Dany and Tyrion were approaching the mountain of Salamandastron with the three hares. They saw the hares pick up three giant seashells from the ground and blow into them like trumpets. Immediately a huge blast of flame rose from the crater at the top of the mountain, as though it had been a volcano. A voice like thunder on a hot noon boomed out with an immense rumble. If Drogon could talk, his voice might have sounded like this.
"Come in peace to the mountain of fire lizards!" the voice said.
A sliding door opened up at the base of the mountain as the rocks moved aside as if by some magic. "Follow us," said Trubbs. "Nothing to be afraid of, wot."
"I wasn't afraid," said Dany.
"Good for you, cause I'm shaking all over," said Tyrion.
Wother smiled. "Oh, you'll like Lord Boar. He's a nice chap."
They went through the door and up a series of tunnels that led to the heart of Salamandastron. But Drogon had to remain outside because he was too big to fit through the door.
At last, they emerged in a big open hall. At its center was a mighty furnacelike forge. An enormous badger was standing at the forge, pumping a bellows.
The badger turned to face Dany. Most of the creatures she had seen in Mossflower had been roughly human sized, but this badger was even bigger than a human! He was about nine feet tall.
But he seemed friendly. He had a smile on his face. "Welcome to Salamandastron, friends. I am Boar the Fighter."
"I am Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Westeros and Mother of Dragons," said Dany. "This is Tyrion Lannister. We were carried here by my dragon Drogon, who is outside."
"A dragon, eh?" said Boar. "I've always wanted to see a live dragon. There used to be dragons here, but they all left for Equestria long before I was born."
"And so ye made that fire that was shooting out of the mountain yourself, didn't you?" said Tyrion. "The flames from that forge carry up the flue and spurt out from the top."
Boar winked at Tyrion. "You are a very perceptive little fellow, Tyrion Lannister. You two must come with me. You can have a rest and tell me your story."
He brought them to a sitting room. Dany and Tyrion sat down on a sofa while Boar plopped onto a big chair. And Dany began to tell the Badger Lord of the adventures that had led her to this point.
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"So, you want to take back your kingdom," Boar said when she was done. "Just like when my father Lord Brocktree took back this mountain from the evil cat warlord Ungatt Trunn. My hares and I are mighty warriors. We could help you… if we didn't have a problem of our own right now."
"What is that?" Dany asked.
"There's a pirate captain, a rat named Ripfang, who wants to attack Salamandastron. He's been sailing up and down the coast for months, waiting for his chance. If we traveled back to Westeros with you, we'd be leaving the mountain unattended."
"Well, maybe I can help you out with Ripfang," Dany said. "I have a dragon, after all."
