noise?â Zack mumbled. Edwina looked up and there was Rueban holding a funny looking helmet.
âI am unable to help you Edwina,â Rueban said, âbut I do have one piece of magic left from inside the Forbidden Temple. A Magic Helmet which I would like you to wear, Edwina. It will protect your eyes from the sand, but it will be dark under the helmet, so trust Miss Prudence Pugwort and she will guide you safely into the heart of the sandstorm. Take care, Edwina. It will be very dangerous out there tonight.â
Edwina and Miss Prudence Pugwort made their way up the winding steps and out through the entrance of the old temple.
âWhere are the wolf-like dogs that guard the front entrance, Miss Prudence Pugwort?â
âThey have been taken inside for protection from the sandstorm.â
âIf you were granted a wish, what would you wish for?â
âMy one and only wish would be for a new tin body without rust.â
Edwina giggled. âIf we stop the Sand Dragons, I will make sure your wish comes true.â
âThe wind is getting stronger, Edwina. The force of the Sand Dragons will soon be upon us.â
âLook, Miss Prudence Pugwort, there are hundreds of beetles heading towards us.â
âThey are the Yellow Belly Bouncing Beetles. They keep the sand clean and will hide here in the temple until the sandstorm passes. Put your Magic Helmet on, Edwina, and hold on as tight as you can to my tin hand. Soon we will be in the heart of the Sandstorm. Be ready to use your Magic Ring.â
The sandstorm grew stronger. The wind was blowing so strongly, Edwina had trouble keeping her feet on the ground.
âI canât hold on much longer, Miss Prudence.â
âJust a few more minutes, Edwina, we are nearly into the heart of the sandstorm. We will soon see the Sand Dragons.â
âMy left leg, Miss Prudence Pugwort, something has got hold of my left leg and is trying hard to pull me forward!â
âItâs the Sand Dragons. I can see them. They are trying to force you towards them. Now, Edwina, your ring is aimed directly at the Sand Dragons. Do your witches magic now!â
Edwina sent her powers from her Magic Ring directly into the hearts of the Sand Dragons. âI can feel the strength going through my Magic Ring. Zackâs Computer Magic is overpowering the Sand Dragons and the evil spell is being broken! The Sand Dragons no longer have the power of the Bloodstones of Courage and Strength!â
âThe sandstorm has finished, Edwina. It is now safe for you to take your Magic Helmet off.â
âI can see the Sand Dragons. They look frightened and sad. Come, Miss Prudence Pugwort, I must talk to them.â
The Sand Dragons moved their four heads so that they could look at Edwina; their large, yellow eyes looked scared as they tried to hide their massive bodies in the sand.
âWe are so ashamed of what we have done,â they said.
âYou are not to blame, Sand Dragons,â Edwina said. âYou were under a spell from your cousins, the Fire Dragons.â
The Sand Dragons suddenly began to crawl further back into the sand, looking more terrified than before, their golden skin shining against the sand. Edwina looked around to see what was frightening them and there, looking furious, was Rueban, Guardian of the Bloodstones.
âCome to me, Sand Dragons,â Rueban said in a loud voice. âWe have some unfinished business to discuss.â The Sand Dragons moved slowly towards Rueban. âI could have protected you from your evil cousins, the Fire Dragons, if I had only known what terrible plans they had for you, my friends.â
âYou called us your friends.â
âYes, you are still my friends. I do not blame you, Sand Dragons.â
âThese bloodstones belong to you, Rueban. You now have your powers back,â the Sand Dragons said. âIt is now time for us to go back under the sand, and we
JOHNSTON MCCULLEY
Tina Donahue
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Elaine Cara
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Marjorie Jones
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