16 Ch16-A Feast

CHAPTER 16 A FEAST Oh no!" Drake cried. "Nothing like this has ever happened before!" "Is Worm all right?" Bo asked. "I'm not sure," Drake said. "How are you feeling?" Drake asked Worm. Tired, Worm replied. But I think I am getting stronger.

Just then, Drake remembered the magic mirror. "Let me ask Griffith if there's anything he can do." Drake took the mirror off his belt. He looked into it. "Griffith, are you there?" he asked. The glass in the mirror swirled, and the wizard's face appeared. "Drake! Have you found the Sea Dragon?" "Yes," Drake said. "But a lot of things have happened." Drake told Griffith everything. "And now Astrid has the branch from the shadow bush," Drake finished. "And Worm can't transport."

"Worm must have used a lot of power to stop that tidal wave," Griffith said. "He just needs to rest. And don't worry about the branch. Because you took it from Astrid while she was casting the spell, she will have to start the spell all over again. We have a few days. Rest and return when you are ready." "We will," Drake promised, and Griffith's face faded. Drake looked up to see everyone gathered around him— the other Dragon Masters and the villagers. Manawa put an arm around Drake. "We will take care of you," he promised. "Let's go to the village!"

Then Manawa turned to Tani. "You may go back to the sea for now, my friend. I will see you later!" Tani nodded and returned to the ocean. The villagers led the way back up the hill. Worm moved slowly, and Drake stayed with him the whole way. Once they got to the village, Manawa put a hand on Worm. "This is Worm, the dragon who saved us!" he announced. "He needs food and rest!" "What does he eat?" Pania asked Drake. "He likes all kinds of fruit," Drake replied. "And vegetables."

Pania ran off and came back with two girls her age, carrying baskets of large orange berries. They placed them in front of Worm, and he gobbled them up. Nearby, smoke was coming from a pit dug into the ground. Delicious smells began to fill the air. "Is that food cooking?" Bo asked. Manawa nodded. "It's fish. With orange yams. And the white vegetable is taro root." "It smells delicious!" Drake said, and Manawa nodded.

When the food was ready, the villagers and Dragon Masters feasted. Drake ate every tasty bite. After the feast, the dragons slept on beds of grass that the villagers had made for them. Manawa's parents set up sleeping mats for Drake, Bo, and Opeli in their home. A full belly helped Drake fall into a deep sleep. He awoke to sun streaming into the hut— and to Griffith's voice. "Drake, are you there? I have news!" Griffith said.