9 Ch9-The Lonely Dragon

CHATPER 9 THE LONELY DRAGON Drake shielded his eyes. Is that bright shine coming from a dragon? he thought. "Argent, stand down!" Jean commanded. "These are the Dragon Masters that you told me to let in."

The silver shine faded, revealing the most beautiful dragon Drake had ever seen. The dragon's body was covered in shimmering silver scales. The design on his large wings reminded Drake of a butterfly's wings, but all in silver.

"Argent shines when he thinks danger is near," Jean explained. Drake's Dragon Stone began to glow. He heard Worm's voice in his head. I communicated with Argent when we were on the tower. I think he trusts me. But Argent will attack if he thinks we will steal the key Drake looked at Argent. "Don't worry," he told Jean's dragon. "We are here to protect the key, not steal it."

He and Bo gazed around the dragon's lair. The big underground room had walls made of stone. Torches on the walls lit up the darkness. They cast a glow on a mound of silver treasures: goblets, coins, swords, and jewelry. "Wow!" Drake exclaimed. "This is a lot of treasure."

"These treasures are not important," Jean replied. "They are only here to confuse thieves. The Silver Key is hidden in this lair." As she spoke, Argent began moving across the floor toward the other dragons. His blue eyes gazed at Worm and Shu. Then he moved even closer, looking directly into Worm's eyes. "Argent has never seen another dragon before," Jean said. Bo gently touched the Silver Dragon's tail. "That is sad," he said. "Our dragons all have one another."

"Argent knows that guarding the Silver Key is a great honor, just as I do," Jean said. Then she smiled a little. "Still, it is nice to have company." Shu opened her mouth and a watery mist floated out. Bo laughed. "I think Shu is showing off for Argent," he said.