9 Ch9-Bones of the Beasts

CHAPTER 9 BONES OF THE BEASTS Griffith, the two Dragon Masters, and their dragons followed the wizards into the fortress. Everyone stopped when they saw the stone statues: Mina of the Far North and Frost, her Ice Dragon. Caspar and his Stone Dragon, Shaka. Quilla blinked. "Astrid did this?" she asked. Drake nodded. Jayana pointed to a group of wizards. "Stay here and free them from the stone." Six wizards ran over to the statues.

"The rest of you will come with me," she instructed. "Astrid is with the bones. Drake, where can we find them?" "Follow me," Drake replied, and he and Worm led the way. They marched over to the entry to the Garden of the Beasts. A bright red light shone from inside. Drake shaded his eyes.

Through the light, he saw giant beasts— beasts made of bones! Some beasts had a huge body and a long, long neck. Others stood on two feet, and had a huge head filled with sharp teeth! Others had spiky spines, or a horn growing from their forehead. Another beast flew around the garden on large wings. Its sharp, skinny beak looked like a bird's beak.

Astrid floated above the sand. She wore a belt around her waist. Tiny, glowing bottles dangled from loops on the belt. Each one held a different color liquid— a dragon power she had stolen. If she drank one, she could use that dragon's attack as her own. The evil wizard cackled loudly. "Come, my beautiful, bony beasts! Together, we will conquer the world!" A swirling red portal opened up behind her. Drake darted forward. "I have to use the Tenebrex Box!"

Griffith stopped him. "Wait, Drake! We need a plan to keep you safe." "Wayra can help," Quilla piped up. "She can whip up a wind that will create a sandstorm around Astrid" But Drake shook his head. "Astrid steals dragon powers. It's too dangerous." "She won't see us coming!" Quilla promised. She climbed on Wayra's back. Her Dragon Stone glowed. "Wayra, create a sandstorm around that wizard!"

Just as Astrid stepped closer to the portal, Wayra lifted off the ground and flew into the Garden of the Beasts. The dragon's body glowed with soft purple magic, and the sand around Astrid whipped up. A spinning tornado of sand surrounded the wizard. "Drake, now!" Griffith urged.