Chapter 17 Summary

With the rising of the sun Anodos is able to see that a natural staircase circles down into the abyss. He follows this for some time until he finds an opening in the side of the basin wall. The farther down Anodos travels, the darker his mood becomes until he loses hope of finding the white lady.

Anodos meets a group of goblin-like creatures who taunt him as he walks. The goblins tell him that the white lady is meant to love another. When Anodos replies that if there is another better for her, then she should be with him, they scatter and let him pass. Anodos begins to sing a song that gives the white lady permission to love whomever she chooses. Anodos meets an old woman, who transforms herself into a beautiful maiden and offers to accompany him. He turns away...