Secret Rescuers Read Free Page A

Windrunner.
    Sophy was already waiting for her. “Are those your boats?” She pointed across the river.
    “Yes, we travel along the rivers and lakes putting on shows in each town.” Maya forgot her shyness as she told Sophy all about the different acts in their show.
    Sophy was especially interested in Maya’s dancing. Then she told Maya about life in the castle and her troubles with the wicked knight, Sir Fitzroy.
    Maya nodded. “He sounds just like the knight I saw yesterday.” And she explained to Sophy how he’d chased the sky unicorns before galloping towards Blyford.
    Sophy’s cheeks flushed. “Horrible man! If hetook the path to town we should follow him and see if we can find out what his plan is.”
    Windrunner lumbered up the riverbank and yawned, showing rows of glistening teeth. Then he shook his tail and stretched his leathery wings. “If you are venturing into the human town then I must leave you for now, dear Sophy,” he said. “I’ll scare the townspeople if I fly too close to their houses. Send a golden songbird to find me when you need me again.”
    “Thanks, Windrunner.” Sophy hugged him.
    The huge green dragon launched into the air and flew away across Misty Lake. Maya watched him soar upwards, amazed at how fast he could fly. She noticed how the wind gusted and the clouds swirled as the dragon flew away.
    Sophy’s stomach rumbled. “I didn’t realise I was so hungry.”
    “I’ll bring us some breakfast,” said Maya. “And I’ll fetch the show posters. Pinning them up gives me a good reason for going to town.”
    Quickly, Maya fetched some blueberry scones and a handful of the posters. The girls sat on a tree stump and munched their breakfast.

    “Thanks, Maya!” Sophy beamed. “These are delicious.”
    Maya smiled back a little shyly. There was something she really wanted to ask. She just hoped Sophy wouldn’t mind. “Do you think … have we got time to look at the sky unicorns before we go to town?”
    Sophy glanced at the sun rising in the sky. “I’d love to see them too. We can be quick, can’t we?”
    Maya nodded eagerly. “They’re in a hidden valley not very far away – I’ll show you!” She led Sophy away from the bridge. They crept through the trees and down the slope into the little dell that Maya had visited the evening before.
    Many of the unicorns were awake and grazing quietly. They raised their heads as the girls tiptoed closer, and their golden horns gleamed in the sunlight. Then, when they saw that it was Maya and Sophy, they went back to nibbling the grass again.
    “Aren’t they beautiful?” whispered Sophy, her blue eyes shining. “I guess you’ve seen sky unicorns before, but I’ve lived in the castle my whole life. I’ve seen plenty of royal banquets and golden crowns, but I’ve never seen anything as amazing as these creatures!”
    “I never saw them close up till yesterday,” said Maya. “Look, there’s the little foal!”
    The baby unicorn left his mother and gambolled around the dell, flicking his little tail. Maya crouched down and held out her hand. The foal tossed his snowy mane and gazed at her. Then at last he trotted up and gently nibbled her fingers.

    Maya’s heart leapt. She’d hardly dared hope that she would get so close to him again and now the magical stone gave her the chance to talk to him too!
    She swallowed. “Hello, my name’s Maya. Don’t be afraid – I have a magical stone that lets me talk to you.”
    The foal looked startled and took a few steps back. Then he crept closer again. “My name’s Clover,” he said in a soft, high whinny. “Thank you for helping me yesterday!”
    “You’re welcome!” Maya smiled.
    Clover danced forward and nibbled at her hair, before galloping off around the valley again.
    “What a sweet little foal,” said Sophy. “Come on, let’s go into town and see if Sir Fitzroy is there. I’m determined that he shan’t have the chance to harm any magical creatures.”
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