The Castle in the Attic: Chapters 5–8

Despite all the time and energy it took, William loved gymnastics. It was the only part of his life where having a small, wiry body really paid off.

“Remember, the back handsprings create the momentum and speed that you need for the dive roll. Focus on your shoulders. They will do the job of transferring the energy from your arms to the rest of your body.”

William plodded wearily back to the corner.

But Jason didn’t answer. He had vaulted up the top three steps ahead of William and was already staring at the castle.

“You can come out now,” William called to Sir Simon as he rummaged around in a trunk for a small cardboard box.

She handed him the trowel. “Help yourself. All sorts of things are feeling the spring and stirring around.”

“I do not mean to be critical, my lord, but I do long for a good slice of venison and a tankard of dark ale.”

The little knight produced the token from his pouch and handed it over. Holding the medallion carefully in his palm, William moved close to the light to look at it.

The head of Janus was clearly carved in the metal, and the leer on his face looked evil under the magnifying glass.

William tipped the gray creatures out onto the table. They moved away sluggishly at first, unused to their new freedom.

He wagged his finger at William. “They would never have survived this world at their size anyway. You are too squeamish for your own good, young William. And now, if you will help me clear away the food, I shall return to my training exercises,” the knight announced.

When the lady doth ply her needle
And the lord his sword doth test,
Then the squire shall cross the drawbridge
And the time will be right for a quest.

When the lady doth ply her needle
And the lord his sword doth test,
Then the squire shall cross the drawbridge
And the time will be right for a quest.

With a roar, he made a thrust, first to the left and then to the right, ducking and weaving all the time to avoid the blows of his adversary.

He could see that the knight was quite agile and a powerful swordsman.

“The moat. It needs a moat. I’ll make one out of wood in the workshop. I’ll come up next week and measure for it.”

“I think he smelled the food in the kitchen. I must say it does look like the kind of thing a mouse would eat,” Sir Simon said scornfully.

“Anyway, I cornered him in the great hall and pointed the token at him from a safe position behind the door of the chapel. Could you bring me a fire stick from your hearth when you next come?”

When they arrived at the gym, Robert directed Mrs. Phillips to a chair where she had an unobstructed view.

“As Alastor once told me, there is a price to be paid when you meddle with a person’s allotted time,” the knight said.

“As Alastor once told me, there is a price to be paid when you meddle with a person’s allotted time,” the knight said.

The grownups were all trying hard not to cry, and it made their voices deep and brusque.

It didn’t take him long to find her, marching stalwartly forward across what was now the great gray expanse of one flagstone, suitcase in hand.

It didn’t take him long to find her, marching stalwartly forward across what was now the great gray expanse of one flagstone, suitcase in hand.

Looking down, William saw her emerge slowly, first the top of her head, the straight white hair rumpled from the trip, then her small arms, still holding her blue raincoat, and finally her small feet in their practical brown walking shoes.

Mrs. Phillips leaned her head close to the knight’s, listening intently to all he had to say.

“She thinks this is just temporary and seems resigned to the situation for the moment. Any further revelations would be most unwise right now. I shall make her some dinner and see that she is settled comfortably.” He started to move away.

“She thinks this is just temporary and seems resigned to the situation for the moment. Any further revelations would be most unwise right now. I shall make her some dinner and see that she is settled comfortably.” He started to move away.

“I’m going to try and get home earlier on the nights your mother has evening hours so we can eat dinner together. We’ll have to expand our repertoire, though,” he said with a smile.

William spread his homework out on the big table in the living room and worked to the blare of Vivaldi’s trumpets.