Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE "So, what do you think?" Rosa looked at everyone. They were all standing in a group outside the stables with their unicorns. She had even managed to pique Freya's curiosity enough to make her join them with Honey. "I'm sure the magic map gave me a definite sign that we should go to the Glittering Cavern. It's in some mountains that are not too far away. We could ride there in about four hours I think. We could be back by dinner if we leave soon." "I think we should go," said Violet. Twinkle nodded.

"I still think it's too dangerous," protested Ariana. "And it's a really long way." "Please let's go," said Whisper, her unicorn. "It sounds really exciting." "We'll have a vote," decided Rosa. "All those in favour of going to the Glittering Cavern today, raise your hands or nod your heads." All the unicorns nodded enthusiastically and all the girls, apart from Ariana and Freya, raised their hands. Freya hesitated for a moment and then nodded and raised her hand too. Honey whinnied in delight. "It's decided then!" Rosa exclaimed. "We've voted and it's agreed. We're all going to try to find the Glittering Cavern– and the missing model of the academy." "All right," said Ariana reluctantly. "But we must be careful, and what will we do about food?" "I'll deal with that," Rosa declared. "Meet me back here in an hour and we'll set off then!"

She was thrilled. Finally Diamond dorm were going to do something all together, and just imagine how pleased the teachers would be if they came home with the missing model! "You're the best, Rosa," Crystal said, nuzzling her as the others went off to get breakfast. "I love the way you organise everyone."

Rosa hugged her. "We'll find the model," she told her. "I know we will!" Rosa arranged for Cook to give everyone a packed lunch and gathered together some blankets, packing them into a rucksack with some rope and a compass. At last they all set off, riding their unicorns northwards, keeping on course with the help of Rosa's compass. All the unicorns seemed very excited to be riding out on an adventure. Rosa kept noticing a flurry of pink sparks swirling around Crystal's hooves as she trotted along. The February day was sunny and cold, but Rosa, in the lead, went at such a fast pace that it wasn't long before Crystal was thirsty. "I need a drink," she declared, changing course and trotting towards a babbling brook at the far end of the meadow they were riding through.

"Water!" squealed Pearl, splashing straight into it with Matilda still on her back. Rosa, Freya, Ariana and Violet dismounted. Freya let Honey take a long drink while she stood with a faraway look on her face. I bet she's thinking about making some sort of machine, thought Rosa, with a flicker of irritation. Why can't she just focus on what we're doing now? Crystal finished drinking and shook her head, spraying everyone with rainbow-coloured water droplets. "Eeew!" screamed Matilda, getting splashed. "Water fight!" "Yay! Water fight!" Pearl stamped her

hooves in the brook. Whisper retaliated, creating a mini whirlpool with his hooves as he kicked up the water. "Stop!" cried Ariana desperately. "Please stop. Whisper, you're soaked. How can I ride you when you're that wet?" Whisper was having too much fun to listen. He stamped a hoof, sending a wave of coloured water cascading over Twinkle and Honey, and an even bigger wave over Crystal. "Take that!" whinnied Crystal. Pink sparks swirled around her as she stamped in the brook, over and over again. Rosa's nose wrinkled as she caught a whiff of something sweet in the air. "Crystal!" she gasped. "Look at you!" For a second, Crystal was lost in a whirl of snowflakes that spun around her in a sparkling white mist. The unicorns stopped splashing and stared, their mouths hanging open in wonder. Gradually the snowflakes stopped spinning and