The soldier rode up to Drake. He reached down and pulled him up onto his horse.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Drake yelled. The soldier didn't answer.

Drake's mother ran out of their hut.

"Wait! Where are you taking my boy?" she yelled.

"To King Roland," the soldier said.

Drake's heart jumped a little. He had always wanted to meet the king.

"But he's only eight!" his mother yelled. She marched up to the horse.