01 Before Dawn

Viking Ships at Sunrise

Chapter 01 Before Dawn Jack opened his eyes. A thin gray light came through his window. His clock read 5 A. M. All was quiet. Today we’re going to ancient Ireland, he thought, back more than a thousand years. Morgan le Fay had told him that it was a very dangerous time, with Vikings raiding the coasts. “ You awake? ” came a whisper. Annie stood in his doorway. She was dressed and ready to go.

“ Yeah, meet you outside, ” said Jack as he climbed out of bed. He pulled on his jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers. He put his secret library card into his backpack with his notebook and pencil. Then he hurried downstairs. Annie was waiting for him in their yard. The air was damp and misty. “ Ready?” she asked. Jack took a deep breath. “ I guess, ” he said. He was a little worried about the Vikings. They walked silently over the dewy grass. Then they ran up their street and into the Frog Creek woods. Mist clung to the trees as they walked through the dark woods.

“ It’s hard to see, ” said Jack. “ Where’s the tree house?” asked Annie. “ I have no idea, ” said Jack. Just then something fell in front of them. “ Watch out! ” shouted Jack. He covered his head. “ The ladder! ” cried Annie. Jack opened his eyes. The rope ladder from the magic tree house dangled in front of them. Jack looked up. The tree house was hidden in the mist. “ Come on, let’s go, ” said Annie. She grabbed the ladder and started up. Jack followed. They climbed through the wet air and into the tree house. “ Hello, ” said Morgan. “ I’m glad to see you. ”

She was sitting in the corner. At her feet were the scroll they’d brought back from Roman times and the bamboo book from ancient China. “ I’m so glad to see you, ” said Jack. “ Me too, ” said Annie. “ It’s good that you both came early, ” said Morgan. She reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a piece of paper. “ Here’s the ancient story you must find today, ” she said. Morgan handed the paper to Jack. On it were the words: erpens Magna