So, who's the kid?" "My name is … " ××××× hesitated for a moment, turning slightly to look back along the road they were traveling. Beyond the red horizon, her homeland's gates sank into the distance, never to be seen again. Facing forward once more, ××××× looked past Kino's side to focus intently on the path ahead before answering. "My name is—" Kino travels with the trusty talking motorrad, Hermes. The duo are always together, with Hermes providing speed, and Kino providing balance. They stay in each country for no more than three days, as a rule—enough time to learn about each destination's unique customs and people. And so Kino and Hermes journey ever onward …"
In the end, Kino broke down. No, maybe “broke down” isn’t the right way to put it. “Gave in” is more like it.“Fine, then! If you insist on refusing to see your child as her own person—that she’s such an impediment you really don’t need—then I’ll bring her on my journey with me! That’s all right with you, I’m sure!” Haughty officials. Evil kids. A miserable land. Kino and Hermes head to a country that is known as “the worst of the worst,” but the country’s people, who were rumored to be cruel and uncaring, turn out to be the kindest people that Kino and Hermes have met on their journey. Despite the country’s kindness and warm hospitality, something “warmer” might be brewing deep beneath the surface…