Free A Magical Friend by Chloe Ryder Page B

sea rose up in a peak in the shape of the head and forelegs of a galloping horse.
    â€˜Eek!’ Pippa squealed.
    But the wave didn’t crash.
    Two giant seahorses popped through the motionless wave and examined Pippa with their big eyes.
    â€˜You are real!’ she exclaimed. ‘I knew I hadn’t imagined it.’
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    Pippa waded closer to the giant creatures and, knowing they meant her no harm, stood on her tiptoes to gently stroke their noses.
    â€˜Your name, Pippa, is short for Philippa, which means lover of ponies ,’ said the pink seahorse.
    â€˜That’s right,’ stuttered Pippa, who couldn’t believe she was talking to a giant seahorse.
    â€˜Then you are the one,’ said the green seahorse.
    â€˜My name is Rosella,’ the pink seahorse continued. ‘And this is Triton. We’ve come to take you to a place that needs your help.’
    With a flick of her pink tail, Rosella scooped Pippa up, placing her gently on her back. The wave melted away and both seahorses surged forward through the foam.
    â€˜Where are we going?’ Pippa asked.
    â€˜To Chevalia!’

 
    Chapter 2
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    Pippa could hardly believe that she was riding a giant seahorse far out to sea. Rosella swam on, diving in and out of the waves, as Pippa clung to her gracefully arched neck. In a strange way, it was like riding a pony. Pippa stared at the delicate ears and long spines sticking out from the animal’s neck.
    Triton, the great, green seahorse, was swimming alongside her.
    â€˜Are you comfortable?’ he asked kindly.
    His voice was soft and deep, and it stopped Pippa from feeling scared. For a moment she was too speechless to answer.
    â€˜Yes, thank you,’ she murmured at last. ‘Are you taking me back to my mum? She’ll be worrying like mad.’
    Both seahorses chuckled.
    â€˜We’re taking you somewhere very special, where time exists in a bubble,’ explained Rosella in a gentle, feminine voice. ‘You can stay there as long as you like and you won’t be missed, for time will not pass in your own world.’
    â€˜Where is it?’ asked Pippa, her voice quivering with excitement.
    â€˜The island of Chevalia,’ said the seahorses.
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    Pippa looked out to the horizon and saw a large island fringed with a long, sandy beach.
    â€˜Wow!’
    Pippa stared at the island in amazement. It was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. So many questions were bubbling inside her but, before she could ask anything more, Rosella tipped her into the water and nudged her gently ashore.
    â€˜Chevalia is in danger but you can help save it,’ said Rosella.
    â€˜Me? But how?’
    â€˜That is your quest,’ said Triton.
    â€˜Good luck, Pippa, lover of ponies,’ called Rosella.
    She dived under the water with Triton and they swam away.
    Pippa scrambled to her feet. She was standing on a sandy beach edged with leafy, green trees. At first it was very quiet. The only sound was the soft hiss of the sea gently lapping the shore.
    Suddenly she heard a low drumming. Squinting into the sun, she saw a pony galloping towards her along the beach. Its long tail streamed out like a banner and golden sand sprayed up from its hooves. Pippa’s heart was racing. Who was this coming to meet her?
    With a snort of surprise, the pony pulled up, sliding to a stop a short way from Pippa. It was pure white and wore a tiara studded with sparkling, pink diamonds. The pony’s dark brown eyes shone with excitement.
    â€˜A girl!’ Reaching out, the pony touched Pippa with a velvety nose. ‘A real, live girl!’
    Pippa stared back.
    â€˜Y-you . . . you can talk?’ she stuttered. Pippa couldn’t take her eyes off her. She was the most beautiful pony she’d ever seen.
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    â€˜Of course,’ said the pony, tossing her head. ‘All ponies can talk, but only special humans can hear us. I’m