4. LOOKING FOR CLUES

CHAPTER 4 LOOKING FOR CLUES Drake put his hand on Worm. "To travel with us, you just need to touch Worm," he explained to their new friend. Llew grinned. "I saw before how you all appeared in a beautiful green light," he said, touching Worm's tail. "Is that how we will get to the cave?" "Yup!" Rori said. She climbed on Vulcan's saddle and touched Worm's back. "Worm, take us to the Crystal Cave!" Drake cried.

Green light flashed, and seconds later, they arrived on a big, flat slab of rock in front of a cave entrance. Llew looked down at his wheelchair. "I'm still in one piece!" he exclaimed. "But my stomach feels fluttery." "I've never gotten used to that feeling," Drake admitted. Llew gazed around. "This is a very exciting beginning to a brand-new story: Llew and the Dragon Masters explore the Crystal Cave!"

Rori walked toward a small, wood hut. "Is that where Morgan lived?" "Yes. Griffith probably stayed there, too," Llew said, following her. Rori stepped inside. Llew stopped. "I can't do stairs with my wheelchair. But you should go in, Drake." I've never thought about how easy it is to get around with my two legs, Drake thought as he followed Rori inside the hut. I wonder if Llew feels frustrated when there are places he can't get into?

The tiny space contained a cot, a table and chair, a fireplace—and shelves filled with books. One book sat on the table. Rori picked it up. "Griffith's journal!" she said. "Maybe there's some clue in here about what happened to him." "Let's bring it outside so Llew can see it," Drake suggested. They left the hut, and Rori turned to the last written page in the journal. "This morning I will continue my search of the Crystal Cave," she read aloud. "I believe something terrible has happened to Morgan, and the answer I seek may be there." Drake turned to Llew. "Can you come inside the cave with us?" "The path leading into it looks smooth," Llew replied. "I'd like to try."

The cave entrance was tall enough for the dragons to pass through. They all entered a large chamber. Sunlight poured through the entrance and lit up the space inside. Crystals grew down from the ceiling, out of the walls, and up from the floor. They sparkled as the sunlight hit them.

"This place is called the grotto," Llew explained. "It's the top layer of the cave." Drake gazed at a pale-yellow crystal. "There are so many crystals! And so many different colors!"