The ship moved steadily across the silent sea.
Its massive hull sat deep in the water, lined with rows of glowing portholes. Through them, the warm, busy life of hundreds of passengers flickered on every deck. At the rear, a grand sterncastle rose in ivory-trimmed layers, proud and tall.
The wooden ship was enormous. Easily carrying more than three hundred souls.
It was night. The sky was clear and open.
For many of the village folk on board, it was a sight they had never seen before.
A full moon hung in the sky, pouring soft silver light over the dark water. The sea mirrored the moon and stars back perfectly, as if the heavens had doubled.
The gentle sound of flowing water put everyone at ease.
"It's so beautiful," Katherine said softly, standing at the railing with her friends.
"Yes." Steffeny stood beside her, a quiet smile on her lips. "I'd only ever heard others talk about how beautiful the sea could be... and now, here I am, seeing it for the first time."
