Yesterday's Magic (18 page)

The girl nodded. “I am that. One of our best. I am at your service, if we suit each other.”

Margaret laughed. “Well, modesty never suited me much. We are happy to have you with us.”

From horseback, the Duke of Salisbury looked down at them all and smiled. “My Druids didn’t think to advise that I bring extra horses. So, everyone, let’s double up and get back to town. I think a feast is in order.”

“A large feast, I trust,” Blanche huffed. “After all, I am eating for
four
now.”

When Arthur cast her a questioning look, Merlin said, “Dragons usually lay three eggs to a clutch. We do have a good deal to tell you about.”

When they returned to their horses, Arthur asked, “Can you start telling me any of it now?”

“What? And spoil the prolonged storytelling?” Then the wizard laughed, and added, “But I can tell you that there is a big world out there, and it’s full of more dangers and more possibilities than we could ever imagine. But you first. How goes the uniting of Britain?”

The King smiled. “Well. Only a few holdouts remain—your friend Nigel of Glamorganshire, for one. But I think eventually our unity and strength will persuade them, perhaps without war.”

“Good. War is something we’ve had enough of. But don’t rest on your accomplishments just now, Your Majesty.”

“What? You’re still prodding me to do things, aren’t you, old man? Got something more in mind than finally bringing unity and peace to this land?”

Laughing, Merlin helped Heather onto the red horse, behind Margaret. He and Heather smiled at each other for a long moment, then Merlin turned back to his king.

“The world we’ve seen is big, badly wounded, and much in need of that same unity and peace. But the foundations are there to build upon. It will take more than our lifetimes—even our second ones—to make it happen. But we can get started.”

“Start now?” Troll questioned. “Eat first, maybe?”

King Arthur smiled. “True. Even with magic, we can’t save the world on empty stomachs. But, Merlin, old friend, are you really sure about this?”

“Our world’s been given a second chance, Arthur. That might be more than we deserve. But we have to try.”

The King shook his head, then sighed. “You’re always saying things like that, Merlin, grand impossible-sounding things. But usually you’re right. So…why not try it one more time?”

“After dinner,” Troll pleaded.

“Right!” King Arthur laughed. “We’ll save the world after dinner.”

P
AMELA
F. S
ERVICE
grew up in Berkeley, California, and spent three years in England studying archaeology. She, her husband, Bob, and their daughter, Alex, lived for years in Bloomington, Indiana, where Pam worked as a museum curator, served on the city council, and wrote. Now back in California, she has published over twenty children’s books, works as a museum director in Eureka, acts in community theater, and is still writing.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2008 by Pamela F. Service

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Service, Pamela F.
Yesterday’s magic / Pamela F. Service. — 1st ed.
p. cm.
Summary: In the twenty-sixth century, Heather is kidnapped by Morgan LeFay, sending Merlin, Wally, Troll, and a dragon on a collision course with the reawakened mythical beings of several cultures, while Arthur and his bride, Margaret, continue their efforts to unite Britain.
1. Merlin (Legendary character)—Juvenile fiction. 2. Arthur, King—Juvenile fiction. 3. Morgan le Fay (Legendary character)—Juvenile fiction. [1. Merlin (Legendary character)—Fiction. 2. Arthur, King—Fiction. 3. Morgan le Fay (Legendary character)—Fiction. 4. Wizards—Fiction. 5. Magic—Fiction. 6. Dragons—Fiction. 7. Animals, Mythical—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.S4885Yes 2008      [Fic]—dc22      2007029873

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