by Julie Sykes
“A big fat cheating team, more like,” said Matilda crossly. “I know you were going to use Golden Briar’s magic to get that feather.”
“You can think what you like. You didn’t see anything. And personally, I don’t think having magic would make any difference to your chances, Matilda. Not unless it’s super strong tidying magic. I mean, look at the state of you. Do you even own a comb? Oh, don’t tell me, I expect it broke in that bird’s nest you call hair. Go away and take your loser friends with you. You’re not going to win the scavenger hunt. We are!”
Matilda tensed.
“Ignore her,” said Violet. “She’s not worth it.”
“You’re right.” Matilda breathed out slowly. “Let’s go.”
“Ruby dorm can’t be allowed to cheat,” said Ariana angrily, as the Diamond girls rode away.
“I know, it’s not fair,” Violet agreed. “But what can we do? If we tell the teachers then we’ll just look like snitches.”
“I think we should tell,” said Rosa. “Cheating’s wrong. What do you think Freya? Freya, are you even listening?”
Freya was sitting on Honey’s back, a faraway look in her eyes. “Yes, totally,” she said, blinking. “Whatever you say.”
Rosa sighed in frustration.
“I hate telling tales,” said Matilda. “Let’s not say anything. We’ll just have to make sure that Diamond dorm wins.”
“Yes, let’s do that!” said Rosa, looking happier.
On the way to the middle of the woods, they skirted a pond and Rosa found a sparkling hag stone in the water. Then Violet spotted a green feather caught on a branch.
“We’re doing really well,” she said. “We’ve got three things and the chinchilla fur will make four.”
“Wow!” Matilda exclaimed as they entered a huge clearing at the centre of the dell. “Look at that!” The ancient Heart Tree was twice the size she’d expected. Caught in a ray of sunlight, its trunk shone pure gold and its slender branches arched overhead to form the shape of a heart. But as Pearl walked closer, Matilda realised something was very wrong. The tree seemed to be covered with a furry mould and instead of a fiery red, the heart-shaped leaves were wrinkled and brown. Piles of dead leaves lay in heaps at the base of the tree.
“Is that really the Heart Tree?” asked Freya.
“It can’t be,” said Violet. “It’s dying.”
Matilda got off Pearl and went to investigate. “It is the Heart Tree,” she said, picking up a crinkled heart-shaped leaf from the ground.
“What’s that noise?” Ariana had followed Matilda over to the Heart Tree but now she stopped to listen.
“Look!” breathed Violet, pointing at the base of the tree. Dozens of frightened dark eyes were peering round the trunk at the girls and unicorns.
“It’s the chinchillas!” said Matilda. She and the others dismounted and approached slowly. The chinchillas huddled closer together, chittering anxiously. They were surrounded by piles of soft pink fur.
One brave chinchilla left the group and scampered towards the girls. It stood up on its hind legs and chattered at them, waving its little front legs.
“I don’t understand chinchilla,” Matilda said, looking round at the others in concern. “But I’m pretty sure it’s asking for our help!”
Matilda moved closer to the chinchilla, who seemed to be trying to talk to them. He squeaked in alarm and raced back to the others. They all scattered, their squeaks becoming more high-pitched as they jumped into the Heart Tree’s sagging branches, sending more leaves swirling to the ground.
“Stop,” called Matilda. “We’re not going to hurt you. Please come back.”
“They’re terrified. Whisper, can you help?” asked Ariana.
Whisper had soothing magic. It meant he could calm animals and people whenever they were anxious or angry. Tossing his mane, he lifted a hoof and stamped it on the ground.
Crack! Blue, pink and purple sparks swirled in the air accompanied by the delicious scent of caramelised sugar. A memory tugged at Matilda’s mind. She’d recently smelt that same smell. When had it been?
But her thoughts were distracted by the sight of the chinchillas. As Whisper’s magic reached them, they stopped squeaking and climbed back down to the base of the tree. Looking much calmer, they scampered towards the girls, who knelt down to greet them.
The chinchillas jumped into their laps. Matilda ended up with one on each shoulder and three in her arms. Their soft pink fur tickled her chin and their eyes were dark and sparkling. They had large round ears and they made a soft chittering sound.
