“‘All stories grow from a seed of truth,’ Truyde said. ‘They are knowledge after figuration.’”

Truyde’s comment to Ead reflects one of the key ideas of the text, which is that most myths and legends are veiled truth. Since Truyde is only 17, her insightful remark shows her keen intellect.

“Dawn cracked like a heron’s egg over Seiiki.”

This simile, used to depict the Eastern region of Seiiki, exemplifies the novel’s context-specific descriptions. Since this passage is from Tané’s point of view, it references objects and expressions with which she would be familiar.

“‘By the Saint’s codpiece—’ Niclays stared. ‘Sulyard!’”

Niclays lets out this rude expression on discovering Sulyard in his workshop. The expression illustrates the author’s unique use of language in the novel. While the narration is in contemporary English, the term “codpiece” is archaic English for a loin cover or underwear. “Saint” is a reference to Saint Galian, whom Niclays, being a Westerner, reveres. Besides creating a sense of time and place, the exclamation, with its mild oath, provides insight into Niclays’s character and establishes his frequent role as comic relief.