This introduction, as it happens, was a last minute addition made at the request of my good friend and colleague, Luther. Over coffee on board the Rosemary, he said, "Your book is as obtuse as you, Galway. I'm honestly impressed." After our host, Atticus, finished laughing at this observation, Luther continued, with a smile: "For the sake of the fine folk who will read this book, please tell them that you are the narrator. Include a cast list, too. Think of how confusing all of these names will be for the laity."
To that end, I am obliged to explain myself. Or, I will, at least, attempt to.
I am, indeed, the book's narrator. I am incapable of telling a story from any other perspective than my own. For certain stories, I tried very hard to tell them like an outsider. Luther's wife tells me that I failed miserably, and she is rarely ever wrong.
The characters at play are as follows:
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Fleet Admiral | Archbishop Esmeralda Edwards
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Admiral | Atticus Anwyl
Vice Admiral | Nazareth O’Niall
Rear Admiral | Declan Desmond
Commodore (Rear Admiral – Lower Half) | Galway Gill’losa
Captains | Luther Loganach, Loraine Loganach
Commanders | Ulysses Urie, Sinead Solahan, Morgan Muldoon
Lieutenant Commander | Calpurnia Cross
Lieutenants | Montgomery Muldoon, Elijah Enright
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Another question came up a few times while I was writing this book: "What is the point of the book?" I imagine the shopkeeps were trying to nudge me in the direction of writing an overarching narrative. Without it, the anecdotes have no connective tissue, aside from myself as the narrator, which is not clear.
Alas, there is no point to the book. There is no great big ending. There is no plot. There isn't even a sword in the stone to pull. It really is a terrible book that I've written.
Even so, those who I listed above told me that I was a liar. Every last one of them! Atticus threw down the book and said this last bit after I lamented my inability to tell a story.
"Commodore Gall'way, you have, in no uncertain terms, defined the meaning of mercy with this book. That is, obviously, the point."
Leave it to Atticus to see through my ruse. Now, then, let us commence.