The day of the tournament arrived.

Freddy came out of the wizard room where he had been hiding all week.

“I have come up with a clever plan, Odds,” he said. “I’ll put the same spell on Bart’s lance, too. They will hit one another’s shield and they’ll both win!”

Odds–and–Ends wiggled his ears unhappily.

“I think that could just make things more difficult,” said Odds–and–Ends.

“You are such a fusspot, Odds!” said Freddy. “Come on! We’re going to be late!”

The tournament was held in the broad field outside Baron Bricknoze’s castle. There was a big tent at each end of the field. Above one tent there was a flag with a picture of an eagle on it – the Bricknoze coat of arms. Above the other tent was a flag with a lion on it – the Gribble coat of arms. Crowds of people had come from the villages all around to watch the tournament. A wooden grandstand had been built for important people.

There was a fanfare of trumpets as Baron Bricknoze and his wife took their seats at one end of the stand. Lord and Lady Gribble sat down at the other.

“Well, Gribble!” shouted the Baron. “Are you looking forward to your stay in my dungeon?”

Lord Gribble gave a sly smile.

“Let’s lay a bet, Bricknoze!” he said. “If my son loses, not only will I go into your dungeon, you can have my castle as well. But if your son loses, your castle is mine.”

“Agreed!” Baron Bricknoze said, with a loud laugh.

There was another fanfare of trumpets. Bart Bricknoze, the Baron’s son, swaggered out of his tent wearing a shiny suit of armour. He leapt on to his horse and gave everyone a broad smile. A servant handed him up his helmet then his shield and lance.

Gordon’s suit of armour was too big for him. It clattered and clanked as he walked. Three servants had to help him climb on to the horse but he still fell off twice. At last he was on and as he clung to the back of the frisky Emperor, he found it hard to hold his lance and shield.

The referee stepped forward, raised his hand then dropped it again. The two young knights began to gallop towards one another.

A great cheer rose up from the crowd as the two knights drew closer and closer.

The spell on Gordon’s lance should make it aim for the eagle on Bart’s shield, Freddy thought to himself. Now he had to put a similar spell on Bart’s lance. Freddy quickly pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He snatched his wand from his belt and pointed it at Bart’s lance.

Things didn’t go to plan.

Bart and Gordon were just about to meet when Gordon began to fall off his horse again. He dropped his lance and shield as he made a grab for his horse’s neck. At that moment, Bart Bricknoze took to the air. He flew over his horse’s head and headed for Gordon’s tent. Only Freddy knew why. Bart’s lance was heading for the lion on the flag above Gordon’s tent.

At the same time, Gordon’s horse spotted a rabbit at the far end of the field.

he snorted. Emperor was a horse who thought he was a dog and set off to chase the rabbit.

At first, Baron Bricknoze’s face turned red. Then it turned purple. Lord Gribble’s face turned pure white. They both looked one way to see Gordon vanish into the distance.

They both looked the other way to see Bart still clinging to the flagpole of Gordon Gribble’s tent. Then the Baron began to roar with laughter.

“Well, Lord Gribble, there’s no doubt who the winner is. My son has scored a bull’s-eye by sticking his lance through the coat of arms on your flag. Your son has galloped off! You will have to spend a little time in my dungeon!”