7 News From the Village

CHAPTER 7 NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE Petra marched off toward the Dragon Caves. Everyone hurried behind her. They were all sharing ideas about how she could befriend the hydra. "You might want to polish her scales," said Bo. "Shu likes that very much." "Vulcan likes it when I rub under his chin," said Rori. "You should try that."

Ana chimed in. "You could give her a name." "Worm loves apples," said Drake. "Maybe give the hydra a snack." Petra opened the gate to her dragon's cave. She took one step inside. Then she looked back at the others. "I don't need to do any of those things," Petra said. "All I have to do is close my eyes and think hard about my dragon. Everyone knows that's how you form a connection." "But—" Rori started to say. Griffith held up a hand to silence her. "Every dragon is different," he said. "So is every Dragon Master. Let Petra try it her way."

Petra closed her eyes. Her Dragon Stone started to glow pale green. "Can you hear the hydra in your head?" Rori asked, tapping her foot. "I'm trying!" snapped Petra. Then Simon the guard ran in, out of breath. "I have news from the village," he said. "People have turned against the dragons now that King Roland is sick. They are saying that the dragons should be locked up somewhere far away from the kingdom!"

The Dragon Masters gasped. "Oh dear," said Griffith. "Thank you for warning us." Simon nodded and ran off. Rori balled her hands into fists. "Nobody is taking Vulcan away from me!" she cried. "This is awful," said Bo. "It is terrible that King Roland got sick," added Ana. "But it wasn't the hydra's fault!" "I can't think in here," Petra blurted out. She pushed past the Dragon Masters. iohlik. "Are you just going to let her leave?" Rori asked Griffith.

"I cannot force Petra to connect with her dragon," he replied. "I hope she will come back soon. But until then, we must keep looking for a cure. Back to the books, Dragon Masters! I will go see if the Dragon Stone can help us." He turned to Drake. "Can you go check on Petra?" Drake nodded and ran out of the Dragon Caves. Part of him was angry with Petra. But he was also worried about her. She is far from home. I'm sure she thinks this is all her fault, he thought. She must feel terrible—especially now that all of our dragons are in danger!