Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN Early the next morning, Scarlett arrived, shivering, at the stables. She knew at once from the chatter among the unicorns that something was wrong. "What's up?" she asked. "It's so cold that the stored lake water is beginning to freeze," Blaze said. Scarlett peered into the heated containers. A thin crust of pink, yellow and blue ice crystals had formed on the surface of the water inside. They sparkled prettily in the early morning

sunlight streaming through the doors. Scarlett felt a shiver of fear. Why weren't the heated containers stopping the water from freezing? Had someone tampered with them or put a spell on them and also the lake? But who would do such a terrible thing? Everyone knew how important the waters of Sparkle Lake were to the survival of the island. Scarlett shook her thoughts away. Surely no one from Unicorn Island would be stupid enough to freeze the lake's waters on purpose? Pulling off a glove, she broke up the ice crystals so the unicorns could have a drink, then she and Blaze went to the lake. Sage was waiting there for them. "This cold snap is getting worse," he said. "Blaze, you are the only unicorn here at the school with fire magic. I want you to try to thaw Sparkle Lake. It is a huge task and you may not succeed, but this will be good practice for you and your new power, and you may be able to thaw the lake

enough for the unicorns to drink fresh lake water today. If Sparkle Lake remains frozen then Ms Primrose will be forced to close the school." Scarlett exchanged an anxious look with Blaze. She didn't want the school to shut. "Scarlett, you can help Blaze by encouraging her. When a unicorn feels loved and confident their magic becomes stronger," Sage said. "Work together and stay off the ice or you'll fall through it as it melts. Work slowly, starting at the edge, or you'll lose control. Begin!" Scarlett fell silent as Blaze, watched by Sage, started on the enormous task. Sage had taught Blaze two ways to use her fire magic. She could either stamp a hoof or she could breathe gently on an object. Blaze was good at fire making. Each time she stamped on the ice a red-gold flame flared from her hoof, making the ice crackle and hiss as it slowly melted. She made it look easy but

Scarlett could see her muscles trembling with effort. "Come on, Blaze, we can do this," she urged, rubbing her neck. A long while later, Blaze managed to create a sliver of water in the ice. It didn't seem much to Scarlett, especially for all the effort involved, but Sage was delighted. "It's a good start," he told Blaze. "I must leave you now and contact all the fire unicorns on the island to ask them for help. Keep up the

good work, and be careful." He galloped away. Scarlett groaned. "This is so boring. Look, there's Isabel and Cloud. Shall we take a break now Sage has gone? Hey, Isabel. Over here!" "What are you doing?" asked Isabel, riding Cloud on to the ice. As Scarlett explained the task Blaze had been given Isabel's eyes widened. "Can we watch?" Spurred on by an audience, Blaze arched her neck and stamped a hoof. A flame arched over Isabel and Cloud, falling at the far side of the lake. A chunk of the ice melted in one go. "Woohoo!" cheered Isabel, and Cloud whinnied loudly. "Naughty, Blaze!" chuckled Scarlett. "You're supposed to be doing a tiny bit at a time." "This is much more fun, though!" Blaze answered. "I bet I could melt the fountain if I tried."

"Ooh, this I have to see," Isabel told Cloud. "Let's get closer." Blaze whispered to Scarlett. "I'm going to send an arch of fire over Cloud and Isabel and melt the fountain right in front of them." Scarlett clapped with delight. "Wicked! Go, Blaze!" Cloud was about to skate over to the fountain when a voice shouted out, "Wait!" They turned to see Layla hurrying over to the edge of the lake. "You should keep off the ice while Blaze is melting it," she warned Isabel. Scarlett rolled her eyes at Isabel. Why was Layla being such a pain? It was only a bit of fun. She and Blaze might die of boredom from the huge task they'd been given, if they didn't take a break. Blaze took a deep breath and focused on the frozen fountain. Then she stamped her hoof. CRACK! An enormous ball of fire, like a tiny