdom has been attacked by invaders from the sky. And while our knights bravely fended them off, the invaders kidnapped my beloved daughter, Princess Elyana.”
    A gasp went up from the crowd. Most of them had heard the story, but hearing the King say it made it real.
    â€œBut in darkness, there is hope,” the King went on. “These brave knights, Sir Pelleas, Sir Gawain, and Sir Cador, have sworn to bring the Princess back to Arturus. They will travel to the stars in one of the flying crafts they helped bring down during the battle.”
    A cheer went up from the crowd, and Simon and Alice joined in.
    â€œGo, knights! Go, knights! Go, knights!”
    The King motioned for everyone to quiet down.
    â€œOur knights will not go into this dangerous territory unarmed,” he said. “For today, I will bestow on them the Three Mystical Weapons of Arturus!”
    The villagers began to chatter with excitement.
    â€œI’ve heard stories about them, but I didn’t think they were real,” Simon said.
    â€œWell, I guess we’re about to find out,” Alice replied.
    Three Castle servants walked onto the balcony, each one carrying an object on a red silk pillow. The King removed the first object, a golden crystal hanging from a cord. He slipped it over Sir Gawain’s head.
    â€œFor you, Sir Gawain, this Force Shield,” said the King. “It will protect you from harm.”
    Sir Gawain bowed. Then the King took the second item, a blue arrow, and handed it to Sir Pelleas.
    â€œFor you, Sir Pelleas, this Ice Arrow,” the King said. “This weapon will counter fiery attacks.”
    Sir Pelleas bowed, and the King picked up the third object, the largest of the three weapons—a long, green lance with a point at the end.
    â€œSir Cador, the Laser Lance is yours,” the King said, handing it to him. “It is capable of shooting blasts as powerful as those fired by the invaders.”
    Sir Cador bowed and proudly held the lance in the air. He stepped forward.
    â€œFor Arturus!” he cried, and the crowd cheered and clapped.
    â€œThose weapons are amazing,” Alice said. “I would love to try using that lance, wouldn’t you?”
    Simon nodded. “Or that Ice Arrow. I’ve got pretty good aim, you know.”
    The Castle musicians began to play a rousing song, and everyone made their way to the field next to the Castle, where some more servants were polishing one of the crashed flying disks, which rested on a crudely built wooden platform. Soon the knights made their way through the crowd followed by the King and Queen.
    The servants raised the clear dome on top of the craft, and the three knights stepped inside. Before he entered, Sir Pelleas bent down and kissed the Queen’s hand.
    â€œWe will not fail you, my lady,” he promised.
    â€œGodspeed, Pelleas,” she said. “Godspeed to all of you.”
    The dome closed on the knights, and Simon saw Sir Gawain pressing something inside the craft.
    â€œI wonder how they know how it works,” he mused out loud.
    â€œMaybe it comes with instructions,” Alice suggested. “Or maybe they really did capture one of those little green pilots, and
he
told them.”
    Simon shook his head. “I’ll say it again. This is all really weird!”
    Suddenly a