It seems clear that, like archetypes in works of fiction, certain cities spring up wherever the conditions allow – though from what spores, I cannot say. The origins of the name remain unknown, lost amid dozens of theories. Like children’s names, falling in and out of common use, the names of great cities can recur after long periods of dormancy and be passed from ruin to building site in quick succession, creating dynasties in stone to rival any royal house. A History of Crath City, by Kerra Brews
