The Pillars of Ponderay by Lindsay Cummings

dorm. “I’ll see you guys bright and early,” Birdie said, waving. She patted Farnsworth on the head and disappeared down the dimly lit tunnel.
    â€œShe’s crazy,” Leroy said. “Spending time with a Guildacker!”
    â€œSometimes I think Birdie’s braver than anyone I’ve ever met.” Albert nodded.
    They kept walking toward Cedarfell. There was a dip in the tunnel where a few of the blue torches had grown dim.
    Albert felt a chill at the back of his neck as they walked. He thought he heard footsteps behind them, and when he turned, he was sure he saw someone quickly slink back into the shadows. But when he looked a little harder, there was no one there.
    â€œLeroy,” Albert whispered, “I feel like someone’s watching us.”
    â€œOhhhh, creepy,” Leroy said, casting a glance behind them. “Naw. Nothing but darkness, bro.”
    â€œI’m just tired, I guess,” Albert said. But he felt it. They kept walking, their footsteps echoing across the tunnel. Albert thought he heard a third pair of steps again, clacking along behind them.
    At the last second, before they reached the door to Cedarfell, he whirled around.
    Was that a person’s shadow, hanging on the edges of the darkness?
    No, I guess not. Man, I need some sleep.
    He blinked and looked a little closer, and there was no one there, just a bunch of flickering blue flames andan empty tunnel. And the lingering scent of mint and cloves?
    â€œAlbert?” Leroy asked. “Are you all right?”
    Albert blinked. “Yeah, yeah. I’m good.”
    Leroy turned the handle and kicked open the door. The familiar sounds of Cedarfell came pouring out, and Albert’s body relaxed. He shook off the feeling, and followed Leroy and Farnsworth inside.

CHAPTER 10

The Apprentice’s Secret
    C edarfell was all dressed up for the holiday season. There were bright, twinkling lights wrapped around the trunks of every tree, twisting up to the tops of the branches far overhead. A light dusting of snow danced down upon Albert’s nose, but it wasn’t cold. It was more for looks than anything, and it gave the entire forest a comforting feel.
    â€œI missed these things,” Leroy said, scooping up a giant acorn from the forest floor. He broke it open across his knee and slurped down the fizzy cream-soda drink that was inside.
    â€œMan,” Albert laughed, leaping over a fallen log. “You’re a bottomless pit.”
    Leroy shrugged, and they sat down at a campfire where a few other guys were gathered.
    Albert recognized two boys his age, both Pures who were training for Belltroll last term. One was redheaded with freckles all over his pale face. The other was tall and thin with a mop of dark brown hair. They kind of reminded Albert of himself and Leroy.
    â€œI’m Pete.” The redheaded boy smiled. There was a large gap in between his two front teeth.
    â€œDoes it always look this way when it isn’t summer term?” Albert asked. He motioned to the lights in the trees.
    Pete smiled. “Naw, this is just holiday stuff.” He scooped up a handful of the strange, noncold snow and let it fall through his fingers. “It’s cool, though, that you guys get to be here to see it.”
    The dark-haired boy nodded. “Even cooler that you guys could make it here on such short notice.”
    Albert shrugged. “Hey, that’s just what had to be done. Let’s hope my team can figure out the Pit. Ponderay’s training is tough.”
    â€œI know you’ve heard this before,” said Pete with an encouraging look, “but it’ll get better.”
    â€œThanks,” Albert said.
    A few more boys joined them, and someone pulled out a bag of marshmallows they’d purchased in Lucinda’s Core Canteen in the Library.
    â€œNow that is what I call a good surprise,” Leroy said, stuffing his face.
    They made s’mores, had a