Chapter 10

Maggie loved riding on Leonard’s back. She had never ridden a horse before and was surprised by how quickly they reached the path that led to her family’s cottage. It was late afternoon when they spotted the little building with the thatched roof. The yard was full of children playing. Zelia stormed out the door as Bob helped Maggie get down from the horse.

“Where have you been?” Zelia shouted at Maggie. “Peter said he had to watch the sheep all by himself today.”

“Actually, your son left Maggie in the meadow,” said Bob. “He should never have done that! Something terrible could have happened!”

“And who are you?” Maggie’s stepmother demanded.

“The Royal Stable Master and Keeper of Strange Creatures,” said Bob. “You can call me Master Bob. Maggie is a friend of mine and may visit me whenever she wants. She’s going to help me with important work.”

“What if I need her here? She’s got important work to do at home, too,” said her stepmother.

“Of course. Maggie can help you for part of the day, and then help me after,” said Bob. He turned to face Maggie. “I hope to see you soon.”

“You will! I promise,” said Maggie.

“If she doesn’t show up, I’ll come get her myself,” said Leonard. “These people are worse than I thought!”

Maggie saw the surprised look on her stepmother’s face. The other children seemed just as surprised. They’d actually seen—and heard—a talking horse. Maybe now they’d start believing her! But a moment later they acted as if nothing had happened. Maggie couldn’t believe they were going to ignore something they’d seen for themselves!

“You didn’t do your job today,” said Peter. “What’s it like to lose your bed?”

Maggie stuck her face close to his and said, “I’m not afraid of you. If I can handle goblins, I can handle a scrawny boy!”

“Goblins?” said Peter. He sounded as if he didn’t believe her and rolled his eyes.

“That’s right,” Maggie replied. “There are all sorts of creatures in this forest. You need to pay more attention!”

“Maggie, I have something for you,” said Bob. He handed her a journal and a pen. The journal was just like the one he’d shown her at his stable. “This is yours now. If anyone takes it from you, I will be very angry. I put a spell on it, so I’ll know who took it.” He gave Peter a stern look, then turned and winked at Maggie.

Maggie smiled when she saw the look on Peter’s face. Her stepbrother didn’t know that Bob’s threat wasn’t real. Bob’s wink had told her one thing; he didn’t have magic any more than she did. But it was a great threat, especially if Peter believed it.

When Maggie ran her fingers over the cover of the journal, her smile got even bigger. No one had ever given her anything like this before. She was already in love with it.

“Write in it every time you see something unusual or magical. Write down any details you notice. Practice your drawing, too! Always keep this journal with you. You never know when you’ll see something worth noting. Start with the creatures you saw today. I’d especially make note of that troll.”

“You saw a goblin and a troll in the same day?” Peter said, looking doubtful.

Bob ignored Peter and turned to Maggie. “Keep good notes. We’re bound to notice different things, but this way we can learn from each other!”

“I’d like that,” said Maggie. “There are so many things I want to learn about the magical creatures in the forest. Oh! I know just what I want to write about first!”

Maggie turned to the opening page of her new journal.

My new friend, she wrote.

Bob smiled as Maggie drew a picture of him.