Chapter 6

I couldn’t tell how far we walked, maybe a few blocks in normal distance. I have trouble estimating here. There are no landmarks and not a lot of light. Even moving feels different somehow. It’s more like the ground moves under your feet than you’re moving over it.

Finally we came to what might pass for a neighborhood, sprawling houses or villas along a chasm where a river of fire ran, deep between black cliffs. Entering one, we found a group sitting around on a kind of patio. I was growing used to seeing strange beings. I don’t know whether to call them people or not. Anyway, a tall, blue female stood and came to meet us.