Knight's Story Books

The first in a trilogy of hilarious fantastical adventures about a mercenary knight from the  bestselling duo behind The Edge Chronicles, Paul Stewart and current UK Children’ s Laurate  Chris Riddell. Free Lance has no master – he journeys from village to village and castle to castle, competing in tournaments and working for his keep. When his horse throws a shoe and he must seek shelter overnight in Lord Big Nose's village, he accepts his most dangerous mission yet – retrieving an enchanted crown from the Lake of Skulls. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+

I became aware of a fierce, stabbing pain in my shoulder where Hengist's lance had struck. I'd felt the blow of a blunted tournament lance many times before -- a dull, bruising ache. But this was different. I put my hand to my shoulder and was shocked to feel the end of a shattered lance shaft. A red mist descended. I was gripped by a murderous rage. I jumped to my feet, and as I drew my sword, the crowd gave a thunderous roar.

"Wake up, Sir Knight! Wake up!" My eyes snapped open, and I sprang to my feet, drawing my sword as I did so. There was the merchant, the whites of his terrified eyes glinting in the firelight. He was raving. "It's out there!" he cried. "It's out there!" "What's out there?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady him. The merchant gripped my arm with both hands and drew his face close to mine. His forehead was drenched with sweat, his eyes were wide, his voice a little more than a whisper. "The dragon, of course," he croaked.