Vedra and Krimon the Twin Dragons by Adam Blade Read Free Book Online

down into the chasm. It was very deep, and far, far below them he could see flames flickering. He knew the tokens in his shield would protect him from the fall, but that would be no help to Elenna.
    â€œWe have to get across,” he said.
    â€œI know. But how?”
    While they were still wondering what to do, the dragon took a few steps backward and then leaped across the chasm. His wings spread as he landed safely on the far side. He turned, looking back at them.
    â€œCome back!” Tom called. “You can carry us over.”
    Krimon snorted and let out a belch of flame. He clawed at the ground and turned his head, indicating that he wanted them to go with him.
    â€œIt’s too far!” Elenna called. “You have to jump back and help us.”
    But Krimon did not understand; he just stood there watching them with a confused expression. Tom felt tears sting his eyes. He wished that they had not left Epos and Ferno behind; the two grown Beasts could easily have carried them over the chasm on their backs.
    Tom fought hard to keep down his anger. It wasn’t the baby dragon’s fault. But they had to get across.
    A thought struck Tom. “If we had a pole, we could vault over,” he said.
    â€œA branch from the hedge might work,” Elenna agreed eagerly.
    Tom ran to the holly hedge and hacked at it with his sword. He sliced off the smaller twigs and branches from one long limb, cutting it free and dragging it onto the path. He trimmed the long branch so that it became a smooth pole twice his own height.
    He tested it. It seemed flexible enough not to break. “I’ll go first,” he said. “Then I’ll throw it back for you.”
    He lifted the pole and rested it on his shoulder, taking several steps backward, his eyes fixed firmly on the far side of the chasm. He ran forward. The pole hit the ground. It slipped a little on the snow, then held firm. He sprang into the air, twisting in midair, propelling himself forward. He hung in the air over the chasm, glancing fearfully down to see the deep gulf gaping to swallow him. He gave a final jerk of his hips, the balance shifted, and he was safe on the other side.
    He threw the pole back to Elenna and she caught it easily. A few moments later she was at his side.
    â€œLet’s hope that was the last obstacle,” she said.
    They walked on, but Tom quickly noticed that something was wrong with Krimon.
    The Beast would falter every now and then, lifting a foreleg and rubbing at his neck with his claw, whining as if in pain. As they went on, Krimon got more and more distressed until finally, at a place where seven paths led off, he fell to the ground, tearing and scratching frantically at his neck.

    â€œWhat’s wrong with him?” Elenna asked.
    Tom ran forward and fell to his knees beside the writhing dragon. “It must be the link to his brother,” Tom said, panic rising in him. “Something bad must be happening to Vedra.” He looked at Elenna. “Krimon is suffering the same pain!”
    The dragon thrashed about on the ground, crying out in agony. Above the maze of hedges, the moon was rising in the sky, its cold light giving the snow a ghostly sheen.
    Suddenly, the fireball over Krimon’s head sputtered and went out, and at the same moment the orange glow on his chest disappeared. The Beast stopped writhing. He lay panting for a few moments, then got to his feet. Tom saw the look of loneliness in his eyes. Krimon began to whimper, thrusting his huge head into Elenna’s shoulder, fat tears running from his eyes as she wrapped her arms around him.
    â€œThe link between Vedra and Krimon has been broken,” Tom said. “Something very bad must have happened to his brother.” He felt desperate. He had failed. This really was the end — without the red dragon to guide them, how would they ever get into the heart of the maze?

“W HAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?” E LENNA