10 Ch10-Eko Makes a Choice

CHAPTER 10 EKO MAKES A CHOICE You can't feed us to the Naga!" Drake yelled at Maldred. Rori stomped over to Eko. "Did you hear that? Do you still want to help him?" Eko looked at Maldred. "Surely, Maldred, you cannot be serious," she said. "It is not necessary to harm the children."

The dark wizard scowled at her. "I shall decide what is necessary," he said. "As long as the Dragon Masters live, they will try to stop us. This will solve that problem." "Let me watch over them, Maldred," Eko argued. "They won't escape from me again." While Eko talked, Rori grabbed Drake's hand. They slowly backed away from Eko and Maldred. First one step. Then two. Then three.

Then Rori signaled Drake by squeezing his hand, and they both dashed away from Maldred and Eko. Maldred pointed at Rori and Drake, and sizzling red lightning shot from his fingertip. Drake felt a jolt go through his body. Then he realized he wasn't moving. Maldred had frozen them! "Don't you see? You can't escape me!" Maldred said. "I shall cast a spell on you both, putting you under my control. That will keep you out of trouble until it's feeding time!"

Maldred moved his finger, and Drake saw Rori float through the air toward the wizard. She stopped right in front of him. "Look at me, Rori," Maldred commanded. She's frozen just like I am, Drake thought. Soon, her eyes will glaze over red and she'll be under Maldred's control. Then I'll be next.

"I can't let you do this, Maldred!" Eko cried. She shoved him away from Rori, sending him sprawling on the floor. Drake felt the magical hold release him. He and Rori dropped to the ground. "Enough, Eko!" Maldred said as he rose to his feet. "I don't need you anymore!" He dipped his hand into his pocket and came up with a handful of sparkling red dust. He tossed the dust at Eko. The red dust sparkled, and Eko disappeared!