Read Online School's Out...Forever! by Kate McMullan - Free Book Online Page A

asked.
    â€œThey do,” said Molwena.
    â€œAnd what about the man who burped and told the funny knock-knock joke?” said Rex. “Does he live there, too?”
    â€œAh, yes,” said Molwena.
    â€œThat’s where I want to live!” said Rex. He turned to Queen Marge. “Don’t cry,” he said. “I’ll visit you at the palace, and I’ll bring along all my new brothers!”
    â€œThey’ll be welcome,” said Queen Marge. “One or two at a time.”
    â€œWhere will you live, Wiggie?” asked Dudwin.
    â€œIn the hovel, Dud,” said Wiglaf.
    Dudwin looked glad.
    â€œDon’t be a fool, Wiggie!” said Molwena. “You never did fit in. Off with you to the palace! Fergus and I will come and visit anytime you say.”
    Wiglaf frowned. He would not miss most of his brothers. But he would miss Dudwin.
    â€œI cannot go,” he said. “Not without you, Dud.”
    â€œI’ll come with you, Wiggie!” said Dudwin.
    â€œExcellent!” said Queen Marge.
    â€œWhat about Daisy?” said Wiglaf. “I would never leave her.”
    â€œBring Daisy,” said King Homer. “She can keep company with Moo-Moo, my two-headed cow.”
    â€œEt’s-lay o-gay!”
cried the pig.
    The footman put Wiglaf’s and Dudwin’s packs on top of the golden carriage with the rest of the royal luggage.
    â€œI say!” exclaimed King Ken. “Good thing we brought the extra-large carriage today.”
    Then Wiglaf, Dudwin, and Daisy climbed inside with Erica and the rest of the royals, and the carriage began to roll.
    Dudwin and Wiglaf leaned out the window and waved to Molwena and Rex.
    â€œFarewell, Dudwin! Farewell, Prince Wiggie!” Molwena smiled. “Won’t Fergus be surprised?”
    Rex burped. Then he shouted, “Knock knock!”
    But the carriage picked up speed, and Wiglaf never got to hear the end of his joke.
    Inside the royal carriage, Wiglaf pinched himself to see if he was dreaming. No, this was real. He was a prince! And he was going to Palmlandia.
    Queen Marge sat across from him looking very happy. And it dawned on Wiglaf that this was the moment the minstrel had foretold: A queen was smiling at him.
    â€œThe minstrel was right about everything, Wiggie,” said Erica. “Even about your crisscross palms saying you weren’t who you seemed to be.”
    â€œAnd the brave prince who stood his ground when the dragons landed?” said Dudwin. “That was you, Prince Wiggie.”
    â€œIt was,” murmured Wiglaf, hardly believing it himself. He tried to picture himself wearing a crown. Not a big crown with diamonds and rubies like the one King Kensometimes wore. A simple, golden crown. That would do for Prince Wiglaf.
    â€œâ€™Tis a long ride to the palace,” said Queen Marge. “Long enough for us to tell you lads and Daisy all about Palmlandia.”
    â€œPalmlandia is an island kingdom in the south,” said King Homer.
    â€œâ€™Tis warm there,” said Erica, “with sandy beaches and palm trees.”
    â€œIt—it sounds very peaceful,” said Wiglaf.
    Life at DSA had been full of adventure. He might miss that. And the minstrel had said that heroic deeds lay ahead of him. How could he become a hero in such a quiet spot?
    â€œâ€™Tis very peaceful,” agreed King Homer. “Except when the sea serpents gang up on the dragons.”
    â€œOr when the giants come out of their caves to brawl.” Queen Marge shuddered.
    â€œOr when Viking pirates surround the island with their ships,” King Homer said.
    Wiglaf looked at Dudwin and grinned. Life in Palmlandia sounded just about perfect. He could hardly wait to get there!