Summary

Laureline tells Valerian that she had to break one of the schamirs in order to get free of their hiding place, and that she does not remember how she wound up in Prince Ramal's lodge. When the Enlighteneds told Prince Ramal about their prisoner, she knew it would be Valerian, and she easily influenced Ramal to release him.

Laureline and Valerian seek directions to Black Street, where they were to meet Elmir. They find themselves in a “seedy” part of the city. The people are husks of the beings they once were, with the appearance of little more than skeletons. Their eyes are empty but Valerian says the positive point is that someone here can take them to Elmir. Someone does and Valerian gives the person something for the service.

Valerian knocks on a door. A man arrives and Valerian asks to speak...