Chapter 6

Chapter 6 "I don't trust Ralf," Lucas said nervously as he followed Princess Pulverizer toward the meadow right before dawn.

"That's just because he dropped you in the middle of his show," Princess Pulverizer replied. "And because he warned us that we were going to be sorry after his audience walked out," Lucas reminded her. "I can't help thinking we're heading into a trap." Princess Pulverizer was thinking the same thing. But what else could she do? She had to prove Dribble was innocent. And Ralf was the only person in town who had said he could do that. It was a chance they were going to have to take. "Ah, you're here," Ralf greeted Princess Pulverizer and Lucas as they approached. "Now tell us how we can clear Dribble's name so we can leave," Lucas said. Ralf shot him an angry look. "Please," Lucas added nervously. Ralf gave them a creepy grin. "The solution to your problem is in here." The juggler reached into his pocket and pulled out a small

book. The title on the cover read Unicorns from A to Z. The princess was confused. "What do unicorns have to do with Dribble?" "It's right here on page 37. Unicorns have the unique ability to spot a liar," Ralf read. "If a unicorn senses someone is telling a lie, he will poke him with his horn. So if your friend Dribble says he didn't burn down the barn, and he's telling the truth, the unicorn will let him be. But if he's lying, the unicorn will poke him with his horn. All we have to do is get Dribble and a unicorn together in the village and let everyone hear what Dribble has to say." "How is that any different than my truth- telling sword?" the princess asked. "No one in Beeten Wheeten has heard of a truth-telling sword," Ralf reminded her. "Everyone has heard of unicorns. Plus, this is in a book. So it must be true."

"Where are we supposed to find a unicorn?" Lucas pointed out. "No one has ever seen a real one before." Ralf smiled so wide, Princess Pulverizer could see where his teeth were missing way in the back. "I've seen one," he said. "Right here in this meadow." Princess Pulverizer's eyes opened wide. "You saw a real live unicorn?" "Of course," Ralf replied. "Is there any other kind?" Lucas gave Ralf a suspicious look. "Even if you actually did see a unicorn, how are we going to get it to help us?" "That's where she comes in," Ralf explained, pointing at Princess Pulverizer. "Unicorns are timid around almost everyone. But they will come and lay their heads in the laps of kind girls. You, young lady, are going to be that girl." Lucas pulled Princess Pulverizer aside.

"Um... excuse us," the princess said quickly to Ralf. Then she turned to Lucas. "What?" she demanded. "I don't like this," Lucas whispered. "Why would Ralf want to help us? What's in it for him?" Princess Pulverizer should have been wondering the same thing. But the chance to meet a real unicorn was too tempting. "Okay," she said, walking back over to Ralf. "What do I do?" "Just sit here in the meadow," Ralf replied. "The unicorn will come to you." "That's all?" the princess asked. "That's all," Ralf repeated. He turned to Lucas. "You and I have to hide in the woods. Unicorns are shy. They don't like to be around a lot of people." "I'm not leaving her alone," Lucas said. "It's okay," the princess assured him. "See?" Ralf said. "She's fine. Besides, you want to help Dribble, don't you?"

Lucas scrunched up his face. "Okay," he finally agreed. "But I'm warning you. I'm staying right at the edge of the woods so I can keep an eye on things." Princess Pulverizer was impressed. Lucas was sounding less and less lily-livered every day. But it wasn't necessary. The princess didn't need anyone looking out for her. "Fine," Ralf told Lucas. "You go to that corner, and I'll go on the other side. That way we can both keep an eye on things." As Ralf and Lucas took to their separate corners in the woods, Princess Pulverizer sat on the damp grass and waited. She twisted her tongue around in her mouth. She twirled her hair with her fingers. And wiggled her toes inside her boots. She was not very good at waiting. Just as Princess Pulverizer was about to give up, she saw it. The unicorn. He looked like a cross between a white horse and a soft-