Grace sat glumly on a piece of driftwood. The tide was ebbing, and out in the bay the ship was turning at anchor, and the lewd calls of sailors came clearly over the still water.

The beach was empty, but for a group of three animals–two cats and a raccoon–off in the distance, and the Fey boy Yee-Ha, who approached her tentatively.

The rest of the villagers, the newly arrived sailors, and the Fey delegation had repaired to the village hall where Captain Stone, Athis and Grace’s father were meeting. Sir Hyphen-Dash had made it clear to his daughter she wasn’t wanted or needed, although Captain Stone had spoken up for her, having quickly understood how little grasp her father had on what passed for reality in these parts. Even Marlowe and Grace’s half-sister were gone, taking the strangely land-sick sailor with them.

“alone my Grace sits ~ contemplating empty bay ~ like you company?” Yee-Ha asked.

“Why do you talk like that?” she replied.