2 Ch2-The Tale of the Naga

CHAPTER 2 THE TALE OF THE NAGA A long, long time ago," Griffith began, "when magic was new, there was a terrible earthquake." "I was in an earthquake once," Petra said. "The ground shook. And some buildings in my village crumbled into pieces."

"During this terrible earthquake, the ground opened up," Griffith continued. "It coughed up a dragon egg from the deepest part of the world. The egg was as big as a mountain." Bo's eyes got wide. "Was that the Naga's egg?" "Yes," Griffith replied. "The Naga has the power of earthquakes. He uses the power of his mind, much like Worm does." Griffith was talking about Drake's Earth Dragon, Worm. "The Naga sounds much bigger than Worm," Drake said.

"Indeed," Griffith agreed. "And his power is one hundred times greater than Worm's." Drake's mouth dropped open. He couldn't imagine Worm being that powerful! Griffith went on. "When the young Naga hatched, he could not control his powers. He started to destroy the earth. He brought down mountains. He caused great floods." "Oh no! That's terrible!" Ana cried. "Did anybody stop him?" "Yes. The wizards did," Griffith answered. "They knew the Naga was too big, and too powerful, to be out in the world. So they returned him to his home." "How did they do that?" Petra asked.

"They made two magical tools that gave them control of the Naga," Griffith replied. "The wizards of the north made the Silver Key. And the wizards of the south made the Gold Key. They used these keys to make the Naga go back into the earth." Drake realized something. "When Maldred attacked the castle, he was trying to take Worm so he could use his powers," he said. "Do you think he wants to use the Naga for his powers, too?" "I am afraid so," Griffith replied.

"Where are the keys now?" Petra asked. Griffith held up his finger. Blue sparks shot from it. He began to draw an image in the air out of magical blue light. The first image was a round disc with strange-looking symbols on it. "This is the Silver Key," Griffith said. "It is hidden somewhere in the northern part of the world, guarded by a Silver Dragon."

He drew another disc, with different symbols. "This is the Gold Key," he said. "It is hidden somewhere in the southern part of the world, guarded by a Gold Dragon." "And the book Diego stole tells how to find the keys..." Drake guessed, and the wizard nodded. Then Rori said aloud what they were all thinking: "If Maldred finds these keys, he will have control of the Naga. He could destroy the world!"