The tale started, as many tales have started, in Wall. Immediately to the east of Wall is a high grey rock wall, from which the town takes its name.

But between now and then, there was Life; and Bod walked into it with his eyes and his heart wide open.

Leave no path untaken.

I learned to write by writing. I tended to do anything as long as it felt like an adventure, and to stop when it felt like work, which meant that life did not feel like work.

Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and adventures are the shadow truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes and forgotten.

It's just harder out there in the world of the living, and we cannot protect you out there as easily. I wanted to keep you perfectly safe...But there is only one perfectly safe place for your kind, and you will not reach it until all your adventures are over and none of them matter any longer.