by RH Disney
“It’s time to leave the meadow,” Queen Clarion said. “It’s too dangerous here.”
Kate’s heart sank. Leave? Now, when the horses had only just arrived? But most of the fairies seemed perfectly happy to go.
On the way back, Dulcie was already talking about the light-as-mist meringues she wanted to bake. Other fairies planned a game of hide-and-seek. “It will be extra fun in the fog!” said a sparrow man. Fawn, still too dizzy to walk, was riding on Lainey’s shoulder.
Kate fell into step beside Mia. “I don’t see why we have to go,” she complained.
“It’s probably better. They do seem kind of dangerous,” Mia said with a glance at Gabby.
Dangerous? Kate thought. “Exciting” was a better word. Of course, if you were a five-year-old—or a five-inch fairy—it was a different story. Then it made sense to stay clear of the horses. But everyone always said Kate was tall for her age. She wouldn’t be in any danger.
“So now you can help us with the doll clothes,” Mia went on cheerfully. “We can start by sorting the petals and silk threads.”
Mia kept talking, but Kate stopped paying attention. She really didn’t want to go back to the Home Tree and sew doll clothes. Or even play fairy hide-and-seek. The fairies, able to squeeze into knotholes or inside flower petals, always won.
Kate wanted to run and jump! She always chose soccer over quiet games during recess at school. After sitting at a desk for hours, she needed to move. That was how she felt now, too.
Those horses! Kate could tell they also loved to run and jump. They were so … so alive!
Kate stopped. “I’m going back for another look,” she told Mia.
“What?” Mia said, startled.
“I’ll just be a minute,” Kate promised. “I’ll meet you at the Home Tree.”
Before Mia could say anything else, Kate turned and ran back to the meadow. She stood at the edge of the trees, afraid to go any closer.
The horses were still there, almost hidden in the mist. One bright, silvery mare stood at the edge of the herd. As Kate watched, the mare suddenly kicked up her hooves. She moved away from the other horses, galloping around the meadow’s edge.
As the horse neared Kate, she slowed to a trot.
She sees me! Kate realized.
The mare stopped a few feet away. For an instant, Kate held her gaze. What would it feel like to touch a mist horse? she wondered.
Kate inched closer. Then closer still. Slowly, hardly daring to breathe, she reached out her hand. She half expected it to go through the horse, as if she were made of air.
But the mare was solid. Kate stroked her neck lightly, feeling the velvet fur and the muscle underneath.
She feels like a real horse! Kate thought. Or at least what she imagined a real horse would feel like. Before now, Kate had never touched a horse. The closest she’d come was riding the carousel in City Park, near her home. But she very much wanted to ride this horse.
Kate glanced around to make sure no one was watching. If she tried to ride and then fell off, she’d be so embarrassed! Then, feeling brave and silly at the same time, she took hold of the horse’s mane as gently as she could. The horse flicked her ears but didn’t move.
But the mare was much taller than Kate had realized. She had no idea how to climb on!
Looking around, Kate spotted a thick tree branch a few feet above her. Maybe if she could climb the tree, she could lower herself onto the horse’s back.
“Don’t move,” Kate whispered. She scrambled up the tree trunk, glad for the time she’d spent climbing trees in Never Land, on lookout with the scouts. Kate inched along the branch until she was more or less above the horse. The mare, nibbling at the meadow grass, didn’t seem to notice.
Using all the strength in her arms, Kate lowered herself from the tree branch. Now she was dangling in the air above the horse.
“Steady now,” she murmured. But just then, the horse took a step forward.
“No!” Kate gasped. Afraid it was about to run away, she let go quickly, landing squarely on the mare’s back.
The horse took off. On the verge of falling, Kate reached out and grabbed a handful of the horse’s long mane. She bounced all over its back. Her teeth rattled together. She expected to hit the ground at any moment. But she didn’t.
At last, Kate pulled herself more or less upright. She tightened her grip on the horse and squeezed with her knees to try to balance. The horse sped up. Kate let out a panicked squeal, but she stayed on.
