Day of the Dragon King - Mary Pope Osborne [2]
“Ready for your next mission as Master Librarians?” she asked.
“Yes!” said Jack and Annie.
They grabbed the rope ladder and started up.
“Are we still going to China?” asked Annie when they had climbed into the tree house.
“Indeed,” said Morgan. “You’re going to ancient China. Here is the title of the story you must find.”
She held up a long, thin strip of wood. It looked like a ruler, except it had strange writing on it instead of numbers.
“Long ago, the Chinese discovered how to make paper. It was one of the world’s most important discoveries,” said Morgan. “But you are going to a time earlier than that, to a time when books were written on bamboo strips like this one.”
“Wow,” said Annie, pointing at the figures on the bamboo. “So this is Chinese writing?”
“Yes,” said Morgan. “Just as we have letters, Chinese writing is made up of many characters. Each one stands for a different thing or idea. These characters are the title of an ancient Chinese legend. You must find the first writing of the legend before the Imperial Library is destroyed.”
“Hurry, let’s go,” said Annie.
“Wait, we need our research book,” said Jack.
“Yes, you do,” said Morgan.
From the folds of her robe, she pulled out a book. On the cover was the title: The Time of the First Emperor.
Morgan handed the book to Jack.
“This research book will guide you,” she said. “But remember, in your darkest hour, only the old legend can save you.”
“But we have to find it first,” said Annie.
“Exactly,” said Morgan.
She handed Jack the bamboo strip, and he slipped it into his pack.
Jack pushed his glasses into place, then pointed at the cover of their research book.
“I wish we could go there!” he said.
The wind started to blow.
The tree house started to spin. It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still.
“Oh, wow,” Annie said. “These clothes feel so soft. And look, I have a pocket for my secret library card.”
Jack opened his eyes. Their clothes had magically changed.
They no longer wore jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. Instead, they had on baggy pants, loose shirts, straw shoes, and round hats. Annie’s shirt had a pocket in it.
Jack saw that his backpack had become a rough cloth sack. Inside were his research book, his notebook, his library card, and the bamboo strip.
“Cows,” said Annie, looking out the window.
Jack looked out, too. The tree house had landed in a lone tree in a sunny field. Cows grazed, and a young man stood watching over them. At the edge of the field was a farmhouse. Beyond the house was a walled city.
“It looks so peaceful,” said Annie.
“You can never be sure,” said Jack. “Remember, Pompeii looked peaceful before the volcano went off.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Annie.
“Let’s see what the book says,” said Jack.
He reached in the sack and pulled out the China book. He opened it and read aloud:
Over 2,000 years ago, China was ruled by its first emperor. Because he chose the dragon to be his symbol, he was called the “Dragon King.” In China, dragons are seen as brave and powerful creatures.
“Dragon King? That sounds a little scary,” said Jack.
“I like his outfit,” said Annie.
Next to the writing was a picture. It showed a man wearing a rich, flowing robe with wide sleeves. He also wore a tall hat with beads hanging from it.
Jack pulled out his notebook and wrote:
“The book we need must be in the Dragon King’s library,” said Annie. “I bet his palace is in that city.”
Jack looked up.
“Right,” he said. “And that’s how to get there.” He pointed across the field to a dirt road that led to the walled city.
“Good plan,” said Annie.
She climbed out of the tree house and started down the rope ladder.
Jack threw the China book and his notebook into his sack. He slung the sack over his shoulder and followed Annie.
When they reached the ground, they started through the field.
“Look, that guy’s waving at us,” said Annie.
The man tending the cows was shouting and waving. He started running toward them.
“Uh-oh, what’s he want?” said Jack.