Fireball

Unexpected Assistance

That night, Fireball fell asleep instantly. He was extremely tired. He'd spent half the day flying and the other half swimming, all in an effort to find his missing friend. He was worried about Dronin, but also that there were wizards on their island and they were kidnapping dragons. Fireball's father died because of wizards. He would do anything to keep wizards from hurting his family or friends.

As Fireball got ready to go out the next morning, Drake and Kaida arrived. Malvina invited them in, but Fireball just kissed his mom and left with his friends. They hurried to the small hill where the hidden barrier was. It was easy to find because there were several Gardenia bushes growing along the invisible barrier wall. Endrik had told everyone the name of the bush, with its glossy leaves and fragrant, white flowers.

When Fireball, Drake and Kaida arrived, Elyse and Endrik were already there. They weren't alone. They had brought along a dragon elder and a grey-haired wizard. The wizard turned around and smiled at Fireball. Fireball just stared hard at him. He did not like wizards.

The wizard stared for a while and then spoke to the old dragon, Alaric. Fireball could not understand anything he was saying. The elder dragon looked at the young dragons.

"Ashneel says this is an invisible dome barrier. Very powerful. He says some powerful witch or wizard does not want any guests in their space."

"We have to get our friend." Said Elyse. "There must be a way for us to get through or around this barrier. Dronin must be on the other side."

"How do you know Dronin is on the other side of the barrier?" responded Alaric. "What if you go through and he isn't there? I don't imagine the wizards will welcome you."

Elyse explained again everything that led them to the spot. They were very sure Dronin was taken by the wizards or whomever was on the other side of the barrier.

The elder dragon nodded approval and went over to stand with the wizard again.

Alaric began talking with Ashneel. The conversation between the dragon and the wizard became very animated. Fireball found it a bit comical. When they finished their conversation, the old dragon asked the other dragons to step back. Ashneel began speaking and waving his wand toward the barrier. After a few minutes he stopped and walked back to talk to Alaric.

After his discussion, Alaric approached the younger dragons. Fausto had just shown up and almost knocked everyone over as he pushed his way to the front. The dragon addressed the group.

"This barrier is even more powerful than Ashneel thought. He will require a strong flame to help weaken an area so that his spell can be completed."

Drake stepped forward, but the wizard shook his head. Fausto stepped up, but again the wizard shook his head no. The elder dragon looked at the other dragons.

"Ashneel needs the little dragon. He said he needs an extremely intense flame and Fireball is the only dragon capable of producing such a flame."

The bigger dragons laughed, including Endrik. Drake knew first hand that Fireball had a hot flame, but he was sure he could produce the hottest fire. Drake stepped forward and blew his most intense flame. When he was finished he looked at Ashneel. The wizard shook his head no and then walked right up to the barrier and poked it. Nothing happened. Fausto pushed past Fireball again and tried to breathe his most intense flame, but the results were the same.