Some Very Messy Medieval Magic (The Adventures of Pete and Weasel Book 3)

By C. Lee McKenzie

Pete’s stuck in medieval England!

Pete and his friend Weasel thought they’d closed the Time Lock. But a young page from medieval times, Peter of Bramwell, goes missing. His absence during a critical moment will forever alter history unless he’s found.

There’s only one solution - fledgling wizard Pete must take the page’s place. Accompanied by Weasel and Fanon, Pete’s alligator familiar, they travel to 1173 England.

But what if the page remains lost - will Pete know what to do when the critical moment arrives? Toss in a grumpy Fanon, the duke’s curious niece, a talking horse, and the Circle of Stones and Pete realizes he’s in over his young wizard head yet again...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press LLC
• Release date: May 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781939844477

C. Lee McKenzie

C. Lee McKenzie's background is linguistics with a specialty in intercultural communication. She's now a novelist who writes young adult and middle grade books. ALLIGATORS OVERHEAD, her first middle grade novel, received a sterling Kirkus review. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/c-lee-mckenzie/alligators-overhead/. Alligators Overhead is Book 1 in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel. The Great Time Lock Disaster is Book 2, and Book 3 is Some Very Messy Medieval Magic. Take a look at the Video on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h59dYGrVQvs] It's all about fun and magic. Her Young Adult books include Sliding on the Edge (2009, Westside Books) and The Princess of Las Pulgas (2010, Westside Books). Double Negative (chosen the top ten YA in Ezid Wiki), Sudden Secrets, Not Guilty, and Shattered (Indie Book Award winner) are her most recent young adult books, published by Evernight Teen. The eBook anthology called Beware The White Rabbit (2015) includes her story called They Call Me Alice. Two & Twenty Dark Tales (2012) includes her short story, Into The Sea of Dew. Premeditated Cat is her contribution to The First Time (2011). She has dabbled in a bit of horror with Heartless in the anthology A Stitch in Crime. Specialties Intercultural communication in the classroom and on the job. Editing and writing.

Book preview

title2.jpg

By C. Lee McKenzie

DANCING LEMUR PRESS, L.L.C.

Pikeville, North Carolina

http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/

A gripping adventure back in time, with action around every corner. - Stephanie Robinson, author of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow

A great addition to middle school classrooms and libraries, as well as your own private library. - Beverly Stowe McClure, award-winning author of stories for children and teens.

A rich cast of characters who bring the story to life – both in modern and historical times. I highly recommend librarians and teachers get this series on their shelves. - Hall Ways Reviews

This third book in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series was as much fun as the first. - Kai Strand, author

Copyright 2018 by C. Lee McKenzie

Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, North Carolina, 27863-0383

http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/

ISBN: 9781939844477

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system in any form – either mechanically, electronically, photocopy, recording, or other – except for short quotations in printed reviews, without the permission of the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Cover design by C.R.W.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017962376

Dedication

For the man downstairs. Thanks for your patience

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 1

By the fourth week of eighth grade everybody in class, including know-it-all Curtis Lamont, decided that having Dr. Dread Wraith as a teacher until June was going to be worse than a bowl of turnips for dessert.

The pop quizzes weren’t even a surprise anymore because he gave one almost every day. And all any kid had to do was squirm when Wraith was giving one of his lectures on the theory of general relativity, which nobody—even Weasel—had ever heard of, and he’d slap them with detention.

They cringed every time they heard his name. It was a cringe-able name, after all. Pete wanted to tell the kids the reason Dr. Dread Wraith called himself that, but he didn’t want to bring up how their sub was really a bigwig in the Cross-Temporal Consortium of Witches and Wizards. Or that he had to go toe to toe with bad dudes like Genghis Khan. As Wraith told him, without his bone-chilling name, he didn’t have the clout he needed.

If Pete did explain all of that, then that would lead to having to explain how Wraith, who wasn’t really a bad guy, just a menace of a teacher, had followed Pete and Weasel back from their last time trip. And that...well, that was just too much for any eighth grader to swallow.

Almost daily, kids clumped together in the hall, with their heads close and their voices low and buzzy. They didn’t talk about the cafeteria gravy tasting like brown chalk either. No. This was major moping and grumping about how to get Mrs. Costanza to come back.

