5. DARPAN

CHAPTER 5 DARPAN Jean and I will head to Sindhu right away," Drake told the Head Wizard. "Can you message Griffith for us?" "Yes. Our magic may not work, but our pigeons still do," Jayana replied. "I will tell Griffith where you are going." "Great!" Drake said, and he and Jean got ready to transport. "Worm, take us to the Temple of the Shadow Dragon in Sindhu!" They transported in a flash of green light.

Drake blinked. Here, the strange shadow completely covered the sky. In the near distance, Drake could make out the temple and the Shadow Dragon.

They had landed in a village. One- and two- story buildings lined the street they were on, but all the doors and shutters were closed. "Where is everybody?" Drake wondered.

"Maybe they're afraid of the shadow?" Jean replied. Then she pointed down the road. "Look, there's a bright light in that building." The Dragon Masters and their dragons made their way toward the small building at the end of the road. When they reached the door, which was partly open, Drake noticed stars and moons carved into the wood. Is this a wizard's house? he guessed. Jean knocked on the door. "Hello? Is someone here?" "Come in!" a voice called from inside. Drake turned to the dragons. "You two wait here."

The Dragon Masters stepped into the house. Right away, Drake knew his guess had been right. The place was filled with shelves of books, jars, and plants. A young, dark-haired boy stood by a desk. The boy eyed the Dragon Masters' swords. "Are you soldiers? If you've come about the sky-shadow, it's no use," he said.

"I'm Jean, and this is Drake," Jean explained. "We're Dragon Masters. We've come from far away to try to stop the Shadow Dragon. What do you know about it?" "Well, the dragon's name is Chaya, and his Dragon Master is my sister, Aruna. I'm Darpan," the boy replied. A sad look crossed his face. "But like I said, there is no way to stop Chaya. King Vikram's army tried and failed. I even tried to reason with Aruna, but she wouldn't listen." "Is there a wizard we could speak with? Maybe the one who lives here?" Drake asked. "Aruna's wizard disappeared around the same time Chaya began to create the sky-shadow," Darpan continued. "I came here, to his home, looking for answers. All I know is that something terrible has happened to my sister—and to Chaya!"