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

columns. Two guards in crested helmets stood like statues by the entrance. Each held a giant shield decorated with a star.
    “Please wait outside,” said Aristotle. “I must alert the king that I have brought guests to his gathering—and that one of them is a girl.”
    “Why?” asked Annie. “No girls allowed?”
    “I fear females are never allowed to attend such events,” said Aristotle. “But I imagine the king has never met a girl like you before.”
    “Thanks,” said Annie. “I think.” After Aristotle left, she turned to Jack. “What is
wrong
with all the men in history? Nearly everywhere we go inthe tree house, girls aren’t allowed to do any of the fun stuff.”

    “I know, it’s crazy,” said Jack. “But stay calm. Remember, the king’s a ferocious fighter.”
    “Yeah, well …” Annie held up her fists. “We have magic that could make
me
a great fighter, too,” she said.
    “Don’t even think about it,” said Jack, glancing at the guards.
    Annie lowered her fists. “Aren’t you surprised that Alexander’s only twelve?” she said. “At home he’d be just a sixth or seventh grader.”
    “I know. How great can he be?” said Jack. He pulled out their book and looked up
Alexander, childhood
in the index. With his back to the guards, Jack read in a soft voice:
    Young Alexander was raised in the manner of noble youths. From an early age, he received military training and became an excellent swordsman, spear thrower, and chariot driver. He was a champion athlete and excelled in all sports.
    “Oh, man,” said Jack. “He sounds like Superman.”
    “Aristotle’s back,” whispered Annie.
    Jack slipped the book into his bag.
    “The king has granted his permission,” Aristotle said, looking at Annie. “You may
both
come inside.”
    “Hurray!” said Annie. Then she and Jack followed the philosopher into the Royal House.

T he front hallway was dark and cool. The flickering flames of oil lamps cast shadows on wall murals. The murals showed figures from Greek myths.
    “Zeus,” Annie whispered to Jack, pointing to a painting of the ruler of all the Greek gods.
    “Centaurs,” whispered Jack, pointing to creatures that were half man and half horse.
    “This way,” said Aristotle.
    Jack and Annie followed the philosopher through the hall to an open courtyard. Women inlong white dresses were grilling meat over a fire and pulling bread from a clay oven. They glanced at Annie with curiosity.
    Aristotle led them past the cooks to a doorway off the courtyard. The sounds of loud conversation came from the room beyond.
    “King Philip has gathered the men of his most elite cavalry,” said Aristotle. “They are known as the King’s Companions. Do not be startled when you look upon the king. Years ago, he lost an eye in battle.”
    “Oww,” said Annie, wincing.
    “Even so, he is still the greatest military leader in the known world,” said Aristotle.
    Jack nodded. He took a deep breath.
    “Prince Alexander will be arriving soon,” said the philosopher. “Come.” Then he led Jack and Annie into the spacious, lamp-lit room.
    The King’s Companions lay on couches, propped up on their elbows, or on pillows. They were talking and eating. King Philip was on a couch draped in purple silk. He had a black patch over one eye. Two bodyguards with curved swordshanging from their belts stood nearby.
    When the king and his men caught sight of Jack and Annie and Aristotle, they fell silent.
    “King Philip the Second of Macedonia,” Aristotle said, bowing.
    Jack and Annie bowed also.
    “I have just met these two very learned young people today,” said Aristotle. “They are Jack and his sister, Annie, of Frog Creek, a land west of Greece.”
    “Hi,” said Annie with a smile.
    Jack smiled, too, as he looked around at the warriors.
    No one smiled back, including King Philip II of Macedonia. “Sit,” the king ordered.
    Jack and Annie sat together on an empty couch. Aristotle sat nearby. Three servants quickly appeared. The King’s Companions resumed eating and talking as a servant removed Jack’s sandals. She rinsed his dust-covered feet in a tub of warm water. Jack kept his eyes down, not sure what to do or say.
    Next, servants delivered small dishes of food to them. Jack identified olives, cheese, purplegrapes, nuts, figs … and then there was something that looked like dead bugs.
    Annie caught Jack’s eye. “Grasshoppers?” she whispered, wrinkling her nose.
    “Eat the