“S'mimasen," Alyss said repeatedly as they brushed against passerby. "What does that mean?" Will asked as they reached a stretch of street bare of any other pedestrians. He was impressed by Alyss's grasp of the local language. "It means 'pardon me,'" Alyss replied, but then a shadow of doubt crossed her face. "At least, I hope it does. Maybe I'm saying 'you have the manners of a fat, rancid sow.”

“We're family," Alyss said.Redd snorted. "Is that supposed to mean something?"Family," Alyss said again, trying to convince herself more than Redd.Don't talk to me about family! You were never disowned by your parents!"I'd rather have been disowned by them then see them murdered.”

“It's called a sea anchor,' [Evanlyn] explained. 'It'll stop us drifting too far.'Alyss was impressed. 'And you said you were pig-ignorant when it came to boats.''I don't remember saying that,' Evanlyn replied with a frown.Alyss shrugged. 'Oh? Well, it must have been me.”

“But I killed you,” Alyss said. “Did you?” Red turned to The Cat. “Why wasn’t I informed?”

“Do you know what they call themselves, all these people?" Alyss shook her head. How could she know? "Alyssians." Bibwit spelled it out. Her heart gave a little jump. Alyssians? No, they ask too much of me. "I don't think I'm ready for all of this," she said.”

“When I give the go ahead, go ahead."--Alyss”