The Astrolabe
by Andrew Knighton
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ADMIRAL CONCESA HELD up the astrolabe in the sunlight, puffing out her chest feathers in pride. Who else on all the seas had something so perfect? A device of incredible beauty, it's gold surface marked with tiny gems. A powerful tool as well, letting her better guide her fleet. And a sign of esteem, sent by a worthy opponent. It was like holding the sun itself between her claws, bright and proud.
Of course, Admiral Hu would surrender this fabulous creation to her. It was the perfect finale to months of elevated correspondence between opponents at the peak of their ability. A pile of his letters sat in one corner of her rope-woven nest, high amid the mainmast rigging. Theirs had been an amicable war, and now victory was in her grasp, Hu's fleet