The whispers ran something like:

We can’t hold out much longer.

How about we chip in and get her a babysitter?

Can we sabotage Wraith and live?

How did this happen to us?

Good question, but even Pete and Weasel hadn’t figured that out. Wraith just said they’d know why he was their sub soon.

Then one morning, when they scurried to their desks to avoid getting tardy slips and Wraith’s evil eye, Principal Pitt stood in front of the class, his hands clasped behind his back.

Clearing his throat in his phlegmy way, he rocked onto his heels and began. Dr. Wraith has been called away on an emergency. For a few days, I will be your teacher.

A chorus of low moans rumbled through the classroom. Then, after everyone had a chance to think about what that meant, hope for a better year spread around the room. As if on cue, the sun popped out from behind a cloud, and its bright rays filtered through the windows. All the students’ faces lit up with smiles. Pitt was bad, but Wraith was worse.

Weasel swiveled in his seat and locked onto Pete with a huge question mark of a look.

Pete did what he always did in these clueless moments. He shrugged. Holy beans, how should he know what was going on?

He was mulling over the implications of Wraith’s disappearance when a voice popped into his mind and stopped him short. Pete, where are you?

Fanon.

His familiar liked to drop into Pete’s head a lot these days now that he’d truly mastered mind-to-mind communication. For a moment, Pete wondered how it would be if his magical friend was a cat, like normal wizards had, instead of an alligator. Would its voice sound soft and furry inside his head instead of so snappy?

Big trouble. Uncle Cenozo says you’d better come to the swamp now, Fanon said, and this time he sounded even louder and snappier.

Usually, Pete welcomed Fanon’s interruptions during school, especially during one of Wraith’s lectures. But not today. The alarmed tone of the alligator’s voice froze Pete to the spot. And if Cenozo was saying to come right now, something was brewing. This had to be important wizard business if the head of the Ornofree alligator tribe was sending for him.

Ever since Pete found out he had wizard powers, he’d been in nothing but one pot of hot water after another. Now something else was up, and from the sound of Fanon’s message, the water was about to boil.

When Principal Pitt turned to write on the board, Pete scribbled a quick note. Cenozo’s calling a meeting. We’ve got to sneak out of class. Now. He passed it forward to Weasel who sat in his usual front seat, one aisle over.

Weasel pushed his glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose and squinted at Pete’s scrawl. Shaking his head, he looked to the back of the room where Pete sat. No way, he mouthed.

Fine, Pete mouthed back. He jabbed at his chest. I’ll. Do. This. By. Myself.

Finally. Even though he didn’t say that out loud, Weasel’s word vibrated in Pete’s brain.

Weird, Pete thought, while lightly hitting the side of his head and shaking it. He could have sworn Weasel’s voice had come directly to his brain. But that wasn’t possible. Only Harriet, the head Hadleyville witch, and Fanon could talk to him that way.

Principal Pitt pointed to the board. Free reading for half an hour.

Weasel opened The History of Medieval Times and, after adjusting his glasses, leaned back in his seat.

Pete hated that smug look Weasel pulled when he thought he’d gotten the best of the situation. And right then, Pete could tell his face was beyond smug. Weasel’s nose was so far in his book that he wasn’t even noticing the you’ll-be-sorry vibes Pete was sending.

Then Pete turned up the juice on his telepathy. I’m coming ASAP, Fanon. He darted his gaze toward Weasel, but Weasel didn’t so much as twitch. Weasel—you know our best ever friend—isn’t.

There was a small tic at the corner of Weasel’s mouth. He didn’t look up from his book, but he twirled the stubborn spike of hair at the back of his head. That was a sure sign he was nervous. Ten to one, he was nervous because he was eavesdropping on Pete’s mind-to-mind messages.

Pete sent another telepathic message across to Weasel. You heard that, didn’t you?

Nothing.

Give it up. You’ve tuned into my brain just like Harriet and Fanon. Pete had suspected Weasel of eavesdropping on his mental communications for a few weeks. Weasel would show up in Aunt Lizzie’s kitchen right after Pete thought about serving himself some of his aunt’s hot apple pie a la mode. Or he’d text Pete to say he was going to his mom’s lab and wouldn’t be home, which was code for Bug-off, I’m reading just after Pete had the notion to bike to his place and hang out.

