Clara and the Magical Charms Read Online Free Page B

deer!”
    â€œWhere were you all this time?” asked Goldie.
    Clara hesitated a little. Then she said, “I was up on the top of Sunrise Hill with Alasdair’s brother. Rowan.”
    â€œRowan!” said Sylva. “What were you doing all that time with a gnome?”
    â€œChatting about the Games, I’m sure,” said Rosy. She noticed the new scarf around Clara’s neck. “He seems like a nice gnome,” she said to her big sister.
    â€œHe is,” said Clara. “I really think he is.”

eleven
    â€œT he Round-the-Island Swim begins . . . now!”
    All the fairies cheered as Alasdair, Rowan, Hamish, Cam, Andy, Ethelrood, and the other gnomes dived off the dock and splashed into Sheepskerry Bay early the next morning. The fairies didn’t generally participate in this race—it wasn’t wise to take off their wings for such a long time.
    â€œIt must be freezing in that water!” said Sylva. “How do they do it?”
    â€œQueen Mab enchanted the bay,” said Rosy. “She made the water as warm as it is in summertime.”
    â€œEven then it’s too cold for me,” said Goldie, with a shiver.
    â€œStill, I’d like to try a Round-the-Island Swim sometime. I could do it so fast my wings wouldn’t even notice they were off my shoulders,” said Sylva. “Maybe next year!”
    â€œIt’s all riding on this!” Lady Courtney announced with gusto. “If Alasdair wins, he takes first prize. But since this event is such a high-scoring one, Rowan or Ethelrood could snatch the trophy away from him. What will be the outcome? Who will win the Valentine’s Games?”
    All the fairies were crowded at the dock to watch the beginning of the race. They started flying toward the West Shore to follow the gnomes’ progress when they heard a shout from Iris Flower.
    â€œCome on, everybody,” she called. “Queen Mab sent the Royal Balloon so we can follow the race! It’s waiting for us behind Clearwater Cottage! Come on!”
    Queen Mab hardly ever brought out the Royal Balloon, but when there was going to be a traffic jam of fairies in the sky, it was the best solution.
    The Royal Balloon wasn’t really a balloon, but everybody called it that. It was an intricate straw basket, lined with deep blue velvet, that was pulled by a flock of very friendly chickadees who lived on Sheepskerry year-round. The black-capped birds chittered with excitement as the fairies piled in.
    â€œCome on, Sylva!” cried Poppy. “Climb aboard!” Next, her own sisters disappeared into the basket. Clara heard Rosy calling her name. “Clara! Clara, where are you?”
    Clara almost floated over to the balloon to be with her friends . . . but then she thought, They’ll be able to see the whole race from up there, but if I stay closer to shore, I can follow Rowan . “Go ahead!” she called to Rosy. “Go ahead without me!”

    The chickadees whistled to one another, and they lifted the balloon gently into the sky. The fairies could soon spot their favorites.
    â€œCome on, Alasdair,” cried Goldie. “He’s winning!”
    â€œIs that Ethelrood right behind him?” asked Avery. “He’s in second place.”
    â€œWhere’s Andy?” asked Judy Jellicoe.
    â€œI hope they all win!” said Rosy.
    â€œA-blay!” said Squeak.
    â€œYes, Squeakie,” said Rosy. “Hooray!”
    Clara did not feel sorry that she wasn’t up in the balloon with the other fairies. She was enjoying the race along the shoreline. The pack of swimmers had just passed Little Crab Island and was heading south to Doe Isle.
    There was an old-fashioned megaphone in the balloon’s basket, and Lady Courtney used it now. “It’s Alasdair in the lead,” she announced, “with Ethelrood just behind. Andy and Hamish are going strong. Rowan lags, but his stroke