Magic Tree House #49: Stallion by Starlight (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

yet.”
    “Yes, we have,” said Jack. “The truth is: he’s not that great.”
    Annie held up her finger to show Jack the ring. “I don’t think that’s it. The Ring of Truth isn’t glowing.”
    “I don’t care,” Jack said slowly. “I never want to see him again. I don’t trust him. I don’t like him. And I certainly don’t need to learn anything from him.”

A nnie sighed. “I agree with you. But what are we going to do?”
    “I don’t know.” Jack dropped his head into his hands. His skull was pounding. He felt like he might throw up.
    “Do you want to leave Macedonia?” asked Annie.
    “No,” said Jack, shaking his head.
    “You want to stay?” Annie said.
    “No,” said Jack.
    “Jack! Annie!” someone shouted.
    Jack lifted his head. Aristotle was striding toward them. When he reached them, he looked at Jack and said, “You need water. Come with me.”
    Annie helped Jack to his feet. Jack still felt wobbly as they followed Aristotle to a well near the Royal House. He and Annie splashed water from a bucket onto their faces and drank from their cupped hands. The cool, clear water made Jack feel better. “Thank you,” he said.
    “Did the prince make a proper fool of you?” Aristotle asked Jack.
    “More or less,” said Jack.
    “Ah, you are not the only one,” Aristotle said. “It’s because he so greatly fears looking like a fool himself. He is desperate to equal his father’s power and strength.”
    “Well, someone needs to remind him he’s only twelve,” said Annie.
    Aristotle smiled. “I agree. Where is he now?”
    “He ran to see the horses,” said Annie.
    “Ah, yes,” said Aristotle, peering down the hill. “The King’s Companions are all eager to see thewarhorses a seller has brought from Thessaly. Would you like to see them, too?”
    “I love horses,” said Annie. “But …” She looked at Jack.
    “You guys go. I’ll wait here,” he said. He didn’t want to be anywhere near Prince Alexander.
    “I don’t want to leave you,” said Annie. “Please come with us. Please.”
    Jack stared at her and then sighed. “Okay,” he said.
    As Aristotle, Jack, and Annie started down the hill, the sun was low in the sky. Jack was silent as Annie chatted with Aristotle. “So do warhorses go to war?” she asked.
    Aristotle nodded. “They carry soldiers to war in lands near and far,” he said. “Their speed and strength can help save a man’s life or win a battle.”
    “What a hard job,” said Annie.
    “Yes, but they are the most honored horses in the kingdom,” said Aristotle.
    When Jack, Annie, and Aristotle reached the riding ring, the horses were all standing in a rowwith grooms attending them. As the King’s Companions watched from outside the fence, King Philip and the small, wiry horse seller walked together down the line, discussing each animal. Alexander walked behind them, looking in the horses’ mouths and feeling their legs.
    “The prince loves horses, too,” Aristotle said.
    Too
bad
for
the
horses,
Jack thought.
    “What are they looking for?” Annie asked.
    “Thick bones, strong teeth, and a good bend in the knees,” said Aristotle, “a broad chest and high-set neck, bony head, large nostrils, a thick mane, small ears.”
    “That’s a lot,” Annie said.
    The king came to the end of the line and began to haggle with the horse seller. Alexander tried to be part of the conversation, but his father silenced him. Jack almost felt sorry for the prince. King Philip pointed to a couple of horses. The horse seller nodded, and then the grooms led all the horses from the riding ring back into the barn.
    The setting sun flashed over the hillside. “Thehorse trading is over for today,” said Aristotle. “It will resume at daylight tomorrow.”
    Suddenly a black stallion bolted from the barn. Several grooms ran after him. The stallion was stunningly beautiful. As he trotted around the ring, the light of the setting sun seemed to set his dark coat and mane on fire. He held his head high and arched his neck. He had small ears and wide eyes.
    “That must be the magnificent horse I have heard so much about,” said Aristotle.
    “Who is he?” asked Annie.
    “His name is Bucephalus,” said Aristotle. “He once belonged to the Royal Horse Master of Thessaly.”
    When the stallion slowed to a walk, a groom approached him and tried to grab his bridle. But as the man’s shadow fell over Bucephalus, the stallion neighed and bucked. He broke away