On the way, Albus continued to make small talk with Mimir, asking how things fared in the city. Mimir responded that all things were good. They had plenty of food from the goats that flocked in large numbers below the city and plentiful fresh water from a running stream farther below. He continued to explain how the city needed little maintenance and that the giants were generally happy, but Albus was only half-listening, worried about the impending encounter with Temenos. He had tamed dragons before but was nervous today, not knowing if his arm was strong enough to carry a whip. The giants used the whip to tame, and with their prodigious strength, they could hurt the dragons when they stepped out of line. Albus did not have such strength, but the sight of the whip alone was usually enough, along with his prodigious skill with the dragons. Today though, something felt off. He tried to shake it off as they approached the entrance to the dragon's lair. A narrow staircase was beyond the sealed doors leading to the dragon below. Albus could hear the sound of stomping below, the ground shook, and he could feel the heat emanating as he furthered his descent. Smoke began to fill his lungs and cloud his vision making each step more perilous than the last. He was alone now. Mimir had waited above with a group of giants eagerly anticipating the outcome of Albus's attempts to tame the ridgeback dragon.