Summary

Chapter 25 is titled “First Kill.” Sai is trying to find a chance to talk to Paiyoon about Rian's map, but there are constant interruptions. A lookout alerts them to the presence of a whaling ship. The crew of that ship communicates with the Prosperity through a series of flag movements. Sai watches as a small whale is trapped in a net alongside the whaling ship. Lark is amazed by the kind of whale, but is then horrified that larger whales come near in an attempt to free or at least comfort the baby. The whalers choose a target and fire several harpoons. Sai remembers that Mud had worked briefly in a slaughterhouse, but he quit when he was ordered to take tiny piglets from their mother. Sai now understands his sadness. Sailors on the Prosperity talk about the wealth that a single whale...