CHAPTER 1 FIGHTING FIRE WITH SWORDS FIRE FIRE cried the villagers Every building on the northern side of Village Town was in flames Some of the villagers threw water on the burning buildings Some simply threw up But all of them panicked Thankfully two nine-year-old knights Thud and Blunder had heard their cries In moments the two heroes were throwing buckets of water onto the burning buildings 1
Soon the adventurers had put out all the fires But despite their brave efforts several buildings had burned to the ground Thud wiped sweat from her forehead How did this happen she asked How did this happen you ask An old man limped over to them Why those fires were started by the breath of a great red dragon Blunder’s eyes twinkled A DRAGON he cried I’ve always wanted to slay a dragon 2
Just wait How can you be sure a dragon is to blame Thud asked the old man I’m old Old people know things the man explained The beast dwells in a cave at the top of Mount Mountain just north of Village Town Let’s go Blunder shouted Thud held her friend back Before we talk about slaying anything she said let’s make sure this dragon is evil and GUILTY first 3
The man leaned forward And he’s very evil the man said I’ve heard countless tales of his evil deeds Thud narrowed her eyes Go on The man held up a finger He breathes fire the man said He held up a second finger He steals treasure he said He held up a third finger And most evil of all he makes BABIES CRY Blunder gasped Crying babies Yes the old man said And if someone doesn’t stop him the entire town will be filled with crying babies And with that the man hobbled away After the man was out of sight Blunder grabbed Thud by the shoulders We need to get up that mountain and stop that dragon he said And fast Thud rubbed her chin Agreed she 4
