There was a small boat tied onto one of the tree stumps. The confused boys did not know what to do next. Liam walked gingerly to the boat - he did not want to get his feet wet. There was a small note attached to the rope tying the boat. "Come over here, guys", Liam exclaimed. The other three sauntered over.

 

"To Aiden, Brian, Liam, and Lucas:

 

Take this boat and use Brian’s sword energy to propel to the other side to the Castle of the Dragon. Slay the Dragon by destroying his crystal bell whenever his eyes are not on it. Emily will join you for the Walk through the Hall of Mirrors and the rest of the Adventures.

 

Your Friend".

 

An image of a small cloud slowly whirled around by the signature block of the note. A hologram of Brian’s toy soldiers briefly appeared, then rapidly the note and the hologram turned and hurled themselves into the air into vanishing dots to disappear. Brian recognized the authenticated signature of their protective friend. He explained to his friends what had happened to him when he got the sword and the letter. He advised them that it would be alright to follow the note recommendation. They all felt better climbing into the boat.

 

Brian was the last one to get on the boat. He reached out and cut the rope with his sword. The boat stern had an outside slot with inscription telling him to insert the sword into it. He followed the instructions, and the sword slid cleanly into the slot. Its handle stuck out from the slot and the tip pointed directly back. As soon as Brian wished for the boat to move, the tip of the sword grew brighter and emitted a faint light jet beam. After a while the flowing water became calm. The boat gently rocked sideways and then silently moved forwards.

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When the boat reached the other side it was late at night and all the boys had fallen asleep inside the hull of the boat. The full moon cast a soft glow on the beach. A jetty made of rocks on the beach led directly to a small inlet and a large medieval castle nearby. The dark and imposing castle had a long drawbridge reaching to the jetty. The bridge was down, and from where they were the moat seemed murky. Four of the castle's five turrets had diffused lights illuminating the drawbridge and the castle entrance. The fifth and middle turret was the highest and had a large, intricately designed flag flying in the night breeze.

 

A massive roar high above the jetty shook the quiet night and woke the boys up. A gigantic dragon was hovering low in the air with its glaring red eyes staring down at the boys and their boat. Its nose and mouth were emitting smoke and fire. Still half-asleep, Brian was alert enough to quickly pull the sword out from the slot. He trembled, but used as much force he could muster to throw and commanded the sword up to the sky. He aimed at the dragon's left eye, and brilliant lightning broke out when the sword hit its target. The dragon let out an ear-splitting agonized scream then flew straight up in the air. The dragon's expansive stretched-out wings, its scaly body, and short legs were so massive that the moonlight was blocked almost completely as the dragon flew by.