Chapter 11
After helping John to his feet and settling him near the fire, Jasmine turned to Mark. "Great. More yelling," Mark said sarcastically. Jasmine spoke calmly and softly, "Who are you?" Mark was surprised, "What do you mean Jasmine?" Jasmine said, "Where do you come from? You obviously do not come from across the sea. The Shadow Lord said he wants to control your land and Deltora." Mark thought then told everything except about the Deltora Quest books. Lief afterwards nodded and said, "The Shadow Lord brought you here to be a bridge to your world." Jasmine said abruptly, "How did the Shadow Lord get in Deltora?"
Nobody could answer. Just then John spoke up, "We need to get going." Everybody looked at him. "When he took my body I could read his thoughts. His project is almost done," explained John. They looked at each other and started to walk. Reaching the top of the ridge they saw a large crater. In that crater was a large egg.
They all were surprised. They slid down the slope and walked to the crater. "Why are there no guards here?" Barda questioned. Lief said with a shudder, "There is no reason. His plan is almost complete." Mark walked to the egg, "I do not know what could be in this egg." He touched the egg and had a vision. Inside the egg was an Ak-Baba. No. It was a dragon. A huge dragon. And what happened next terrified Mark.
He staggered back and grabbed an arrow. He shot it and several others before he realized nothing was happening. Mark felt himself aim the next arrow at his throat. The others jumped on him and brought him down. Mark brushed the Belt of Deltora and the Topaz that settled him down. After he calmed completely, they let him up. "What did you see?" Jasmine asked. Mark was able to stutter out, "A-a-a-a- bird. A dragon. Not an Ak-Baba. A large dragon. The scariest part was when it opened its eyes and looked directly at me."
Just then they heard a large crack. They turned and saw a gelatinous form come out made by the embryo.
