5. THE CAVE'S SECRET

CHAPTER 5 THE CAVE'S SECRET Drake and Rori entered the hidden chamber. Worm and Vulcan followed them. "I think this is a map of the cave," Llew said, pointing to a large drawing carved into one wall. "I think you're right," Rori agreed. "It shows all the layers. The grotto is on top." Llew pointed to the lowest level. "Look! That's a dragon!"

They all looked at the image of the dragon. Energy lines extended from the dragon all the way up to the grotto. "Does this mean a dragon lives in the Crystal Cave?" Drake asked. "There are no stories about a dragon living here," Llew replied "Unless—no, it can't be..." "What are you thinking, Llew?" Rori asked.

"Well, I have seen a Crystal Dragon in my dreams," Llew explained. "When storykeepers sleep, we sometimes go to a dreamworld that feels real. I am still training to be a storykeeper, but I have been to that world. And that is where I have seen the dragon on that map!" Just then, Drake's Dragon Stone glowed. He heard Worm's voice in his head. I can sense a dragon far below us. "Worm says there's a dragon in this cave," Drake told his friends.

"Then we need to get down there," Rori said. "That green thread was a clue. Griffith must have found this chamber. He probably went looking for the dragon. Maybe Morgan did, too." Drake peered down a pathway on the opposite wall of the map chamber. "It looks like this path goes down deeper into the cave," he said. "We should follow it." Llew gazed past Drake. "The path looks rough," he said. "I don't think my wheelchair can handle it." "We need you with us. Especially since it sounds like you have some kind of connection to this dragon," Drake said. "There has to be a way..."

"Llew, do you want to ride on Vulcan with me?" Rori asked. "I sometimes ride horseback with my cousin," Llew replied. "Why not a dragon?" "Do you mind if Worm helps you into the saddle?" Drake asked. Llew smiled. "Something tells me that might be fun." Rori climbed onto Vulcan's back. Then Drake gave the command "Worm, please get Llew onto Vulcan's back!"

Worm's body glowed softly. A green light shone around Llew With the power of his mind, Worm lifted Llew out of his wheelchair and onto Vulcan. "Will my wheelchair be safe if we leave it in here?" Llew asked. "Yes, it should be," Drake replied. "Worm can transport you back into it anytime you want." "Great!" Llew said. He put his arms around Rori. "This is like having a fire-breathing wheelchair!" Rori smiled. "Let's go find Morgan and Griffith!" she cried.