"Because things that go quiet out here usually went quiet for a reason, and the reasons are rarely good ones." Ashcombe's gaze held his a moment longer than strictly comfortable. "Whatever you're looking for, kid, I hope it's worth wherever this search eventually takes you. I've seen plenty of people chase something out into the Fringe with that exact look in their eyes. Not all of them came back to tell anyone what they found."
***
The Ember Drift departed Threshold Anchorage six hours later, and Rohan spent the first leg of the journey the way he suspected any sensible newcomer to a working ship's crew ought to — watching, listening, and making himself useful in whatever small ways presented themselves without waiting to be asked twice.
