5. THE LABYRINTH

CHAPTER 5 THE LABYRINTH The Light of Truth swirled. The colors formed a sentence: YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH. The light faded from Lysa's chest. Rune grinned at Drake and Darma. A moment later, Drake heard Worm. Rune says: The secret of the labyrinth is that it holds a Star Flute in its maze of walls. With a Star Flute, you can summon the Star Dragon. But traveling through the maze will not be easy. It is full of traps and creatures that guard it.

"Will you come into the labyrinth with us?" Drake asked Rune. Rune says: Yes. Lysa and I want to help you. I am good at solving puzzles. And we will need Lysa's light to reach the flute. But you will only have until dawn to find the flute. If you fail, the maze will never let the four of you in again. Darma nodded. "Then we will not fail," he said simply. Drake headed for the castle doors. "Let's enter the labyrinth!" Rune shook his head. Rune says: The labyrinth doors will open at sunset. Then Rune pointed at Worm and Hema. Rune asks: While we are waiting, can you tell me about your dragons? Lysa is the only dragon I have ever seen—until now.

Drake grinned. "We can show you. Worm, lift me up!" Worm's body glowed green, and a green light began to shine around Drake. Slowly, Worm lifted Drake into the air, using the powers of his mind. Rune's eyes got wide. Darma followed Drake's lead. "Hema, fetch me a book!" he instructed.

Gold light flashed, and Hema transformed into a gold, fluffy dog. Hema bounded across the castle, grabbed a book from the shelf, and brought it to Rune. The boy smiled and raised his hand with his thumb, index, and middle fingers facing upward Then he snapped twice and pointed at Hema. "That must be the sign for dog!" Darma cried, and he repeated it as Hema transformed back into a dragon. Drake copied the boys. "This is a fun language," he remarked. Then he pointed at Worm. "What is the sign for 'dragon'?" His Dragon Stone glowed

Rune put his right hand in front of his mouth, with his palm down and his fingers forward. Then he wiggled his fingers and moved his hand forward. "Oh, it's like when Vulcan breathes fire!" Drake cried. He and Darma both tried it. "I don't think I'm wiggling my fingers right," Drake said "It takes practice," Darma told him. "The monks were patient when they taught me their sign language." "Rune, can you teach us more signs while we're waiting for the sun to set?" Drake asked. Rune grinned, and the dragons shared his reply. I will teach you signs we can use in the maze!