14 Zera

CHAPTER 14 ZERA Toot-toot-toot-toooooot! The sound of trumpets filled the air early the next morning. Drake and the other Dragon Masters rushed outside, along with everyone else in the castle. Villagers filled the courtyard. Toot-toot-toot-toooooot!

Trumpet players stood on the king's balcony. "It sounds like they're going to announce something," said Rori. "It must be about the king," Petra said, her face pale with worry. "I hope he's all right!" "All hail King Roland!" the guards shouted. King Roland stepped onto the balcony with Queen Rose. The crowd began to cheer.

"People of Bracken, I am healed!" the king said loudly. "I am healed by the very dragon that harmed me." Some people in the crowd began to boo. "Silence!" ordered the king. "What happened to me was an accident," the king continued. "Yes, dragons can be dangerous. But our Dragon Masters work hard to train them. I searched the globe for my dragons. I am not giving up on them now—and neither should you!"

Drake smiled. He looked at his friends. They were smiling, too. "So no more talk against the dragons!" the king said. "I shall not hear it. And now, I must get back to running this kingdom. Good day!" Queen Rose led him back inside. Petra threw her arms around Drake. "It worked!" she said. "We saved the king!" "And all of our dragons are safe again!" said Ana. Griffith smiled at the Dragon Masters. "Well done, all of you. Especially Petra, our newest Dragon Master. Now let's get to the Valley of Clouds for some training." iohlik. The Dragon Masters cheered.

Later that day, the Dragon Masters and their dragons went to the valley with Griffith. Petra gently stroked one of the hydra's necks. "I finally have a name for my dragon," she announced. "It's Zera." "Zera?" asked Ana. "That's pretty." "It's the name of my kitten back home," said Petra. "The hydra reminds me of her since she also purrs when she is happy."

"Vulcan shoots sparks from his nose when he's happy," Rori said with a giggle. The two girls smiled at each other. Suddenly, Drake heard Worm's voice. Look up! Drake pointed to the sky. A large, dark dragon swooped down. As the dragon got closer, Drake could see his shimmering black scales. He could see the dragon's rider, too: a boy with dark, curly hair. "It's Heru and Wati!" Drake cried.