Now it was Area’s turn for astonishment. The Boy gave Perry a wide smile as he shook his hand. “You know the land you say? Up along the promontory? Good. Well, perhaps we should take you along. Do you have a horse?”“No” Perry replied. “But I can ride.”“Area is quite slight,” the Boy said. “Perhaps she can ride the pack horse with our gear.” Arla gave a strangled gasp, and the Boy grinned at her. She realized he was joking, and breathed a sigh of relief. But she did not trust herself to speak. What did Bangui think he was doing?

— J.J. Gadd

The Boy’s head was spinning. Raul was real, and quite possibly not kindly disposed to him, as Manama’s potential heir and jail-breaker. The sailors worshiped Manama, who controlled the tides and commanded them through dreams? The George collected clouds and lived in the sky? And did the captain just say there were mountains in the sea? Did he mean under the water? Downing the drink in front of him, he began to laugh. It was all just so hopelessly unreal. Anselm and the captain stared for a moment, then found his mirth infectious. Before long they were laughing too, and the sound of their merriment sailed through the night and out to greet the rolling waves, wrapping itself around the ship like a cloud.

— J.J. Gadd