The gang lands on the coast, where the sea serpent has left them. They learn that they are not alone, and that the people they meet prefer the coast to the mountains. Coyle explains that jamal is "violent and unstable" and that he has been working with him ever since. He was calm for a long time, but recently he became "very depressed" and needed someone to help him. The snake tells Coyle that he is heading for the "embrane garden" and warns him to beware of anyone he meets. The road is not safe, the snake says, but it is not as bad as the surface. He warns Coyle to keep going down until he reaches the end, then he will walk for a while. He asks where the gate guardians are, and Coyle says he must beat them. He wonders how big the garden is, and wonders if they are hanging above his head. The gang is overjoyed to see that someone has finally come out of the snake's shell.