Vedra and Krimon the Twin Dragons by Adam Blade Page A

back of the cave, Tom could see the broken shards of a thick white egg — an egg that must have been the size of a wagon when it had been whole.
    Curious shapes lay curled on the floor of the cave.
    â€œI can’t make it out,” Tom said, peering at the magical scene. “What are those green and red things?”
    â€œCan’t you guess?” Elenna said. “They’re the dragons!”
    â€œOh! Yes!” Vedra and Krimon were curled up together, their wings and tails and long necks wrapped around one another. Their eyes were closed and thin streams of smoke drifted from their nostrils. Tom felt his heart lift at the sight of the newborn Beasts. They were magnificent and precious all at once.
    â€œIt is rare for two Beasts to be created at the same time,” Aduro told them. He took his hand from the jewel and the vision faded away. “And, at this age, they are at their most vulnerable. If Malvel learns of their existence, he will do everything in his power to corrupt them.”
    â€œWe’ll protect the dragons,” Tom vowed.
    â€œWe’ll do whatever it takes!” Elenna added.
    Aduro smiled. “I hoped you would say that,” he continued. “But I must warn you, this will be a dangerous Quest, unlike any you have undertaken. You must be sure that you are up to the task.”
    Tom and Elenna looked at each other for a moment, then turned to the wizard.
    â€œWe are!” they said together.

T HE WIZARD LED T OM AND E LENNA THROUGH a side door and down a long, winding stone stairway lit by flaming torches. Down and down the stairs went, and Tom realized with excitement that Aduro was leading them to the cellars that lay deep under the palace.
    At last, the stairs ended and they followed the wizard through many dark cellar rooms while the sounds of the celebrations faded away far above them. Finally they came to a locked door. Aduro lifted his jewel pendant and touched it against the wood. The door sprang open.
    He took a torch from the wall and led them into the room. It was small and round and quite bare except for a large wooden chest with metal straps that stood in the middle of the stone floor. A bundle of cloth lay beside the chest, and next to it were Tom’s shield and sword, along with Elenna’s bow and quiver of arrows. Aduro must have magically brought them here, so they’d be ready and waiting for them.
    Tom looked around.
    â€œWhy have you taken us here?” he asked. “There’s no way out.”
    Aduro looked at him. “Isn’t there?” he said.
    The wizard walked over to the chest and waved his hand over the curved lid. It flew open with a loud, startling clank.
    Aduro picked up the bundle of cloth and then climbed into the chest. “Come, bring your things,” he said.
    Puzzled, Tom picked up his sword and the magic shield. It was decorated with powerful tokens from each of his previous Quests. It could save him from drowning and even protect him from fire. He climbed into the chest beside the wizard, leaving room for Elenna behind him with her bow and arrows.
    Aduro stamped his foot twice and a panel in the bottom of the chest slid away to reveal a stone stairway that led down into utter darkness.
    The wizard began to descend. Tom and Elenna exchanged a brief look and then followed.
    The torchlight shone on the walls of the narrow stairway. Their footsteps echoed, but Tom could hear another sound. It was coming from below, an odd rushing sound that he almost recognized.
    Dampness oozed from the walls, making the stones shine in the torchlight.
    â€œI know that noise — it’s running water!” Tom exclaimed.
    â€œIt is the hidden River Dour,” announced Aduro as they came to the end of the steps. They found themselves by a wide, rushing underground river of black water. “This will take you to the very heart of the Caves of Nidrem, the sacred place where the Beasts gather and where none