Drake dove away from the door. The fireball just missed him!

"Vulcan, stand down!" he heard someone yell.

Drake stood up. A red-haired girl was standing in the doorway.”

“No more fireballs!" she yelled at the dragon. He had shiny red scales and a long, thick tail. Two big wings grew out of his back.

Dragons aren't real, thought Drake. But Drake could see the dragon. And he had felt the heat from the fireball.

A tall man walked past the girl. He had a long, white beard. He wore a pointy hat and a dark green robe.

"Welcome, Drake," the man said. "I am Griffith, the king's wizard."

Did he say "wizard"? Drake had so many questions! "Is that a dragon?" he asked

"He's not just a dragon," said the girl. "He's my dragon. Vulcan is the best dragon in the kingdom."

“Drake, meet Rori," Griffith said. "Rori, please take Vulcan away. Tell the others I will be there shortly."

Others? Drake thought.

The girl sighed. "Fine. Let's go, Vulcan." She led the dragon away.

Then the wizard led Drake down a dark hall.

"Why am I here, sir?" Drake asked.

Griffith didn't answer. He stopped in front of a door. Griffith pointed at its big, brass lock. Sparks flew from his finger. The lock opened.

Drake's eyes grew wide. Wizard magic! he thought.

He followed Griffith into a room piled high with strange things. He saw bottles filled with colorful waters and powders.

Griffith picked up a wooden box. The box was carved with pictures of dragons.

"This is why you are here," he said, opening the box.

Drake peered inside. A green stone as big as his head glittered in the light.

"This Dragon Stone told me you have the heart of a dragon," said the wizard. He tapped Drake's chest.

"It d-did?" Drake asked. His eyes got big.

"Yes. And those with the heart of a dragon become Dragon Masters for King Roland," Griffith said

Drake had heard stories about the magical Dragon Stone. But he had never believed they were real. Now all his questions came spilling out.

“How does the stone know I have the heart of a dragon? And how did you find me? And what's a Dragon Master? And why does King Roland want Dragon Masters?"

"The stone is old and mysterious," Griffith said. "Even I do not fully understand its magic. A Dragon Master is able to connect with dragons. As for the king... he is very fond of dragons. But he cannot control them."

"So Vulcan isn't the only dragon?" Drake asked.

The wizard grinned. "No, he is not."

He handed Drake a green stone on a gold chain. "This is a piece of the Dragon Stone," he said. "It will help you connect with your dragon."

Drake's heart jumped. My dragon? I get a dragon? he thought. He slipped the stone into his pocket.

"Be careful, Drake," the wizard warned. "Dragons are dangerous. And even the Dragon Stone can't protect you from their powers."

"What powers?" Drake asked.

The wizard led him away without another word.