Dealing with Dragons

Over the next three weeks, Cimorene gathers ingredients for the fireproofing spell with the help of Morwen, Alianora, and Kazul. The dragon thinks that the spell is a good idea to keep “hot-tempered youngsters” (74) from harming princesses. Cimorene also reads the Historia Dracorum. As she reads, she hears two wizards outside: Zemenar and his son, Antorell. Cimorene tries to act as “silly” as her sisters usually do so that the wizards will let their guard down and give her more information. 

When she invites them inside, they make small talk but are eager to get a tour of Kazul’s cave, especially the library. Antorell knocks over a stack of books, and after Cimorene helps him to replace them, she catches Zemenar closing the Historia Dracorum. When Cimorene says that Kazul will be angry to learn that the wizards have touched her things, they urge her not to tell Kazul about their visit. Antorell promises to visit again in a few days to check in.

When Kazul returns, Cimorene tells her everything. She found the section of the book that Zemenar was looking at, which describes the draconian process of choosing a new king by seeing who can carry a magic stone called “Colin’s Stone” up a mountain.