Unicorn School (7 page)

‘You were great, Storm,' Willow said.

‘Yes,' Sapphire said, stepping forward. ‘But we'd better get back before the teachers realize we're missing.'

As they galloped into the trees, Oriel said, ‘It'll be quicker if we fly back.'

‘But… but I can't fly,' Storm stammered.

Willow looked at his frightened face. ‘I bet you can. You were amazing just now when you moved the tree.'

Storm hesitated.

‘Have a try, Storm,' Sapphire urged him.

‘Yes, go on,' said Troy.

‘I bet you
can
do it,' Oriel told him.

A spark of confidence flared in Storm's eyes as he looked round at them all. ‘All right,' he said bravely. ‘I'll try!'

They lined up. ‘OK. One, two, three!' Oriel said.

Storm pushed down with his back legs and took off beside Willow. ‘You're flying!' she whinnied as they rose into the sky.

‘I am!' Storm gasped, wobbling beside her. He looked down and for
a dreadful moment Willow thought he was going to panic. She touched him with her horn. ‘You can do it,' she whispered.

His eyes met hers. ‘Yes,' he said determinedly. ‘I can!'

They flew side by side down the mountain. Swooping out of the woods they flew across the heath. They landed and galloped into the Moonlight Meadows.

Oriel's friends were grazing together. They looked up in astonishment as Oriel cantered into the meadows with Willow, Sapphire, Troy and Storm.

‘So it was true,' Gemini said. ‘You did need help.'

‘We thought you were joking!' Hera exclaimed.

‘Well, I wasn't,' Oriel told them. ‘Willow really was trapped behind a fallen tree. But Storm managed to move it. He was brilliant! He's so strong!'

‘It wasn't just me,' Storm said modestly.

‘No, but we couldn't have done it without you,' Oriel told him.

‘We'd have had to get a teacher if you hadn't been there and then I'd have got into so much trouble,' said Willow. She threw Oriel a cross look.

‘I'm sorry, Willow,' he said. ‘I should never have dared you to go

 

to High Winds Pass. I wish I could make it up to you.'

‘Well…' Willow glanced towards Storm. ‘You could do what you promised. That would be a start…'

Oriel nodded. ‘All right.' He looked Storm squarely in the face. ‘I'm sorry about giving you the cursed horseshoe, Storm,' he said. ‘It was a stupid trick. I'm going to tell Atlas it was all my fault.'

‘But you'll get into trouble,' Storm whinnied in alarm.

‘I know, but it's not fair if you get into trouble instead of me,' Oriel told him. ‘Thanks for not telling Atlas I gave you the horseshoe. That was really good of you.' He touched Storm's neck with his nose. ‘I'm sorry I've been teasing you. It's great that you're so big. I bet you'll win all the flying races for Rainbow House at the next sports day.' He looked across the meadows to where Atlas was. ‘See you later…' He grinned. ‘…If I survive the telling off that Atlas is probably going to give me!'

He cantered towards Atlas. Willow
smiled. Maybe Oriel wasn't so bad after all.

‘Let's go and tell the others in Rainbow House what's been happening,' Gemini said. ‘They should know how brilliant Storm's been.' Hera and Sorrel nodded and the three of them trotted off.

‘You'll be a hero when everyone hears about this,' Troy told Storm.

‘And just think, you can fly now!' Willow exclaimed.

Storm's eyes lit up. ‘You're right, I can! I flew all the way down from the mountain.'

Willow grinned. It was great to see Storm looking so happy at last.

‘Now we can race in the sky,' Troy told him.

‘And fly up to our stables,' said Sapphire.

‘I love being at Unicorn School!' Storm declared.

Willow looked round at her friends. She loved being at Unicorn School too. So much had happened in the few days since they'd arrived. She wondered how many more adventures they were going to have.

Lots
, the little unicorn told herself with a smile.