4 Ch4-Golden Treasures

CHAPTER 4 GOLDEN TREASURES This is a nice lair," Rori said, tapping her foot. "But we need to find out where Eko went!" Darma nodded. He walked over to the wall on the right, and then stopped.

"Eko and the Thunder Dragon entered the lair through this wall," he said. "That is how she broke in and stole the Gold Key." "Neru can make portals when he roars," Drake explained. "The portal is not here anymore, but magical portals have a great deal of energy," Darma said. "They usually leave some energy behind." "Are you saying you think we can still travel through Neru's portal, even though we can't see it?" Rori asked. Darma closed his eyes and held up his hand, with his open palm facing the wall. Then he began to move his hand in a circle. A slowly swirling circle of purple energy began to appear in the wall. "The portal!" Rori cried.

Drake gasped. "Are you sure you're a Dragon Master and not a wizard?" he asked. Darma smiled. "It is easy to find energy, if you know where to look," he said. "The portal will close very soon. But before we leave, I must give you each something." Darma opened one of the treasure chests. He took out a red jewel hanging from a gold chain. He gave it to Rori. "This is for you," he said. "Uh, thanks," Rori replied, and she slipped the chain over her head. Then Darma walked to a different treasure chest. He pulled out a vest made of gold chain mail. He handed it to Drake. "Please put this on."

Drake put the vest on over his shirt. It felt a lot lighter than he thought it would. "Thank you," he said. "But why have you given us these gifts?" "I believe you will need them," Darma replied. "For what?" Rori asked. "We will know when the time comes," he replied. Darma walked back to the portal. He held his hand against it. Then he turned back to Drake and Rori. "The portal's energy is weak," he said. "Not all of us will be able to travel through it. The dragons must stay here." "What?!" Rori cried. "How can we fight Maldred and Eko without our dragons?" "We will find a way," Darma replied.

Drake turned to Worm. I do not want to leave you behind, Worm, he said in his mind. His Dragon Stone glowed, and he heard Worm's voice inside his head. Follow Darma. Find the Gold Key. Time is running out. "Worm says we should go," Drake told Rori. Rori sighed. "Fine," she said. "Then let's do this." She pushed past Darma and stepped through the portal. The two boys followed her.