How to Stop a Witch by Bill Allen

tugging his arm, trying to pull him away, and he nearly let her. She leaned past him to better see Priscilla. “You think sending people back in time makes perfect sense?”
    Priscilla spoke to Greg as though the two of them were alone. “Don’t you think it’s funny Nathan knew all those details about the first two prophecies and nothing about the third?”
    “Sounds like us,” Lucky said.
    “Exactly,” said Priscilla. “If Greg goes back to talk to Nathan now, he can tell him all about the first two prophecies, like Nathan said he did, but just like Nathan, he knows nothing of the third.”
    “I know it exists,” argued Greg. “That’s more than Nathan knew.”
    “Yes, but you don’t need to tell him, do you, dear?” The princess looked up into Greg’s eyes and batted her lashes.
    Greg felt his face flush. “Dear?”
    Priscilla’s brow furrowed. She squeezed his arm a little too hard to be a sign of affection. “Well, do you?”
    Greg struggled hard to shake loose of her grip. “No, I suppose not.”
    “Excellent,” said Lucky. “When do we go?”
    “We?” said Priscilla. “Who said you were going?”
    “Who else could be lucky enough to find Nathan? He could be anywhere on Gyrth.”
    “Yes,” Priscilla said, “but you don’t need to go there. You just need to tell the magicians when to open the portal, like you always do.”
    “But what if Greg needs help?”
    “I think I can handle it,” Greg said. “All I need to do is tell Nathan a few stories.”
    He and Lucky started arguing, but nothing compared to Priscilla and Kristin, who practically got into a brawl over who could better defend Greg’s abilities.
    “Hush,” said King Peter. “Quiet, everyone.”
    The children’s bickering faded away, though Kristin and Priscilla each continued several seconds longer, each trying to get in the last word.
    “I agree with Greg,” said the king. “It would seem his future looks quite bleak, and I think it’s only right he be the one in charge of his own destiny.” Under his breath, he added, “however short that may be.”
    “Huh?” said Greg.
    “Mordred, I want you to gather the other magicians. Lucky, you go with him and assist with the opening of the portal. Girls . . . well, I think you better stay here with me.”
    “But—” said both girls at once.
    “Sorry, the matter is not open for discussion. Now, we all know what we’re supposed to do. Let’s get to it. And good luck to all of you.”
    Lucky smiled. “Don’t worry. We won’t need it.”
    “Speak for yourself,” Greg muttered. Then he realized Lucky was right. No amount of luck could change the fact that Simon had already spoken. Regardless of Greg’s success or failure on Gyrth, once he returned, he held not even a glimmer of hope for survival.

    Greg could see very little within the gloomy Room of Shadows, a small anteroom off the Great Hall, where he had begun and ended two previous trips to Myrth. He should have been exhausted. All day he’d been traveling, and even if he had ridden atop a litter the whole way, he felt he had every right.
    But as he waited for the magicians to cast their spell, Greg felt oddly restless. Well, perhaps not oddly restless. He was often afraid on Myrth, particularly in the presence of the magicians. The fact he was about to leave did little to help.
    “You worried, Greg?” asked Lucky.
    “A little.”
    “Well, don’t be. King Peter will make sure the girls don’t tear each other apart.”
    “What?” Greg realized Lucky was smiling. “Oh, right . . . So, you think I’ll recognize him?”
    “Why wouldn’t you? How many kings do you know?” Again Lucky was smiling.
    “I’m serious, Lucky. It’s hard to imagine Nathan as a kid.”
    “Relax, Greg. We’re going to set you down right next to him.”
    “Let’s hope so.”
    A hooded figure stepped out of the shadows. “Ready, boy?”
    Greg recognized the voice, even if Mordred’s face was completely lost in the