8. LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF

CHAPTER 8 LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF The Flower Dragons swarmed around the Dragon Masters and their dragons. They made excited chirping sounds. They seemed to be communicating with Wildroot.

"Worm, why didn't we see the Flower Dragons at first?" Drake asked. Wildroot says that Flower Dragons release a special mist. The mist keeps humans from seeing them. When Wildroot sang, the dragons stopped the illusion. "That is an amazing power!" Ana said. Even Oskar seemed impressed. "Yes, that is a pretty good trick."

Drake heard Worm again: The Flower Dragons get all their powers from drinking starflower nectar. These flowers and dragons are connected As Drake repeated this news, a tiny creature flew up to the newcomers. Drake recognized her as the forest sprite that Wildroot had shown Worm. "Are you Brighteye?" he asked. "The Flower Dragons' friend who can see the future?" She bowed her head in greeting. "Indeed I am. I live with others of my kind in the nearby forest. We look out for the Flower Dragons."

Drake and Ana introduced themselves and their dragons. Brighteye smiled. "You are the Dragon Masters of Bracken! The ones who help others." "I am Oskar and I'm not from Bracken," Oskar said. "I am Wildroot's Dragon Master. Or at least, that's what Drake says." Wildroot jumped off Worm, dashed over to Brighteye, and started to chirp. "Wait, do you and the dragons understand one another?" Drake asked the forest sprite. Brighteye's golden eyes twinkled. "When you are as old as I am, you understand many things." "Wildroot told us you saw a vision of a red-eyed monster," Ana said. "And that you need our help."

The fairy nodded. "I fear that the Flower Dragons and the people of the village are in great danger. Let us see where the monster is now." She produced a twig from her belt and moved it in circles. A ring of golden fairy dust formed in the air. Inside the glittering ring, an image of a spooky cave appeared. Red, glowing eyes peered from within. Then the creature let out an eerie howl. Drake shivered. "I know that howl," Brighteye said. "This monster is a werewolf. It will be here soon."

She waved her wand, and the fairy ring—and the image inside—disappeared. "I know what a wolf is, but what's a werewolf?" Drake asked. Oskar spoke up. "Everyone in Stellburg knows about werewolves," he said. "They are fierce, hungry monsters much larger than wolves. A werewolf eats anything that moves."