Alondra decided to go north the next day. Everyone on Isis stared as her ship rose and flew towards the sky, heading north. Alondra didn't care that they stared. Perhaps it was better for them. She followed the river towards its source. It didn't take her long to find another valley.
"She probably lives here."she said. "After all, it's impossible to live in the mountains. I'll just have to look here, and if she's not here, I'll go further north."
Really, this was a most attractive place. The giant bamboos there grew almost above her head. The river consisted of a single waterfall, and looked like steps of molten silver. She and her animals looked around.
"Well, let's see. There's no sign of life anywhere. Well, human life, that is."she corrected herself as she saw some larks overhead. "It would be nice to linger, wouldn't it?"she laughed. "But perhaps not. I must really be on my way."
Alondra crossed the grove of bamboo, and there, she caught a glimpse of red hair.
"Oh! Hello, is there anyone there?"she called excitedly. "Please, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for someone by the name of Olwen! It's important that I find her."
She knew that what she had seen was, of course, a person. She caught up with her, grabbed her hand, but let go extremely quickly. She looked at her face with an expression of surprise.
"Oh, dear."said Alondra. "My adoptive mother always did say it was important to put body lotion on so that your skin didn't dry up. I guess you must not have followed that instruction."she said. "Your skin looks very scaly, not smooth."
"Who are you?"she asked Alondra.
"Well, my name is Alondra. I'm looking for someone named Olwen Pendennis. Do you know her? I didn't know that there were aliens here on Isis. Well, you know, at least aliens who could walk and talk like people. Wow, and to think that no one in the colony knew about you. But never mind, do you know her?"
"Why are you looking for her? You're not from the colony? Why did you come? Isis is quarantined."
"Yes, it is, but I came because of something important. Something, I believe, I don't have to share with you, but rather with her. So if you will be so kind, I will continue my search for her."
"Wait. I am Olwen Pendennis, the Keeper of the Isis Light."
Alondra couldn't believe it.
"No, no, you see. I am looking for someone of my species. We should resemble each other in a few ways from what I've been told. You see, she is my identical twin."
"You are lying!"
"No, I am not."
"Why do you think I would be your twin? What are you talking about? The Keeper of the Light did not have any siblings. I did not have any siblings."
"I was sent back to Earth, due to a…condition I have. They could not treat it here, you see. My parents died, and well, I was adopted by someone else. I never knew I had a sister, much less, and identical twin. It has been quite a surprise. Can you help me find her?"
"Oh, come with me."she said. "Or, I know it is dangerous for you on the heights."
"No problem."said Alondra, as she took a few oxygen pills.
"But your breather? Your UVO suit?"
"Those went out of fashion a long time ago. Now we use oxygen tablets and force fields."