Fable: The Balverine Order (Fable) by Peter David

wanted to burst out laughing but was too incredulous to do so.
    The two of them were standing on the edge of a ridge, having just hiked their way through a challenging but not insurmountable series of hillocks. James was even coming to appreciate the new sights, sounds, and even smells that they were encountering. The trees, plants, wildlife, and even the air itself underwent subtle changes, and it gave James a true insight into the wealth and variety of environments that Albion had to offer.
    But when they came around the side of what turned out to be the final hillock in that particular day’s journey and stood upon the ridge, staring forward at the new obstacle in their path, James wasn’t sure how to feel. After all, they were on a quest with no discernible destination or termination in mind, or at least in James’s mind. If there was something clear in Thomas’s mind, he had been doing a superb job of keeping it to himself. The uncertainty of their situation had brought James to a place where, if they were unable to proceed any farther and be forced to turn around—and thus never find themselves face-to-face with balverines—then he, James, wasn’t going to be particularly upset about it.
    On the other hand, he was a devoted friend to Thomas and knew how much it meant to him that he accomplish his aim, however ill defined that aim might be.
    But when he found himself standing next to Thomas, staring at an endless vista of rolling blue waters, he blurted out, “Can we go home now?” without even really thinking about it. It just seemed self-evident that that was going to be the next order of business. So when Thomas described it as “a little setback,” James was properly astounded.
    â€œA little setback?” He made a sweeping gesture toward the horizon. “You call that little ?”
    Indeed, it was hard to argue with James’s point. What was stretching out before them down below was nothing less than an endless vista of blue water, rolling steadily toward the shore.
    â€œIt’s a sea, Thomas! It’s a bloody sea !” James continued.
    â€œI know it’s a sea, James. I can . . . uh . . . see.”
    James shook his head and stared with an air of hopelessness at the newly discovered obstacle. “Maybe they all meant some other ‘east.’ ”
    â€œThat’s the only definition of east of which I’m aware,” said Thomas.
    The sun was leaving no uncertainty in the matter. It was still midmorning, and the glowing orb was positioned serenely in the sky. Unless the entirety of the cosmos had reoriented itself at some point during their travels, east definitely lay ahead of them, and there was a massive body of water making sure that they weren’t going to be heading that way anytime soon.
    â€œThere’s probably land on the other side,” said Thomas.
    â€œProbably?”
    â€œDefinitely.” His hand covered his brow as he endeavored to see farther. “I’m definitely sure I see a hint of land on the horizon.”
    â€œAnd how do you suggest we get there? Flap our arms and fly?”
    â€œWe’ll get there the same way that anybody gets where they want to go when water’s in the way. We’ll go by boat.”
    He continued down the path that wound steadily through the hillocks. James hustled to follow him, and said, “Thomas, I hate to bring this up, but I don’t know how to sail. And unless you’ve been hiding some talents from me, you don’t either.”
    â€œI’m not suggesting we captain and crew a vessel ourselves, obviously.”
    â€œObviously,” said James, to whom it had not actually been obvious at all.
    â€œWe’ll hire someone to take us across. We have the money for it.”
    â€œYou mean I have the money for it.”
    This comment prompted Thomas to stop, turn, and face his friend. He did not appear angry; instead, he just looked