But Gemma, you could change the world."" That should take far more than my power," I say." True. But change needn't happen all at once. It can be small gestures."" Moments. Do you understand?" He's looking at me differently now, though I cannot say how. I only know I need to look away... We pass by the pools, where the mud larks sift. And for only a few seconds, I let the magic loose again." Oi! By all the saints!" a boy cries from the river." Gone off the dock?" an old woman calls. The mud larks break into cackles."' S not a rock!" he shouts. He races out of the fog, cradling something in his palm. Curiosity gets the better of the others. They crowd about trying to see. In his palm is a smattering of rubies. "We're rich mates! It's a hot bath and a full belly for every one of us!" Kartik eyes me suspiciously. "That was a strange stroke of good fortune."" Yes it was."" I don't suppose that was your doing."" I'm not sure if I don't know what you mean," I say. And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. Furthermore, one moment at a time.

The Sweet Far Thing