The church was silent and solemn in the early morning, with no trace of last night's horrors.
Annan left the church—whether it belonged to the Lord of Dawn or the God of Order, he still didn't know—and continued toward the third wall above Strange Tales City.
He drew closer to the highest wall. As the sky began to brighten, the first light of dawn fell across the Palace at its summit. The hazy white exterior took on a brilliant red glow, as though the sun were rising inside the Royal City.
Annan pressed on. By the time sunlight covered the entire Royal City, the final wall stood before him.
After three days, he had finally reached the Royal City of Strange Tales City.
He looked back from the gate. The Inner City and Outer City, still untouched by sunlight, lay asleep. Beyond them, the distant Lake and the ashen wasteland showed no sign of life.
Annan called out the Burnt Girl, told her to stay close, and stepped through the open gate.
The Royal City was unlike the Inner City... There were no houses or shops. It resembled a vast Academy, filled with ancient buildings and spires.
Tall spires pierced the clouds, glittering in the dawn light. A broad road, wide enough for eight carriages abreast, led up to the Palace.
Sunlight fell on Annan, but he felt little warmth. The spires looming over the Royal City were like silent giants.
Now and then, he sensed malice stirring among those giants. Each time, it withdrew because of the Burnt Girl and the World Tree Leaf.
Near noon, Annan finally saw the Palace. Its entrance at the top of the steps had been barricaded with stones, wood, and makeshift furnishings.
"Is anyone there?"
Annan climbed the steps and stopped before the