13 Ch13-A Win and A Loss

CHAPTER 13 A WIN AND A LOSS Argent turned toward Diego. But before he could blast the wizard, Bo yelled out a command: "Shu, heal Diego!" Shu rushed over to the wizard. A blue cloud of water flowed from Shu's mouth. A light blue mist rained down on him. Diego stopped moving.

The red glow faded from his body. Soon he looked just like the Diego that the Dragon Masters knew. "He's cured!" Bo cried. "Argent, stand down!" Jean cried, and the Silver Dragon's shine faded. Diego blinked. "Drake? Bo? Where am I?" he asked. "You're in Gallia, in the lair of the Silver Dragon," Drake replied. "Maldred had put a spell on you. You were under his control." Diego gazed down at the sparkly silver disc in his hand. "Oh no..." he said. "Did Maldred want me to steal this key?" "You were about to bring it to him! But Shu healed you just in time," Bo told him.

"The last thing I remember, Carlos and I were in my cottage, and I told him to hide from Maldred," Diego said. "Is Carlos okay?" "He is on the tower with Lalo," Drake said. "He rang a bell to warn us that you were coming." Now Diego noticed Jean. "I am very sorry that I tried to steal the key," Diego said to her. "And I'm sorry that Argent attacked you," Jean said. "And that I almost attacked you too, Drake. But we have to protect the key, no matter what." Diego nodded. "I understand," he said. "This key is very important." "Yes, it is," Jean said, "which is why it must stay here."

Diego held out the Silver Key. But before Jean could take it, a red orb appeared next to them. Drake gasped. That is one of MaIdred's orbs! He remembered seeing them before, in King Roland's castle and in Emperor Song's palace. The orb zoomed down and absorbed the key right out of Diego's hands!

Argent roared and lunged at the orb. But the orb disappeared in a flash— and took the Silver Key with it!