Fireball

Home With An Unexpected Surprise

As Fireball approached the beach he saw Drake and Kaida waiting. The sky was clear, and his friends had seen something approaching from the distance, so they had come down to the water's edge to investigate. Of course, Kaida had hoped it was Fireball.

"What do you have?" asked Kaida as Fireball landed in front of her.

"This is the prince's infant son," said Fireball. "There was an attack. The prince's wife was killed, and his son was injured. The attacks aren't over, so we need to help protect the boy. Amos thinks the island would be the last place the enemy would look for him, so he should be safe for now."

Drake looked at him curiously. He was quick to point out that dragons can't do much in the way of looking after an infant wizard. Fireball explained that Amos had hoped Ashneel and some other elderly wizard friends would be able to help. Drake was relieved. He had no desire to learn to change diapers.

Kaida was glued to Fireball's side. She could not hide her fondness for him any longer. He kept flying into danger, and each time she feared that he might not return. Fireball assured both Kaida and Drake that he would always return.

Fireball cared for Kaida as much as she liked him, but he was unsure how to tell her. With the baby delivered safely to the island, it was time to leave again. He promised himself that when he returned he would find a way to tell her how he felt. For now, he knew he had to concentrate on getting back to Amos and the prince. Knowing the urgency, Drake told Fireball to go. He and Kaida would take Alexander's baby to Ashneel.

Fireball said goodbye to his friends and took to the sky, climbing above the clouds quickly. The higher altitude allowed the little dragon to fly faster, without fear of rain storms. His trip to the island had been slower because he had to fly lower, so the prince's son could breathe. Now he was free to fly at any speed and altitude.

The flight gave Fireball time to think. Were Amos and the prince okay? Would they be able to destroy Marcello and his followers? If they were unsuccessful in defeating the evil wizards, what would happen to his family and friends on the island? Would the world ever be safe? As these thoughts popped in and out of his head, he felt dizzy. He had no answers. He knew he needed to just fly to the castle and hope that Amos and the prince were still alive and had a plan. He trusted them and would do what they asked of him. He would fly fast and make his father proud. Fireball's father always told him to fly on instinct. That was how Khalid could fly so fast and maneuver like no other dragon through the dense forests they flew through daily, growing up.