Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR The pupils gathered together in the yard for last minute instructions. Ms Nettles stood on a mounting block with Ms Rivers, the strict Geography and Culture teacher who was going to be accompanying the students. Ms Nettles clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. When the yard was totally silent, she began. "There are a few important things you must pay attention to before you leave. Firstly, the scavenger hunt competition: the winner is the first team back with everything on the list. That's the whole team. Ms Rivers shall be

camping at the entrance to Dingleberry Dell and her tent is your finishing point." "Secondly, and more importantly," she continued, "Though I know you're all keen to win the competition, do not put the scavenger hunt ahead of pitching your tent. You must ensure that you are all able to sleep safely tonight! And pick your campsite carefully. Last year, some students pitched their tent on an ant hill." Her lips twitched as she waited for the laughter to fade. "They did not have a comfortable night's sleep! And don't leave putting up your tent until dark. Pitching a tent at night is almost impossible. Finally, no magic can be used in the scavenger hunt." Ms Nettles silenced the groans with a hand. "Many unicorns have still not found their magic. It would not be fair to let those lucky ones who have use it for this task, especially since the prize for winning is something quite special." "What is it?" asked Miki from Topaz dorm.

"You'll have to wait and see, Miki." Ms Nettles said mysteriously. "Better still, you'll have to win and see! Now, Ms Rivers will lead the way to the dell. Go and get your unicorns! There's a scavenger hunt to win!" A loud cheer rang out, sending the bluebirds perched on the fence fluttering up with alarmed squawks. The sun was shining and it was a lovely ride to the dell. The mountains rose up behind the cluster of trees, tall and craggy, their peaks silhouetted against the sapphire-blue sky. At the entrance to the dell stood a tree that had turned completely white. The other trees clustered in a thick mass behind it, birds singing and squirrels scampering from branch to branch. "That white tree was once struck by lightning, children. It's easy to spot, and I shall camp just here," Ms Rivers told the students.

"When you have completed the scavenger hunt, come and find me. Now, off you all go!" Everyone whooped and set off into the trees. At first there were students and unicorns everywhere but gradually they all separated, following different paths. Rosa led the way for Diamond Dorm. "Let's get far away from everyone else!" she said, heading for the centre of the dell. They cantered through the trees, their unicorns leaping nimbly over roots and stones on the track. At last, when the noise from the other students had faded and they were

completely alone, Rosa and Crystal halted in a grassy clearing. "OK, let's have a look at the list," Rosa said. Each team had been given a list of things they had to find in the dell. Everyone crowded round as Rosa scanned the piece of paper. "It says we need a green feather, a six-petal daisy, an orange leaf, something pink, a sparkly hag stone– that's a stone with a hole in the middle– and a sprig of red heather," she said. "Should we get started?" "I think we should sort our camp out first," said Ariana. "Let's put the tents up before it gets dark, like Ms Nettles told us to." "But it won't be dark for ages," argued Rosa. "I know. Why don't we find some of the things on the list and then find somewhere to camp?" suggested Violet. "But if we want to win the scavenger hunt we should find all the things first," Rosa disagreed.

As they continued to argue about what to do, Matilda pulled out her sketchbook and started to draw the trees around her. It was a very pretty clearing, with a sparkling stream running through it and pink and purple flowers growing around the base of the trees. She was drawing a squirrel when she became aware that Rosa was talking to her. "Matilda! Did you hear what I just asked? We're taking a vote. Are you in or out?" "In or out of what?" said Matilda in confusion. Rosa frowned. "Honestly, Matilda. You never listen, do you? We're voting on whether we should find somewhere to camp or look for the things on the list first." "Oh." Matilda frowned. "Well, why don't we just camp here and then start looking for the scavenger hunt stuff?" The others looked round. "I suppose this would be a good place to camp," said Ariana