6. A MYSTERY

CHAPTER 6 A MYSTERY The villagers all started to talk at once. Drake even heard some laughter. "What kind of a dragon is that?" "It's too small to be a dragon!" Ana motioned to Oskar. "We should go somewhere quieter to talk about this." "Follow me," Oskar replied. "But I can't talk long. I've got something very important to do."

Oskar led them outside the village square, past the Stellburg Inn and buildings where food, clothing, and other goods were for sale. Then Oskar stopped next to a field of grazing sheep. "All right," he said. "Who are you, and what do you want?" "I am Ana, and this is my dragon, Kepri," Ana answered. "And this is Drake and his dragon, Worm. We're from the Kingdom of Bracken."

"Wildroot here is a Flower Dragon from these mountains," Drake explained. "He traveled to find us because his tribe needs help. A monster is headed this way." Oskar frowned. "A monster?" "Yes," Ana replied. "And if we all work together, we can stop it." "But we can't do it without you," Drake added. "You and Wildroot need to learn how to work together. As his Dragon Master, you can help him tap into his powers." Oskar pointed to the backpack he wore. "Can't you handle this without me? I'm on my way to Graystone Castle, to find my father." "Where did he go?" Ana asked "One month ago, he went on an errand to the castle, and he hasn't come back," Oskar replied. "I'm afraid something terrible has happened to him!"