Dorky sidled down the slope until he crossed over the boundary of the magic. Food was his primary motivation with some concern over his ensnared friends coming in a close second. He had lost some of his middle-aged paunch since being separated from his pie crusts. He wondered if there were other marsh-dribblers out there in a similar situation to himself. He didn't think so. The friendship of people and his love of pies had really got him stuck in the thick of it. It was a long time since he had seen any of his own kind. He had not seen a marsh since the town of Pride. He longed for a simpler life. Aunt Ethel and her cooking were a long distant memory. Soon this trek would be over, one way or another and he hoped he would be able to slow down and enjoy his dotage in a similar fashion to his fond memories.

For now, the rocks turned into tundra and rather than head for the 'village of evil' to the north he decided to explore beyond this valley and into the next. A stream was needed, preferably with abundant food. He would be able to see better from the top of that rise.

Being inside the magic on the mountain Dorky had felt empowered. His telepathy was increased and he realised that his thinking was clearer around the dragon crystal. This enhancement must have been dormant all his younger years. His affinity to the magic and therefore the dragons intrigued him. Perhaps all marsh-dribblers were 'in tune' with the great alien beasts. Perhaps they were evolving and had a different destiny than other beings?

These thoughts excited Dorky. His thinking clearer than ever. He intended to use this 'evolution' to help his friends. First things first though. There was food down there. As he had hoped. The next valley was home to a small babbling stream. There were even boulders in the stream to fish from.

After sating his hunger he made his way warily to the village of The Sisterhood. The first thing he noticed was that there was no sign of magic in the village. If the women had their own crystals he would see patches of green. He realised that the only magic was in the heart of the missing mountain. Maybe they did not understand how the enchantment worked. Maybe unlike Klem they did not have any power for themselves but used it all to hide the mountain, that was it Dorky was sure. They wanted only to hide the mountain, to keep what they had safe. Without understanding its full potential. He wondered how evil they would be with this knowledge. It was a good thing they didn't as far as he was concerned. Maybe they thought it was the dragon itself with the power? Not the egg it guarded?

-Dorky?- Klem was mind thinking.

-Yes, I can hear you.-

-We are to be fed to the dragon tomorrow. These horrible people have Viridiana held in the top part of the mountain. We are being held in a cell in the base. We have to get out and help her. The way in is well guarded. Maybe if you found another way in?-

-Yes, I will do what I can. I am outside their village. Maybe I can scout about and find some information that will help. If only I could make myself invisible.- He thought.

-Dorky! The magic is strong, perhaps you can!-

Dorky concentrated. he could feel the aura of enchantment even at this distance from the mountain. He could not create a bubble of invisibility but, he tried again there was a glimmer around him yes it was working. A faint glimmer. it was good. He may not be invisible but he would look less solid. He thought by sticking to the shadows he may avoid detection. He would see if the sisterhood of the dragon would give up some of its secrets.

-I can do semi-invisible. It will be enough. I will do what I can. Night-time will be best for me. If I can I will have you free before morning.

With renewed optimism, he entered the village. Dusk was settling on the circular cluster of wooden homes. He stayed in the shadows.

As the darkness closed in around the smattering of randomly spaced homes, Dorkys' confidence grew. He scuttled from one blind spot to another. A quick patter of feet. Then silence. He listened intently for the sound of voices.

Back in Nocton he had relished the underneath of houses similar to this. There was always a way in and each one had a different population of small, furry or scaled animals. Hearing what sounded like a lone feminine voice he surreptitiously crawled under the abode of the noise. Engrossed in the sound of chatter he did not scan his surroundings first.

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Dorky almost jumped out of his skin. His hackles shot up and he bared his incisors. Something that he had not had the instinct to do since his younger days. The words were mind speak and they came from a pile of rubbish in the far corner of the floor cavity. He had not expected this. His senses told him it was another marsh -dribbler an older more mature male. Possibly too old to be a threat. He lowered his hackles.

Excuse me sir, I should have knocked. Manners we always welcome when dealing with more senior marsh-dribblers. Dorky was the intruder and who knew how many other dribblers were living here. It could mean a lot of trouble. He had an important mission. He must tread carefully. My Name is Dorky and I am lost. I was hoping to find snakes. It was the best he could do at short notice. All dribblers were on a constant search for food. With snakes being top of most lists.

Ah worry not. I am old and almost blind. My mind's eye, however, works well in the shadow of the enchantment. I can direct you to many food sources for our kind in this village. You did not appear to be searching for food when you entered. Your attention was somewhat taken with the noises from above. I would be interested in the truth. Before I could trust you with any information though.

He moved towards Dorky with a wobble. He was the biggest marsh-dribbler Dorky had ever seen. His unseeing eyes looked milky in the gloom.

