She was scared of the car, of Parz City, of the unknown. Of course she was. She wondered now if that fear, lurking darkly at the back of her head, was truly what had impelled her to order Philas to go with Toba, regardless of any other justification. And she wondered if Philas had perceived that, too.

Here was another layer, she thought tiredly, to add to an already overcomplex relationship. Well, maybe that was the nature of life.

Dura turned and climbed slowly into the car; Farr, wordless, meek, followed.

The man from the Pole, much less impressive without his outer garments, watched them climb aboard. The car proved to be cramped with the four of them — plus Adda's improvised cocoon and an expansive seat for Mixxax before an array of controls. Mixxax pulled off his hat and veil with every expression of relief. He pulled a lever; the heavy door swung outward.

Just before she was sealed away from the forest, Dura called out: "And Philas! Give them our love..."

The door settled into its frame with a dull impact. Mixxax pulled another lever: a hiss, startlingly loud, erupted from the walls around them.

Air flooded the cabin. It was sweet, invigorating, and it filled Dura's head — but it was, she reminded herself, alien. She found a corner and huddled into it, pulling her knees to her chest.

Mixxax looked around. He seemed puzzled. "Are you all right? You look — ill."

Dura fought the urge to lunge at him, to batter at the clear panels of wood set in the walls. "Toba Mixxax, we are Human Beings," she hissed. "We have never, in our lives, been confined inside a box before. Try to understand how it feels."

Toba seemed baffled. Then he turned away and, looking self-conscious, hauled on reins that passed through the wooden walls.

Dura's belly lurched as the car jerked into motion. "Toba. Where is this City of yours?"

"At the South Pole," he said. "Downflux. As far downflux as it's possible to go."

Downflux...

Dura closed her eyes.

5

DURA EMERGED RELUCTANTLY from sleep.

She could feel the laxness of her muscles, the slow rhythm of her heart, the rich, warm Air of the car pulsing through her lungs and capillaries. She opened her eyecups slowly and glanced around the cramped, boxy interior of the car.