9 Ch9-The Secret of the Keys

CHAPTER 9 THE SECRET OF THE KEYS Drake and Rori dashed through the open door and raced to the spiral staircase. They bounded down the steps to the next walkway and headed for the nearest door. Before they could reach it, two glowing red orbs appeared in front of them.

The glowing orbs quickly surrounded the Dragon Masters. Drake's skin prickled as both orbs floated down to Maldred's workshop.

They landed in front of Maldred. Drake noticed his silver sword propped up against the workshop wall. Pop! The orbs burst like bubbles, freeing Drake and Rori.

Eko ran into the room. "I am sorry, Maldred," she said. "They surprised me." Maldred scowled at her. "I need you to keep a better watch over my prisoners," he said. "I am going to need them."

"What do you need us for?" Rori asked. "Let me show you what I've discovered," Maldred said, rubbing his hands together. "I was staring at the markings on the keys when it came to me. Watch!" He picked up the silver disc and pressed it into a dish of black ink. Then he pressed the disc onto a clean sheet of white paper. The raised markings on the key were stamped on the paper.

"Now the Gold Key," he said, and he repeated the process. He stamped the Gold Key right on top of the design left by the Silver Key. Rori gasped. "That looks like a map!" she cried. "Exactly," Maldred said. Then he covered the paper so Rori and Drake couldn't see it. "I recognize the islands on it. Now I know where to find the Naga!"