4 The Ice Cave

CHAPTER 4 THE ICE CAVE To stop my dad, we need to get to the secret doorway to the Naga. But I'm not sure how we'll find it," Wolfgang said. "Why does it need to be a secret, anyway?" "The Naga is one of the most powerful dragons ever," Drake answered. "When he turns his eye to a place, he causes an earthquake. He stays calm if nobody disturbs him." "Then what my father is doing is more dangerous than I thought," Wolfgang replied. "We need to find that door!"

"Worm might be able to find it," Drake replied. "He's good at sensing the locations of other dragons." Drake turned to his dragon. "Worm, can you sense any dragons nearby?" Worm closed his eyes. His body softly glowed with green energy. I can sense the Naga, Worm replied. His energy is very, very powerful. If I transport us toward that energy, we may find the secret door. Zoltan is also nearby. But I can sense a third dragon in the same direction. One who is much closer.

Do we know this dragon? Drake asked. No, Worm replied. We have not met before... Drake reported the news to Wolfgang. "I hope this new dragon does not get in our way," Wolfgang said. "We need to go straight to the Naga. I'm ready to transport. Is it anything like poofing?" Drake thought about the times he had been magically transported by a wizard before. "Kind of. But when Worm does it, my stomach flip- flops. Touch Worm, and we can go." Wolfgang put a hand on Worm's neck. "Worm, transport us to the Naga!" Drake cried. In a flash of green light, the three of them disappeared.

They appeared in a cave— but it wasn't like any cave Drake had ever seen. It was massive, with a ceiling ten times taller than Worm. Blue- white ice covered its walls. Frost crunched under Drake's feet. Wolfgang gazed around in wonder. "An ice cave."

"I don't see a doorway yet..." Drake added. Then Drake noticed two figures a bit deeper inside. "Someone's here," he said, and he walked forward. Wolfgang and Worm followed. A girl wearing a purple parka trimmed with fur was kneeling next to a dragon. The dark- brown dragon was curled up and her eyes were closed. That's an Earth Dragon! Drake realized.

He glanced at Worm. His dragon was staring at the Earth Dragon. This is the first time I have seen another Earth Dragon since I was taken to King Roland's castle, Worm said. The girl stood up, and Drake saw that she wore a Dragon Stone. She looked at Worm, her eyes wide. Then her gaze shifted to Drake. "Dragon Master, can you help me?" she asked. "My dragon is hurt."