The Shasta Clan dragons and I were not the only ones to figure out the ramifications of the so-called Young Dragon Problem. Other dragons around the world come to the same conclusion that we did. The specially created message board on the DracoNet was flooded with messages, all of which suggested that the missing young dragons were being charmed away from their families so that they could be used in some terrible way. They were either needed for what they could steal, or they were needed for their Gifts. Or perhaps some of them were needed for both purposes.
Envoys, Delegates and finally Councilors met to talk about the issue and to decide what we should do next. It was agreed that our next step should have two parts. We needed to warn our young dragons about the danger and tell them that they must not, under any circumstances communicated with Meister. In addition, we needed to try to better understand Meister and his motives. I also felt that it was important to figure out how he was able to get our young dragons to behave in such undragonlike ways. How was he able to influence them so successfully?
We could of course talk to the missing dragon’s friends, which is what I did at the Shasta Clan. The parents asked their young ones friend’s to talk to me. Though they were eager to help, none of them really knew anything. “The six of them stuck together, and they didn’t talk to anyone outside of their group. It was almost as if they despised us, as if they thought that we were not good enough for them,” one tearful young female told me. Everyone I talked to said the same thing. Practically overnight the now missing young ones withdrew and became reclusive and secretive. What did Meister do to get them to behave in this way? How did he win their confidence and absolute loyalty? What did he tell them? If only we had his emails, then maybe we would be able to better understand him.
When I was visiting the Oregon dragons, several of the clan members tried to find information in Ninebark’s computer, but any and all mention of Meister had been removed. Ninebark was in such a state that he could tell us nothing for the time being. The poor fellow was under sedation and the doctor could not be sure when Ninebark’s emotional collapse would end. None of the dragons here were able to find anything on the six computers that the missing Shasta dragons had used.
“We need our best computer analysts to get deep into the computers used by the missing young ones to see if any scrap of useful information can be found. It is almost impossible to remove information completely. Fragments and shadows always remain,” Ning said. We were communicating used DracoVid, sharing ideas and information.
“I am so new to the modern dragon world that I do not know anyone who has such an ability,” I said.
“Most bigger clans have computer experts, but there are only a few dragons in each country who really understand the deeper inner workings of these machines,” Ning explained. “I know of one Chinese dragon who is said to be one of the best. She is in the United States at the moment, visiting a friend who lives in the mountains near the human city of Los Angeles. The Shasta Clan has lost more than the usual number of young ones and all six had their own computers. I think it would be useful to have her come to see you. Perhaps she will be able to find something.”
“Is there any way to get her here quickly? We need to get some answers before more young dragons are lost to us,” I asked.
Ning laughed. “You don’t need to worry about that. Lady Bao will have no trouble getting to you. I will contact her right away and let you know when to expect her.”
I was reading messages on the Young Dragon Problem message board when I got an email from Ning. Lady Bao would be with us in the evening. I did not understand how such a thing could be possible. It is true that Chinese dragons are incredibly fast flyers, but they are also usually quite large and always very distinctive. How could she fly here without being seen?
When the evening meal was over, several younglings decided that they wanted to go out to fly around the woods for a while before it was time for bed. The great stone clan door slid open and the young dragons scampered outside. The door remained open for a while as dragons went out to enjoy the cool evening and to watch the sunset. The guard was just about to close the door when the very air in the doorway seemed to shiver and shimmer. The long section of quivering air moved into the Clan Hall, and then, before our startled eyes, a shape began to emerge. It was long, sinuous, and bright green. As the seconds ticked by, the shape became clearer until we realized that we were looking at a dragon, a beautiful Chinese dragon.
“Greetings all. My name is Lady Bao and I believe you are expecting me,” she said. Her eyes glittered with humor. 
“I….we…..er…yes,” stammered Lord Juqa.
“Invisibility. You have the gift of invisibility,” I said, stepping forward.
“And I have been told that you, Lord Gryf, have the gift of shapeshifting. It is an honor to meet you,” she said bowing elegantly.
I managed to return the bow, remembering my manners. “I beg your pardon, Lady Bao, you startled us.”
Lord Juqu stepped forward. “Welcome to the Shasta Clan, Lady Bao, and thank you for coming to see us.”
“Your clan has lost more young ones than any other clan on this continent. Hopefully I will be able to find something on their computers that will give us some clues that are useful. I did manage to find a few words and phrases in other computers around the country, and I am hopeful that when these pieces of information are combined with what I find here, we will be able to create a clearer picture of this Meister individual. It is time to put a stop to his activities.”
