The rapids engulfed them. The shell spun around and around, out of control. White foam distorted their view. Breaking away from the ledge the three could not see the coombers and they tried desperately to wave into an opaque window. It was useless. They had to brace themselves with the straps, thoughtfully placed into the base of their craft. The noise of the flow deafened them. It was some time until the makeshift boat travelled in a straight line.

Once they had stopped spinning and maintained a steady pace the surrounding landscape could bee seen clearly through the windows. Agois was a diverse place to live and here the flora was indistinguishable from any they had seen before. Tendrils of trees moved ominously at the water's edge. Black furry snakes draped themselves everywhere. Dorky had seen these before.

-Do not even try to touch them, it is said the death-worms can kill by looking at you. I am not sure if this is true. I have never dared to look directly at one.-

This river was full of living things. Every now and then the shell would scrape and lift as if it was in the hands of monsters, they half expected to see a monstrous eye checking them out before being released as unworthy or untasty back into the river. Coils of massive beasts could be seen turning and twisting through the viewports. The coombers hadn't warned them of these perils. Larger beasts would come to the river. Some looked like giant rats and the others, hairy lizards none looked in the least bit friendly.

Klem looked at Todd with trepidation.

"We may have the amulet but I really don't have the time or the inclination to be munched by those things, and then spend valuable time in their stomachs while their digestive systems find they can't digest us."

"I t-think we are okay in this shell. I am more concerned about how far until these rapids end, how we get out of this thing and what lays in wait when we disembark. The Coombers said we would have to cross land after the river splits into two. If we are carried down the left fork we will have to get out as soon as possible. If we go down the right fork we have three flights till the river ends." Todd was peering intently through the port towards the front.

"What did they say was down the left fork? On second thoughts don't tell me."

"I won't. We do have a pole though. There should be a hatch in the top of this shell."

Klem remained quiet and a little confused. Todd detached a small stick from the base of their craft. It had been hidden under the stabilising straps. As he half rose to its roof the shell screeched and lurched upward. Enormous claws could be seen through four of the windows. All three friends tumbled around and the wind was knocked out of them. They never saw the beast that threw them but it must have been of great size and strength. It also launched them some distance onto dry land.

It was a while before Klem regained consciousness. His friends still lay prone. They had come to rest in what looked like a big tree whose leaves were swishing on the outside. Klem's head hurt and his knees were swaying...Or was it the tree that swayed. On second glance they were high in the tree. Klem attended to Todd and Dorky. The coombers had packed up some food for the journey and now seemed a good time to eat. Gradually, bruised and battered they came round and took stock of their plight.

"I really do not like heights," Todd said finally. "We are really up high here. This must be the tallest tree for flights. The hatch has finished up on the bottom." He fiddled with some clasps and the hatch flung open. They could see some branches and way below some shrubs surrounded by what looked like red fungus. Todd moved cautiously away from the opening, turning a pale colour as he did so.

Dorky did not seem too perturbed. He pushed his snout out of the opening and was more concerned about the fungus than anything else.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

-I have seen fungus like that before- he mind-thought knowledgeably. -Do not be surprised if you start feeling a little bit odd. Shut the hatch after I have gone.-

Dorky lowered himself out onto a near branch and scurried down the tree.

Klem and Todd looked at each other quizzically. Klem shuffled on his chest to the opening and leant as far out as he dared. Closing the hatch he caught the smell. It was if he was home again. The firelight seemed to call to him. Baby Mo was watching the flames at a safe distance, sucking on her comfort blanket and Connie was drawing monsters with massive claws. Jed was reading a large book propped up by his fathers' large boots. Mother turned to him and smiled the smile he missed painfully.

" It is nice to see you Klem, but you shouldn't be here. Come to think of it we shouldn't be here either." His father stood and disappeared on his way out of the door. Klem turned back and they were all gone! The fire crackled and receded. He felt lighter than air as the fire disappeared below him and he was sitting back in the turtle shell.

"Whatever you do Todd do not breath in that smell."

Todd's eyes were glazed.

"I was home Klem, I was home. The forge where my dad works. I was there with him he hugged me and said he missed me. I miss home Klem."

"Let's keep that door shut."

It seemed like an age after, that Dorkys mind-speak jolted them from their further daydreams.

-Let me in. I have rope.-

The turtle shell was firmly in the grip of the tree. Todd tied the rope securely to the stabilising straps and trailed it down to the red-carpeted ground. Klem and Todd had torn the bottoms off their leggings and used the cloth to cover their mouths and noses. Klem had been tempted to smell the smell again to see his family, even if they were a hallucination. He knew they must push on. It was if the whole of Agios was trying to slow their journey. They still had so far to go.

Dorky got a good ruffle of fur from the both of them. He looked chuffed with himself for his resourcefulness and shrugged off the effects of the fungus.

-I had some Hallucinations. Mainly eating pie crusts from aunt ethel. I do miss them.- He mind-thought wistfully. Klem tied some of the cloth awkwardly to Dorkys snout.

Climbing down the rope was not without incident. Klem slipped near the bottom and took the skin off his finger. He was amazed to see the skin regrow in only a matter of moments.

The fungus seemed to spread to the horizon. Klem gave in to the temptation to stow some of it; tightly wrapped, into his pocket. It may be useful. His father would have been proud.

The marsh-dribbler took the lead. He could see the green glow was not too far over the red horizon. Small clumps of orange coloured trees littered the immediate landscape. The boys wondered what could lurk in such places. They were sure whatever it was would not be helpful in their quest. The view, however, was fantastically colourful.

Nightfall came with a sense of peace after the harrowing trip down the rapids. Moving away from the mind-altering field of fungus they looked for a shelter to rest. It was fortunate that it was not the middle of the night and that they were intent on that which stood in front of them. They came to the edge of the world. The horizon stopped. They could see nothing in front of them. It was like a black sea for at least three flights. The ravine blocked their way to the mountain range.

"Ah," said Todd."Do you remember asking me what lay to the left fork of the river?"

The way ahead seemed daunting. The night closed in around the three. They made a meal of dried fish. Klem and Todd found an orange shrub to curl up under. Dorky wandered off as he usually did.

Throughout the night their dreams were invaded by things they had lost. The fungus seeped through their makeshift masks and left them sleeping fitfully. Dreams of home and despair tormented them.

When they groggily awoke the bottom of the canyon could not be seen. It stretched as far as the eye could see to the North and as far again to the South.

Dorky scuttled excitedly around their feet.

I have seen a bridge! Up towards the north, there is a bridge. There is what looks like a fort or a lookout post and past that a very wobbly looking rope crossing. The place looks deserted. Two flights North and we should be there. I can still clearly see the green magic glow in the west. It cannot be far. The Missing Mountain cannot be far.

Feeling the need for urgency they shook off their lethargy and put one foot determinedly in front of the other.

The way to the lookout post was barren. Stumps of trees were signs that the area had been purposely cleared. Any approach would be easy to witness. Their scuffed boots kicked through dry earth and small stones.

There were no signs of life at the fort. They decided not to knock on the large wooden door and carried on to the bridge. As they rounded the fort with the bridge leading west they heard a sharp metallic click...