Emily and the elves were standing outside the castle. They’d made it. Now, only a narrow bridge over a wide moat stood in the way of the imposing front doors. The moat glowed an eerie, magical neon green.

“I don’t think we should cross,” Emily said, leaning toward the swirling mist. “I’ve had enough of bridges … Plus, are we just going to ring the doorbell when we get there?”

“Let’s try to find another way in,” Azari agreed, shivering. “That’s the most evil-looking water I have ever seen.”

“Worse than the Shadow Fountain?!” Naida asked. She raised her hands toward the water and a magical glow surrounded her. Then she said, “I have good news.”

“Go on—we could use some good news,” Farran said.

“The moat’s dry! The mist is just a magical illusion.” Naida tossed a pebble down, and they heard it click against the bottom. It was a long drop from where they stood. “I am sensing a small trickling stream underneath the castle,” Naida said.

“I bet it’s an old mine. Water is an important part of mining, and these castles used to be built over some really big treasures!” Azari told them. “We can sneak in through the tunnels. But … how will we get down there?”

“Aira could have built us something.” Emily sighed. They felt Aira’s absence with every step along their journey. Emily hoped they’d see her again soon.

“I can handle this,” Farran said, pulling vines from the nearby forest and using his magic to twist them together into a swinging ladder. He dropped it over the side of the moat. “I made the ladder, so I’ll go first,” he said, stepping down onto it.

“We’ll be right behind you!” Naida assured him. They watched as Farran disappeared into the mist.

Azari was about to follow when she saw the look the fire dragon was giving her. “Zonya can’t come—she’s too big to fit where we’re going.” She blew the dragon a fiery kiss. “See you later!” The fire dragon raised her head, spread her wings, and flew away.

When they all reached the bottom of the moat, Emily and the elves found the mine entrance and dashed inside, following the shallow stream Naida had heard. It was dark in the tunnels, but the walls glittered with precious stones, almost like stars. Emily thought it was beautiful. She told the others, “It’s almost like the view from the inn!”

“Too bad it’s under an evil castle run by an evil elf,” Azari said.

“Yeah, too bad,” Emily agreed with a chuckle.

They came to a fork in the tunnel, and everyone stopped, uncertain. “Let me see the book,” Emily said. She quickly found the information they needed. “Through crystal lights, a track runs fast,” she read. “Its cart will reach the castle at last …”

“I see carts over there!” Farran pointed the way.

Suddenly, they all heard a crack. The third egg was hatching!

“Look at that!” Farran said, watching the baby emerge in the basket. “A baby earth dragon!” It looked sad, and wiggled around. Farran immediately gestured to Emily. “You have the magic touch,” he said. Emily grinned and approached the baby. He saw Emily’s glowing medallion and settled down.

“I hope we’re getting closer to the dragon queen!” Naida said.

Emily agreed. Moving quickly with the baby dragons and the ever-trickling hourglass wasn’t easy. She was sure they were all glad for a ride now. The old mining carts were on a rusted track leading deeper into the tunnels. They jumped in and were off …

“It’s like a roller coaster!” Emily exclaimed as they went up and down steep hills, zooming around corners so fast they were all crushed to the cart’s side.

“A what?” Naida asked.

“I’ll explain later!” Emily shrieked as the cart flew around the final curve, coming to a stop in front of a mysterious door.

“Woo! That was wild!” Azari said. “Let’s do it again!”

“No thanks.” Farran’s face was as green as his clothes.

They all piled out of the cart, and it zipped back up the tracks on its own.

“Aira would love those carts,” Farran said in a soft voice. “She’d want to know exactly how they worked.”

“Hopefully we tell her all about it soon,” Emily said.

She stepped up to the door, feeling nervous as she reached out for the knob. “Ready?”

She opened the door.