Outside, the sky was gray with clouds. Abrial discovered that the cottage was surrounded by a circular garden, which was closed in by a thin wooden fence, which was so thin that Abrial stopped to stare at it in confusion. How could a fence with such big holes keep animals out? What was even the use of that kind of fence? Fancy decoration? This woman was just weirder and weirder…
There was a cobblestone path leading through the garden, much like the paths at paradise gardens at Abrial's parents' house. Despite the paradise gardens being filled with all variety of exquisite flora, there were many plants here that she'd never seen before, and were strangely, mysteriously shaped: weaving black thorns that grew along the fence, white flowers blooming off them; a flower stem taller than Abrial's head, ending in a drooping blue flower that dripped some honey-colored liquid into a bucket; rows of golden-white lilies that seemed to pulse slightly, glowing even in the daylight.