“Hey!” she cried. “I’m riding!”
The faster the horse ran, the smoother her gait became. She left the meadow and headed over a hill that led to more forest.
It seemed to Kate as if they were swimming through the air. She felt a thrill travel from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. Were the horse’s hooves even touching the earth? Kate couldn’t tell.
“How do I steer?” she wondered aloud. Kate leaned slightly to one side, as she would to turn her bike. She tugged gently on the horse’s mane. The horse began to turn.
“Yes!” Kate pumped a fist in victory. Then she grabbed quickly for the horse’s mane again. She needed to hold on with two hands to keep from falling off.
At last, the horse slowed to a trot and then to a walk. They were nearing the meadow again. “Thank you for the ride. You can go back to your herd now,” Kate said.
But as they came through the trees, Kate saw that the meadow was empty. The horses were gone! In the distance, she heard whinnies and the sounds of branches snapping.
At that moment, the scout Myka swooped down from a treetop. “What are you doing here?” she asked Kate. “And on a horse!”
Kate grinned. “I was just going for a ride,” she said casually. “Did you see the herd from up there?” She pointed to the tree where Myka usually stood lookout.
Myka shook her head. “It’s hard to see anything in this fog,” she admitted. “I did catch a glimpse of something moving. It could have been the horses. If it was them, they’re heading toward Vine Grove, north of here.”
“Vine Grove,” Kate repeated. Perhaps she could go there, too.
Myka frowned as if she knew what Kate was thinking. “It’s outside Pixie Hollow.”
“I’ll bring this horse to her herd. Then I’ll come back to the Home Tree.” Kate figured that she could get to Vine Grove in no time on the horse. Then she could run back on foot before anyone missed her. “I’ll be fast,” she told Myka.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Myka said. “Wait here and—”
But Kate was already galloping away.
Silvermist hovered in front of a high shelf in the Home Tree library. She was trying to find a book about the mist horse legend.
She looked over the leaf-books on the Myths and Legends shelf. “Maybe it should be called Mists and Legends.” Silvermist laughed at her own joke, then glanced around, afraid she might be bothering another fairy. But she was alone.
“So where might this old story be?” Silvermist said. She pulled a book from the shelf. It was titled Hailstones in the Hollow and Other Odd Weather Fables.
She flipped through the pages. When she saw the words “mist horse,” she stopped and skimmed the page.
“Oh no!” Silvermist dropped the book with a thud. No wonder that warning had been echoing in her head all morning. According to the legend, the fairies were in danger!
It’s just a legend, Silvermist reminded herself. Picking up the book with shaking hands, she placed it back on the shelf. It’s a story, that’s all. But Silvermist had learned that superstitious old fables sometimes had a kernel of truth. If even a little bit of the legend was true, she had to warn the queen.
After leaving the library, Silvermist hurried to the Home Tree and rushed up to the queen’s chambers. She knocked, but there was no answer. She knocked again. Nothing.
Growing impatient, Silvermist flung open the door.
“Oh cockleshells,” she groaned. No one was there.
&nbs
p; But through the open sea-glass window, she heard fairies talking. “I saw Kate at the meadow.” Silvermist recognized Myka’s voice. “She was riding a horse.”
Silvermist darted back the way she’d come and went outside. Myka stood on a low branch, talking to Queen Clarion. Mia, Lainey, and Gabby were there, too.
“That can’t be right,” Mia was saying. “Kate’s never ridden a horse in her life.”
“Queen Clarion—” Silvermist began. But the queen held up a hand.
“Just a moment, Silvermist,” she said. “Myka was telling us something important. Are you sure it was Kate, Myka?”
“Of course I am!” Myka said. “I spoke to her. And she was riding one of the mist horses. She was leaving Pixie Hollow.”
“No!” Silvermist gasped. This time, everyone turned to look at her.
“I went to the library,” she explained. “I found an old legend about the mist horses.…”
Silvermist paused and glanced at the girls. After all, the legend might not be true, and she didn’t want to frighten them.
“Go on,” the queen said.
