Back in the house where Sami, Natalie and I live, we huddled around the kitchen table, everyone wrapped in a warm blanket, chilled from the cold water and the wind. Ali thumped her book down on the table. She flipped it open to the very back page, where an image of a woman with wide, feathery wings was printed. The caption explained that she was Kat the Great and Powerful, the immortal sorceress, a living legend. Described as wise, benevolent and a master of magical art, we agreed, if we could find her, she would help us. We stepped out of the home, summoned our horses and rode south, towards where she was rumoured to live. We skidded to a stop beside a large farm, outside a paddock full of glossy-coated horses. The only person around was a woman, quietly grooming a strong chestnut cart-horse.
She turned to look at us. Her checked pink shirt was covered by denim overalls, and the horse put its head on her shoulder, watching us. She smiled and walked over, the horse turning back to nibble at the lush grass.
“Hi,” she smiled. “I would suppose you’re looking for Kat?” Natalie cocked her head curiously, but Ali nodded.
“Do you know where she is?” she asked eagerly. The woman looked around absently.
“Hmmm… I last saw her talking to six strangers who arrived on six gorgeous horses,” she mused. Ali glanced around. There was no-one nearby.
“Think,” smiled the woman. Ali looked puzzled. Cass raised an eyebrow.
“There is no way. You can’t be Kat the Great and Powerful,” she challenged. The woman turned to face Cass. She was still smiling.
“Really?” she asked. Cass flicked a strand of red hair out of her face and didn’t answer. There was a sudden, blinding flash of fiery light. When the dizzying spots of light faded from our vision, we saw that the woman had changed. Her simple outfit was replaced by a long white robe. She shook back her brown hair and stretched out two beautiful wings, the feathers rippling, brightly coloured with all the shades of a dancing flame. A truly gorgeous bird swooped down and nestled on her shoulder, starting to groom its red-and-gold plumage. Cass’s amber eyes were as round as saucers.
“Sorry,” she muttered. Kat laughed.
“I prefer not to walk around like this. People tend to be… overwhelmed. She tipped her head and looked pointedly at Ali, who was gasping like a fish out of water, amazed.
Here it is... will Kat help them? Look out for Part 4!