2. A RESCUE MISSION

CHAPTER 2 A RESCUE MISSION Worms says that Griffith is in trouble!" Drake told his friends. "Worm, where is he?" In Greenshire, Worm replied. "Greenshire? That's the village where Griffith was born!" Drake remembered. "We need to go there right away!"

Rori's, Bo's, and Ana's hands shot up at the same time. "Eko, can I go?" they all chimed in. "Griffith would not want us to leave the castle unguarded," Eko replied. "Only one of you can go with Drake." She plucked three blades of grass from the ground. Then she held them out, hiding part of the stems in her hand. "Rori, Bo, and Ana, choose one. The Dragon Master with the longest blade gets to go," Eko instructed.

Rori, Bo, and Ana each pulled a blade of grass from Eko's hand. They held them up. "Mine's the longest!" Rori cheered, and she jumped to her feet. "I get to go!" "Congratulations, Rori!" Bo said. "Bring Griffith back safely," Ana added. Rori ran back toward the Dragon Caves. "I'm going to get Vulcan!" "Wait for me!" Drake cried. He quickly finished his apple. Then he grabbed some more food from the blanket and ran after her.

Back in the castle, he found Rori putting a saddle on her Fire Dragon, Vulcan. Worm was outside his cave. Drake tossed an apple to him. "Ready, Drake?" Rori asked. "I cannot go on a mission on an empty stomach," Drake replied. He gobbled down some bread and cheese. Then he touched Worm. "Ready!" Rori put one hand on Worm and the other on Vulcan. "Worm, please take us to Griffith's village in Greenshire!" Drake commanded. A bright, green light exploded from Worm's body.

Seconds later, the light faded. They had landed on a dirt road. The late morning sun shone in the blue sky. Small brick houses surrounded them, each topped with a roof made of straw and mud. Villagers rushed toward Drake, Rori, and the dragons. Their eyes were wide with curiosity.

"Hello!" Drake announced. "I'm Drake." "And I'm Rori!" Rori said. "We are looking for a wizard named Griffith." The villagers began to talk in whispers. Then a woman stepped forward. "I am Gwen. There is a story you should hear," she said. "And that story must be told by Alan the Storykeeper." "Can you please take us to him?" Drake asked. A wavy-haired boy emerged from the crowd. He sat in a chair with metal wheels attached. He moved forward by placing both of his hands on the wheels of his chair, pushing the wheels forward. "I am Llew, son of Alan the Storykeeper," he said. "My father is away, but I'm the storykeeper- in-training. Follow me, and I will tell you a tale."