From the center of the fish arose a head shaped like a round ball, with a circle of piercing, bead-like eyes set in it.

These strange guardians of the entrance might be able to tell what their numerous eyes saw, yet they remained silent and watchful.

Even Aquareine gazed upon them curiously, and she gave a little shudder as she did so.
Inside the entrance was a domed hall with a flight of stairs leading to an upper balcony.

Around the hall were several doorways hung with curtains made of woven seaweeds.

Chairs and benches stood against the wall, and these astonished the visitors because neither stairs nor chairs seemed useful in a kingdom where every living thing was supposed to swim and have a fish's tail.