As they approached the mountain, they saw the rocs circling, carrying boulders. Each would swoop low, release its boulder at high speed, then fly up while the boulder crashed into the mountain at an angle. The mountain would shudder, and several tunnels would be crushed in. Then the first roc would head off for another boulder, while the next swooped in.

Meanwhile the dragons were hovering. When all three rocs completed their runs, the fire-breathers swooped in for strafing runs, sending flames shooting into the exposed tunnels. The steamers did likewise, only their steam was intended to soften the substance of the mountain so that the boulders did more damage. Finally the smokers approached. Their attack would be the worst, because their smoke would penetrate far into the mountain, bringing misery and even death to those it caught. The other winged monsters were relaxing, waiting for their turn. Some were licking their chops, evidently having a taste for smoked goblin.

"But the naga are collapsing the tunnels, so nothing can get through," Jenny said. "The smoke won't smoke them out."

"Cheiron will send in the cockatrices," Chex said. "They will freeze the goblins and naga with their glares, and the tunnels will not be collapsed. Cheiron has studied siege technique; he will counter all their ploys. That's one more reason I don't want this to continue; I know how bad it will be for all concerned."

"The goblins will retreat to the caverns of the calli—calli—"

"Callicantzari," Chex said. "They are like exaggerated goblins, grotesque monsters with some of their limbs installed backwards. Only desperation would make the goblins go there."

"But they are allies now, because of the covenant. And I guess they'll take Che along with them."

"We have to stop that. The callicantzari will be treacherous allies. They could put them all into the pot." Actually, Cheiron had probably anticipated that ploy also, and would send the cockatrices first to the lower chambers to prevent the goblins from moving anyone out.

Chex folded her wings and angled down, her increasing weight lending her velocity. If she didn't flick herself with her tail every so often, she eventually became too heavy to fly. But it was a good thing, because otherwise she would never be able to be comfortable on land. She zoomed down toward Cheiron, then spread her wings and braked abruptly just before lowering her hooves.

"Cheiron!" she said. "Stop the smokers! There is another way."

Cheiron paused, as he always did for her. "I shall be satisfied with no less than the return of our foal, unharmed. If the goblins think that night will stop us, they are mistaken; we have fireflies to illuminate the scene."

"We can bring them both to our residence," Chex said. "Che and Gwendolyn. He can be her companion in our glen."

He was startled. "Why I suppose he could. But we would then be obliged to take care of her, which could be a burden."