Thunder Dome the way in

For @Asterr!

Asterr, the young champion of a Dragon King, and Noctura, her towering subordinate, were seeking a view. Not just any old view, but a specific view of a specific clearing. They were seeking a place within Thunder Dome that Noctura could call his own. Asterr had mentioned a beautiful sunlit clearing in the centre of the forest, and   Noctura had spotted a ridge that overlooked it. They wanted to get up to the top of that ridge and determine its suitability as a home for the troubled warrior, and there too find the fabled vista.

But it would not be easy. There was surely a way to get up to that ridge, and not even Asterr — who knew the territory best of everyone who lived here — could say for sure how it could be done. Their plan was to attempt reaching it from the outside, at least initially. And so as the sun began to set, the dark pair moved out of the cavern and into the sharp breeze. She had expressed her genuine desire to join him in this, and such had been the sincerity of her voice and face, Noctura had believed her.

Shall we venture to the peak? he posed the question thoughtfully, wondering if that was what she had in mind or if a lower way in might be more likely.