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Book 1, Chapter Seven: The Ascent, Pages 141 and 142

The travellers approach their captured prey.
Kings of land and sky, in deference, bow
To their captors, verdant green and shining
Blood-red locks where stand the crown of all worlds.
King Alejandro pleased at the respect.
“Good. They already know their superior.”

He watches them both, pause for any violence.
Seeing none, he unveils their prison net
And offers a hand white for theirs to kiss.

“They are so gentle.” He murmurs, sweetly.

The Servant assents. “Yes, they are, indeed.”

Night descends upon our travellers two
And their beasts, owned and captured, tame and wild.
A pair of fish by the fire, turning,
Hot, the heat rising into the navy
Gold-flecked stars above the ravenous gaze
Of Alexandri and his Wonder Stone.