He had to know if what he suspected was really true, so he sent an extra loud mind-to-mind message directly to Weasel. Well?

Weasel swiveled in his seat. "Well, what?" he mouthed.

I knew it! But Pete forgot to keep the mind-to-mind connection and said that out loud. Very out loud.

Principal Pitt spun around to face Pete. You knew what?

Pete swallowed and licked his lips. I knew…our wonderful, he squirmed under the stares of Pitt and the whole class, wonderful teacher would leave us with a…wonderful—

Pitt tapped one foot.

Pete! Fanon yelled inside Pete’s head. Hurry. Not kidding. Serious. This is 9-1-1, man.

9-1-1? Weasel shouted and jumped to his feet, with his book clutched in one hand.

In a shot, Pete was next to him.

Curtis Lamont dived under his desk. Some other kids grabbed their cell phones and started punching in their emergency numbers. Suzie Swift, the girl with braces who sat behind Weasel, burst into tears.

Pete grabbed Weasel by the arm, and before Principal Pitt could block their way, he dragged Weasel out the door.

They ignored Pitt’s, You come back this instant!

Chapter 2

Pounding down the hall, Pete held out his hands and, without slowing, shoved the main door to the school open so hard it banged against the doorstop and shuddered on its hinges. Weasel stayed on his heels. They ran down the steps, across the lawn, and straight toward the edge of town where tidy walkways ended and the Ornofree swamp began.

Sweat trickled down Pete’s neck, but he didn’t take time to swipe it away or to look to see if Weasel was still at his side. He didn’t have to. Weasel was panting like a winded horse.

Are you on the way? Fanon asked.

Yes. Pete sent the message, glad he didn’t have to use air to say that out loud. He didn’t have any extra breath to spare. Where are you?

The Cedar Grove.

Weasel veered toward the path leading to the grove.

How long have you been eavesdropping on what I’m thinking? Pete asked Weasel mind-to-mind.

Since right after we…crash-landed in front of…my house. You know on our return trip from… 1837, Weasel gasped out loud and swiped his shaggy bangs off his forehead.

Holy beans! That long? Pete took a moment to catch his breath. And you didn’t tell me?

You didn’t send anything very important...so why bother?

Weasel was always going to be Weasel—kind of grumpy and a super-serious over-achiever. Aunt Lizzie said he couldn’t help it. Kind of grumpy and over-achieving was in his genes. She’d known Weasel’s mom and dad since they were kids, and she shook her head whenever she talked about them. Science came first, last, and always before Weasel. And he has that perfect older brother to compete with. Then she’d say, Be patient with him. He’s just lonely and not used to people who hug.

Pete wanted to tell Weasel that at least he had his mom and dad. Even if they were always at their lab. They weren’t, like, gone forever. Pete shoved the pain down. He didn’t have time to think about that now.

As the boys neared the grove, Cenozo’s familiar, throaty voice wound through the moss-draped trees. After a few more strides, Pete and Weasel halted in the center of the ancient cedars, breathing hard and holding onto their sides. Today the grove was packed with Cenozo’s tribe of alligators. They were gathered around one of the giant cedar stumps, staring up at their leader. Cenozo stood on his hind legs and sturdy tail so he towered over everyone.

Pete still remembered his first run-in with that giant talking alligator. It was the same night Harriet Hadley’s vanished mansion reappeared, the same night he and Weasel got trapped inside that place, the same night he found out Aunt Lizzie was a witch. That was the kind of night you couldn’t erase from your memory.

Pete spotted Fanon at the front of the assembled alligators. He perched on his hind legs and tail, imitating his uncle. Aunt Lizzie and Harriet Hadley were seated on one of the great tree stumps. Several of the other Hadleyville witches clustered next to them.

