Chapter 17

The moon was high outside and casting its cold glow on the exotic gardens and fountains of marble and stone.

Peacocks had finished their nightly preening and had settled for the night near the high walls built to prevent intruders from breaching the rich interiors. Marble and sandstone and without flaw.

Behind the grandeur, guarded by two large hounds, was an entirely different view.

A small path from a less kempt area led to landscape of fire when the blooms were tongues of flame and the waters were molten lava.

Even the grass seemed to hiss with infernal fury as heat rose through the charred earth into a rufescent sky. Only if one walked with the Gods or their guardians was is possible to bear such a vista.

Today the grounds were empty. Even in the world of the Gods the heat could get the best of them and Am Heh, despite with adoration of fire, was not immune to it.