Summary

Valerian and the group of men arrive at Malka after another three days of travel. One of the men says Malka is one of two cities of Zahir, and that both are “beautiful” (20). The Lemm men are not allowed to enter the gates of Malka. Valerian thanks them for bringing him to this point, then goes off on his own. The city's walls are “well guarded” and he sets out to find a way inside (21). He finds sewer tunnels. He swims and wades through them, eventually coming to some stairs.

Valerian emerges into the city and finds only men. They are doing all the work. In the images, they are feeding children, weaving on a loom, and washing clothes. Women arrive on horseback, raising dust and shouting for the men to line up. One woman cracks a whip and yells at them to...