
A cramped vessel drifts through space, its crew restless and weary after countless cycles of duty. Voices crackle with colloquial grit as a priest in a blood‑red cloak steps up to address the assembled sailors, urging them to heed the ancient parable of the six Vergios. The captain watches from his stern post, silent but imposing, while the priest announces a forthcoming “Festival of the Casting Off,” promising a brief escape from monotony.
The crew’s chatter swirls with jokes and muttered cynicism, hinting at deeper discontent beneath the surface. As the priest weaves the story of wise and foolish men who either heal or hide their wounds, listeners sense an uneasy anticipation that something beyond a simple celebration may be brewing. This opening sets a tone of humor, ritual, and looming change that beckons the audience to follow the journey deeper into the ship’s hidden currents.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (67K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2016-03-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1925–1980
A sharp, underappreciated voice from mid-century science fiction, this writer earned lasting admiration for stories that were witty, inventive, and a little offbeat. Best known for the novella Bettyann, he built an early reputation in the magazines before largely stepping away from fiction.
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