Sword of Destiny (The Witcher #2)

by Andrzej Sapkowski

Geralt. Where has the water gone? What is it with those bloody tides? Where do they come from? Haven’t you ever thought about it?” “No. I’ve had other concerns.” “I think,” Dandelion said, trembling slightly, “that down there in the depths, at the very bottom of this bloody ocean, crouches a huge monster, a fat, scaly beast, a toad with horns on its vile head. And from time to time it draws water into its belly, and with the water everything that lives and can be eaten: fish, seals, turtles—everything. And then, having devoured its prey, it pukes up the water and we have the tide. What do you think about that?” “I think you’re a fool. Yennefer once told me that the moon causes the tides.” Dandelion cackled. “What bloody rubbish! What does the moon have to do with the sea? Only dogs howl at the moon. She was having you on, Geralt, that little liar of yours, she put one over on you.