2. SOMETHING IS WRONG

CHAPTER 2 SOMETHING IS WRONG What brings you here, Dragon Master?" King Roland asked Jean. "Who are you and where are you from?"

"I am Jean, a Dragon Master from the Land of Gallia," she replied with a bow. "And this is my dragon, Argent." Drake stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Jean helped us save the world from the Naga." King Roland raised an eyebrow. "That earthquake-making dragon? Then I indeed owe you a debt. And I will always aid Gallia, our neighboring land. What help do you need?" "This shadow is covering our kingdom, too," Jean replied. "Our villagers are afraid. King Leon sent me here to ask if you will help us fight it."

King Roland frowned and gazed at the sky. "I fear I do not know how to battle a shadow." Bo turned to Jean. "Did you get close to the shadow when you flew here?" "We flew under it the whole way," Jean replied, "but Argent did not fly into it. He told me it was evil." "Griffith, you said your gazing ball might tell us where that shadow came from," Rori reminded him. Griffith nodded. "Yes, yes," he replied, snapping his fingers. Normally his gazing ball would appear in his palm. Instead... poof! A ball of blue yarn popped into his hand.

"This is no time for jokes, wizard!" King Roland snapped. "This is not a joke, sire," Griffith replied. "Just a silly mistake." The wizard narrowed his blue eyes in concentration and snapped his fingers again. Poof! A large soap bubble floated above his palm. King Roland glared at him, and Griffith popped the bubble. Then the wizard tried again. Poof! A smooth wooden ball rested in his hand. Drake frowned. I've seen Griffith do a lot of magic, but he's never failed before, he thought. Something is very, very wrong!