Beast continued to plod placidly toward the looming towers. As they grew closer, Raaij and Shiah could see that the towers had a faint luminous sheen to them. Whatever substance it was, all of the structures were made from the same material. When they reached the sides of the closest buildings, Raaij halted Beast. Beast huffed out a contented sigh of relief and looked around to see what he could find to crop. There was no vegetation. It was wise that they had brought barrels of grain for Beast, Raaij thought. He was also concerned that there might be nothing here they could hunt or gather for their own substance. Momentarily, his resolve to push into the city wavered. No, we've come this far. We can't turn back now. "Do you think any Beings have come even this close?" Shiah whispered. Apparently, she was having second thoughts as well. "Hard to say," he answered. "If so, not many." Raaij shoved away his awe and dread. "We have to do this, Shiah. You know we do. It's the only way we might get our children back." Shiah nodded. "Yes." She urged Beast to move forward once more. For the next half cycle of the Moon, they moved deeper into city. It was a surprisingly busy place for a dead city. Strange objects of all sizes flew through the air between towers. Some were as small as vabva fruit while others ranged to many times the size of their cart and Beast combined! Raaij and Shiah did not discover them; the things discovered them. Small spheres suddenly sped over and around them like a flock of angry Stingers whose nest had been raided for their sweet nectar. The couple ducked and flailed their arms to fend off the shiny spheres weaving around them. Just as suddenly as they had appeared, they flew off like a flock of shimla to the south. Overcome with terror, Raaij and Shiah fell to the ground as if stones. They lay there panting heavily for some time before either of them spoke. "What?--What was that?" said Shiah. "Dunno," muttered Raaij. The tone of his voice made it clear that his bravado and determination had been severely chastened. Eventually, they both sat up. Then Raaij rose to his feet, followed by his mate. "Raaij? Let's go back," Shiah pleaded. Although his mood was still subdued, Raaij shook his head. "No. Too late. We're already too far into this place." She looked askance. "I'm not sure we can leave now," he added. "We have trespassed, coming this far. If any Gods remain, we are in their power now. If we ever leave this place, it will be because they allow us." Shiah nodded her head. "Then there is nothing to do but press on." "I'm afraid so." Shiah climbed back onto the cart's seat. "Go, Beast!" The creature pulled the cart forward. "Which way?" "Think those things might be scouts for the Gods--if any be here. Might as well follow after them." Raaij paused, then added; "We're in it now, Shiah. It was the Gods we sought. So let's go find them. Only the Gods can help us." "--Or kill us!" Shiah's face looked as grim as she sounded. TO BE CONTINUED: _______________________ Thanks for coming by to look and read. Not the greatest in either illustration nor writing but better than some stuff I've done. Jeremy CREDITS: Animal: "Dragon World: Dragon-of-Burden" by Digital I Designs (DAZ) and also "DragonWorld 4-Wheeled Cart" and the yoke. Cart Cargo: all items from Rayvns (Renderosity) See her "Tansy's Warehouse" and "Smugglers-Traders Camp." Cities: all are by hermino (ShareCG). Figures: "Kaytox" and "Kaytex" modeled and textured by midnightstories (Renderosity)