In Chapter 18 of Ring Dragonz, Henry, Walsh, and Peter have their first run-in with some of the more deadly inhabitants of the dragon’s dwelling. Flame Buds (Sheshen also describes these characters as Fire Demons and or Chinese Elementals).

While entering a chamber decorated by beastly statues, the boys notice that each statue is holding a bowl of fire. Thinking the fire simply for illumination, the boys pay it no heed, until a sneaky little pair of eyes appears within the flames. Then another. And another.

These tiny fire creatures jump out of the fire, and onto the floor. Appearing about like fat little balls of flame (roughly the size of a softball), each beastie is also armed with a fiery trident and spit at the boys with smoldering tongues.