“What is it?” she whispered, knowing they were trying to tell her something. “What’s been happening here?”
“I bet it’s something to do with the Heart Tree,” said Rosa, looking up from her own armfuls of chinchillas. “I wonder why it’s dying?”
“Hey, why are you all wearing chinchillas?” called a voice.
It was Miki and Himmat from Topaz dorm. Matilda smiled at them; she liked both of the boys.
“Is pink fur the new fashion?” said Himmat, laughing loudly.
“Shh, don’t scare the chinchillas. Something’s upset them,” said Violet.
Miki and Himmat immediately stopped fooling around and looked concerned. “What do you mean?” Himmat asked, lowering his voice.
Rosa explained what they had found. Himmat investigated the tree while Miki, who was brilliant with animals, picked up a chinchilla from the ground. He stroked it gently, starting behind its ears, then along its back and tail. The chinchilla relaxed into Miki’s arms. Miki frowned. “Something’s definitely wrong. Look how patchy its fur is in places. I know chinchillas moult at this time of year but their coats should always look glossy and healthy. Himmat, can you pick me some leaves from those small white flowers? Yes, those ones,” he added as Himmat pointed to a shady area dotted with tiny white star shapes.
“Everyone, try feeding the chinchillas these leaves,” Miki urged as Himmat handed him a leaf and he offered it to his chinchilla. “They’re good for chinchillas, they’ve got lots of the vitamins they need and they help calm them down.”
The chinchillas munched on the leaves, staring at the children with huge eyes as if they were waiting for them to do something.
Miki pushed his long black fringe out of his eyes. “I don’t understand it. Whatever it is that’s upsetting the chinchillas, it must be very serious for their coats to be affected.”
“I think it’s got to be something to do with the tree,” said Violet.
“I vote we find Ms Rivers and tell her about it,” said Ariana.
“I agree,” said Rosa, “but let’s finish the scavenger hunt first and then tell her. A couple more hours won’t make any difference. It would be so annoying to let Valentina win, especially since it sounds like she’s cheating.” Rosa put the chinchilla she was cuddling down at the base of the Heart Tree. Then she pulled a ball of pink fur from her top. “This will do for the scavenger hunt. Come on, let’s get going. We’ll sort out the chinchillas and collect some fur for Matilda to sleep on later.”
“We’d better get going too,” said Miki. He placed his chinchilla down and plucked some fur from the ground. “You’re right, a few more hours won’t matter. Hopefully Ms Rivers will be able to sort it out. She knows lots about animals.”
Everyone jumped back on their unicorns, but Matilda hesitated.
“Come on, Matilda,” said Pearl nudging her. But Matilda was longing to draw the Heart Tree.
“Just give me a few minutes,” she begged, pulling her sketchbook out. “I’ll catch you up in a sec!” she called to the others, who had started riding away. “Don’t wait!” She didn’t want to stop them from finding the things they needed.
“OK,” Rosa called back. “Don’t be long!”
Silence fell and Matilda started to draw. The tree looked so sad with its fallen leaves but it was also still strangely beautiful. What had happened to it? Her fingers flew across the page. The chin
chillas scampered around her feet but then suddenly they froze, their large ears swivelling. Matilda listened and then she heard it too – the sound of hoof beats. At once, the chinchillas fled. Scrambling over each other, they raced into the surrounding bushes.
“Matilda,” said Pearl breathlessly. “Look!”
Matilda followed Pearl’s gaze and inhaled sharply. A figure cloaked in black was cantering towards the clearing, riding a golden-maned unicorn. The unicorn’s hoof beats grew louder as it carried the hooded figure closer. Icy fingers swept down Matilda’s spine – was this the person responsible for the Heart Tree dying and the chinchillas’ fear?
She vaulted on to Pearl’s back but it was too late for them to escape. She gripped Pearl’s mane. “What are we going to do now?” she whispered.
Pearl cantered towards a bright orange bush at the edge of the clearing. Its twisted leaves looked like a roaring fire. “It’s too small to hide us both!” cried Matilda. “We need something bigger!”
