they emerged from the sinking gyssian destroyer , from the widening split now full of flames and rising water , misshapen and hideous , their yellow cats eyes cast not on the battle , not on the flames surrounding them , but upward , upward ... to much brighter , much more enticing flames beyond the heavy smoke : flames those eyes seemed quite able to see , vast , miles-high flames that teased the blue skies above and beyond the epic clash surrounding them .