Chapter 4

Chapter four, Evie settled down in the dorm and read, her eyes quickly skimming over the words. The folly in the grounds had been built a hundred years ago by a headteacher called Ms Evergreen. According to the book, Ms Evergreen had been a fascinating woman, intrepid and brave and a passionate guardian of the island. Before becoming headteacher she had been an archaeologist and had spent many years searching for a precious jewel known as the Unicorn's Diamond. "The Unicorn's Diamond," Evie whispered aloud, feeling a shiver of excitement. The diamond was legendary for both its beauty and its power. Just then her friends came up the stairs, chattering loudly. Sienna threw the door open. "We won. We beat the boys five matches to three." "It was fun and when we got back to the stables, there was an explosion!" added Lyra. "One of the automated trolleys was trundling along with a bucket full of sky berries. It was just passing Sunshine's stable when there was a loud bang. The berries exploded and went everywhere." "Really?" Evie's eyes widened. "Was anyone hurt?" Ivy grinned. "No, but there was a huge mess. We had to wash Sunshine's mane. It turned blue with sky berry juice. "Is she OK?" "She's fine," said Ivy, putting a reassuring arm round Evie. "Ms Tulip thought the berries may have exploded because they were from last season and they'd been left in a warm cupboard. Sunshine seemed a bit shocked at first but we cleaned her up and left her munching on a hay net. She said not to tell you but we thought you'd want to know." Evie wondered why Sunshine hadn't wanted her to come and help but she pushed the thought away as she remembered her news. "You'll never guess what I've found out," she said.

They all sat on her bed while Evie explained what she'd discovered about the folly in the grounds. "Ms Evergreen, who built it, was headteacher here a hundred years ago. She sounds awesome. She was previously an archaeologist and she'd spent years searching for the Unicorn's Diamond." "The Unicorn's Diamond," said Lyra thoughtfully. "A beautiful diamond that grants the heart's desire of anyone who holds it. Isn't that just a legend?" "This book says no one knows for sure," said Evie. She glanced at its pages. "The legend is that it was created in ancient times, formed from the tears of joy shed by Unicorn Island's original unicorn, Daybreak, on the birth of her first foal. The—" "Daybreak?" interrupted Sienna. "Hang on! Isn't that the unicorn on the tapestry downstairs that hides the entrance to the secret room?" "Yes, and we had to follow carvings of Daybreak to get to the second piece of the map," said Ivy. Evie gasped loudly. "What is it?" demanded Lyra. "Have… have you got the– the map?" Evie asked, stumbling over her words in her excitement. "Yes. Why?" Lyra pulled the pieces out of her pocket and smoothed them out. "Look!" Evie's voice came out as a squeak as she stabbed her finger at the top corner of each piece. "There are pictures of Daybreak here too, in each corner. Could the map take you to—" "The Unicorn's Diamond!" finished Lyra. They all stared at each other. "Do you really think this map could lead us to the diamond?" whispered Sienna.

"Yes! I do!" Evie picked up her book again and read a paragraph out. "According to the legend, anyone who holds the diamond in their hand will be granted their heart's desire. For centuries people have sought the diamond in order to ask for their greatest wish. But the diamond, if it ever existed, has been so well hidden that so far no one has found it." She looked up, her eyes shining. "But maybe Ms Evergreen did find it—" Lyra broke in. "And hid it somewhere safe so that people couldn't get their hands on it. It would be awful if it was found by someone who wanted to make bad things happen." Evie nodded. "But Ms Evergreen made a map so that it could be found again if it needed to be. She cut it into four and hid the pieces in the school grounds." "And if we find the rest of the map, we'll find the diamond!" said Lyra, looking as if she was about to burst with excitement. "We've got to find it," said Sienna. Lyra jumped up. "Let's go and find the folly right now!" "We can't," said Ivy. "It's lunchtime."

"After lunch then," said Lyra. "No, Spiny Copse, where the folly is, is at the edge of the school grounds," said Evie. "We won't be able to get there and back before dark. We'll have to wait until Saturday– three days' time." Sienna nodded. "We could tell Ms Rivers we want to look at the wildlife and ask if we can take a picnic with us, then we can have the whole day to explore the tower." There was a faint noise outside their dorm door. Lyra hurried over and pulled the door open but there was no one there. She shut it behind her again. "Phew! I thought for a moment someone was listening to us. This must stay as our secret. We can't tell anyone about it. Promise?" They all nodded. "Promise!"