4. THE DRAGONS' NEST

CHAPTER 4 THE DRAGONS' NEST Drake watched the last fig disappear. Then a loud buuurp! came from the fig bowl. The air shimmered, and a baby dragon appeared on top of the table! The dragon was about the size of a large dog. Her scales were a mix of shiny purple and green. The dragon sat up and rubbed her belly.

"Gotcha!" a guard yelled as he lunged for the baby dragon. "Don't scare her!" Diego warned. The dragon jumped off the table and ran to the nearest corner, shaking. Val got up and slowly approached the dragon. Everyone else in the Great Hall got quiet. Val crouched down. "It's okay. Nobody is going to hurt you. We want to help you." The dragon took a step toward Val. Then she scooted into Val's arms. Val giggled and patted the baby dragon. "Everything's going to be all right." Diego stood up. "Well done, Val!" he said. Then he bowed to Queen Sofia. "Thank you for this wonderful feast, but I must see to the baby dragons."

"Shall we get there magically?" she asked, standing up. "Yes, my Queen," Diego replied, and took her hand. "Meet us in the tower!" Diego told the others, and then... poof! He and the queen vanished in a sparkle of magical light. Then Worm transported Drake, Carlos, Val, Lalo, and the baby dragon.

They landed on top of a wide, round tower. A giant nest of straw had been built against one part of the wall. Three castle guards were chasing after four more baby dragons, who were running and tumbling all over the tower.

When the dragons saw Worm and Lalo, they ran to them, excited. Three of them climbed onto Worm's back! The fourth ran toward Lalo, but jumped away when the Lightning Dragon threw off a nervous spark. Diego made a high, chirping noise. The baby dragons — including the one with Val — all stopped what they were doing. Five heads turned toward the wizard, their eyes wide.

Diego chirped some more, and the five dragons sat on their hind legs and stared at him. "Wow, that's amazing, Diego!" Drake said. "It takes practice," Diego said. He chirped again, and the five baby dragons jumped into their nest. Queen Sofia nodded. "Well done, Diego," she said. "Now, can you and your helpers find their parents?" Drake stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I can ask Worm to help. He can try to communicate with the baby dragons," he said.