The Dragon Masters jumped to their feet. King Roland swept into the room. He was a big man, with red hair and a bushy beard. He walked right up to Drake. Drake was so nervous, he was shaking.

“This is my new Dragon Master?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," said Griffith.

The king frowned. "He's scrawny."

Drake felt like sinking into the floor.

The king turned to Griffith. "Explain this to me, wizard. My strongest men cannot control dragons. Why is it that these children can?"

"It is the way of the Dragon Stone," Griffith said. "It is a mystery, even to me."

"Hmph!" snorted the king. "Very well, then. I shall leave my army in your hands."

Army? Drake wondered.

King Roland looked at Drake again.

"Do not let me down, boy," he said. Then he and the soldier left. Everyone sat back down.

The king's words scared Drake. What will happen if I do let him down? Drake wondered. He had a feeling it wouldn't be good.

Bo took Drake to their room. There was a bed and a wooden chest for each of them. There was also a desk for them to share. A jug of water sat on a table.

"That is your bed," Bo said, pointing.

Drake climbed into bed.

The moon shone through a small window. Drake looked over at Bo. He was already sleeping peacefully. Drake soon drifted off to sleep, too.

All of the sudden, he was in a dark cave.”

The air in the cave felt warm. It smelled like the deep, rich dirt where the onions grew. Green eyes glowed in the darkness.

Worm! Worm was in the cave. And behind him were other dragons. They all had the same brown scales and green eyes.

Boom! A loud explosion shook the cave. Smoke filled the air. Worm let out a cry. The dragons slithered across the cave floor, looking for a way out.

Drake woke up in his bed, dripping sweat. That was some nightmare, he thought. It felt so real. ...