Sparks shot up in front of them and a smell of burnt sugar filled the air. Matilda squeaked in surprise and Pearl skidded to a halt as the bush suddenly doubled in size.
“What just happened?” gasped Matilda.
“It’s my magic!” said Pearl. “Those sparks came from my hooves. I was wishing the bush was bigger and suddenly it was!” She dashed behind it. “I must have glamour magic – it means I can create illusions for a short time. My aunt has it too, it’s awesome.”
“Glamour magic! Oh, wow!” That explained all the strange things Matilda had seen recently – the wings, the sleeping bag. But she didn’t have time to think any more about it. “Shh!” she hissed as she peered round the bush and saw the hooded figure cantering into the clearing.
“Um, Matilda, I don’t know how long I can hold the glamour for,” Pearl whispered, her breath tickling Matilda’s ear. “My aunt always told me it’s hard to control a glamour at first. Stay as still as you can, that should make it easier for me.”
Matilda nodded, pressing a finger to her lips. Her heart pounded loudly as she watched the person leap from their unicorn in a swirl of black cloth. Matilda tried to see their face but the hood hid it well.
Furtively, the figure glanced around and then walked over to the Heart Tree. They took out a round glass bottle from a bag tied at their waist and set it at the foot of the Heart Tree. Then they drew something else from under their cloak. It flashed in the sunlight. Matilda almost gasped out loud. A knife! The figure made a long, deep cut in the tree’s trunk. Tossing the knife on the ground, the figure lifted the bottle to the cut and caught the deep-red sap that oozed from the trunk.
Matilda could hardly bear to watch as the magical sap drained into the bottle. The tree’s branches drooped even further as their life force drained away, leaving just a few stray droplets glittering on the bark. If only she could get a glimpse of the figure. She leaned forward…
“Matilda!” Pearl whispered in alarm. “Don’t move! The glamour’s fading!”
Matilda’s breath caught in her throat as the pretend bush hiding them started to tremble and dissolve.
“Make another one!” hissed Matilda.
“I can’t,” Pearl panted. “My magic’s not strong enough yet.”
“Then gallop!” screamed Matilda, vaulting on to Pearl as the figure glanced round. Pearl raced into the woods, heading for the track that led back to the campsite. Matilda dared to look back, expecting to see the dark figure and the unicorn with the golden mane chasing after them, but to her astonishment she saw that the chinchillas had come charging out from the bushes and had leapt at the person’s cloak, hanging on to it with tiny claws and running up the sleeves.
“No! Get off, you little pests!” It was a woman’s voice but Matilda didn’t stop to hear any more. Leaning forward, she urged Pearl through the dense trees until they broke out on to the track. Matilda realised that Pearl was not galloping as fast as normal – doing magic had clearly tired her out.
“Keep going,” Matilda urged her. “Come on, Pearl!” She stroked Pearl’s neck, hoping her unicorn would feel her love. Finding an extra surge of energy, Pearl raced along the track, leaving the sinister figure behind.
“Look! There’s everyone, up ahead.” Matilda sat back and Pearl slowed down. “We’re safe now. I don’t think they followed us. Well done, Pearl. You did brilliantly.”
“So did you. You were really brave,” panted Pearl. “Thanks for not panicking.”
“It’s my fault we nearly got caught. If only I hadn’t moved, then you would have held the glamour and that horrible person would never have seen us.”
“That’s not true,” said Pearl. “It’s much easier to hold a glamour if you keep still but I was already losing that one. It was my fault for not having better control of my magic yet.”
“No. I’m to blame, not you,” said Matilda. “I promise to listen more carefully in future.” Matilda hugged Pearl’s neck. “Thanks for being the most brilliant unicorn ever.”
“And thanks for being the best friend a unicorn could have,” said Pearl. She tossed her head. “Now let’s go and tell the others what we saw!”
Rosa was ticking items off their scavenger hunt list while the other Diamond dorm girls held out their finds. Matilda and Pearl cantered into the centre of the group.
“Oh, there you are, Matilda. We thought we were going to have to come back and get you. We’ve done really well – Freya found a six-petal daisy so now all we need is an orange leaf. If we find one quickly, we could win!” Rosa finished triumphantly.
