An opening chapter to Thick as Thieves: Revise please!

Only a short while ago, there was an age where everything was much farther apart
But worlds, as all things, do not change in size but instead in manner:
In an age before aeroplanes and locomotives,
Islands were tied by vagabonds on traders' ships.

And though geography may be cruel, the stars are kind,
And in this tale we tell the story of two children who find themselves
Very much lost in this age, who believe themselves to be under very
Cruel stars indeed, and who eventually find themselves very much lost
Together.