The City of the Golden Sun

In The City of the Golden Sun, there is beauty ...

(From Chapter 9)
The boys walked down to the beach. Neil ran ahead, delighted with the world around him. He ran barefoot along the sandy path that led from Wiley s backyard to the beach. He slapped the soles of his feet on long, flattened, green stalks of grass. He kicked sand into the air and let it slide between his toes. He chased after butterflies. He spent time picking small, red wildflowers that grew along the way. He pushed a bunch of the brightly colored flowers against his nose and breathed in the perfume. He smiled and laughed at the fragrance.
Wiley thought how easily this child had become lost in time. No worries. No cares. It was as though Neil felt he would be reunited with his parents and his home simply by going to the beach.

(From Chapter 9)
Keegan clutched the golden stem of the goblet. He felt power melt from the cup into his hand. He felt reunited with his family, his city, his time period. He looked away from Wiley and out to sea.
As he walked to the water s edge, he had the feeling of d j vu. All looked so familiar. The blue-green water, the pure white froth that rolled itself into curls and tumbled toward the beach. The gigantic black rocks that stood like small islands in the liquid emerald sea. The brilliance of the sun as it broke upon the water and shimmered in all directions.
Keegan looked at the far horizon. Clouds in many shapes floated across the clear blue sky. He remembered spending long hours as a young child looking up into the clouds, finding shapes of things he knew. As he thought about this, he absentmindedly noticed a whale floating by, then a horse, then a chariot.

In The City of the Golden Sun, there is war ...
(From Chapter 21)
Keegan saw it first. He pointed toward the harbor for the neighboring village. In an unmistakably agitated voice, he asked, What s that
Calder was the first to answer, A ship! Whose sails are those
The boys studied the ship. It was huge. Made from dark wood with ornate carvings along the railings, and a huge carved wooden dragon on the front. The dragon had been painted green with red, orange and yellow fire billowing from its mouth. On either side of the ship, toward the front, a blue eye had been painted, ever watchful, the warriors hope for protection. A massive sail curved outward as the wind gave it life and blew the ship swiftly toward shore. The white sail swelled, revealing a large black X with a red star in its center.
That ship is from the island we trade with!
Kingston interrupted him, But it s a war ship!
Arthur noticed the teams of men rowing the vessel. Why are they coming here
Wiley looked behind him at the feasting and celebrating city. The noise of celebration drowned out all noise from the approaching boat. Should we tell the men in the mines
Kingston was the first to answer, No! They ll start yelling at us and call attention to themselves from the men sailing in on that ship.
Calder spoke next, If the men coming in on that ship have bad intentions, the men in the mine will know about it soon.
Suddenly, Wiley ran from behind a tree and hid behind another one closer to the edge of the thicket. He pointed. Look! Look over there! What is that
Calder answered him, It s a light! It s blindingly bright! But where is it coming from What is it
The boys searched the landscape for a clue. Nevin saw it first. Look over there! Look! Look! What is that