Summary

Laureline's group arrives at Valsennar. She thanks them for taking her to the city, then leaves them. She sees women working all around the city. One of them is carrying a load of baskets. Two others are working with hand tools. One is swinging a pick. She says that Valerian would approve of the situation.

A woman named Nadjika introduces herself and asks if Laureline is planning to enter the contest. Laureline is confused and the woman assumes that means she is. She begins making plans for preparing Laureline, and Laureline goes along with her. Nadjika says she is “too ugly” to win the contest (28). She says Laureline will go to the palace if she wins, and she asks Laureline to remember that Nadjika helped her. Laureline bathes and puts on the clothes Nadjika gives her. Then Nadjika leads her to the place...