White Horse Talisman by Andrea Spalding

each other and shrugged.
    â€œCome back to that later. What about ‘hidden now be–neath the hill?’” asked Owen.
    â€œDo you think the red horse could be hidden under Dragon Hill?” wondered Holly.
    Adam started guiltily, but no one noticed.
    Chantel shook her head. “The hill I saw was a big one, in a different valley.”
    â€œBesides, Dragon Hill is white chalk, not red clay,” Owen pointed out.
    â€œYou’re right … that doesn’t fit. But if the carvings were buried somewhere else it would fit,” said Holly excitedly. “The images would still be running if they were just covered up. And if they are covered up, that’s why no one knows about them.”
    Adam looked doubtful. “If they are covered up, how can they cast shadows?”
    Chantel shrugged again. “Dunno. What else did Wayland say, Adam?”
    Reluctantly, he quoted, “Take heed you find not that you must not seek. Seek instead he who bears my name.”
    â€œHmm. I wonder what we are not supposed to be seeking.
    We’ve not come across anything to avoid so far,” said Holly.
    They haven’t met the dragon, thought Adam uneasily. He suppressed the thought.
    â€œNever mind that. We’ll figure it out,” said Owen. “But we have to talk to Mr. Smythe.” He grinned cockily.
    â€œWhy?” asked Chantel.
    â€œMr. Smythe interrupted us at Wayland’s Smithy,” said Owen.
    Chantel nodded.
    â€œWell,” continued Owen, “he was telling us about peo–ple’s occupations. How they turned into last names. John the smith became John Smith, and Pete the miller became Peter Miller.”
    â€œThat’s neat,” said Chantel.
    Owen laughed. “It gets better. He told us that his name, Smythe, was just a fancy way of saying smith and that his ancestors were blacksmiths. So, that’s who we’ve got to see. Wayland says ‘Seek instead he who bears my name’ and who should turn up but Mr. Smythe … the blacksmith!” Owen turned to Adam “See … I told you!” he crowed.
    â€œIt kind of makes sense,” Adam admitted reluctantly. “But Mr. Smythe won’t believe us. No adult will.”
    â€œWe won’t tell him everything,” said Owen. “Just that Chantel was given the talisman and we’ve heard something about a red horse vale. He collects stories like that all the time.”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Holly. “Mr. Smythe talks to strangers in pubs and visits the old people in the village. He won’t think there is anything weird in our questions. We ask him about stuff all the time. He’s a friend.”
    â€œOkay. Just ask him about the red horse,” agreed Chantel. “But what about Wayland’s warning?” Chantel shifted uneas–ily. “There must be something we are not supposed to look for.” She glanced across at her brother with sudden intuition. “Is there something you’re not telling, Adam?”
    Adam flushed angrily. “No!” He glared around, daring someone to argue with him.
    Chantel dropped her eyes.
    Adam clenched his hands. His little sister sensed some–thing. Too bad. He wasn’t going to tell them. He was going to fly with the dragon and use its power. They might not be able to fly, but he and the dragon could. Then he could find the red horse on his own!
    â€œYou yelled that the talisman was yours, yours and … then you stopped,” Owen suddenly remembered. “You were planning to take it to someone else, weren’t you?” He glared accusingly at Adam.
    Adam glared back.
    Chantel covered the talisman with her blanket.
    â€œOh nice, really nice,” Adam said. “Now you’ve turned my little sister against me.”
    â€œGive over, you two.” Holly’s hand cut the air between them. “You were such friends yesterday. What changed?”
    â€œHe