7 Ch7-The First Lava Dragons

CHAPTER 7 THE FIRST LAVA DRAGONS Drake's heart sank. "Where are those Lava Dragons? Did they go to another island? We need to find one!" Opeli looked at her mother. "Tell them the story." Kalama nodded. "Long ago, there were no humans on the islands of Noa. In the sky, flew birds and bats. In the ocean, swam fish and seals. And on the land, dragons roamed."

Drake looked around at the trees and the flowers and the sandy beach. He tried to imagine dragons there. "The dragons were made of lava from the great volcano," Kalama said, pointing to the smoking mountain in the distance. "They glowed with fiery heat. Then, when humans came to the islands, the dragons attacked. They shot lava at them. The humans could not calm them. So they fought back."

"Oh no!" Ana cried. "Did the humans..." "The humans did not harm them," Kalama said. "They knew the dragons were probably just afraid. So the most powerful healers used their magic to keep the dragons safe. They made the dragons part of the land." "What does that mean?" Drake asked. "Did they bury the dragons in the ground?"

"The dragons and the land are one," Kalama replied. Drake still wasn't sure what she meant. But he didn't want to give up. "Are there healers nearby? Can we ask them to bring back just one Lava Dragon?" Drake asked. "We will keep the dragon away from your people," Ana promised. Kalama shook her head. "No. The Lava Dragons must never return," she said. "I am sorry we cannot help you. Now please, you all must leave."

Opeli spoke up. "Please, Mother, may I take them to the papaya grove to get some fruit to eat first?" she asked. "They have come such a long way." Kalama thought about this. "You may," she said finally. "But then they must go." She turned and walked away.

"The grove is this way," Opeli said, leading them away from the village. "We really shouldn't spend any more time here," Drake said. "We need to get back to Bracken and figure out if Lava Dragons can be found anywhere else." Opeli looked behind her. Her mother was far away from them now. "I might know a way to help you," she said. "I could be wrong, but I have a feeling I am right. Will you follow me?" "Let's go!" Drake said.