The Lost Secret of Dragonfire

Chapter 1 Questions Unanswered Running. That’s what I was doing, with a fire wind on my neck. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I had to get away. If I looked behind me, I could lose ground. I felt my arms pumping along my sides, as though that would help me go faster. If only I could fly. With that thought, I jumped, leaping over a lump of grass buried along a fence. Faster. Faster. I had to get away. The air moved through my lungs giving me strength. I wasn’t good at running, but the jumping I could do thanks to all my gymnastics classes. I came to what looked like a dead end of the dirt trail I’d been following. I started to examine my surroundings for an exit. A large stone fence seemed to line the edges of my path. At the end was a tunnel. This had to be my escape. That’s when I heard the roar. I didn’t want to look back, but sometimes you can’t help it. Slowly I turned, feeling like a character in a horror movie as the camera sweeps behind. There it was. A large, scaled creature, teeth bared, with a sinuous neck like a dragon with sweeping Pterodactyl wings. It looked more like a dinosaur from a textbook than a real living thing. It gave another bellow and snorted fire. That can’t be good. ### My eyes opened. I’d woken up from another of those nightmares. I was glad. This time I thought he might catch me. It’s good to wake up just in time, especially when being chased by a dragon. Luckily, it was still only a dream. But it had felt so real. I gave myself a shake to help wake up and focus. In my line of business, what seems like fantasy can be real. I’m a Crystal Keeper, and between my Fairy Helpers, my talking cat that happens to be a sorcerer too, my unicorn guide, and friends in high places (like the Green Man), dragons could just be around the corner. If these dreams keep coming like this, I won’t be surprised if a dragon shows up at the window. But that’s the least of my worries. I still don’t know where Edina, my best friend and fellow Crystal Keeper, has been taken. Dark Sorcerer Balkazaar kidnapped her after we fooled him by wishing the Pillywiggin fairies free. I don’t think he was too happy about that. The last time I saw her, Eddie (my nickname for Edina) was grabbed by Balkazaar and taken through a fairy path vortex to who knows where. That’s what I’ve been working on the last few days since I’ve been back from the fairy paths in Ireland. I’ve been trying to find her. I have no idea how, but I am going to try. Since that day, she hasn’t been in school. I’ve called her house, but get no answer. I figured, maybe, in a couple days there would be a big search or something. A newscast would come up with her picture saying she was missing and the girl hunt would be on. But nothing. Absolute nothing. I have no clue what is going on. Meow. There was a thump, and I could feel the walking of my cat, Brewford, as he made his way along the bed. Was it the dream again? “Yes, Brew, this time he cornered me, and I didn’t have an exit. Each time it seems to get worse.” It could be just a symbolic dream. I’m sure you are feeling a bit trapped in your options on where Edina might be. The creature that seeks you could represent your frustrations. “Maybe, Brew, but somehow I think it’s more than that.” Dreams can be messages from other realms. Or sometimes a portent of foreboding. The creature, how would you describe it? “Scary, big, scaly, and kind of thinking of it, a lot like a dragon.” Dragons are interesting. They can be very helpful sometimes. Did you consider that maybe it’s not the dragon going after you, but maybe something else? What do you think you’re running from? “I don’t know. I can’t see. But maybe I’m not running from the danger, but toward it. Wouldn’t be the first time.” I gave Brewford a wink. He gave me a half stare. This seemed to make him look more like Garfield in my mind. With Brewford’s striped tail, tabby fur, and Abyssinian eyes, I half expected Odie, Garfield’s sidekick, to jump up on the bed next. Of course, Brewford is also a powerful cat sorcerer, not to mention several centuries old, which he never lets me forget. Yoda with fur comes to mind. Are you ready to feed me? Your mother isn’t up yet. I think the second job is making her extra tired. That’s another thing. Mom got a new job that started this week. It’s only part time in the evenings, but it’s going to make it hard for her to do all the Mom things. You know, helping with homework, cooking dinner, and feeding the cat. So the news went something like this: “Honey, I’m going to have to rely on you to be more responsible now that I’m working at night too. We need the money, and I know you can do it. ’Kay?” I simply nodded. I mean what else could I say? I couldn’t really tell her the truth. I could see me trying something like this, “Hey Mom, I help the fairies and have saved the world twice now. I can totally handle a night or two a week on my own. I’m a big, sixth grader now, and a Crystal Keeper.” But this was a secret I couldn’t tell her. No one could know but another Keeper. But then, being a Crystal Keeper is like that. I have found that saving the day is part of the job. Luckily, I have elves to help with my homework too. One of the perks of being a Crystal Keeper. The elves and other fairies of the realms rely on us to help guard their entrances and assist with magical defense. But that comes later in the story. Right now, I am just trying to just figure out where Eddie is. It’s tough not knowing what happened. I figured, with it being Monday, I could maybe talk to some of her friends I met a few days ago. Maybe they’ve seen her since last week. “Okay, hold on, cat.” I eased myself off the side of the bed and heard another thump. I felt the rubbing against my legs. I thought-talk back, Think that sounded authentic? Gotta keep up appearance, right, Brew. “After you, Fat Cat,” I say out loud. I motion through the doorway as he scuttles through. Must you use that term with me? I really do think I am quite fit. “Brewford, you weigh a ton.” I keep walking down the hallway until I turn right into the front hall, and then a quick left into the kitchen. “I break my back just trying to pick you up to put you on the couch.” I thought I lost a few pounds trekking though the caves in Ireland. “No, Brew. You’re fat. Just admit it. It’s time to get you on a Kitty Diet. Do they have diet cat food?” I hear another voice answer my question. It’s Mom. “Yes, I think they do. And you’re right, dear. I think Brewford has put on a few pounds.” Mom turned into the kitchen and went straight to the coffee pot, her morning ritual. “We’ll have to look into some weight control dry food at the least.” “Meow!” Brewford’s loud protest made Mom laugh. She looked down and gave Brew a stroke and then returned to pouring water into the coffee maker. “Strange. It’s almost like he knows we’re talking about him.” She gave a big yawn as she pointed to the cupboard. “I put more of his food in the cupboard. I gave him the last can from the fridge last night. You probably need to open a new one.” She yawned again. “If you need anything, I’ll be in the shower. ’Kay?” “ ’Kay, Mom.” She dashed back through the kitchen doorway, and I was left to feed the hungry cat. “Meow. Meow.” I have to admit that the tuna is quite nice. Can I have some of that? Click. “Oops. I already opened the chicken. Sorry, too late on that order.” Oh well, do remember for next time. Brew’s guzzling sounds told me the conversation was at an end for now. Time for my breakfast. Why does the cat always get fed first? Oh well, better figure out which cereal I want today. Mom had been switching from name brands to the generic cheap cereal sold at the co-op grocery club. It was like Cheerios or Fruit Loops on steroids. Way too much sugar for just one kid. Ah, about just right for me. The kitchen was filled with happy cat guzzling and cereal chomping sounds.