“Well, I read that the horses enchant their riders, so they keep riding and riding,” Silvermist said.
“You mean, they can’t get off?” Mia asked.
Silvermist nodded. “The rider believes the horse is loyal and obedient. But it’s a trick. It’s the rider who obeys the horse, as if under a spell.”
“What does that mean?” Gabby squeaked in alarm.
Mia exchanged a horrified look with Lainey. “It means Kate might be in trouble.”
“We have to find her!” Lainey said.
“But what about the fog?” asked Myka. “Even the scouts can’t see in it.”
“We’ll need someone who can find their way through it,” Queen Clarion said. “Silvermist, you have my permission to fly to find Kate.”
“Me? Oh!” Silvermist hadn’t expected to lead the mission. She opened her mouth to explain that she didn’t understand the fog any better than anyone else, then closed it. After all, Kate needed their help.
“We should leave now,” she said to the girls. “The longer we wait, the harder it could be to find her. Who knows how far Kate can get on a horse. Myka, are you coming?”
Myka shook her head. “Some of the animal-talent fairies are missing. We think they got lost trying to find the dairy mice. The scouts are out looking for them.”
Silvermist squared her shoulders. So she would have to lead them on her own.
“When I last saw Kate, she was headed toward Vine Grove,” Myka said.
Silvermist turned to leave, but the queen stopped her, adding, “And for Never’s sake, everyone, be careful.”
“Come on, girl!” Kate urged the horse. Shapes loomed up from the mist, becoming trees and rocks that passed in a blur. Riding in the fog reminded Kate of riding a bicycle at night. She couldn’t see things until they were almost on top of them. Still, the horse seemed to know where she was going. They managed not to hit anything.
As they rounded a small pond, the horse slowed. Kate reached down and patted the horse’s neck. She felt like she’d been riding her whole life. And what a way to explore Never Land!
Kate looked around, trying to get her bearings. Were they close to Vine Grove? The island, cloaked in fog, seemed as mysterious as the mist horse. Kate had the feeling that anything could happen. That she could see anything. Go anywhere.
Why shouldn’t I go anywhere? Kate thought. I can explore a bit first and then bring the mare back to her herd. One little detour won’t make a difference.
Besides, Kate reasoned, there was really no need to go right back. The horse—her horse—seemed to be enjoying the ride as much as she was. The longer Kate rode, the more certain of it she felt.
The horse was a wild, free creature. She made Kate feel wild and free, too.
“Let’s go to the beach!” Kate cried. She turned the horse around sharply. The mare’s hooves kicked up puffs of mist, like little clouds.
“Cloud,” Kate said. “That’s what I’ll call you.” The name seemed as light and free as the horse itself.
They cantered over a hill and through a grassy field. A sand dune appeared in the fog. Cloud sped up one side of the dune. Kate leaned low over the horse’s neck as they raced down the other side, onto the beach.
The mist was heavier here. It rolled up to the beach with every wave.
They rode along the sand. When they came to the water’s edge, Cloud whinnied loudly and charged into the surf. Waves splashed Kate’s legs. She laughed out loud.
But Cloud didn’t stop. Just when Kate thought she’d go under with the next wave, Cloud whirled around, taking Kate back up the beach.
Still laughing, Kate slid off Cloud’s back. She removed her shoes, emptying water from them. Her jeans were soaked, but she was too excited to feel cold.
“Is anyone there?” a fairy voice called. It sounded like Myka.
Kate groaned inwardly. Now she’d have to explain what she was doing here, when she was supposed to be looking for the herd in Vine Grove.
As she opened her mouth to call back, another voice rang out. It sounded very close by, just on the other side of Cloud.
“Okay, you found me,” a voice drawled with fake sweetness. “Congratulations, Myka. You caught me flying. But why go through all the trouble of tracking me down? I’m not bothering anyone here. Can’t a fast-flying fairy have a little fun?”
Vidia! Kate realized. Myka hadn’t been talking to Kate. She was talking to Vidia. Cloud, who blended into the mist, must be shielding Kate from their view.
