One day Dirk rang the bell.
"Servants and knights to the Royal Ballroom!" he yelled.
"Something is wrong," Tom thought.
He followed everyone to the ballroom.
The king paced up and down.
"A dragon is approaching the palace," he said.
"And it breathes fire!"
Everyone gasped. "Fire?"
"Knights, climb to the highest towers," the king ordered.
"Get ready to throw your swords at the dragon."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The knights hurried off.
"Servants, gather some boulders," the king said.
"Get ready to throw them at the dragon."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The servants hurried off.
Then the king rushed away too.
Tom looked at Dirk.
"Should I do a spell?"
"No!" Dirk scowled.
"This is a serious problem, Wizard.
Just stay here—out of everyone's way!"
Dirk left the ballroom.
Tom was mad.
He kicked the wall hard.
"Ouch! My foot!" Tom cried.
A tapestry fell off the wall and hit Tom.
Cat jumped out of his pocket.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes." Tom nodded.
"But I'm the royal wizard.
I want to help with the dragon."
"Then go help," Cat said.
Tom shook his head.
"Dirk said to stay—"
A door flew open.
Then Dirk stormed back inside.