Fireball

Marcello Attacks

Amos sat beside the fire and relaxed a moment as he spoke to the prince.

"I still don't understand why Marcello wants the trunk, but do you have it here? Why is it so special?"

"It's hard to explain Amos. My family has passed down this trunk for centuries. When the owner dies, some of his or her magical energy is absorbed into the trunk. So, as it is passed down, the trunk becomes more powerful. What Marcello fails to understand is that the trunk will only help the wizard who owns it. When somebody tries to steal the trunk, they will pay, often with their life. When I'm gone I am leaving the trunk in your care to give to my heir generations from now. It is detailed in my journal."

"So, have you used the trunk before? Do you believe it has powerful energy from your ancestors?"

"I do, Amos, and I have used it. I have witnessed the power, both good and evil, that the trunk possesses. Don't worry. When you possess the trunk, you will be safe. It will protect you, even though you can never own it."

The castle shook. Alexander and Amos knew that could only mean Marcello was attacking. The shattering of glass from the floor above rang through the corridors. They heard the sounds of spells, wizards and furniture being tossed. There was still heavy banging from outside. Fireball was sure it was large dragons trying to smash in the walls.

As a few more wizards raced upstairs to help, Fireball surveyed the great room they now occupied. Besides his friends, there were two other wizards and a dragon. Not a lot of help to defend the great room, but Fireball figured he and the other dragon could fly above, blasting fire and swooping down on the enemy once they penetrated the room. As long as they stayed high, the 40 foot high ceiling was enough height to avoid getting blasted at full force from any wizard's spell.

After a great deal of commotion upstairs, the castle fell silent. They listened intently, but there was nothing. Fireball glanced over at Amos and Alex. They knew the fight was far from over. Quietly they waited, on high alert.

Finally, Fireball grew impatient. He decided to fly upstairs to assess the situation. He hoped his speed would allow him to get in, see what was going on, and get out, undetected.

Flying slowly toward the staircase, the little dragon searched in every direction but saw and heard nothing. Fireball picked up speed as he ascended the stairwell. When he reached the top, he could not believe the destruction. Broken glass, splintered wood and large pieces of stone were everywhere. Strewn across the top of the 3-foot-thick of rubble were several wizards that Fireball was certain must be dead. He saw no live wizards, friend or foe. The stone giants were reduced to rubble. Then he spied a gaping hole in one of the outside walls. It was clear to him that at least one enemy dragon had entered the castle.

Unaware of the wizards' and dragons' whereabouts, Fireball retreated to the great room. He expected the enemy would end up in the great room and he wanted to be there to help. The little dragon hoped Amos and the prince had a lot of very powerful spells. They were going to need them if they were to stand a chance of defeating the evil wizards.