A Magical Friend Read Online Free Page B

where to go today,’ Stardust said idly. ‘We could visit the Grasslands or the beaches. Or perhaps we should start with the Savannah where the striped ponies roam wild. Then there’s the Horseshoe Hills and the Volcano. Maybe not the Volcano – it’s spooky there.’ Stardust shivered.
    Pippa stopped combing as something clicked into place.
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    â€˜The Volcano!’ she exclaimed. ‘Maybe that would explain the black hoof marks I saw in the courtyard yesterday. I wondered where they’d come from. Everywhere in Chevalia seems so clean, especially around the Castle, but volcanoes are covered in ash.’
    â€˜Are you sure?’ Stardust asked uncertainly. ‘Wouldn’t you rather search the beaches? We might find some clues there.’
    â€˜But the black hoof marks are a clue!’ Pippa said, her voice rising with excitement. ‘We have to search the Volcano.’
    â€˜I’m not sure,’ Stardust said reluctantly. ‘Storm – he’s my youngest brother – told me never to go there. It’s too dangerous.’
    â€˜Then I’ll go on my own,’ Pippa said stubbornly.
    Stardust’s eyes widened.
    â€˜You’d really do that?’
    Pippa nodded. She’d promised to save Chevalia and she meant to keep her word, no matter how dangerous it was.
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    â€˜Then I’m coming with you,’ said Stardust.
    Pippa hugged Stardust round the neck, pleased that she didn’t have to go to the Volcano alone.
    Even though she was nervous, Pippa was impatient to get started. After a hurried breakfast of cereal and apples, she and Stardust left the Castle by a back entrance. It was very early and the door was still locked. Stardust drew back the bolts with her teeth.
    â€˜Maybe the Night Mares stole our horseshoes,’ wondered Stardust. ‘Storm thinks that they live on the Volcano, but Comet, my bookworm brother, says that’s just a myth. But if it was the Night Mares then how did they get inside the Castle? All the doors are locked from the inside at night.’
    â€˜Perhaps someone helped them,’ suggested Pippa.
    â€˜No!’ Stardust exclaimed, sounding shocked. ‘Why would anyone do that?’
    Pippa shrugged. She didn’t know either. Chevalia was so special, she couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to harm it.
    Pippa could hardly believe how much her riding had improved in such a short time. She felt as comfortable riding Stardust bareback as if she’d been riding with a saddle. How impressed her pony-mad friends back home would be if they could see her now!
    At last, they entered the Foothills, keeping to the path so that they didn’t get lost. The higher they went, the steeper the path grew. Sometimes it ran alongside the cliff face. Pippa didn’t like that – it made her dizzy to look down and see the jagged rocks falling away beneath her. Stardust seemed to sense her fear and kept away from the edge.
    It was very peaceful. The only sounds were the clopping of Stardust’s hooves, the cry of the birds soaring overhead, and a soft rushing noise that Pippa couldn’t work out until they reached a small stream that crossed the path.
    â€˜So that’s what I could hear,’ Pippa said, as Stardust jumped the stream then stopped for a drink.
    â€˜Try some,’ she said. ‘It’s fresh and it’s clean.’
    Pippa slid from Stardust’s back and, kneeling down, scooped up the water in cupped hands. It was freezing cold and made her fingers tingle.
    â€˜Mmm, that’s delicious,’ she said, enjoying a long drink.
    Stardust nudged her playfully, her long, white mane falling over Pippa’s arm.
    â€˜That tickles!’ Pippa giggled, nudging Stardust back.
    Stardust dipped a hoof in the stream, splashing water at Pippa.
    â€˜Water fight!’ she neighed.
    â€˜Water fight!’ Pippa agreed enthusiastically, splashing Stardust