She fell to her knees. "It wasn't my fault the dragon died," she pleaded. "I fed it and changed its straw. I know I helped turn it into pickle, but I had no choice. If id didn't, Master Lan would have beaten me."
"Died?" queried the Grand Counsellor.
"Pickle?" asked a minister.
"Tian Fen, bring Master Lan to me," demanded a deep voice she hadn't yet heard. It was the Emperor's.
The sound of the imperial voice struck fear into the girl. Somehow she found the strength to wriggle free from the guard's grasp. Somehow she managed to bolt to the door before they could grab her again. Somehow she found her way down the corridors without making a mistake. She didn't turn to see if anyone was pursuing her. She just ran.
1. What verbs help you infer that the girl is feeling scared for her life?
2. The next chapter is entitled "The Escape". Write a few questions you have about the next event in the book. Then add to the discussion by answering a friend's question giving your predictions about what might happen.