Dragon Rider

As Twigleg and Lola wait for the others to return, they hear a noise and catch Gravelbeard trying to sneak up behind them. They catch him and tie him up. Gravelbeard calls Twigleg a traitor, and Twigleg retorts that Gravelbeard is only working for Nettlebrand because of his greed for the gold scales. He warns Gravelbeard not to try stealing a scale, as Nettlebrand will react violently. He suggests that Nettlebrand is afraid someone will discover what his armored scales are made of, or what is inside “that casket he calls his heart” (453).

Finally, the others return. They praise Lola and Twigleg for distracting Nettlebrand and for catching the spy, but they grow concerned when they see a large flock of ravens circling. There are too many for Sorrel to scare off by throwing stones, and Burr-Burr-Chan leads them back into the main cave system.

The group leaves Gravelbeard in a small cave and confiscates his belongings. Then they talk in the main cavern. They cannot attack Nettlebrand in the valley because he has an advantage in the water; his flock of ravens can also block out the