White Horse Talisman Read Free

Owen exchanged startled glances.
    Chantel looked back and waved happily.
    Holly and Owen shrugged. They followed Adam.
    The three older children rode to the crest of the hill and dismounted. Holly repeatedly glanced back at Chantel, but the small figure stayed in one spot. Holly turned her attention to Adam and his reaction to seeing the enormous circular ditch and high bank surrounding the flattened summit of the hill.
    â€œI thought you said there was a fort here.” Adam was puzzled.
    â€œThis is it. This deep ditch and high embankment. It’s called Uffington Castle, but it’s not a castle made of stone. Up there the bank was topped with a high palisade, a big fence, but the wood rotted away thousands of years ago.” Owen pointed into the hollow of the deep ditch. “That was for protection. Dad said there would be stakes sticking out of the bottom, to prevent raids and impale intruders.” He grinned, drew an imaginary sword from his belt and started to fight with Adam.
    Adam feinted back, slipped and grabbed Owen. They rolled down, over and over until they lay in the ditch bottom, laughing hysterically.
    The placid ponies flicked their tails, dropped their heads and lipped the short turf.
    â€œIdiots!” shouted Holly. “Come on. We’ll catch it if any–one finds out we’ve left Chantel on her own.”
    Adam and Owen scrambled up the sloping sides of the ditch and dodged around Holly, using her as a shield. Laugh–ing, the three of them led the ponies over to the fence where Chantel had left Snowflake.
    Chantel was still standing on the very edge of the hill, staring. Adam, Holly, and Owen joined her.
    The view was breathtaking. The hillside dropped away before them, falling steeply towards a wide green valley. But where the short turf began curving downwards, ancient hands had excavated narrow trenches deep into the chalk. The grass had been removed, leaving a series of thick white lines curling over the swell of the hill. The carving was so large that the complete horse could not be seen this close. But the face was clear, a long nose, ears, and a gigantic white eye looking up at the heavens.
    â€œI see you,” whispered Chantel. She could feel the magic pulsing from the ground.
    Holly, Owen, and Adam were oblivious.
    â€œThis smaller side valley is called the Manger.” Holly gestured down the steep side of a combe opening onto the main valley. “The White Horse is supposed to feed there at night.”
    â€œAnd see the small conical hill, way down in the middle of it?” Owen pointed.
    â€œThe one with no grass on top?” asked Adam.
    Owen nodded. “Yup. You’ll never guess why.”
    Adam shook his head.
    â€œThat’s Dragon Hill. A dragon was killed there. Nothing ever grows where dragon’s blood was spilt.”
    â€œCool.” Adam stared in fascination at the small, bald-topped hill far below, then turned to join his cousins as they ran beside the chalk lines, tracing the shape and size of the White Horse over the hillside.
    Only Chantel stood still, mesmerized by the great white eye at her feet. Slowly she stepped forward and began to walk around it.
    Holly turned and saw her. Amazement crossed her face. She stopped and pointed.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Owen asked.
    â€œDid you tell Chantel about walking widdershins around the eye of the White Horse?” asked Holly.
    Owen shook his head and also turned to watch.
    Adam ran over to them. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œIt’s Chantel.” Holly’s voice was a breathy whisper. “She’s doing the ritual.”
    Chantel continued to circle the eye.
    â€œShe’s only walking in circles. She’s goofing around again,” said Adam.
    Holly shook her head. “She’s walking widdershins around the eye. If she does it seven times, it’s an ancient ritual, a real spell.”
    Adam looked blank.