Cloud Magic

in different directions – heads tossing and half rearing as they wheeled around and occasionally lashed out at each other with hooves and teeth. They looked more restless and agitated than she had ever seen before.
    A strange cloud shape near some trees caught Erin’s eye. It was an almost circular cloud with a hole in the middle; she was suddenly reminded of the round stone at World’s End. It looked just the same!
    A foal was standing by it, staring at the hole. Something about this colt reminded Erin of Tor – the proud curve of his neck, the dark eyes rimmed by grey shadows, the prick of his intelligent ears. He was staring into the hole, almost as if he could see something.
    Whatever he was seeing he didn’t seem to like. He tossed his short mane and swung round in a circle before looking at the hole again. This time, he half reared in agitation.
    A mare came trotting over to him; she was snow white and very beautiful. Erin recognized her as the mare who was usually bossing about the groups of young horses and leading the other mares and foals. Her dark eyes were bright and her mane and tail were long and silken. The colt nudged her anxiously with his nose and then half reared again.
    Something was clearly troubling him. Erin wondered what it was, but there was no way of telling. Maybe he was Tor’s son, Mistral. He must be missing his father. Determination flooded through her.
    I’ll help Tor get back to you , she vowed, cradling the hagstone in her cupped hands. However difficult it is, I’ll do the unbinding spell. I will!
    By the next morning a fierce wind had built up. It was much too windy and wet to ride, but Erin and Chloe still hung around at the stables helping tidy the rug room and clean tack. Nicky and Jo had agreed to the sleepover and Nicky collected them at tea time.
    As Nicky drove them back from the stables, Erin watched the rain pouring down. Water was spilling on to the roads from the surrounding fields. If the rain didn’t stop soon, then there would be massive floods. The radio was on and she could hear the weatherman on it talking about the dreadful weather they were having, issuing a flood warning and telling people to take care.
    They had just gone back to the house when Xanthe arrived. Her long blonde hair was tied back with a scarf and she had a wide smile on her face. She hurried through the wind and rain to the doorway and kissed Nicky. Then she turned to the girls. ‘Hi, Chloe!’ She swept her goddaughter into a hug and then smiled at Erin. ‘And you must be Erin.’

    Erin nodded shyly. It was strange actually meeting Xanthe properly after hearing about her so much.
    Xanthe leant down to kiss her cheek in greeting. ‘We’ll talk later,’ she murmured in a voice only Erin could hear.
    It seemed ages before she and Chloe got Xanthe on her own. First of all, Xanthe had a coffee and chat with Chloe’s mum and dad, and produced a present for them – tickets to the theatre that evening and a night staying at a hotel.
    ‘But we can’t just go!’ protested Nicky. ‘What about Chloe – and Erin?’
    ‘I can look after them,’ said Xanthe. ‘I know how stressed you’ve both been with the house move and, seeing as it’s your wedding anniversary next week, I thought this would be the ideal early present.’
    ‘It’s wonderful, Xanthe! Thank you!’ said Nicky in delight.
    When Xanthe went upstairs to unpack her bag, Chloe and Erin finally got a chance to talk to her. As soon as they were in the spare room, Xanthe commented, ‘Well, you two, it seems like a lot’s been going on.’
    ‘Loads,’ Chloe said.
    ‘Do you know what I’ll have to do for the unbinding spell?’ Erin asked anxiously. ‘Tor’s told me that it’ll be very difficult.’
    Xanthe took her hands. ‘I’m afraid I don’t know any more than that myself. I wish I could do the spell for you, but only a weather weaver can work binding and unbinding magic of this sort. I will try to keep Marianne out of the way to give you time to perform the spell though, so at least you will not be in danger from her. Does she know that you are stardust spirits and that you have met Tor?’
    ‘No,’ Erin said.
    ‘Good,’ Xanthe replied, looking relieved. ‘In which case she will not be suspecting that anyone is trying to free him.’ Her eyes met Erin’s. ‘Try not to worry,’ she said softly. ‘All you can do is try your best and hopefully by the morning the stallion will be free and back in his