Ship of Destiny (Liveship Traders, #3)

by Robin Hobb

‘Why are there dragons in you?’ she demanded. He felt that she changed the subject, deliberately. He answered her anyway. ‘Because I was meant to be dragons. What you call wizardwood is actually a protective casing that sea-serpents weave about themselves before they begin their change into dragons. The Rain Wild Traders came upon encased dragons in the ruins of an ancient city. They killed them, but used the casings, rich with dragon memories, to build ships. Liveships they call us, but we are truly dead. Yet while memory lives, we are doomed to a half-life, trapped in an awkward body that cannot be moved without the aid of humans. I am more unfortunate than most, for two cocoons were used in my construction. From the time I was created, the dragons within me have warred for dominance over each other.’ He shook his great head. ‘I woke too soon, you see. I had not absorbed enough human memories to be strongly centred in them. From the time I first opened my eyes, I have been torn.’