12. THE BEAST'S DEMAND

CHAPTER 12 THE BEAST'S DEMAND Drake looked over at Rune. His new friend's eyes were wide with fear. Something in the pond was communicating with them both. The Dragon Masters took a big step back from the water's edge. The surface of the water rippled and a head emerged.

第12章野兽的要求德雷克看着符文。 他的新朋友惊恐地瞪大了眼睛。 池塘里有什么东西在和他们俩交流。 龙主们从水边后退了一大步。 水面泛起涟漪，露出了一个头。

The beast had gray, slippery-looking skin and a long snout. Bright yellow eyes gleamed from its face. And a single, curled antenna grew from its head. The voice, ancient and deep, entered Drake's head again. Who dares to approach my pond? Drake took a deep breath. "I am Drake, and this is Rune," he said. "We seek the Star Flute, and—" The beast's eyes fixed on Drake. To cross my pond, there is a price. What have you to give? Something shiny and rare will do. Drake saw Rune reach for the Dragon Stone around his neck. He tapped Rune's arm. No, Drake signed.

这头野兽有着灰色、光滑的皮肤和长长的鼻子。 它的脸上闪着明亮的黄眼睛。 它的头上长出了一根卷曲的天线。 那个古老而深沉的声音再次进入德雷克的脑海。 谁敢走近我的池塘？ 德雷克深吸了一口气。“我是德雷克，这是符文。”他说。 “我们要找星笛，而且——”野兽的眼睛盯着德雷克。 要跨过我的池塘，是要付出代价的。 你能给我什么？闪亮稀有的东西就行了。 德雷克看见符文伸手去拿他脖子上的龙之石。 他轻拍了一下如尼的胳膊。不，德雷克签了名。

Drake took the gold disc from his bag and held it out. Ooh, gold! I love gold, the beast said. I hope Darma won't mind, Drake thought. He tossed the gold disc, and the beast caught it in its mouth and gulped it down. Delicious! You may pass, the beast said. The beast disappeared under the water. Then the pond vanished! The boys walked forward on the grassy path. They hadn't gone far when a golden head came through the hedge wall. It was Hema, in goat form, munching on leaves. Drake and Rune laughed.

德雷克从包里拿出金盘，递给他。 哦,金!我爱金子，野兽说。 我希望达玛不会介意，德雷克想。 他把金盘扔了出去，野兽咬住了它，吞了下去。 美味!你可以过去了。野兽说。 野兽消失在水下。 然后池塘消失了！男孩们在长满草的小路上向前走。 他们没走多远，一个金头从树篱墙里钻了出来。 那是山羊模样的盒马，正在大嚼树叶。 德雷克和符文笑了。

Hema ducked back through a large hole in the hedge, and the boys followed Worm, Darma, and Lysa were waiting for them on the other side! Hema transformed back into a dragon. Darma's Dragon Stone glowed green, and he grinned. "No, I don't think you can chew our way to the Star Flute, Hema. Not even a dragon's tummy could hold that many leaves." Then Drake heard Worm's voice in his head.

赫马从树篱上的一个大洞里钻了出来，两个男孩跟着虫子，达玛和莱莎在另一边等着他们！盒马变回了一条龙。 达玛的龙石发出绿光，他咧嘴一笑。 “不，我不认为你可以咀嚼我们的星笛，盒马。 即使是龙的肚子也装不下那么多叶子。” 然后德雷克听到蠕虫的声音在他的脑海里。

Rune says: I can't believe we met the Picland Beast! I have heard stories about it but never seen it. I am glad we escaped. Thank you, Drake, forgiving up your gold disc. Drake turned to Darma and added. "We ran into a monster! And I had to feed it the gold disc you gave me. I'm sorry." Darma smiled. "It is okay. I sensed you might need..." But Drake stopped listening because he heard music. Sweet, high notes came from a pathway on their right.

符文说：我不敢相信我们遇到了皮兰兽！我听说过它的故事，但从未见过它。 我很高兴我们逃脱了。谢谢你，德雷克，原谅你的金碟。 德雷克转向达玛补充道。 “我们遇到了一个怪物！”我还得喂它你给我的金盘。 我很抱歉。”达玛笑了。“没关系。 我觉得你可能需要……” 但德雷克不再听了，因为他听到了音乐。 甜美的高音从他们右边的通道传来。

"Is that the sound of the Star Flute?" Drake asked Worm, taking a few steps toward the path. Lysa tells me birds are singing that song, trying to get us lost, Worm replied. We need to move away from the sound before— Charmed by the music, Worm stopped talking to Drake, and crawled down the path. Drake, Darma, Hema, and Lysa followed him. The birds' song led them away...

“那是星笛的声音吗？”德雷克问蚯蚓，朝小路走了几步。 莱莎告诉我，鸟儿在唱这首歌，想让我们迷路。 我们需要远离之前的声音——蠕虫被音乐迷住了，不再和德雷克说话，沿着小路爬了下去。 德雷克、达玛、赫玛和莱莎跟着他。 鸟儿的歌声把他们引走了。