Destiny and Stardust (8 page)

Looking back later, Issie realised that what she did next was dumb. But panic had gripped her. She kept walking for a moment as she tightened the straps on her backpack and then, without even daring to look back, she broke into a run and began to sprint as fast as she could.

As soon as she started running the noise behind her became louder. She could hear the Grimalkin thrashing through the undergrowth beneath the blackthorn trees, the deep, feline growl growing nearer and nearer. It was chasing her. She should never have run, she realised. She couldn't outrun it. Maybe she should try to climb a tree? But then the Grimalkin would probably just climb after her. Besides, there weren't any trees to climb! Issie could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest. She couldn't keep running like this for much longer.

Behind her now she heard the Grimalkin, getting even closer. And then she heard another noise, a noise that made her heart soar. It was the sound of hoofbeats. Too scared to slow down, Issie tried to keep running and look behind her at the same time. The sun was glaring overhead and as she squinted into the brightness it was hard to see. Was that a horse approaching her down the dirt road? Yes! It was a horse. She could see the dapple-grey coat shining like armour in the light of the afternoon sun. It was Mystic!

As the little grey gelding got nearer Issie thought fast. She stopped running and jumped on to a nearby tree stump. “Mystic!” she called out.

The grey pony swerved to follow her and as he drew close she made a flying leap for his back and scrambled quickly onboard. Mystic slowed down just for a moment while Issie regained her balance, and then he surged on again at a gallop, with Issie clinging on desperately, her hands wrapped tightly into his long, flowing mane.

“Go, Mystic!” Issie urged the horse on. She needn't have bothered though; Mystic was already stretched out running, his legs flying over the ground beneath him, his hooves striking out a frantic rhythm on the rock-hard dirt of the road.

When the dapple-grey finally slowed his stride they had left the blackthorn bushes way behind them and Issie knew that they had outrun the Grimalkin. It wasn't until Mystic began to walk and she could untangle her hands from his mane that Issie realised how much she was shaking.

“Mystic! Ohmygod! What was that thing?” Issie murmured to the little grey. She realised now, she had been so terrified of the Grimalkin that she had barely had a chance to think about the fact that her Mystic, her own special, special Mystic was back. He hadn't forgotten about her. He was still here watching over her.

Issie ran her hands down the silvery dappled neck of the little grey. The pony shook his mane and snorted. Mystic was back. Whatever the creature was in those blackthorn trees, he had saved her from it. Issie looked back up the road behind them. There was nothing there. But she knew now that the Grimalkin was still out there somewhere. And so was Blaze.

Issie arrived back home to find the entire manor in a state of high drama. The dogs were all racing around madly on the cherry-tree lawn and Aunt Hester was standing on the veranda with Aidan and a group of men dressed in ranger's uniforms. Hester, who was doing most of the talking while the men listened and nodded, seemed to be very upset.

Issie walked across the lawn towards them. She had let Mystic go as soon as she had reached the Blackthorn Farm driveway, since she didn't want to risk him being seen by anyone. Now, as she came into view of the manor, the dogs began barking furiously and bounded up to meet her. Aidan saw her too and came running after them.

“Where have you been?” Aidan panted as he reached Issie's side. “Hester has been mad with worry. She called in the rangers. We were just about to set out with a search party.”

“I know, I'm so sorry,” Issie said. “I didn't mean to worry anyone. I thought I would be back home way before now.”

“Back from where?” Aidan asked.

“The lake,” Issie said. “I went down to the lake to look for the horses…”

“You did what?” Aidan was stunned.

“Aidan, I found the stallion and I nearly caught him! If the rest of the herd hadn't spooked him and I hadn't dropped the halter it would have all been OK, but then Blaze got scared too and she bolted and I was stuck out there in the middle of nowhere and Blaze is gone and…”

Aidan shook his head in disbelief. He looked up to see Aunt Hester approaching them, hopping along briskly on her walking cane across the lawn.

“Listen,” he hissed at Issie, “don't tell her any of this! You'll never be allowed out of the manor again if she thinks you've been off hunting wild stallions. Just keep quiet and leave it to me.”

“Isadora! Thank heavens you're all right!” Hester dropped her walking stick and grabbed Issie, smothering her in a Chanel-scented bear hug. “Where on earth have you been? We've all been so worried!”

“I… umm… I …”

“Issie went for a hack on Blaze and got thrown,” Aidan said quickly.

“Really?” Aunt Hester raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You seemed pretty upset this morning. I thought perhaps you had dashed off to do something rash?”

