10 Ch10-Bracken Falls

CHAPTER 10 BRACKEN FALLS Naga, turn your eye to the Kingdom of Bracken," the twins repeated. "Not Bracken!" Drake yelled. "No!" The dragon's large yellow eye looked at Uri and Zelda. But the twins stared blankly ahead, still under Maldred's control.

The Naga is a peaceful dragon, Worm told Drake. He does not want to harm anyone. But he must obey his masters. The Naga's eye turned away from the door. "Let us see what is happening in Bracken now," Maldred said. "Drake, I sense that you have a magical object with you. An object that acts as a portal to Bracken." "Portal?" Drake asked. Then he understood. Drake held up the magic mirror. "Excellent!" Maldred said. "Gaze into it and tell me what you see." Drake didn't want to obey Maldred. But he needed to see what was happening in Bracken. His family, his friends— were they safe?

Drake gazed into the mirror, and a scene appeared He could see King Roland's castle in the distance. He could see the green fields where crops grew, and the hut where his family lived. The sun was shining as villagers worked in the fields.

Then, suddenly, the ground began to shake. People began to run. Some of the huts collapsed. Big cracks in the earth started to break apart the fields. "No! That's my home!" Drake yelled. Tears ran down his cheeks.

Darma stepped up to Maldred. "Why must you destroy the world?" Maldred cackled. "I am not trying to destroy it. I am trying to control it," he replied. "With the power of the Naga at my command, everyone will do what I say! And I'm starting with Bracken, because that is where my enemies have gathered! Those wizards will be sorry they tried to mess with me!"

Jean pulled her sword out of the wall. "Aaaaaaaaaaaah!" With a mighty cry, she charged toward Maldred. The wizard scowled. He held up his hand and then pushed forward. Magical energy sent Jean flying backward across the temple!