I warn you that I could hold my own in a fight if I had to. Luckily my offspring will be here soon if you wish to make trouble.

Dorky weighed up his options. He decided that the truth was always the best policy, although he did not know where this old-timers loyalty lay.

May I ask if you are friends with the sisterhood? As the truth is I am on an errand. He left it at that. Not wishing to give anything away.

Ah, the sisterhood. Mm, I see. They leave us be. They let us clear their village of vermin. They kick us if we get too close though, so we co-exist is all. We try not to get involved in their slavery of men and children. They are not the nicest of people. They leave us be is all. I think we will trust a stranger of our own kind over them. So be at ease Dorky. We may be able to help you with your 'errand'. I am called Unwin. Most here call me Grumps these days. They touched snouts. All was well.

Unwins' offspring returned from their foraging. All were surprised to see a stranger in their lair. They shared their food with Unwin and hesitantly Dorky. It was reassuring that if Unwin thought he was okay then all the others did too.

Not being around his own kind for so long Dorky decided to make the most of it. He knew his errand was important and the boys were in a cell. He felt guilty. He needed these folk on his side. He would keep up his mission and those boys would be free by morning. Here was where he would find a way into the mountain. He was sure they would help.

After eating a buffet of snakes, sluggers, world worms and unidentified half-chewed rodents, they sat on their haunches in a rough circle and told their guest tall stories. Dorky could not believe the imagination of these marsh dribblers. It was as if the first one told a strange tale then the next one made up a more unbelievable one until at the end he believed nothing. It was very entertaining though. He had to get as much information as he could.

Dorkys' story topped them all. He started with Nocton and aunt Ethels' pie crusts. The invasion. The evacuation. The boys getting lost in the forest. The Yakoya. Pendulum and Helder. The capture. The escape to The Underneath. The Digmen. Pride and its forest of snakes. Upton Straits. The Coombers. The Vortex. The crystals. Then he told them of the boys, captured again in the cells of the sisterhood. His quest to free them and the dragon, Viridiana. ( The dribblers knew of the dragon). Unwin and his brood sat enraptured at the tale. Dorky felt good to get it all off his chest.

They nearly didn't believe him. He had to make himself near invisible to prove he was telling the truth. They were dumbstruck. They became very interested in the magic (and pie crusts) and the communication with people through mind- speak. They had no idea they were living so close to such powerful magic. More importantly, they agreed to help him.

Dorky started by asking of Viridianas' comings and goings.

We know the dragon of whom you speak. She is a fearsome predator. Thankfully our kind is too small to be on her list of food requirements. We see her shadow fall across the land and we run for cover. She is a rare sight. She has not been seen for many days. She flies out of the green mist. She is gone for a day and always returns with a large beast floundering in her talons. We can hear her random thoughts from a distance. We know of no one who has any meaningful conversation with her. Unwin was keen to aid Dorky in his quest.

Does she have an entrance near the top? It would be helpful to know if there was another way in other than the guarded one above the village. Dorky was all ears.

Unwin thought for a while. He was standing at the entrance to the floor cavity. Dorky could see that he was almost too big to venture through. His legs were wobbly and it seemed unlikely that he would be coming on this rescue mission.

Her way out must be other than the way above the village. I would say near the top on the other side my eyes are not the best. What do you think Ranni?

Ranni was Unwins' eldest. Dorky had noticed her earlier in the evening. Yes he had definitely noticed her. She was sleek and as fine a marsh-dribbler that he had ever seen. Her eyelashes were long and...... He had other things more urgent than his need for mating. Keep focused on the task. That would be best. Don't get all flustered now. He told himself. She looked kindly at Dorky. His fur covered his blushes.

Yes, father, I have seen her come from the top of the mountain for sure. The other three nodded in agreement. I think we should go to have a closer look. She turned to Unwin. Will you be coming with us father?

It is a bit late. Or early for me daughter. I will let you youngsters scamper off. I have some serious sleeping to do. I wish you all luck. Ranni, be careful.

Dorky could see that Ranni had invited her father out of respect. He was sure if she had said that he was too big, old and wobbly he would have demanded to come. This way he could get some sleep and retain his pride. Her love and respect for her sire made her even more attractive.

It was just before dawn that Dorky and four other marsh dribblers reached the summit of missing mountain. It was good to have his kind to support him. He had been a long time on his own.

The magic hung in the air like a green mist. They had found Viridianas' cave entrance. It must be, for the stench of burnt rotting flesh was strong. It set all snouts a twitching. The hole had been barred. A lattice of strong metal had been placed over it. It seemed the dragon was definitely a prisoner. Fortunately, the squares in the lattice were just big enough for a marsh dribbler to squeeze through.

Okay, so this is the plan...

Dorky sounded more confident than he felt.