Issie looked sideways at Aidan. “Ummm…well, I guess I was upset. So I thought I'd go for a ride to calm down. I know I should have told you that I was going out but I thought you might not let me because of the Grimalkin, so I decided to sneak out. I'm really sorry I caused so much trouble. I thought I'd be back before anyone noticed I was gone—”

“So you're back safe and sound I see!” Cameron's voice booming across the lawn interrupted her. The ranger didn't look pleased to see Issie at all. “Well that was a complete waste of our time then, wasn't it, Hester? We'll be packing up and leaving you now.” The ranger glared at Issie. “You gave your aunt quite the scare young lady and wasted valuable time. I hope it won't happen again.” Cameron nodded to the other rangers, who set about packing away their backpacks and walkie talkies before piling into their Jeeps and setting off down the driveway.

“Don't worry about Cameron,” Hester said as she waved them goodbye. “A good search and rescue mission is what those men thrive on. They're just cross that we found you so quickly and ruined their fun!” She turned to her niece now with a serious expression. “Now, are you going to tell me what's really going on? Where is Blaze?”

“I… I went to find the wild horses and I… Blaze got spooked by the stallion and she took off. I lost her and I had to walk home again…” Issie sighed.

“Are you OK?” Hester asked, her face grave with concern.

“I'm fine, Aunty Hess. But Blaze is still out there. She's probably terrified by now. Aunty Hess, we have to go and get her!”

“She's a horse, Isadora,” Hester said firmly. “She can cope with one night of freedom out there in the wild. Besides, it's too late in the day; you don't want to be out there in the dark horse-hunting. You and Aidan can take Diablo and Paris out together tomorrow morning at first light and look for her.” Hester looked sternly at Issie. “And don't you go disobeying me on this matter. No more racing off again half-cocked to rescue wild horses, OK? I know that Cameron's news about the cull must have come as a shock to you and I love that you want to save the ponies, but we must be sensible and think this through – together.” She smiled at Issie. “Now let's get you inside. You need a long hot soak with some Epsom salts in the bath. You must be aching from walking all the way home.”

“I guess so,” Issie replied.

Issie took one last longing look up the driveway.

“Don't worry,” Aidan's voice was reassuring. “We'll find her tomorrow. We'll saddle up and set off as soon as it's light. I'll meet you down at the stables at around six a.m. OK?”

“Oh, Aidan…” Issie began, “it's all my fault. Blaze is out there all by herself and the Grimalkin is out there too…” She shivered at the thought. The Grimalkin had killed Meadow. What if it hurt Blaze?

“We'll get her back. I promise,” Aidan said softly. “I'll see you at six.”

“Aren't you going to come into the manor now and have dinner with us?” Issie asked.

“No thanks,” Aidan said. “I've still got to feed the horses. Besides, Hester is doing a roast.” He pulled a face. “I've had one of her roasts before and once was enough.” He smiled at Issie. “I'm really glad you're OK, Issie. I was… I mean, your aunt was worried about you.” And with that, Aidan waved a hasty goodbye as he turned and set off down the driveway.

When Issie arrived at the stables the next morning Aidan already had both horses tacked up and ready to go. “I'm taking Diablo, you're on Paris,” he said, handing Issie the mare's reins. Aidan looked at his watch. “Ten to six,” he said. “We should be at the lake in a couple of hours if we make good time along the ridge track. Come on, let's mount up.”

“Stand still, Paris,” Issie said as she popped one foot in the stirrup and bounced up neatly into the saddle. It felt strange to be on a horse that wasn't Mystic or Blaze. Paris felt new and totally different. She was stockier than Blaze – a Quarter Horse like Diablo, with a short neck and broad shoulders. Issie's legs wrapped around the barrel of the mare's wide belly. She looked down at the golden palomino and hesitated for a moment.

“She's a lovely ride; you'll have no trouble with her. She's Hester's favourite.” Aidan smiled.

The dawn light was turning the sky pink on the horizon as Aidan led the way through the gate on to the ridge track. “Are you ready?” Aidan asked. He was having trouble holding Diablo back; the piebald wanted to go.

Issie nodded and clucked Paris on, settling the mare into a steady pace beside Diablo, the two horses matching each other stride for stride.

They cantered on in silence all the way along the ridge. Occasionally Issie cast a wary eye at the forest next to them, but it was quiet. There was no sign of the Grimalkin. Issie stood up in her stirrups and leant low over the Paris's neck as she cantered. The sun had risen now and the palomino looked even more beautiful bathed in golden morning light.

