5 At the Bakery

CHAPTER 5

At the Bakery Lucas grabbed Ruskin from dragon training and raced to Clara's house. Clara lived above her father's bakery, the Daily Bread. Lucas couldn't wait to tell her about his morning. Bells jingled as Lucas pushed open the door to the bakery. Ruskin scampered in behind him. "Well, look who's here!" said Clara's father, Owen Gills. Mr. Gills reached into a basket and tossed a biscuit to Ruskin. Ruskin caught it between his teeth. Crumbs rained from his mouth as he munched the biscuit. "It sure smells good in here!" remarked Lucas. "We're making cookies and bread for the Grand Tournament," said Clara. "You want to help?"

"Sure!" said Lucas. He loved to help in the bakery. Lucas washed his hands in a basin, took off his cape, and tied an apron around his waist.

"Look what we've made so far!" Clara said excitedly. She pointed to racks of bread and cookies shaped like swords, shields, dragons, and horses. Lucas's stomach

rumbled. "I feel like I could eat a horse!" Lucas declared. Mr. Gills laughed. "Please, help yourself!" he said. Lucas slid a horse-shaped cookie from a cookie tray and took a huge bite.

"Mmm," he moaned. "Best horse I've ever had!" "We only use the finest horses in our recipes," Mr. Gills said with a wink. "Ew, that's disgusting!" said Clara as she plopped a ball of dough in front of Lucas.