"That is indeed the case. Come. Follow me," the Lady of the Swamp said.
Joji hugged the stomach of the mineral armadillo to his chest like a peerless treasure.
It was rare, even for her, but the way he held it went past gratitude.
The Lady watched him for a heartbeat longer than was polite, then shook her head as if scolding herself.
Maybe she was seeing too much again. Maybe he was only valuing what she had given him.
One of the lotus flower buildings had a staircase that should not have existed.
Natural limestone, yes, but shaped and fitted and rebuilt by magic until it became steps that looked like they had grown there.
They descended. The purple glow from the petals faded behind them and the air cooled.
Joji expected the stink of animals to hit him in the face.
It did not. No urine. No wet fur. No old blood.
Nothing but clean stone and that faint sweet scent that seemed to follow the Lady like a veil.
The beasts came into view.
