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

Annie. “So we can wish to have military skills, too.”
    “I can’t picture us having military skills,” said Jack.
    “Come on, let’s go look for Alexander the Great!” said Annie. She started down the rope ladder. Jack packed up the book and followed her.
    Several men on donkeys were riding by on thedirt road. Annie started to call out to them.
    “Don’t,” Jack whispered, stopping her. “People might ask us questions we can’t answer.”
    “But I only wanted to ask them where Alexander the Great lives,” said Annie.
    “Let’s just try to blend in first,” said Jack, “until we know our way around.”
    Annie sighed, but she kept quiet as she and Jack followed the donkeys up the dusty road. They passed rocky meadows dotted with cows, and small farmhouses with tiled roofs, chickens, and vineyards. They saw a shepherd tending sheep, a goat herder herding goats, and a farmer with a plow pulled by an ox.
    “Can we ask someone now?” Annie said.
    “Let’s wait,” said Jack. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves unless we have to.”
    They kept walking. Soon they rounded some tall rocks. Beyond a stone wall was a huge field. Thousands of warriors were marching.
    “Yikes,” said Annie. She and Jack stopped and stared at the warriors.
    “That must be the king’s army!” said Jack.
    The foot soldiers wore armor and helmets with tall crests. In one hand, each man carried an oval shield. In the other hand, each held a long, pointed spear. Behind the foot soldiers were rows of soldiers on horses.
    “They’re just practicing, right?” said Annie.
    “I hope so,” said Jack. “I don’t see any enemies.” He pulled out the research book and found a chapter called “The King’s Army.” He read aloud:
    At the time of King Philip II, Macedonia was threatened on all sides, by frontier tribes as well as the Persian army. King Philip II drilled his men night and day, until his army became the best fighting machine in the known world.
    Jack looked at the soldiers again. They marched to the right and then the left. The front row of soldiers pointed their spears forward. The other rows pointed their spears up in the air. Allthe men moved in perfect unison, their helmets, shields, and spears flashing in the sunlight.
    “They
do
look like a fighting machine,” said Annie.
    Jack thought they looked more like a monstrous insect with thousands of legs and spikes sticking out of its body. He shivered. “Let’s get away from this place,” he said.
    Jack and Annie headed farther up the dusty road. Finally, beyond a grove of olive trees, they came to a walled town. Above the town a white mansion sat on a hilltop.
    “Maybe that’s where King Philip the Second of Macedonia and Alexander the Great live,” said Annie, pointing at the mansion.
    Jack and Annie walked through the town gate and headed toward a market square. On the street leading to the square, a group of boys were sword-fighting with sticks. “Hello—” Annie called.
    “Don’t,” said Jack.
    It was too late. The boys stopped fighting and stared at them.
    “Does King Philip of Macedonia live on that hill?” Annie asked, pointing to the columned house.
    The boys scowled at Annie.
    Jack grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her along. “Keep walking,” he said under his breath. “Turn right.”
    “Thanks anyway!” Annie called. She and Jack kept going and turned right at the next corner. “They weren’t very friendly,” said Annie.
    “No kidding,” said Jack. “Listen, do
not
draw attention to yourself. These are fierce and warlike people with a ferocious king.”
    “They were just kids,” Annie protested.
    “Doesn’t matter. Keep your head down. Act cool,” said Jack.
    “I am cool!” said Annie. “
You
act cool.”
    Jack and Annie walked toward the bright market square, which was filled with carts and tents. Bordering the square was a covered walkway.
    “Want to walk over there so we can be in the shade?” said Jack, pointing. The hot sunlight was starting to get to him.
    “Sure,” said Annie.
    They headed over to the covered walkway. It was lined with shops, where men made and sold pottery, jewelry, and weapons.
    Jack stopped to watch some blacksmiths. “I wonder what they’re making,” he said. One of the blacksmiths used tongs to lift a piece of red-hot metal from a fire. Another hammered the metal into a curved shape.
    “Whoa, it’s a sword,” said Jack. He pulled out his notebook and pencil. He