Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX Lunch was hot soup with crusty bread straight from the oven. Scarlett ate ravenously. As she ate she told Isabel everything that had happened. "I can't believe I stayed in the stables and didn't see it," groaned Isabel. "You're so lucky. Fire magic sounds awesome." "It really is." Scarlett grinned, remembering the way Blaze had soaked Valentina and Golden Briar with snow from the trees. "We can go out together later and I'll show you."

But when they returned to the stables after lunch, the temperature had dropped further and neither of them was keen to go back outside. They decided to groom their unicorns in the walkway instead, but Cloud was thirsty and the water in the troughs had frozen solid again. "It's freezing as soon as it leaves the spout," said Cloud. Worry niggled at Scarlett. How would the unicorns get enough to drink? "Can Blaze use her magic to thaw it?" asked Isabel. Scarlett grinned with relief. "Brilliant idea. What do you think, Blaze? Do you want to show Isabel your magic?" Blaze nodded eagerly. It wasn't just Isabel and Cloud who were looking. The other pupils and unicorns nearby were also watching curiously. "Stand back," Scarlett said grandly. "Give Blaze some room."

"I don't think you should do this, Scarlett," Layla said anxiously. "The books I've been reading say you need to be extra careful with fire magic." Scarlett ignored her and beat a drum roll on the stable door with her hands. Blaze bowed to the ground as if she was performing. Then, slowly, with lots of show, she pointed her spiralled horn at the main water trough. A flurry of red and gold sparks flew out and landed on the ice, melting it with a loud hiss. Everyone clapped loudly. Blaze hadn't finished. She stamped her hoof again and again. The sparks came faster, crackling brightly and warming the water until it began to steam rainbow colours. "It's like fireworks," squealed Isabel. Scarlett was so happy she thought she might burst. "Fire magic's the best," she said, slinging an arm around Blaze's neck and hugging her. "And you're my best friend."

"Best friends forever," Blaze agreed, nuzzling her hair. She stamped her hooves one after the other playfully. Whoosh! Whoosh! A stream of orange and gold sparks flew up in the air. Scarlett giggled as they cascaded everywhere, and everyone else clapped. Blaze stamped harder, loving all the attention, until a hay bale by the storeroom burst into flames! Valentina was near the storeroom, fetching some hoof polish. "Fire!" she screamed. Delia and Jacinta shrieked loudly and ran for the door. Valentina barged past them, shoving Delia into Jacinta. Everyone else ran to help their unicorns escape.

Valentina reached the stable door to find the way out blocked by a tall, regal unicorn. He drew himself up to his full height and glared down at her. He was a magnificent creature with a golden mane and tail and gold swirls on his snowy white coat. "Sage!" whispered Scarlett in dismay. Now they were for it. Sage was Ms Primrose's unicorn. He was distantly descended from the first unicorn who'd ever lived on Unicorn Island. "Get water!" Sage ordered. The pupils grabbed buckets and threw water from the main drinking trough over the burning hay bale. The fire hissed and spat, the dying flames trailing a plume of acrid smoke that made everyone cough. Scarlett had never seen Sage angry but now his nostrils flared and his voice was icy. "That was exceptionally irresponsible, Blaze! Magic should be treated with great respect. You will

not use magic again until you have taken some lessons with me on how to conduct yourself when using your powers. And you…" His gaze fell on Scarlett. "You should have told Ms Rosemary that Blaze had discovered her magic instead of encouraging her foolish behaviour. Magic is not a party trick. The sooner you learn that lesson the better!" Blaze stared at the floor. Scarlett's red face matched Blaze's for embarrassment.