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The serpent bent so close to Ben’s hand that the tip of her tongue brushed his arainst my neck"

Ben looked at the serpent in surprise, but he did as she asked When the golden scale touched the serpent’s iridescent neck, her whole body shuddered so violently that Firedrake almost fell off her back

"Yes," she hissed "That is one of the old, but it burns like ice"

"It’s always icy cold," said Ben "Even if you leave it out in the sun I’ve experi Twigleg had disappeared from view entirely

"Fair cousin," said the sea serpent, addressing the dragon politely, "youthat belongs to so wild and rapacious a creature is not without its dangers Perhaps the monster ant its property back one day, even if that property is only a single scale"

"You’re right" Firedrake turned to Ben, concern in his eyes "Maybe you ought to throw that scale into the sea"

But Ben shook his head "No, please!" he said "I really want to look after it for you, Firedrake It was a present, don’t you see? Anyway, hoould the htfully "You’re right, hoould he know?" He looked up at the place of theto return

"Yes, thethe direction of Firedrake’s gaze "Do you wish to take to the air again, fiery cousin, or shall I carry you over the sea on h"

Surprised, Firedrake looked at the serpent His wings were still heavy, and his limbs felt as weary as if he hadn’t slept for years

"Go on, say yes!" said Ben, patting the dragon’s scales "Let the serpent carry us She won’t get lost, and you could have a good rest, couldn’t you?"

Firedrake turned his head to look at Sorrel

"I expect I’ll be seasick," she muttered "All the sareed and turned back to the serpent "We are bound for the village on the coast where the dragons were attacked Someone ant to visit lives there"

The sea serpent nodded "Then I will take you to the place," she said

23 The Stone

The great sea serpent carried the dragon and his friends over the Arabian Sea for two days and two nights She did not fear daylight because she was not afraid of hus, but at Firedrake’s request she steered a course through the sea where no ship ever sailed Her scaly back was so broad that Firedrake could sleep on it, while Sorrel tucked into her provisions and Ben stretched his legs When the sea was callass h, she raised the coils of her body so far into the air that not a drop of spray splashed into the faces of her four passengers