Ghost Ship Read Online Free Page B

up.
    Asa steered into the shelter of a bay and dropped anchor. They were so close to Margritt’s tower, but they weren’t going to make it tonight. Even though it was early, they would have to sleep.
    Asa laid the bearskin in the bottom of the longship and Rollo snuggled next to her.
    “I feel terrible,” he said.
    “A good night’s sleep will help,” she said, pulling theblankets over them. She closed her eyes and tried to fight the queasy feeling.
    “Do you regret it, though?” Rollo said.
    Asa was just on the edge of sleep, and smiled. Regret turning herself into a bird and feeling those magical sensations? Never. “No,” she said.
    “Nor do I.”
    And they both fell into a deep slumber.
    So it wasn’t until early morning, with the low line of an island to shadow them, that they sailed into sight of a thin black spire on the horizon. Dark clouds gathered around it and the water was black beneath it.
    Rollo frowned. “That looks creepy.”
    “It’s Margritt’s tower,” Asa said. “We’ve arrived.”

CHAPTER 6
THE TOWER OF THE
WITCH PRINCESS

    Margritt’s tower had once been the finest tower in the north. Even though the base was now half submerged, the tall peak still rose higher than the ragged black cliffs around it.
Northseeker
came to rest against a narrow spine of stairs that wrapped around the tower. Asa could see the stairs continued deep under the water and wound high up above them. An icy wind chafed her face as she measured the distance upward with her eyes.

    “Is that the only way in?” Rollo asked.
    “Unless you want to go under the water.”
    He smiled. “I could.”
    “But I couldn’t. And we have to stick together.”
    She grabbed his hand and they left
Northseeker
behind. The stairs were slimy with algae and there was no railing to hold on to, so they picked their way up carefully. Above, Asa could see a collar around the tower. It had once been a bulwark, but now it was the entrance.
    “That’s where we’re going,” Asa said, pointing.
    “Will they let us in?”
    “I hope so. Egil Cripplehand said that we had to ask for Margritt and to say we were friends of his. No matter what happens, don’t tell anyone we’re the Star Queen’s children. We don’t know who we can trust.”
    He nodded and they continued up the narrow stairs. Asa’s heart was thumping, from the effort of climbing as much as from excitement. Somewhere in this tower, according to Egil, was their baby sister.
    Finally, they reached the bulwark. It was now awide, muddy courtyard. Once they were on level ground, Asa and Rollo found their way barred by a heavy iron gate lined with spikes. Beyond it, they could see a cobbled path and men in long, hooded cloaks moving around in a stony garden.
    “Hello?” Rollo called. “Hello?”
    One of the hooded men turned to them. His face was in shadow.
    “We’re here to see Margritt,” Asa said.
    The man approached the gate. “Who are you?”
    “Friends of Egil Cripplehand.” Asa was careful not to admit to her true identity. “Can you tell her we’re here?”
    “Wait,” he said, then crossed the courtyard and disappeared.
    An hour passed, then another, and Asa started to think they had been forgotten. Rollo sat on the muddy ground drawing pictures with a stick, and Asa paced. They were so close to Una now. She couldn’t bear this long wait.
    Finally, the hooded man (or another—they alllooked the same) opened the gate without a word and led them through. A twisted black tree, bare of leaves, stood in the center of the courtyard. Ugly carved gargoyles crouched on the corners, their evil eyes and sharp stone teeth decorated with spiderwebs. Asa and Rollo entered a long, low hallway, where only the faintest glow from a lamp lit the way.
    “Go right to the end and wait,” the man said, and left them.
    Asa’s heart fluttered. Rollo reached for her hand and they walked the long corridor in silence.
    “There are a lot of spiders in this place,” he