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Apuleius led us through the collection of buildings to the former residence of the ruler of Hadia. The soft white rock sparkled more brilliantly up close so I had to shield my eyes with one hand to look at the smooth sides and glistening glass windows. We walked under the archway to a pair of large wood doors. Apuleius rapped on them in a queer, rhythmic way, and they were opened by more guards. We walked past them as they watched us with suspicion deep in their eyes.
The interior of the palace was as white, but the sunlight was muffled by the soft glaze in the windows. From floor to ceiling was a distance of twenty feet, and our footsteps echoed loudly down the long halls. The way branched down three passages, the right, left and forward. Apuleius led us forward. A few other
