The Dragon King adjusted his long body on his cushions. Once again, the herd of seahorses trotted into position to adjust the pillows. The tips of the King's whiskers twitched as he dismissed them.

"Time and space work differently for us," he began. "We are not, strictly speaking, of this world. Yet, neither are we apart from it." One huge eye regarded Yuta. Yuta nodded. He was following, if not understanding.

"We know nothing of our origins. As far as we know, we have ...