They entered the Crystal Tribe, where they were warmly welcomed before being escorted to a grand house made of gleaming stones. The tribe was quite populous, and everyone lived in stone houses.

The King of Crystal’s home was enormous and very luxurious. He had twenty children and three wives, as it was customary in that tribe for the most powerful men to have several women and many children.

Jing and the others were welcomed with a grand feast in a huge golden dining hall, surrounded by the king’s entire family, who sat on a fine, cushioned carpet. The guests took their places together: Lars sat beside Prince Jing, while Leela...