Read Stormchaser and the Silver Mist for Free Online

couldn’t keep the grin off her face as she nodded towards the girls.
    “Storm is, you mean,” Estoni said in his strong Argentinean accent. “That’s why he’ll win us our very first Winter Cup. With him on our team, no others have a chance.”
    The girls exchanged an excited look. They didn’t care what Mrs Maplethorp said, there was no way they were going to boycott the Winter Cup. They had to see Stormchaser in action.
    Estoni turned Stormchaser and pulled him up next to India. But the bright bay wouldn’tstand still. He scuffled around the chestnut with his short little stride, his head dipped low, his back humped up. Estoni expertly slid from the saddle, bow legged and awkward in his chunky knee boots. If anything, the bay horse was even more temperamental when the rider was off his back. He fly bucked, hauling Estoni into the air as he gripped hold of the reins grimly. As Estoni led the ill-tempered Stormchaser from the arena, avoiding the horse’s swirling head, flashing teeth and striking front hooves, India followed, laughing.
    “I think I’d rather stick to old Rumour here,” she said, waving goodbye to the girls then giving Rumour an affectionate pat. Her voice trailed off as they disappeared towards the stables. “At least that way I’ll get to play in the Winter Cup. You’ll probably end up black and blue before New Year trying to control that beast!”
    The Pony Detectives continued to stare at the empty arena for a second, before Phantom scraped his hoof. His impatience to be moving again brought the girls out of their dream world.
    “Stormchaser is seriously awesome,” Charliesighed. “It’ll be worth coming to see the Winter Cup just to watch him compete.”
    “I wouldn’t fancy going anywhere near him, though, would you?” Alice said with a shiver. “He looks half crazy.”
    At that moment they heard a sharp cry from the stables just beyond the arena. They stood up in their stirrups, and craned their necks to get a glimpse of the yard. Estoni had managed to get Stormchaser into his stable, but the bay was plunging about in there. As he caused havoc, they caught a glimpse of a shock of red hair as Billy Pyke rushed past in Stormchaser and Estoni’s direction, followed by a few of the grooms.
    “Make that full crazy,” Rosie smiled.
    “Right! While everyone’s distracted we can sneak into the Abbey woods!” Charlie whispered. “Come on!”
    The others jogged their ponies after Charlie. The girls rode along the lane for a few minutes, leaving the commotion behind them, looking for an opening in the trees. A small cottage stood, almost hidden from view, in a clearingat the start of the woods. Its chimney smoked cosily. Unsure if anyone was in there, the girls rode clear of it. But just after Charlie turned onto a small path, she came across a huge tree trunk blocking the way.
    “Maybe there was some truth in what Mrs Maplethorp said after all,” Charlie muttered to herself.
    “Backout again,” she called over her shoulder to Alice. Scout raised his head and took careful backward steps. Phantom followed.
    “There’s another place a bit further on,” Mia pointed out, “we’ll just have to dodge through the trees. That’ll still lead onto the gallops.”
    All of the girls were looking forward to a good blast to warm themselves and the ponies up. Alice scrunched her frozen fingers, worried that she wouldn’t be able to grip the reins if Scout took off.
    They rode on, until they stumbled across the almost-hidden entrance. It wasn’t so much a path, more just a gap in the trees for them to slink through. The ponies picked their way carefully through the gap, towards the mainwoodland path, which ran along the edge of the estate before curving inwards. They’d nearly reached it when a shout suddenly rang out through the quietness of the wood.
    “Here! What do you lot think you’re up to?”
    Alice almost leapt out of her skin, and Phantom plunged forward, his ears