The large, unusually green shrubs gave way to smaller brown bushes. Starved of moisture due to the rocky soil. After the chasm, they had walked through verdant fields. These had soon led them into the foothills of the missing mountain. The only life seemed to be a knee-high raptor with angry tufts of fur. There were many of these and they were not shy. At first, they approached warily, sniffing the packs of the boys. Dorky did not like them and sandwiched himself in between the two. Todd and Klem found large sticks and turned them into formidable pointed staves. A few whacks of the raptors and they seemed to lose interest.

The valley rose up to the four wedges of the mountain. It was strange to Klem that he knew there should be a mountain in front of him. All the graduation of the surrounding hills led to there being a big mountain ahead. Without his knowledge of the magic, he may have missed it but with his knowledge, it seemed so obvious.

There was no wind today. There was no sun either. It was a drab, dull day without rain. Watching a grey cloud pass, very slowly from South to North, Klem wondered if the clouds would disappear behind the mountain. He watched intently. He saw a small pear-shaped cloud lift slightly where the slope should be and then it just 'lost focus'. It strangely blurred and unblurred at the North slope. He was sure Dorky was right.

The raptor trail was easy to follow. It led them right up to where the slope should be.

"Let's walk around the foothills once to see if there is an obvious way in, If not then we walk up it, even if we can't see it it will still be there. Won't it?" Todd was unsure and hesitant.

"We just don't know what to expect. Uncle Bob never mentioned it being like this. He mentioned a village. I think you are right Todd we will look for the village first then ask for information about Viridiana. If we don't find it we will climb?"

Dorky had other ideas. Scuttering straight for the mountain he disappeared from view.

It was quite a sight. One instant he was there the next gone. Klem and Todd were amazed and a little bit anxious that their friend had done that.

-It's ok - the mind speak was clear, being near, or in this case in, magic definitely amplified Dorkys communication. Klem thankfully observed. -It is like a bubble. The magic works like a bubble. I can see the whole of the mountain when I pass through the edge. I can hazily see you through its skin from here.- Dorky reappeared.

Klem watched Todd approach the mountain and disappear. He followed closely behind and they all looked up at the missing mountain.

"This is powerful magic," Todd exclaimed. "How does it stay constant."

Klem was wondering the same thing. If he were to get hold of some green dragon crystal. He may be invisible forever. He would have to keep it away from himself to be seen and then move toward it to be invisible when needed. It was strange magic indeed. He knew they needed to find the crystal and the dragon if Agios was to overcome The Warriors of Mangor.

They decided to climb some way up the slope and walk around it looking for any signs of the dragon's lair or the village. They didn't need to walk far.

At this height, there was no vegetation not even moss gathered here. No animal life could be seen. The sky through the bubble looked distorted and unnatural. The three had raised their eyes to this when a high pitched voice interrupted their gaze.

"Halt. You will go no further."

Standing still immediately, they all gazed in wonder at the most striking female any of them had ever seen. Her skin was olive green. She was a person of importance by the way she held her spear. Three others flanked her. They were no less striking but did not have the charisma of this leader. Deciding the colour of her eyes Klem settled on cyan, almond-shaped with orange lashes. She wore patterned tiles of soft glass on her torso and legs and her arms were tattooed orange to match her eyelashes. Her baldness was beautiful and he wondered how she would look with hair. He simply could not imagine it. She was perfect without it. He felt entranced. He could not take his eyes away. Todd looked as if he was in the same state too. Dorky, however, sidled off as if he was just part of the natural environment. The women paid no heed. Klem was almost affronted by Dorkys rudeness.

-I will pretend I am not with you. They will not think a marsh dribbler is of any consequence. My communication is strong in this magic I will check around and be there to help if you need it. They appear to be unfriendly. I will not be far-

With that, he bounded down the hillside and out of sight.

The women had been running. Their skin glowed with glistening sweat. Leading along well-worn trails they took them around the mountain on a path that corkscrewed upwards. They had asked them to follow and the boys did so without question. These fearsome women inspired compliance and some awe.

Eventually, it felt as if their hold over Klem was wearing off. He guessed that maybe the power of his magic was overcoming the enchantment. His thoughts became clearer. They were awesome people but he was not entranced. It appeared they were used to coercing unfortunate wanderers. He began to worry where they were headed and what their intent was. He was a little scared to ask in case they would realise he was not under their spell. He sensed Todd was fighting the enchantment too.

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After some time, they came to an overhang. Looking down Klem could see a village. They had built it on the slope so it was within the spell of invisibility. That was not their destination though. Dipping down under the overhang he could see the entrance to the mountain. This was their destination. He began to worry.

He was unsure about how to address these people. They had not introduced themselves. he had always been taught to be polite.

"Our names are Todd and Klem. How do we address you? and what do you want with us?" He tried to make his eyes glazed and wasn't sure he carried off the look. It was important not to let them see they were not under their magical influence.

"We are The Sisterhood. You can call us sister. We will see if one of our sisters has been waiting for you. If not then we will feed you to the dragon. You both look a bit too young for any of our sisters.

