Chapter 37-40 Summary

In Chapter 37 the Little Ones sob over Lona and look impossibly haggard. Odu declares that he has seen the Princess before, fighting the white leopard, and several mention a frightening Shadow that has no thickness, grows as it appears, vanishes—and then suddenly is upon and inside them. Odu testifies about wanting to tear up his friend Sozo, contemplating suicide to escape from the blackness, and feeling better only outside the gate. He knows that he should not have run away. Vane holds dead Lona and proclaims his love, but receives no response, and sleeps beside her as the moon rises, as the white leopard circles camp and passes between Lilith and the Little Ones.

In Chapter 38 Vane carries Lona's body to her father or, if he will not accept her, into the desert. Vane wishes that he had obeyed...