Chapter 9

On the way to the cottage, Maggie did most of the talking. She told Bob about the griffin, the unicorn, and the goblins. She pointed out the troll statue. Bob was interested in all her stories. It was nice to talk to someone who really listened to her and cared about what she had to say.

Suddenly, Leonard stopped walking and curled his lips. “What is it?” asked Bob.

“Goblins in the trees up ahead,” said Leonard. “Can’t you smell them? Should I outrun them? Or shall we show Maggie how you handle them?”

“Good idea, Leonard,” Bob told him. “Maggie, you stay here. You’ll be safe on Leonard’s back.”

Bob slid off the horse and walked a short way. Three goblins jumped out from behind the trees. They were the same three Maggie had seen that morning.

“Look what we find! Tasty treats!” cried the biggest goblin.

Bob pulled on the chain around his neck. When he held up his hand, something on the end of the chain flashed a bright white light. The goblins ran away, screeching.

Bob chuckled as he climbed onto Leonard’s back again.

“What did you show them?” asked Maggie.

Bob handed the chain to Maggie. A glittery triangle dangled from the chain. “It’s the tip of a unicorn’s horn,” he said. “They break off now and then. I find them in the unicorns’ stalls sometimes.”

Maggie looked worried.

“Don’t worry, the tips always grow back,” Bob reassured her. “Goblins will see that piece of horn and run for the hills.”

Maggie handed the chain back to him and pulled her own glittery triangle from her pocket. “I found one this morning just like that. See? But I didn’t know what it was. Why are goblins so afraid of unicorns?”

“Unicorns can get rid of poison with the touch of their horns,” said Bob. “Goblin blood is half poison. If a unicorn touches a goblin with its horn, the goblin will disappear—poof! Like that! Those little pieces of unicorn horn are good protection,” said Bob. “Don’t ever leave home without one!”

Maggie nodded and clutched the tip of her unicorn horn just a little tighter.