Chapter 11

Chapter 11 There's Honor in Becoming a Guinea Pig's Knight. And Even More Honor in Apologizing! "As you can see," Morgan explained, "the hamsters seem a little lonely. I was wondering if you had any advice for—" "The solution is simple." Principal Ferris peered at the duchess. "They should be sent somewhere else." Morgan froze in surprise. "They…what?" "The purpose of a school pet is to provide joy to the students. And comfort, and entertainment, and a sense of responsibility. If the guinea pig is doing that better, then Prince Pellets is all we need."

This was not going how Morgan thought it would. They stood together for a moment while Ms. Minerva's reading club turned pages on the other side of the room. Principal Ferris demanded, "What is your name?" "Morgan. Morgan Mercado."

"I know you are new here, Morgan, but at Ironsword Academy we want only the brightest, best, and most perfect education for our students. You and your friends will have to learn this if you want to fit in." "But the baron isn't worse than Prince Pellets!" Morgan argued. "Prince Pellets was just here first. The students have had more time to get to know him. We should—" "Ahem," Principal Ferris interrupted Morgan, looking him directly in the eyes. "I have a question for you, Mr. Mercado. As I have just told you, we do things the best way here at Ironsword. Do you understand that?" Morgan knew what the principal wanted to hear, so he said, "Yes." "I'm so glad you said that. I'll recommend to Ms. Minerva that the hamsters be moved if they continue to be redundant, superfluous, and simply extra. They can go with all that junk in the lab." Principal Ferris turned and walked away. "First

Harper, then Theo, and now you. I recommend you learn our school's rules before I have to learn any more of your names." He didn't say or else, but Morgan heard it loud and clear. The principal opened the door to leave. To his surprise, he found Jodi standing on the other side, just about to walk in. "Principal Ferris! Excuse me, I was just looking for—" Morgan put a finger to his lips to tell her to stay quiet as the principal left the room. Ms. Minerva's reading club was finishing the day's chapters. The students were starting to gather around Prince Pellets. "Who's that?" Jodi asked. "He's super cute." "Shhh!" Morgan shook his head. "You'll upset them." He pointed at the hamsters. "Sorry." Jodi put on a big frown and said sarcastically. "Who cares if he's so cute? And has an adorable and silly crown? Who does that guinea pig think he is?"

Morgan let Baron Sweetcheeks sit on the top of his head. The baron snuggled into his hair. "I think they miss Woodsword students. Everybody here likes Prince Pellets." "Then I'm upset, too." Morgan continued. "And Principal Ferris was no help. He thinks they shouldn't be here at all." He was still feeling bad about his argument with Jodi. He realized that the way he'd talked to Jodi was a lot like the way Principal Ferris had talked about the hamsters. They sat in silence for a moment. Then, suddenly, they talked at the same time: "I'm sorry I was so impatient." "No. I'm sorry I was so stubborn." And then they started laughing.

"I shouldn't have gotten mad at you so fast. You were right. It does make sense for you to play my character if it'll save Eek," said Jodi. "And I shouldn't have been so upset in the first place. It was my choice to jump in front of those arrows, and it was because I wanted to be a hero. Getting mad at you for the consequences isn't fair."