The Siege Scare (8 page)

While the sabre and the dagger argued over which was better, a tournament or a fair, Tommy's spirits sank lower. She'd never seen a tournament or a fair.

As she sighed for a third time, a slender sword with a slightly curved blade spoke up. ‘It must be hard to be cooped up here in the sword chamber when there's so much excitement going on outside.' Jasper Swann, a squire, had been close to Tommy's own age when he died. Perhaps that was why he often seemed to understand what she was feeling.

Tommy looked at the sword in her hand. ‘I wish I could be out there in the courtyard,' she said. ‘Riding a horse and jousting.' She thrust the sword forward at an imaginary opponent. It was Tommy's dearest wish to one day become a squire. ‘But they'll probably never let a girl ride in a tournament,' she finished gloomily.

‘Don't be downhearted, dearie,' Nursie advised. ‘Your turn will come.'

‘That's right, Sword Girl,' Jasper agreed. ‘After all, whoever thought a kitchen girl would become the castle's Keeper of the Blades? And look how quickly you—'

But before he could finish they heard a cry so loud it made Tommy drop her sword in fright. ‘What was that?' she gasped.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

F
RANCES
W
ATTS
was born in the medieval city of Lausanne, in Switzerland, and moved to Australia when she was three. After studying literature at university she began working as an editor. Her bestselling picture books include Kisses for Daddy and the 2008 Children's Book Council of Australia award-winner, Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books (both illustrated by David Legge). Frances is also the author of a series about two very unlikely superheroes, Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud, and the highly acclaimed children's fantasy/adventure series, the Gerander Trilogy.

Frances lives in Sydney's inner west, and divides her time between writing and editing. Her cat doesn't talk.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

G
REGORY
R
OGERS
has always loved art and drawing so it's no surprise he became an illustrator. He was the first Australian to win the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal. The first of his popular wordless picture book series, The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard, was selected as one of the Ten Best Illustrated Picture Books of 2004 by the New York Times and short-listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award in 2005. The third book, The Hero of Little Street, won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year in 2010. Gregory loves movies and music, and is a collector of books, antiques and anything odd and unusual.

He lives in Brisbane above a bookshop cafe with his cat Sybil.

T
HE
TERRIBLE
TRICKSTER

‘Tricksters are not welcome here.'

A trickster is turning life at Flamant Castle upside down. Someone has put sneezing powder in the knights' soup and itching powder in Sir Walter's sheets and changed the salt for sugar in Mrs Moon's kitchen. At first the tricks seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy – and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?

COMING IN APRIL 2013

Pigeon
PROBLEMS

‘The pigeon is missing!'

It's Lady Beatrix's birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. There will be games and competitions and a big surprise party. Everyone at the castle is excited … except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job – and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter's plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?

COMINGIN APRIL 2013