The foretold eclipse CHAPTER XIV
Having come before the tall gates, we stopped, waiting for the sentinels to bear the news of our coming. Soon a delegation of the Queen came to us, bearing the salute and welcome of Her Highness, then to lead us to the palace where the Queen would tribute us the due honours.
We crossed the maze of tunnels and caves, some of which were so high that, from the ground to the ceiling, even seven, eight, maybe nine elephants could stand one upon the other! And, within the caves, an exotic, incredible world, animated by the most bizarre creatures... But, even more than the underground plants and animals, or the architecture and the customs of the people, it was the richness of the dress, the pendants and the jewels that struck me, covering from head to feet t
