In this chapter, the young narrator, Maria, is introduced to the world of pirates. She and her companions are on their way to collect a reward from the East Noatis Corporation, a company of pirates that has been sent to the area by the East Indies. Maria and the other pirates discuss the strange behavior of the ship's captain, who seems to be very interested in ships and the sea. They also discuss their plans to make a skeleton out of one of the dragon's bones, which they plan to bury in a mound and use as a specimen for the construction of a new city. Maria is excited about the prospect of meeting her new friend, and the two discuss the fact that Maria's grand father has recently left his company and is now in charge of the company's branch in Harley, a town just northeast of Harley. They are both excited to meet their new friends, and Maria gives them a parting gift: a picture of the Great Wall of China, which she believes to be the coat of the legendary dragon Quezalcoatl. The two are also excited to see the clouds, which Maria describes as "colossal roll clouds" that are supposed to fade with time. They discuss the possibility that the dragon is not a single creature, but rather a "legendary" species of dragon, which is supposed to live for 400 years. Maria thanks the pirates for their kindness, and they leave to collect the reward.