80

You take a step forward and nearly slip. Why is the ship's deck so slick; was it raining before you arrived?

You look down and start violently. Rising up through the seams in the boards are earthworms by the dozens; then the hundreds, slowly and inexorably, and showing no signs of stopping. Each one is singing in a tiny voice, and somehow managing to manifest insecurity about its own talents.

"Jesterels," you gasp.

You look over to Vatch in time to see him float in a cloud of miniature twinkling stars up from his place and all the way to the far side of the ship, where the captain's wheel stands. The precious paper floats along with him.

You have to cross this ship and get to that piece; but the carpet of slick worms is already deep enough to be halfway up your foot, and steadily rising.