i felt it connect and he tumbled out of the saddle , to thump heavily to the ground . `` it 's december ; ships ca n't sail until the springtime . i put things that came out of me into the ocean . '' his words flew into her gut like a knife . not the best hed ever seen , but good enough . hes just waiting for us to get where he wants us . he slowly rose from his chair as if his legs were not used to carrying his weight . 