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

Jack said. “Right?” he asked Merlin.
    “Exactly,” said Merlin. “I have been pondering questions about life. For instance, I have been wondering about the idea of
greatness.
What are the secrets of greatness? What makes a person truly great?”
    “That
is
a good question,” said Jack.
    “I cannot answer it by myself, as I do not live in your world—the world of time and mortals,” said Merlin. “So, on each of your next four missions, you will meet someone who will help you learn a true secret of greatness.”
    “That sounds like fun,” said Annie.
    “I hope it will be,” said Merlin. “To begin, how would you like to meet someone called Alexander the Great?”
    “Oh, man, I’ve heard of him!” said Jack.
    “I haven’t,” said Annie, “but he sounds … well, great.”
    Merlin smiled.
    “Can I ask a question?” Jack said.
    “Of course,” said Merlin.
    “To be practical, how will we know when we’ve found a secret of greatness?” Jack asked.
    “I pondered that as well,” said Merlin. “I have brought something magical to help you.” The magician reached into his cloak and pulled out a small gold ring. “I call this the Ring of Truth.”
    “The Ring of Truth,”
Annie repeated.
    “I have cast a spell on the ring,” said Merlin. “Wear it on your journeys. When you discover a true secret of greatness, the ring will glow.”
    “May I wear it?” Annie asked Merlin. He nodded. Annie held out her hand, and the magician slipped the gold band onto her finger.
    “I have brought another bit of magic as well,” said Merlin. He reached into his cloak again, and this time, he pulled out a tiny glass bottle. Silver mist swirled inside of it.
    “Mist gathered at first light on the first day of the new moon on the Isle of Avalon,” said Merlin.
    “Wow,” said Annie.
    “The magical mist will allow you to experience greatness in
yourselves
,” said Merlin. “When you need help, make a wish to have an extraordinary talent. Then breathe in the scent of the mist, and for one hour that talent will be yours. The magic will work only once on each journey.”
    “Thanks!” said Jack. He took the bottle from Merlin and put it into his backpack.
    “And finally, Morgan asked me to give you a research book.” The magician reached into his cloak for a third time and pulled out a book.

    “I’ve never heard of Macedonia,” said Jack.
    “It is the kingdom where Alexander was born,” said Merlin. “The ancient Macedonians are fierce and warlike, so travel cautiously.”
    Fierce? Warlike?
Jack wanted to hear more.
    Merlin picked Penny up and raised his hand in farewell. “Go now,” he said. “Good luck.”
    “Bye, Merlin. Bye, Penny,” said Annie.
    Peep.
    “Wait—” began Jack.
    But before Jack could ask another question, Merlin and Penny vanished.
    “Let’s go,” said Annie. She pointed at the cover of the book. “I wish we could go there!” she said.
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    It spun faster and faster.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

J ack and Annie were wearing tunics with soft belts and lace-up sandals. A cloth bag had replaced Jack’s backpack. He looked into the bag and saw his notebook, his pencil, and the bottle with the magic mist from the Isle of Avalon.
    “We wore clothes like these when we went to Pompeii,” said Annie.
    “Yeah, and when we went to the Greek Olympic Games,” said Jack.
    “When
you
went to the games,” said Annie. “They didn’t let girls in, remember?”

    “Oh, right,” said Jack. “You nearly caused a riot when you tried to sneak in.”
    “It wasn’t my fault,” said Annie.
    Jack and Annie looked out the window together. The air felt dry and hot. The sun was directlyoverhead in a cloudless sky. The tree house was low to the ground, tucked into the spreading branches of an olive tree. Donkeys and horses ambled up a winding dirt road.
    “This looks like a quiet, sleepy place,” said Annie, “not fierce or warlike at all.”
    “I wonder what Merlin meant,” said Jack. He opened their book to the first page and read out loud:
    More than 2,300 years ago, Macedonia was a kingdom north of Greece. It was ruled by King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. The brilliant and ferocious king was known far and wide for his military skills.
    “Ferocious king,” Jack repeated. “Well, I guess that fits.”
    “Don’t worry, we have magic that gives us a great talent,” said