“No sign of the Hieronymus. Another ship and its crew fail to return. How many more before the Ministry stops sending men to their deaths?” muttered the alchemists.
Bartholomew Galsten was the head observer at the Far Point station. Far Point sat on the edge of the circumscribing sea. Beyond it lay the mist and almost certain death.
“My measurements are correct. I am certain of that. Those fools keep trying to push the limits with their voyages of discovery. Voyages of doom is more like it,” remarked Bartholomew, entering the latest observations.
Bartholomew’s grandfather had built the station to save sailors from dying.
“Father was right about one thing. Even if we gave them the exact spot, they would keep trying to go further,” said the alchemist.
Back at the capital, many learned men proposed endless schemes. They aimed to find a way around the edge, making shipping more profitable.
One filled an animal skin envelope with expanding gas attached to a row boat. The plan was to soar over the edge and reappear on the far side of the world.
“Dexter’s floating folly was no better than the rest,” Bartholomew remarked. He did have the pleasure of observing Dexter drop like a stone once he passed the outer boundary.
It had been over a century since the Far Point project started. In all that time, no one had returned once they had passed the edge.
“My time is almost up. David will arrive on the next supply vessel and finally rid me of this madness,” grumbled the man.
Bartholomew felt terrible for his younger brother, but this was a family tradition. Each had his duty, and David was next.
The alchemist slid his notebook into his pocket and folded the spyglass. “It’s Time for tea,” said the watcher.
Bartholomew rested and wondered why men were eager to spill others’ blood. Yet, they resisted any idea of finding peace and enjoying the moment.
“We were meant to suffer. It gives us a badge to wear and be proud of. Men of folly will always find favor with the King.” Bartholomew remarked. He shut his eyes for a moment before making another observation.
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