Summary

In Chapter 18, the party begins the final stretch of their journey to the technologically advanced city of Dolingo, which is the center of the relatively small Dolingo kingdom. On their way to the city, they encounter a griot—a wandering storyteller who tells news and stories in song and verse. Tracker, who has never much cared for griots, feels oddly stirred and unnerved by the griot’s cryptic song. Sadogo confides Tracker that he once had a violent encounter with Ipundulu. The party continues on, and they are suddenly attacked by a swarm of birds. They escape and arrive at Dolingo, which is a magnificent sight for its size and its technological advancements. The city is built on platforms on giant trees, and sky caravans move between the platforms.

Guards intercept the party and take them to the Queen. The Queen interrogates the party...