The Edge of the World by Kevin J. Anderson Page B

done. Further expenditures
     will be minimal.” He shook his head and extended a large-knuckled finger, as if scolding imaginary listeners. “Besides, their
     investment paid for barely half of the expedition. Without the help of my people, you would never have begun the project in
     the first place.”
    Private Saedran treasuries had secretly funded a large share of the
Luminara.
Though quiet and unobtrusive, the Saedrans had amassed huge fortunes, and Korastine was amazed at how easily Sen Leo delivered
     chests of gold for the project.
    Now he leaned forward and met the old scholar’s eyes. “Why are your people so interested in a voyage of exploration? You cannot
     hope to recoup your investment. You aren’t a merchant.”
    “Ah, but we will profit in knowledge. Who can place a price on the new things we might learn?”
    Korastine frowned. “Now you sound like Prester-Marshall Baine.”
    The scholar gave him a mysterious smile. “Where do you think Prester-Marshall Baine got the idea in the first place?”

16
Calay Harbor
    The next morning, freshly shaved and wearing the best clothes he had brought from Windcatch, Criston made his way to Shipbuilders’
     Bay and the construction dock that held the
Luminara.
The spicy fragrance of fresh Iborian pine clashed with the bitter lacquer and caulking tar. Once aboard, he made his way
     to the stern and knocked at the door of the captain’s cabin. He heard a man’s voice call for him to enter.
    Captain Shay sat at a small writing desk crowded with books and charts, a measuring stick, an ink pot, and several quills.
     The cabin walls held numerous sketches, detailed anatomical drawings of dissected fish, plump aquatic worms, unusual undersea
     plants. One intricately drawn picture showed a seagull’s wing with its feathers splayed, each type labeled. A collection of
     unusual sea-shells lined one of the narrow shelves, tacked down with wax.
    He stacked his papers and turned to look at Criston, smiling in surprise. “Ah, Mr. Vora! You’ve come back.” Ink stains covered
     his fingers.
    “I would like to sail aboard the
Luminara,
sir.” He stood ramrod straight. “I’m glad you remember me from the
Fishhook.
”
    “And I’m glad to see that our little adventure didn’t turn you into a landsman. We won’t be seeing many Urecari pirates where
     we’re going this time.”
    “That would be fine with me, sir. We’ll see other interesting places.”
    The captain motioned for him to take a small wooden stool. “This isn’t a week-long voyage, like the other one. Tell me why
     I should let you join my crew.”
    “Because I’m a good sailor and a hard worker. I understand currents, I know how to weather storms, and I can catch the faintest
     breath of breeze in a dead calm.”
    “Impressive.” A smile quirked Shay’s lips. “Maybe you should be the
Luminara
’s captain instead of me.”
    Criston wondered if he had bragged too much. “My father was a fisherman, sir. He died in a storm.”
    “Many fisherman die in storms, and we’re bound to encounter plenty of storms ourselves, as well as things we can’t even begin
     to imagine.”
    Criston nodded. “I’m ready for the storms, sir, and anxious to see what else the seas have to offer.”
    Shay rocked back in his chair. “Aren’t you terrified of the unknown? Most people are.”
    “The unknown doesn’t have to be frightening. There’ll be wonders, too.”
    The captain chuckled. “I’d say that qualifies you to join the
Luminara
’s crew. And, as I recall, you were the first to spot Fillok’s plot as we approached Ouroussa, so I could certainly use you.
     But what does your family think? You’ll be gone a whole year—
if
the voyage goes as planned. Your father’s dead, you say. What about your mother? I can’t remember from before—are you married?
     Any children?”
    “I have a wife, and I have a mother. They both support my decision.” Leaning forward on the stool, Criston put his