2 The Dragon Show

CHAPTER 2 THE DRAGON SHOW King Roland marched across the grass. He was a big man with red hair and a bushy beard. Six guards marched behind him. "The dragons are looking fine, wizard," he said in his booming voice. He nodded at Worm. "Even that brown one."

The king has never seemed to like Worm, Drake thought. So what if he looks like a big, brown worm? He is a powerful Earth Dragon! "I'm glad that you are pleased, Your Majesty," said Griffith. "I am not pleased yet!" the king said. "I need to see what these beasts can do. This is the first time that I will show my dragon army to the world. When we march into the Kingdom of Arkwood, everyone will be amazed!" Ana stepped forward. "They're not an army! They're just dragons."

A guard glared at Ana. "Silence, girl!" he barked. "They are more than just dragons," said the king. "When word gets out that my kingdom is protected by dragons, nobody will dare attack us." Maldred might attack us, Drake thought. But he did not say that out loud. If the king didn't listen to Griffith's warning, he won't listen to mine.

Griffith clapped his hands. "Dragon Masters, let us show King Roland what you can do. Please line up!"

The Dragon Masters had practiced for days. Drake felt excited. He couldn't wait for King Roland to see Worm's powers! Griffith turned to the king. "First, I would like to present Bo and Shu, his Water Dragon." Bo stepped forward and bowed. Then he waved his hand at Shu.

Shu floated in the air above them. Her blue scales shimmered. She opened her mouth and a stream of water came out. It flowed in a circle around them all. Then the water turned into misty droplets and fell to the ground. King Roland nodded, smiling.