a host of vying colours rebounded upwards from the cliffs that locked the beach , washing jerian from his vaporous mount and laying him flat , prey to beasts of every order , the night , the world , all creation passing over his supine form , the tail of it , the present time , disappearing to be at the van of a new day in the east as the silver quietness settled in behind , its source and guardian the bloated , smiling moon .