11 Ch11-Astrid's Plan

CHAPTER 11 ASTRID'S PLAN Shaka stomped toward Astrid, with Caspar on her back. The wizard shot a stream of fire at the Stone Dragon.

Caspar laughed. "Fire cannot hurt Shaka." "No, but it can hurt you!" Astrid said. She hurled another stream of fire at him. Shaka glowed. A flat piece of stone flew up from the ground and stopped the fire stream from hitting Caspar. "Nice try," Caspar said. "You may shoot fire like a dragon, but you are no dragon."

"I am smarter than a dragon," she replied. "A wizard named Maldred taught me how to steal dragon powers. But I do it better. I figured out how to use them!" She patted the bottles on her belt. Drake nudged Mina. "There must be all different dragon powers in those bottled liquids," he whispered. "The orange liquid gave her the power of a Fire Dragon."

Astrid floated higher up and landed on a big rock. Caspar and Shaka stomped closer to her. "How long does each dragon power last?" Caspar asked. "Only for a short time," Astrid replied. "But it doesn't matter. I have captured the powers of eight dragons so far. When one power wears out, I can use another one." "I don't care if you have the power of one hundred dragons!" Caspar said. "Shaka and I will defend this fortress. Leave here now!"

Astrid shook her head. "You are a brave little boy. But you are not good at listening. Didn't you hear me? I will drain your dragon's powers unless you leave this fortress. Now get out of my way! I have a spell to cast." "We know your plan with the Garden of the Beasts," Caspar said. "You want to bring those bones back to life!" Astrid smiled. "Maybe you are smarter than I thought," she said. "Yes, that is my plan. Then no army will be able to defeat me! I will conquer the Land of the Far North. And then... the world!" "You will never rule this kingdom!" Caspar cried. "Princess Daria leads us, and she is strong and brave!"

"Ha!" Astrid cried, and flames flickered from her lips. "Wizards are more powerful than any normal human. We should be running things!" While Astrid had been talking with Caspar, Drake whispered to Mina, "Astrid is distracted. We could try a surprise attack. But what can we do?" "Could Worm break that big rock she's standing on to throw her off balance?" Mina suggested. "Astrid's fire power should wear off soon. Then Frost could freeze her again." "Good plan!" Drake said. "I'll wait for the right time..." Mina nodded. Then she suddenly jumped out from their hiding place and began to argue with Astrid.