5 Ch5-Manawa

CHAPTER 5 MANAWA The smell of salt water hit Drake's nose. They had landed on a sandy beach. They were in a cove shaped like a half circle. Drake noticed plants he'd never seen before. There were tall trees with skinny trunks, and bushes with purple flowers. A hill rose up behind them, and Drake saw the straw-colored roofs of homes there.

"This place reminds me of my island," Opeli remarked. Bo looked around. "I do not see a Sea Dragon or a Dragon Master," he said. "A Dragon Master? Is that someone who connects with a dragon?" a voice asked. A young girl stepped out from the trees. She wore a light-colored shirt and a skirt made of grassy fibers. She had dark, wavy hair. "Yes," Drake replied. "That's what we are. We're Dragon Masters. I'm Drake, and this is Bo and Opeli. And these are our dragons— Worm, Shu, and Ka." "My name is Pania," the girl said. "You're not afraid of dragons?" Opeli asked.

Pania smiled. "Why would I be afraid of baby dragons like yours? They're so cute!" "Our dragons aren't babies," Drake said. "And we are here on an important mission. We're looking for the Dragon Master of a Sea Dragon. Can you help us?" "Yes!" Pania said. "You need my brother, Manawa. Follow me." They followed Pania along the shore and across the cove.

A boy their age stood on top of a boulder with his hands on his hips. He wore a skirt like the one his sister wore, and his curly dark hair was streaked by the sun. Around his neck, he wore a green stone. It looked like an Ahi Stone— the same stone Opeli wore. "Brother!" the girl called out. "Meet Drake, Bo, and Opeli."

"Hello!" Manawa called back. "What brings you here with your baby dragons?" Why do they think our dragons are babies? Drake wondered. He wanted to ask, but there were more important things to do. "An evil wizard is casting a dangerous spell," Drake replied. "We need a Sea Dragon to help us stop it. Your sister told us that you are a Dragon Master."

Manawa jumped down from the boulder. "Dragon Master? That sounds very important," he said. "I was chosen to connect with Tani. But I am not called her Dragon Master. Here, I am called a Dragon Friend." "I think they mean the same thing," Bo said. Opeli stepped forward. "You wear an Ahi Stone, like mine." Manawa nodded. "Yes. It helps me communicate with my dragon." "Where is your dragon?" Drake asked. Manawa touched his Ahi Stone. It began to glow. "Tani, come meet our new friends!" Manawa cried.