2 A Sick Dragons

CHAPTER 2 A SICK DRAGON Ana looked up and started to scream. The other Dragon Masters also looked to the sky. Griffith pointed a finger at Kepri. "I'll try to slow her down!" the wizard cried. Lightning sizzled from his finger. But before Griffith could use his magic, a red blur shot across the sky.

It was Vulcan, flying faster than Drake had ever seen him fly before. He lunged for Kepri and grabbed her with his front claws. "Go, Vulcan!" Rori cheered. Vulcan flew in a circle around the valley, slowing down. Then he gently placed Kepri in the grass.

Everyone ran to Kepri. The dragon's eyes were closed. Her breathing was loud and heavy. Ana stroked Kepri's head. "Oh, Kepri, are you all right?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Griffith leaned over Kepri, frowning. "I'm afraid she doesn't look well," he said. Ana turned to the wizard. "She has seemed a little off since last week—when the tunnel caved in. She gets tired easily. And sometimes her eyes look cloudy. I should have said something!" Griffith put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault, Ana," he said. "But are you sure Kepri only started looking sick after that night in the tunnel?" Ana slowly nodded her head. "Yes. She was fine before then."

Drake, Bo, and Rori looked at one another. A week before, they had all tried to sneak out of the castle with their dragons. Since King Roland wanted to keep the dragons a secret, most dragon training had to take place underground. The Dragon Masters had only wanted to get outside to do some night flying. Then a glowing red orb had flown into the tunnel that led to the valley. The red ball of light scared Vulcan so he tried to get away.

His huge body banged into the tunnel walls, and he had made the tunnel cave in. They were trapped. Worm used his mind powers to help them escape. He broke up the big rocks blocking the tunnel using only his thoughts. Worm had saved them all. But now something was wrong with Kepri. "Why did you ask about the cave-in, Griffith?" asked Bo. "The red orb worries me," Griffith answered. "It must have been made by a dark wizard, as I had feared. And dark magic can make Sun Dragons sick."