The Dragon's Eye by Dugald A. Steer

Author:Dugald A. Steer [Steer, Dugald A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5999-8
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2006-09-23T04:00:00+00:00

We didn’t get past Jamal again, partly because he was more wary of Beatrice and partly because the third time the ball landed near him, he grabbed it between his feet and, flapping his wings vigorously, took it up into a tree and lodged it between two branches. Although we threw sticks, it wouldn’t come down. Jamal looked very pleased with himself. When the ball had been lost, he flapped his wings more than ever, looking at them proudly.

“Soon he will be flying for real!” said Dr. Drake. “But for now, we had best return home.”

While the others set off, I lingered for a few minutes to watch Jamal, who came to the gate to see us go. Soon the others had disappeared, and I hurried along the path to catch up with them. But I had only gone a few hundred yards when I heard a loud cracking noise behind me. It sounded like splintering wood. Had someone returned to Jamal’s compound? I turned to go back and saw a woman stepping out from behind a tree. She was very tall and had pale skin and jet-black hair. She was dressed in a large black cape, high riding boots, and a very large, black hat. She was beautiful. Suddenly, there was a rustling noise in the trees. It was Jamal. He ran past us through the forest at top speed.

I opened my mouth to cry out. The woman smiled, but it was not a nice smile. Putting her finger to her lips, as though urging me to be quiet, she started coming towards me. I froze. I could hear distant shouts up ahead. The woman turned and vanished among the trees. I started to run. I felt that I needed to warn Dr. Drake at all costs.

When I reached the house, it was clear the others had seen Jamal, too.

“You didn’t open the gate, did you?” asked Billy.

“Why would I do that?” I said.

I started to explain about the woman I had seen, but Dr. Drake raised his hand and cut me off.

“It is absolutely essential that Jamal is recaptured at once,” he said. “I am afraid that I will have to think of somewhere rather safer to keep him than his compound. But first we must find him. All of you, I want you to spread out and use the dragon tracking skills you have learned to try and find him as quickly as possible. But do be careful not to disturb Weasel. Emery, you take the south part of the forest with Alicia. Mademoiselle Gamay, you take the north with Billy and Darcy. Daniel and Beatrice, we will take the west side. Come with me.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Dr. Drake said, “This is not the time for questions, Daniel. It is a very serious situation.”

“It’s not a questi —” I began.

“Hush!” he said, cupping his ear to listen as carefully as he could to the forest sounds.

“But —” I said.

“But nothing!” he said. He listened again and then let out a strange sort of keening cry.

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