Secret Rescuers (6 page)

Chapter Ten

Maya's First Flight

After the show was over, and all the costumes and equipment packed away, Maya told her mum and dad about her plan.

“Sophy and I are going to take Clover, the unicorn foal, back to his herd,” she said. “We're going to … um … ride on a dragon to get there!” She crossed her fingers, hoping her parents wouldn't say she wasn't allowed.

“You're old enough to be sensible, Maya,” said her mum. “As long as you let us know where you are and remember to
thank the dragon.”

“Your grandmother used to say she'd once ridden a dragon,” said her dad. “She was an acrobat. I think she liked the excitement of flying through the sky.”

Maya wondered whether she was going to like flying too. Her insides felt wobbly as she kissed her parents and went to find Sophy and Clover.

They waited a long time by the bridge.

Then at last, just as the colour of dawn began creeping into the sky, the sound of wingbeats filled the air.

Sophy leapt up at once. “Windrunner, is that you?”

The noise grew louder and swirls of wind lifted the girls' hair. Windrunner landed in the river with an enormous splash. He paddled to the edge, climbed out and shook the water off his huge leathery wings. The girls stood back so that they didn't get soaked.

“Hello, Sophy! Hello, Maya!” Windrunner
looked at Clover with kind amber eyes. “Hello, little unicorn.”

“Hello, Windrunner,” said Maya. “It's great to see you.”

Sophy ran up to give the dragon a hug. “Thank you for coming back.”

Windrunner bowed his head. “Where to now, Sophy?”

“We're taking this foal back to the sky unicorn herd,” Sophy told him.

Windrunner made Sophy stand back before giving out a long fiery breath to dry off his wet scales. “Climb on!”

Sophy and Maya scrambled on. Clover didn't want to at first but Sophy explained that it might be too far for him to fly. He found it hard to balance on Windrunner's back, but the girls helped him and soon they were all sitting down safely. Maya's heart thumped as she held on tight.

With a massive leap, Windrunner took off. He soared high above the river before swooping down till they almost touched the water. Rising high again, he took them up and up until Maya thought she could almost touch the clouds.

The Emerald Plain rolled past below them. Maya gazed at the long, curving shape of the river that she was so used to sailing on. It was strange to see it from here – it looked so small!

The sky grew brighter as the sun rose. Windrunner flew on steadily. Clover's eyelids drooped and he slept for a while. Maya held on to him, making sure he stayed safely on the dragon's back.

“I can see the unicorn herd,” Windrunner growled, plunging downwards.

The sky unicorns raised their heads as the storm dragon landed at the edge of their valley. One unicorn rushed forward, tossing her mane in delight.

Clover woke up and bounded down from the dragon's back to meet his mum again. They touched noses and then Clover's mum nibbled his ear.

Maya and Sophy climbed down more slowly and the herd of sky unicorns gathered round them.

“How strange that two girls and a storm dragon have brought our little Clover back to us,” said one unicorn.

“Perhaps the stories from the songbirds are true,” said another. “Can you talk to us, girls? Do you have a magical stone that makes this possible?”

“Yes, we do!” said Maya.

Both girls took out their stones and showed the sky unicorns the beautiful crystals inside. The magical animals nodded their heads and murmured to each other.

“I thank you for bringing my baby back to me,” said Clover's mum, and she bowed her head to each of the girls and then to Windrunner. “I think the human who took him must be a very bad man.”

Windrunner shook his head, smoke billowing from his nostrils. “Sir Fitzroy is dangerous! What wicked ideas will he have next?”

“Then you haven't heard?” said Clover's mum. “The songbirds tell us he has sent letters to his friends all over the kingdom, urging them to capture magical animals. Every enchanted creature is now in danger.”

Maya and Sophy exchanged looks.

“I won't let him hurt them,” cried Sophy. “I'm going to find more people who will help – people who can use the Speaking Stones like Maya and me.”

“I'll come with you!” said Maya. “We can't let Sir Fitzroy win. There are lots of different creatures to protect – star wolves, firebirds and
many more. We'll have to fly right across the kingdom!”

A unicorn with a pale-green tail stepped in front of Maya. “My name is Marella,” she said. “I would like to repay the great help you have given young Clover by offering to carry you anywhere you wish to go.”

“Thank you,” said Maya. “I'd like that very much!” She climbed on to Marella's back.

Clover bounced up to them. “Don't forget to come back and visit me, Maya!”

“I won't!” Maya beamed down at him. “I could never forget you, Clover!”

Sophy climbed on to Windrunner's back. The storm dragon and the sky unicorn soared side by side into the light-blue sky.

Maya smiled across at Sophy. She couldn't wait for their next secret rescue!