Cruz stepped around Jelly to get a better view, and cast a critical eye over the Morning Star. It was sadly obvious that this was a star on the wane.
It was at least sixty years old. Its hull had been painted black, with white bulwarks. It had been painted no less than ten years earlier, judging by the number and size of the rust streaks decorating the hull.
But in spite of that the Morning Star still looked sturdy enough to survive long journeys across stormy seas. It was big—Cruz estimated its length at 30 to 40 metres, and its displacement at around a hundred tonnes. It sat quite high in the water, most likely because it wasn't loaded; with its curved bows, it was shaped like gigantic hunting knife laid blade down on the water, all set to cut a slash.
"Would you like to come aboard?" asked Jelly. Without waiting for an answer, he walked up to the ship and climbed the short stepladder attached to its side.