“No one’s trying to get in your way, Vidia,” Myka said. “I was scouting for lost fairies.”
“Well, I’m not lost. I know exactly where I am.”
Kate stood still. She hoped Vidia and Myka wouldn’t notice her. This time, Myka would insist she go back. Then Cloud raised her head and snorted.
“Are you coming down with the fairy flu, Vidia?” Myka asked. “It wouldn’t be a surprise in this damp weather. You should go home and have a nice hot cup of dandelion tea.”
“I didn’t sneeze,” Vidia snapped. “You did. Don’t try to trick me.”
“Trick you?” Myka repeated, confused. “I’m not trying to do anything but keep you safe.”
“Tell you what,” Vidia said, her voice sugary again. “If you can catch me, I’ll go back with you.”
Kate heard the fast fluttering of wings, then Myka sighing.
Silence fell. Had Myka flown off, too? Kate waited a few moments longer, then decided she and Cloud were alone.
I’ll leave now, too, Kate thought. She could take a shortcut, going around the pond the other way to get to Vine Grove. Then she’d go back to the Home Tree.
“Okay,” Kate whispered into Cloud’s ear. “Let’s get you to the herd.”
There was no tree nearby. But this time, as Kate took hold of Cloud’s mane, she managed to pull herself up with only a bit of struggle. Kicking her legs, she belly-flopped onto Cloud’s back, then wriggled around so she was upright.
“Is anyone else here?” Myka called. “Water fairies? Sparrow men?” She paused. “Kate?”
But Kate didn’t hear her. She was on her way to Vine Grove.
On horseback, Kate neared a thick copse of trees. Long green vines twisted around trunks and looped from branches.
“That must be Vine Grove!” Kate said.
Kate rode into the trees, following the sounds. As they went deeper into the grove, the trees grew closer together. Creeping plants covered the ground. The path became hard to follow.
Kate ducked her head as vines brushed her face. Between the fog and the leaves, she could barely see.
Ahead, vines tangled together like a thick green wall. Cloud strained through.
“Oh!” Kate struggled, pushing … pulling … batting at leaves and stems. But the vines caught her up like a net, holding her fast.
Cloud kept moving, and Kate, trapped in the vine
s, swung into the air.
“Cloud!” she called. The horse stopped a few feet away. She looked back at Kate and whinnied, as if to say, What on earth are you doing?
Suspended in midair, Kate struggled and flailed. But she couldn’t free herself from the vines. She needed Cloud to pull her out.
She called again. “Cloud! Here, girl!” This time, Cloud stepped closer.
Slowly, Kate worked one arm free. She stretched but couldn’t reach Cloud. “Just a little bit closer,” she coaxed. The horse toed the ground but didn’t move.
All Kate could do was throw her legs forward and back and begin to swing. With every swing, she got a little closer to the horse. At last she’d worked herself forward far enough that the fingertips of her free hand grazed Cloud’s mane. One more swing, and Kate flung her arm around Cloud’s neck.
“Go!” she shouted.
Cloud took off, pulling Kate along with her.
The vines around Kate snapped free of the trees. The force swung her out of the vine trap and over Cloud’s head, as if she were jumping from a swing when it had reached its peak. She landed hard on the ground.
Kate stood up shakily. Her bangs fell into her eyes, and as she reached up to swipe them away, she realized she’d lost her barrette. She spent a few moments searching for it, but it was nowhere to be seen in the dense undergrowth.
Kate turned in a circle, trying to get her bearings. Ahead, the trees thinned out a little. She could see the shapes of large animals moving among them. The herd!
“Go on, girl,” she said to Cloud. “Your friends are right over there!”
But Cloud didn’t move.
Why doesn’t she go to them? Kate thought. Something was wrong.
Kate made her way toward the herd. As she drew closer, she could see the animals more clearly. They weren’t horses after all. They were deer. She’d been following the wrong herd!
Where were the mist horses?
Kate looked to where the trees thinned out even more. If I were a horse, I’d rather be out in the open than in a dense forest, she thought.
