"Some people may find some of the objects in my collection disturbing. All I ask is that you save your judgement of me, and put your energy into your own truths." Talon wasn't sure what the merchant meant, but his reluctance to show it to him, coupled with the words, was hardly reassuring. "I have my needs and desires. You have yours." They entered the forward bridge. Talon expected that they would go back up, but instead Curio led him to a second wide staircase that matched the one Gerland had vanished down. The oar deck with its rows of benches and stowed oars was visible through a small round window in the stairwell, but the steps themselves continued to descend beneath it. "I made the mistake of keeping the books upstairs on my first ship," Curio said. "The hold was too damp for the paper. Spyne set the entire bridge on fire. I was fortunate that we were able to put it out before it spread to the hull." "Why did he kill your wife?" Talon asked. Curio looked at him coldly. "She was a beautiful woman.
