The Lazy Dragon and Bumblespells Wizard by Kath Boyd Marsh Page A

blew out along with dust when he hit the ground.”
    Before she could finish, Raspberries rocketed off her shoulder, flying back the way they had come. “Come back!” Moire Ain called. But the raven cawed and swooped low. He snatched something off the road and flew back to her.
    â€œMy book!” she said as he plopped on her shoulder, dropping the book in her grubby hands. Moire Ain felt so good having her book, she wanted everybody to feel happy too.
    She leaned close to Cl’rnce and whispered, “I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but I think Sir George was so filthy and rusty his dirt caught fire and sort of became smog or something.”
    â€œBumbled spell,” Cl’rnce muttered. “At least it looks like my blast pretty much worked. Even if it was my first attempt, it would be catastrophic for a dr’gon to fail at flame throwing.” He looked up as if startled to realize he’d said all that aloud. “So I guess now he’s mad about being set on fire.”
    Moire Ain cocked her head to one side and watched Sir George flail and curse. “I think you’re right that he’s angry about the fire, but he didn’t start cursing until his horse ran off. He’s been saying some pretty interesting things about the horse. Listen.”
    Sir George threw his arms and legs this way and that, clearly trying to fling himself back onto his feet. “Dratted rotten goblin horse. Should never have trusted them. The next better not run away like a coward.” In his struggles, he spun faster, like an out-of-control merry-go-round. His eyes found Cl’rnce’s. “Don’t think this is over. I will kill you, dr’gon. I will. It’ll be different next time,” he said, his voice rising and falling as he spun faster.
    Cl’rnce took Moire Ain by the arm. “Time to go. I know a pond where you can get cleaned up. It’s on my way to ….” He glanced at Sir George, who had quieted down and seemed to be listening. Cl’rnce leaned close to her and whispered, “To Ghost Mountain. Let’s go get you cleaned up.”
    At once Moire Ain understood that they couldn’t let the knight know where they were going. With one finger to her lips, she nodded, and she and Cl’rnce strolled away from Sir George. Raspberries rode on her shoulder, muttering a low growl.
    â€œWhere are you going? You miserable dratted dr’gon and your ratty friend, get back here!” Sir George screamed.
    â€œThe Albion Sea! I can wash up properly when we get to the ocean. Salt water takes out soot, right?” Moire Ain asked in a loud voice, winking at Cl’rnce.
    He smiled back at her. “You’re a smart one, even ifyou are human,” he whispered.
    As they walked away, every few seconds either Cl’rnce or Moire Ain turned and looked behind them, making sure Sir George was still incapacitated.
    After they had traveled a while, Cl’rnce slowed and stood with his neck stretched up high. “Finally, the village. They must have food!” His stomach growled, making Moire Ain remember how long it had been since she had eaten.
    Pointing at the same village, now a big smudge on the horizon, Moire Ain asked, “When we get there, we can ask someone to go back and help him out, right?” The knight might be their enemy, but Moire Ain couldn’t stand leaving him helpless.
    â€œIt wouldn’t be my first choice, but okay.” Cl’rnce sighed. “But we’ll ask them to wait an hour, so we can get far ahead of him.” Cl’rnce rubbed his stomach. “I wonder if there’s lots of food? Got any ideas on how to convince the villagers to give us some?”
    Moire Ain thought of the poor villagers where she came from. As hungry as she was, she wasn’t sure she wanted strangers to give what little food they had to her. She hoped Cl’rnce wasn’t thinking of threatening them with