Prologue
The docks were busy. Men bustled around, tossing nets into barges and slipping coins into pockets with wary glances.
One man in particular stood at the edge of the docks, looking down into the water. He swayed forward a little, as though contemplating jumping in, then pulled back.
Another man sidled up to the first, his dark, slick hair and glinting eyes contrasting with the other’s full red beard and downcast blue eyes.
“For a minute I thought you weren’t going to show up,” the second man said, his voice rolling out in a drawl. He bumped the taller man with his elbow and tilted his head at the rattle the motion elicited. “Stones, hm? Nice touch.”
The taller man leaned away, the stones in his pockets rattling again. “Give me your
The docks were busy. Men bustled around, tossing nets into barges and slipping coins into pockets with wary glances.
One man in particular stood at the edge of the docks, looking down into the water. He swayed forward a little, as though contemplating jumping in, then pulled back.
Another man sidled up to the first, his dark, slick hair and glinting eyes contrasting with the other’s full red beard and downcast blue eyes.
“For a minute I thought you weren’t going to show up,” the second man said, his voice rolling out in a drawl. He bumped the taller man with his elbow and tilted his head at the rattle the motion elicited. “Stones, hm? Nice touch.”
The taller man leaned away, the stones in his pockets rattling again. “Give me your