15 AWAKE

CHAPTER 15 AWAKE Drake opened his eyes. He felt groggy. Where am I? he wondered, gazing around. Why am I lying in hay?

Then he heard Worm's voice in his head. We are in the stables in the Castle of the Wizards, Drake.

Drake stood up. Worm was curled up beside him. "Worm, are you okay? The last time I saw you, Zoltan—" Zoltan and I landed here in the stables, Worm explained. Then the wizard broke free of my energy and flew away. He is headed toward the Naga, to free Maldred— "Drake!" A girl with braided red hair ran in and threw her arms around Drake.

"Rori!" Drake cried. "What are you doing here?" "You and Worm went missing last night," Rori answered. "Bo and Sandor are out looking for you. When Griffith told us, I jumped on Vulcan and flew right here. What happened?" "It's a long story," Drake began.

At that moment, Jayana, the Head Wizard entered. "Welcome back, Drake," she said. "I just saw a dragon fly past my window. Its body was covered with magical symbols. Does that have something to do with your disappearance?" "That was Zoltan!" Drake answered. "He has transformed into a dragon!" "A dragon with wizard magic? That should be impossible!" Jayana said.

Drake quickly explained what had happened. "His plan is to free Maldred. He is headed to the Naga." "Maldred?! We have to stop Zoltan before he frees that creep!" Rori said. naw" "Yes," Jayana agreed. "We must figure out how to stop him."