It wasn't until they were past the forest and heading down into the farmland that Aidan finally slowed Diablo to a trot and they were able to talk.

“Thanks for coming with me to find Blaze,” Issie said to him.

Aidan shrugged. “That's OK. I don't think Hester would have let you ride back out again on your own and anyway, it's kind of fun. I don't get to do much hacking out these days; I have too much farm work to do.”

“Oh,” Issie said, “I see. I'm really sorry. I know you have loads of work and better things to do than go looking for my horse—”

“That wasn't what I meant,” Aidan stopped her. “I just meant… I'm having a really good time.”

“Me too.” Issie smiled. “But you have a big movie coming up, don't you? Aunty Hess says you're really busy with trick-training the horses.”

Aidan smiled. “Hester worries too much. Most of her horses are totally ready – they don't need any more training. Take Diablo here,” Aidan said, “he knows every trick in the book. He can climb stairs, count to ten, dance a waltz and take a bow at the end. Hester taught him all of that and I guess she's trained me too,” he laughed. “She knows a few things about convincing animals and people to do whatever she wants.”

Aidan gave Diablo a pat on his neck. “Hey, do you want to see one of his tricks?” Issie nodded.

“Here we go then!” Aidan suddenly pushed Diablo on into a canter. Issie pulled Paris up to a halt to watch as the piebald cantered a circle in front of her. Aidan waved over his shoulder to Issie.

“Watch this!” He grinned. While Diablo was still cantering, Aidan quickly swung one leg over the back of the saddle so that he was standing up in the stirrup, balancing on one side of the horse and clinging to the saddle with both hands. Diablo kept cantering smoothly as if there was nothing at all unusual about having his rider hanging off the saddle like a performing monkey. As they circled once more, Aidan crouched down. Now Issie couldn't even see him as he rode past her on the circle. He was hanging on so low he was hidden behind Diablo, and the horse looked totally riderless as he cantered by. Then she saw Aidan appear, hanging upside down now, dangling underneath the horse's belly. He cantered around once more, clinging on with just one hand. With the other hand he reached all the way down to the ground and as he raced past he snatched up a wild daisy. He swung himself gracefully back up into the saddle and pulled hard on Diablo's reins. The gelding reared up dramatically, thrashing the air with his front legs. Then he came down to the ground again, snorting and prancing, clearly pleased with his performance. Aidan rode up to Issie and handed her the daisy.

“Wow!” Issie grinned, taking the flower from Aidan and reaching forward to tuck it into Paris' bridle behind the horse's ears. “That was incredible!”

“Cowboy tricks!” Aidan smiled. “It's just like in those Western movies. You know, when the cowboy hides by riding low on the side of the horse so the other cowboys don't even know he's there to shoot? Diablo is great at all the cowboy tricks. Hester even taught him to play dead when a gun is fired; that's how she broke her leg. He dropped to the ground and she got pinned underneath him by mistake.”

“I know, she told me,” Issie said.

“So, Hester says that Blaze knows a few tricks too?” Aidan asked.

“She can't do anything as fancy as Diablo, but she can bow. She learnt that when she was in the El Caballo Danza Magnifico,” Issie said. “And she always comes when I whistle.”

“Well, that trick may come in handy,” Aidan said. “There's a whole lot of land out here. You may have to do a fair bit of whistling before we find your horse.”

Issie looked up ahead of her. Aidan was right. Blackthorn Farm went for hundreds of miles in every direction. How on earth were they ever going to find her horse? It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Issie was about to say as much when she heard a shrill whinny carrying clear and sharp in the morning air. Could it be Blaze? She looked up to where the sound was coming from. Ahead of her, on the horizon to the far left of the valley, she saw the grey shape of a pony, his dapples flashing in the brilliant sunshine. She squinted hard and tried to look again. The horse had disappeared, but she knew she wasn't seeing things. It was Mystic. He was trying to tell her to follow him. He was leading her to Blaze.

“This way!” she said confidently to Aidan. “I heard a horse; we need to go this way.”

As they cantered on through green pasture, Issie kept checking the horizon for the little grey gelding. Sometimes she would see Mystic just up ahead of her, as if he were waiting for her to join him. But as soon as she got close enough the little dapple-grey would run again, always staying ahead of her, guiding her on.

They had ridden for several miles like this when Issie finally rode up to the brow of the hill and looked down the other side. When she saw a horse in the valley below at first she assumed it was Mystic. Then she realised it was one of the grey mares, the one with the little black foal at her feet. Next to the grey mare grazed the chestnut skewbald, the buckskin and a couple of bays.