"Because of what it’ll do for the city," he said. "That’s why the Lovers are doing it." He kicked the rail contemptuously and jerked a thumb at the steamboats and tugs way to starboard, massed at the end of their chains, hauling southward. "Look at how this bloody thing moves. A mile an hour? Two with a strong wind? It’s absurd. And this kind of effort is so fuel-intensive it’s damn rare for them. Most of the time this place just bobs around, circling the ocean. But think how all that can change if they can snare this thing. They’ll be able to travel wherever they want. Think about the power. They’ll rule the fucking seas.

"It was tried once before." He looked away, rubbing his chin. "They think. There’s evidence under the city. Chains. Hidden by hexes centuries old. The Lovers… they’re not like any rulers this place has ever had. Especially her. And something changed when Uther Doul came to be their guard, more than a decade back. Since then they’ve pursued this. They got messages to Tinnabol and his crew, the best hunters there are. Not just quick with a harpoon; they’re scientists: marine biologists, coordinators. They’ve been in charge of the avanc hunt for years. There’s nothing they don’t know about trapping. If anyone had tried to do this before, they’d have heard stories about it.

"Of course on their own they could never catch an avanc. But they have more information on them now than anyone in the world. Can you imagine what it would mean to a hunter, to succeed in this? So that’s why the Lovers are doing it, and that’s why Tintinnabulum’s crew are doing it." He caught Bellis’ eye, and a smile broke on him.

"And me?" he said. "I’m doing it, Bellis, because it’s an avanc!"

His enthusiasm was as sudden, irritating, and infectious as a child’s. His passion for his work was quite sincere.

"I have to be honest," she said carefully. "I would not have believed that I’d say or think this, but… but I understand." She looked at him levelly. "To tell the truth, it’s part of what mellowed me about this place. When I first found out what was happening, what the plan was with the avanc, I was so overwhelmed that it just frightened me." She shook her head and groped for words. "But that changed. It’s the most… It’s the most extraordinary project, Johannes. And I realized that I want it to succeed."

Bellis was aware that she was doing this well.