5 Ana's Story

CHAPTER 5 NAN'S STORY The Dragon Masters crowded around Kepri. "Feel better?" Ana asked her dragon. But Kepri just closed her eyes again. Bo looked at Griffith. "Will the potion work right away?" "I do not know," Griffith said. "We must wait and see. You all should head to dinner while I stay with Kepri." "I'm not leaving her," Ana said firmly.

Griffith put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Ana, you must take care of yourself," he said. "You must stay strong for Kepri. I will send for you if anything changes." The Dragon Masters left the cave, leaving a worried wizard and a sick dragon behind them.

Up in the dining room, they all picked at their dinner. Ana only ate a few bites of food. Drake ate some carrots and chicken—but only about half as much as usual. Bo stared at his plate. Even Rori was quiet for a change. Then the door at the end of the room banged open. One of the king's soldiers walked in. "Do you have news about Kepri?" Ana asked. The soldier walked over to Drake without saying a word. He handed him a rolled-up piece of paper.

Drake opened it. "It's a letter from my mom!" Dear Drake, It is good here in the fields. The onions are big. I know you are busy helping the king with his special project. But I miss you. Work hard! Love Your Mother Drake felt tears sting his eyes. He knew he was doing important work for the king, but he still missed his mom.

"I wish I could tell my family about the dragons," Drake said. "They have to be kept a secret," Rori warned. "I wish my father would write to me more often," Ana said. "I'd like to hear about his adventures." "What kind of adventures?" Bo asked. "My father sells beautiful fabrics," she said. "He travels all over far-away lands selling them. And we lived near the pyramids, so I often went there with him." "What's a pyramid?" Rori asked.

"It holds a king's body after he dies. It's sort of shaped like this." Ana made a triangle shape with her hands. "The pyramids are bigger than anything you've ever seen." "Your dad's adventures sound amazing," said Drake.