The Glass Volcano

Neither assassin nor bloodmage prevented Shiobe and Sikode from reaching the Glass Volcano, lair of Kykini Cede, Flame Dragon of Kassak. With local climber Ceten as their guide, they enter the volcano in search of the Kandari, the dragon's controlling artifact.

The plan is simple. Shiobe's knowledge of the lair, gleaned from years of study with her genophyte father, would guide them to the Flame Stone. Once discovered, Sikode would pass the trials and become a dragonmaster.

But they are not alone within the dark interior. Rivals from Solin and Oritan hound their steps, and enemy bloodmages have tracked Shiobe to the lair, intent on retrieving the sylf-blessed stone she accidentally stole.

Knowledge lights the way to the Flame Dragon, but the unexpected has a nasty way of blocking the path.