14 Ch14-The Magic of the Sword

CHAPTER 14 THE MAGIC OF THE SWORD Maldred got away!" Rori yelled. "He knows where the Naga is, and now he's going to destroy the world! We've got to go after him!" "But we don't know where the Naga is," Drake said, and he felt tears sting his eyes. "We failed."

"You have not failed yet," Darma said. "We do know where the Naga is." The boy held up a map— the map Maldred had made using the two keys. Drake's eyes got wide. "It looks like those islands make the shape of a dragon. We've got to show this to Griffith. He'll know where those islands are." Rori looked at Darma. "How did you get Maldred's map?" Darma grinned. "A little mouse brought it to me," he said, and he looked at Hema. "I knew it!" Drake cried. "Hema can change into other animals— not just an eagle?" Rori asked. "Yes," Darma replied. "She can transform into anything— from a tiny bee to a large elephant."

"Whoa!" Drake cried. "That's an awesome power!" "It is," Rori agreed. Then she frowned. "But how did Hema get into the hideout? I thought you said dragons couldn't make it through the portal." "That was true. The portal's energy was weak. Hema transformed into a mouse, so she was small enough to come through," Darma answered. "That explains a lot. But where have you been?" Drake asked.

"Yeah, where were you when we were getting captured?" Rori added. "By the time we entered the hideout, I could sense we were about to be discovered," Darma replied. "If you sensed that, why didn't you warn us?" Rori asked. "I'm sorry. Everything happened quickly," Darma replied. "I knew I would have a better chance of helping us if I was not seen. So I hid." "You saved us from Maldred, so I guess you did the right thing," Drake said.

"I guess so," Rori said. "But Maldred still got away." "We have to get back to the Gold Lair," Drake said. "Worm can transport us all back to Bracken from there." "Are you forgetting something?" Rori asked. "We're, like, trapped in this hideout in some magical space or something." "Rori is right," Darma said. "We need a portal to get out of here. But we have no way to make one." Drake sighed as he walked across the room and picked up the silver sword. "At least I have my sword back." Darma's eyes widened. "Is that from the Silver Dragon's lair?"

Drake nodded. "Yes. Jean— the Silver Dragon's Dragon Master gave it to me." "The silver and gold treasures are all connected to the dragons who guard them," Darma said. "I think you may be able to use your sword to make a portal that takes us to the Silver Dragon." "That would get us out of here!" Rori said. "And then Drake could contact Worm!" "I get it," Drake said. "But how do I open a portal?" "Make a circle in the air with your sword," Darma replied. Drake held the silver sword in both hands and made a big circle. "Again," Darma said. "Keep going!"