Chapter 8

Maggie watched the tiny horses play while Bob swept the floor where he’d cleaned the unicorn’s hoof. She had been watching them for a while when Bob said, “I suppose you should be heading home. Your parents must be worried about you. I’ll help you get there.”

“You don’t need to,” said Maggie proudly. “I came here by myself. I know the way back.”

Bob shook his head. “But that wasn’t safe. You ran into a troll on your way here. Who knows what you might meet if you walk back this late in the day.”

“No one would have brought me,” said Maggie. “My father is away at the other end of the forest chopping wood. He’s been gone for days, and we don’t know when he’ll be back. My stepmother is busy with her children. They are all younger than me, except Peter, who’s my age. He doesn’t like me. Today he left me in the meadow by myself. That was right before the goblins came.”

“You should never have been left alone. I want to meet your family,” said Bob. “They need to know that Peter left you.”

Maggie waited while he led an ordinary-looking horse out of a stall. “Why is he here?” she asked. “He doesn’t look magical at all.”

“You shouldn’t judge someone by the way he looks,” said the horse.

“You can talk!” said Maggie.

“So can you,” the horse replied. “But I’m not making a big deal out of it.”

“Maggie, this is Leonard,” Bob said. “He’s lived in the magic stable since he was a colt.”

“Are we going to stand around talking or actually go somewhere?” asked Leonard.

“We’re taking Maggie home,” Bob said. He helped Maggie climb onto Leonard’s back.

“Please don’t tell my family about the horsefly,” said Maggie. “They won’t believe you if you do.”

“I won’t mention any magical creatures if you don’t want me to,” said Bob.

“I don’t like the sound of these people already,” Leonard muttered.