Something big was up, all right. Most of the Hadleyville Whisper Circle was there. The Wartgob sisters, smelling like freshly made dairy yogurt, held hands. Paula Teener, the baker, still wore her apron and flour on her cheek. Fiona Nightingale, who owned the florist shop and some evil-looking plants, clutched a pair of scissors. Then there was the meter maid, Margo Stiltencranz. She held her ticket book in one hand and her pen in the other. This was beginning to look worse than Pete had imagined.

What’s... wrong? he asked, with hands on his knees, still huffing.

Dr. Wraith sent word this morning, Cenozo said. Someone—someone who’s quite important to history—has gone missing in time. Wraith wanted everyone here because something has to be done quickly.

Pete straightened and looked around the gathering until he connected with Harriet and Aunt Lizzie. But everyone was supposed to be back where they belonged, he said.

With her lips drawn up tight, Harriet stood. It was the way she usually looked after one of his major screw-ups, but he hadn’t done anything wrong since he’d come back from his trip into the past.

You didn’t exactly cause this catastrophe, Pete, Harriet said. But this situation is similar to a pebble in a still pond. If you hadn’t tossed the pebble in the first place, this person would not have disappeared.

Pete thought

Reviews for Some Very Messy Medieval Magic (The Adventures of Pete and Weasel Book 3)

[robinsonstef · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some Very Messy Medieval Magic is the third book in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series by C. Lee McKenzie. This one picks up right where The Great Timelock Disaster left off. Pete and Weasel are called to a meeting and told they must go back in time to fix something that changed when Pete accidentally opened the time lock in their last adventure. Unfortunately they don’t have much time to prepare before they’re sent back, and they can’t even pack proper clothes to help them blend in. When they end up in medieval times, daily life gets a little tricky. Pete’s never ridden a horse and Weasel’s not allowed to wear his glasses because they haven’t been invented yet. Neither Pete nor Weasel can figure out what's going on, and they don’t have the slightest clue what important event they're supposed to make sure happens. How will someone get in touch with them? Who can they trust? Pete’s even more confused now that Weasel can hear everything he’s thinking. Why can Weasel do that all of a sudden? And what about the horse, Mellie, who Pete can communicate with in his mind? Will Pete and Weasel be able to set things right and get back to their time? Is there any way to stop more changes from happening and impacting the future? You’ll have to read this fast pace story to find out!

I have read many books by C. Lee McKenzie and enjoyed all of them. I was excited to read the latest adventure of the characters that have come to hold a place in my heart. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic showed how much Pete and Weasel have grown throughout the series. Not only is their friendship stronger, but they have each learned important things about themselves in the process. It was interesting when they were in medieval times because it made me realize how hard it would be to blend in with another time period; mistakes could give everything away. I recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like magic or getting into a little mischief. I've found the series to flow smoothly from book to book, but also believe that each story can be read as a standalone.

[beverlyjean-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do you enjoy meeting witches, wizards, familiars, and other interesting characters? Do you like to travel back in time and meet people from centuries ago? If you answered yes, then I have the book for you. Author C. Lee McKenzie’s latest novel for middle grade readers, SOME VERY MESSY MEDIEVAL MAGIC, gives you all of the above and more. And you may be familiar with the main characters. Yes, Pete and Weasel are back. What? You haven’t met them yet? Well, you’re in for a treat.In SOME VERY MESSY MEDIEVAL MAGIC, Pete and Weasel have to journey back in time to help a young page, Peter of Bramwell, get where he’s supposed to be when he should be there to prevent history from being changed. Since everyone blames Pete for the mix up, he and Weasel are responsible for correcting the problem. And time is limited. Will the boys succeed in their mission? Or will they fail and be responsible for changing history? Things are not always what they seem, and surprises await Pete and Weasel, and the reader too.C. Lee McKenzie has created characters that will keep you guessing who the good guys are and who are the bad. Don’t be so sure you think you know. There’s plenty of action, never a dull moment, and also a guess as to what Pete and Weasel will be up to next. The story is perfect for middle-grade readers who should enjoy trying to solve the boys’ problems before the boys find the answers.Pete and Weasel, along with the reader (this reader anyhow), learn a bit of history too. SOME VERY MESSY MEDIEVAL MAGIC would make a great addition to middle school classrooms and libraries, as well as your own private library. Recommended for teens and for adults who enjoy adventure and time travel as well.###