Jan 8
The cliffs had fallen away behind them; the Continent was a faint smudge on the horizon. One of the large ships of the blockade—a first-rate, or a second-rate? He should have to ask Laurence—was beating up the Channel on control, working against the wind that was diving beneath them. Only mizzen and mainsails spread, but she was still impressive, and to Temeraire’s surprised delight she fired a salute as their shadows came streaming over the waves and ran up her sails. “Laurence, what is that ship?” he asked. Laurence trained his glass upon her and after a moment said, “My dear, that is the Temeraire, herself.”
League of Dragons, chapter 14