“Are you OK?” Violet asked, seeing Matilda’s pale face.
“There was a cloaked figure. It chased us!” Matilda blurted out.
The others frowned. “Really?” said Rosa doubtfully.
“Is this one of your jokes, Matilda?” asked Ariana. “Because if it is, it’s not very funny.”
“Yes, we haven’t really got time to mess around now,” said Freya.
“Not if we want to get back before Valentina’s team,” added Violet.
“I’m not making it up!” exclaimed Matilda. “It’s true!” She told them everything that had just happened. She didn’t leave anything out, even telling them the part when she’d not remembered to stay still and caused Pearl’s glamour to collapse. “The chinchillas were brilliant,” she added. “They stopped the person from chasing us.”
Ariana frowned. “You don’t sound like you’re teasing,” she said, doubtfully.
“I’m not!” said Matilda in frustration. Why wouldn’t her friends believe her?
“Matilda is telling the truth,” said Pearl, backing her up.
“She must be!” spluttered Freya. “Look everyone!” She pointed at Matilda’s hair. “Matilda’s got a streak of pink and yellow in her hair. She’s bonded with Pearl!”
Matilda tipped her head forward and stared in surprise at the pink and yellow lock of hair, the exact same shade as Pearl’s mane. Happiness rushed through her. Now the others would have to believe her!
“Oh, wow!” said Rosa. “Glamour magic is so cool and useful, too.”
“Hang on,” said Ariana anxiously. “If the story’s true, shouldn’t we be getting out of here? I can’t imagine the chinchillas will be able to stop the person for long.”
“Shh!” said Freya, suddenly holding up her hand. “Can anyone hear that?”
Immediately, everyone stopped talking and listened.
“Hoof beats. Oh no! They did follow us!” Pearl’s ears flickered anxiously. “Quick everyone, gallop!”
“Too late!” The golden-maned unicorn charged out from the trees, the hooded figure steering it straight towards the girls. Her voice, muffled by the cloak, was harsh and bitter. “This time I’ll put an end to your medalling ways.”
Her unicorn stopped in a shower of sparks. Lifting its hoof, it stamped on the ground. The earth started to move, spiralling upwards into a mini tornado of glittering red and yellow sparkles. The tornado buzzed as it spun towards th
e girls. Then, suddenly, it broke apart.
“Hex hornets!” shrieked Matilda, as the huge, angry insects flew at the girls and the unicorns. They all scattered in alarm. Hex hornets would chase people for hours and gave terrible stings.
The hex hornets reached Ariana and Whisper first. Whisper reared up in a panic and Ariana shrieked and tumbled off his back. As always, the island’s magic formed a pink bubble around her, cushioning her fall so she wasn’t hurt. But as the bubble carried Ariana safely to the ground, the hex hornets encircled Whisper, making it impossible for her to reach him.
The figure cackled with laughter. “Time for a little binding spell, next, I think!” They began to draw something from their cloak as clouds of hex hornets buzzed towards the other girls. Pearl whinnied and turned to bolt away.
“Wait!” cried Matilda, looking back and seeing the others all being surrounded. “We can’t leave them! Do something, Pearl. Turn into a tiger or something.”
“I can’t,” said Pearl, stopping. “I’m too tired for my magic to work.”
“You can do it!” said Matilda, leaping off Pearl’s back and seeing the figure riding towards Ariana with a hand outstretched. “You’re totally brilliant at everything!”
“OK, I’ll try.” Pearl slammed her hoof on the ground. Sparks spluttered in the air and dissolved. The cloaked figure looked round and laughed scornfully.
“Pathetic! You haven’t got any magic that can hurt me.”
“You’re the pathetic one, harming innocent creatures!” screamed Matilda. “Try again, Pearl. You can do this. I know you can!”
Pearl took a deep breath and stamped so hard the ground shook. A fountain of pink sparks shot up into the air and suddenly Pearl vanished. In her place stood a giant orange-and-black striped tiger with legs as thick as tree trunks. Matilda heard her dorm-mates gasp and saw their astonished faces. The tiger threw back its head and roared furiously, showing its enormous teeth.