Not very sisterly thought Klem. He refrained from any outward exclamation and looked blankly at Todd.

"We have Dorky." Mouthed Todd. Anxiously.

-Dorky can you hear my thoughts?-

-Yes- Came the reply. - I am some distance behind you. I can see the overhang and what looks like a village down there.-

-They are taking us inside the mountain. They are going to feed us to the dragon!-

-Do not worry I will do whatever I can. Don't forget that you are both protected by magic. The dragon will not harm you. Or she will find you very tough.-

-That's very reassuring Dorky. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.- It took all of Klem's willpower to show no emotion. At least the dragon was here and she was the reason for their journey.

The entrance to the mountain was intricately hewn, with dragons being the main theme. Swirling up and down the woodrock. Their eyes highlighted in sparkling gems.

The four sisters led them through a short passageway and into a large circular domed cavern. In the centre of which there was a large supporting pillar. Inside the pillar, through small apertures, a fire could be seen. This fire was white-hot. It was if the mountain was a volcano and this lava was used to make soft glass! That was it. Soft-glass was very rare and all the sisters were adorned in it. The tiles being used as dragon-scale jewellery. Klem knew that soft-glass was sought after and could be moulded and shaped to make many things. Unbreakable glass. Coloured or clear. Windows, armour, wagons and even toys. This must be the only source of it on Agios. To use the temperatures of a volcano was perhaps the only way it could be made.

Even as his life and Todds were in grave danger Klem revelled in the journey they had been on. What sights they had seen and what strange and beautiful people they had met. Some nicer than others it must be said. These female dragon worshippers had become evil somehow. They were using the dragon to hide their mountain and through their misguided worship have no compassion. Why feed people to the dragon? Dragons flew freely and fed themselves. It dawned on him. They must have imprisoned the dragon. They are cruel. We must do all we can to free Viridiana. It must be her who is tied up and caged in here against her will.

His anger rose. If he had still had had his stave he would have used it. Crushing these madwomen and freeing the dragon. But he saw that he needed to show compassion. There would be another way and another chance to release her. Time, thought and maybe some help from Dorky. That was the right way.

There were six cells along one side of the chamber. Two were occupied. One was opened ready for them. Their cell looked out onto the middle pillar and most of the cavern was on view. It was quite an interesting spectacle watching the making of soft-glass. Sand by the barrel load was poured into one opening. A foul-smelling brown liquid was poured into another. Opening what only could be described as a fire grate at the bottom revealed lumps of soft glass which were quickly shaped with metal tongs by the workers into whatever may be needed. They put the colour in the form of a powder in at this point. The women hard at work would work in shifts. Four at a time. Klem noticed that four seemed to be the desired number at all times. The sisters walked around in fours. They were very well organised. He followed these groups around the chamber. They would work, then guard, then patrol then go up to the next level of the mountain. As four went up the hewn steps four would descend from the other steps. Then it seemed they were off duty and would hang around chatting and break up the group to go their separate ways. Presumably back down to the village or to grab some food. What they did on the next level could only be guessed at. Klem hoped that Viridiana was there and they were waiting on her.

Locked in the cell Todd took the time to rest. Klem watched the comings and goings and was too full of nervous energy to relax. They were fed a vegetable broth at one point but were mainly ignored for most of the day.

It was difficult to tell but it must have been evening when an elder and four attendants approached the cell. They were looked down upon. Like specimens.

"They are not much to look at are they, my daughters?" The matriarch turned her nose up at them. "They have not been summoned by the dragons-luck. I think they must have come on their own initiative. They are only boys. Why are you here boys?"

Todd remained sitting. Klem moved towards the bars. "We are looking for Viridiana. We wish to ask a favour of her."

Smiling a wicked smile the olive-skinned woman replied. "You will soon meet Viridiana. She becomes hungry. Unless one of the sisters wishes to use you as a companion. What do you think sisters, are they worthy of serving?"

The four laughed in unison. One stood forward. "No mother they are too weak. Their pale skin will dilute our strong breeding. We must preserve our bloodline. I think they are only good enough for fodder." The sister with the most tattoos replied.

"So shall it be." The matriarch intoned. "Tomorrow evening you will be prepared and fed to the dragon. She may talk to you so you will have your wish." With that, she turned and left with her evil entourage instep behind.

"It pains me, Klem. They are people of Agios. Their hatred is not worthy. We have met many diverse beings on our journey. They have all been gracious and true to themselves. Many have helped us without reward. Many have helped us and the rewards have been shared. These people need direction. It seems their worship of the dragon has led them down a selfish path. They should not treat others as slaves and put their bloodline before others. I have never seen such evil behaviour before. We will escape here. We must free the dragon. We must help them to see their errors." Todd slumped onto the bench.

Klem saw his friend in a new light. "I agree with you Todd. I have never heard you speak that way before but I share your anger and frustration. Many would want to fight them, to get revenge on their evil ways but to change them would be so much more of a challenge. Are we capable of that?"

"Maybe not," Todd replied. "But we can free that dragon. Maybe Viridiana can teach them a lesson."

"That I would like to see." Klem sat down next to Todd put his arm around his broader shoulders.