Central Nordpeis

And, in their strange language, asked them to scout out the enemy, then return and report. As many times as I’ve been down here, it still feels like I’m on a different planet somehow, Marcus thought as he sat on an old, lumpy log. This land was so intimidating. They arrived here by following a cave deep down into the earth, yet when they arrived, there was day and night. It was either freezing cold, like now, or so hot they could hardly breathe. One of the Imphogs returned and spoke to John. They believe that the weapon is no longer with the army, John translated. They overheard one of the soldiers saying that the weapon was found by General Azrael, imobiliare bucuresti and he was taking it to Torron. This means we must move quickly, Marcus said. Let’s go. They raced up the slope of the hill with swords in hand, keeping under some short, bushy trees.

The Torron soldiers were taken by surprise; the battle was short. John leaned against a tree, panting. Don’t stop now, Marcus said. We need to keep moving. Ed hacked away at the dense undergrowth of the forest on the way to the cave, feeling as if he were in the middle of a Brazilian rainforest. He took his last chop at the underbrush and surveyed his work. The path was now open to the cave only fifty yards away. Can you see the dragons? Brian asked. His breath plumed; the temperature was dropping fast. Yeah, they’re hovering over the ridge on the other side of the valley. Hovering? Ed nodded. They’re starting an attack. They could be going after John and Marcus. We must . . . Look at the ridge over there! Ed pointed to the crest.

They saw Marcus and John running down the hill, followed by a small group of Imphogs. They disappeared under the cover of the trees. Marcus heard the roar of the huge dragon wings flapping overhead. They’re ready to attack. We must find cover. Just then, one of the dragons let out a screech. Marcus knew that all-too-familiar sound. The dragon would send a message to Torron that the Alliance had been found. The two dragons dived out of the sky at Marcus and John. Duck into that cave! Marcus yelled to John. He pointed to a shallow cave under a stone ledge. They jumped under the ledge just in time as the first dragon spewed a fiery stream of death at them. Sticky dragon saliva dripped from the rocks above the cave, forming a hot curtain of dazzling droplets in front of them. That was close, Marcus thought. We need to get out of here fast.

The second dragon spewed more saliva at them. The curtain of droplets turned into a river of fire. Once the curtain had subsided, they quickly ran into the trees and out of sight of the Pagandorfs. Brian picked up a softball-sized rock at the same time Ed pulled out his bow. Brian threw the rock, and Ed shot three arrows, one after the other, which distracted the beasts. As deadly as these dragons are, Ed thought, they are the dumbest monsters in the Underworld. Ed shot two more arrows. He watched intently as he guided them to one of the Pagandorfs. The arrows circled around behind the dragon and lodged deep into the back of its neck. The dragon flailed around as it fell out of the air. Fiery dragon saliva streamed out, whipping all over the sky like water from an out-of-control fire hose. The contrast of the streaming red fire against the pale orange sky was striking.