Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR "Today, we are starting a new topic," said Ms Rivers, the strict Geography and Culture teacher. "Open your notebooks and put the heading Myths and Legends." Freya scribbled the words but her mind wasn't really on the lesson. All morning, Matilda had been shooting conspiratorial grins at her. Freya's stomach turned over anxiously. She hoped the others wouldn't notice and ask what was going on. Had she made a big mistake confiding in Matilda? She was great fun but she wasn't the most reliable or secretive person ever. I wish I hadn't told her, thought Freya, as she neatly underlined the title. "So, who can tell me any myths or legends

that we have here on Unicorn Island?" said Ms Rivers. Isla from Ruby dorm put up her hand. "What about the Frozen Lagoon? That's a myth, isn't it? A bottomless lagoon that's always covered with ice, that's supposed to be on the east coast of Unicorn Island but no one's ever found it." Valentina, also from Ruby dorm, snorted. "You're as dumb as a flapdoodle, Isla. Everyone knows that's just a made-up story." "Which is precisely why Isla's suggestion is a very good example of a myth, Valentina," said Ms Rivers sharply. "A myth is a story. It may once have had a grain of truth, but it has been exaggerated and changed over the years. Well done, Isla." As Ms Rivers turned away, Valentina pulled a face at Isla. "Flapdoodle!" she hissed. Isla quickly looked down at her desk. Valentina was one of the meanest girls at the school and Freya felt sorry for Isla, Molly and Ana who shared Ruby dorm with her. Valentina was in her second year at the academy because

she and her unicorn, Golden Briar, hadn't bonded in the first year. Being a second year seemed to make Valentina bossier and snappier each day. Miki put up his hand. "I know a myth, Miss," he said. "Yes, Miki?" Freya saw Miki's eyes twinkle mischievously. "If you don't graduate from Unicorn Academy at

the end of your second year, you turn into a red-bellied slug with four eyes and a pointed nose, so Valentina had better watch out, hadn't she?" He grinned. Valentina returned his grin with a death glare. Ms Rivers sighed. "No, Miki, you know you don't. Now, has anyone got anything sensible to contribute?" Himmat put up his hand. "There's a myth about a ghost that haunts the towers of the academy. It's supposed to be a teacher who once died here. She walks around the corridors and climbs the towers at night." "Is that true?" said Violet. Himmat nodded. "My brother thought he saw her when he was here." "Himmat, that's not quite the kind of myth I was thinking about," said Ms Rivers. "Have any of you heard about the Silver Unicorn? It's a mysterious unicorn who appears occasionally, always first thing in the morning, and anyone who sees it is blessed with good luck." Freya made notes as Ms Rivers continued to

tell them some of the myths of the land. It was really interesting, and she was surprised when break time came. They all headed to the dining room for cookies and hot chocolate. "Maybe the noises we heard yesterday from above our dorm were made by the ghost who haunts the school," said Rosa as they left the classroom. "But ghosts aren't real," Ariana argued. "Well, something made that noise," Rosa told her. "There could be another explanation," said Matilda, sending Freya a look. Freya tensed. Surely Matilda wasn't going to give the game away? "So… Um, when are we going to tell the other dorms about the party?" she said quickly. To her relief, her change of subject worked. "We'll tell them now– at break," said Rosa. "Most people will be in the hall so we can pass the message round. Come on!" Matilda grabbed Freya's arm and dropped back as Rosa hurried on with Ariana and Violet.

"Can we see the secret room now?" she whispered. "Now? But we've got cross-country with Ms Tulip after break." "That's half an hour away. We can have a look and get to the stables in time if we go now." Freya sighed. "OK. Let's go. But remember you're not to tell anyone." "I won't," said Matilda. They peeled away from the others and headed for the spiral staircase. "In here," said Freya, opening the cupboard. Matilda raised her eyebrows. "But this is just a cupboard." "No, it's not. Watch!" Freya went to the wall and pulled the lever. There was a familiar creak. She pressed her back to the wall and felt it start to move. Matilda squealed as the wall revolved and Freya vanished from sight. Freya hastily pulled the lever again and returned to the cupboard. "So?" she said, her eyes shining. "Oh. My. Wow!" gasped Matilda, her eyes as