Again, dialogue and lettering changes.
The illustration on the right was a letterpress print design for the crowdfunding campaign of the original English publication.
↓ Transcript
The scholar readjusts his turban, “I hide in my quarters.”
“So how do ya eat?”
“I get my meals directly from the cook. Or rather," the scholar scowls. "I eat your leftovers…”
“Oh. Sorry.”
A moment of silence falls between them.
The round man is the first to break it. “Y’know, ever since ya got on board, the rats have gone. We always had barrelfuls of ‘em. Now? Nada.”
The tall man grins and pats the scholar’s back. “Whaddya know? You’re sailing in (high) luxury! You must be our lucky charm!”
The two shipmates take their leave. “Good night, señor.”
The Turkish scholar is all alone now.
Quietly, carefully, he pulls his cape aside and takes out a little, black rat in his right hand. He brings it close to his face.
“Bismillah.” Then he adds, full of remorse. “I’m sorry, little one.”
In one swift motion, his fangs sink into the rat’s throat and drinks its life dry.
End prologue.
[The ending illustration is a rectangular floral arabesque featuring the nightingale, bat, tulips and roses. All in gold lines, on top of a red background.]
“So how do ya eat?”
“I get my meals directly from the cook. Or rather," the scholar scowls. "I eat your leftovers…”
“Oh. Sorry.”
A moment of silence falls between them.
The round man is the first to break it. “Y’know, ever since ya got on board, the rats have gone. We always had barrelfuls of ‘em. Now? Nada.”
The tall man grins and pats the scholar’s back. “Whaddya know? You’re sailing in (high) luxury! You must be our lucky charm!”
The two shipmates take their leave. “Good night, señor.”
The Turkish scholar is all alone now.
Quietly, carefully, he pulls his cape aside and takes out a little, black rat in his right hand. He brings it close to his face.
“Bismillah.” Then he adds, full of remorse. “I’m sorry, little one.”
In one swift motion, his fangs sink into the rat’s throat and drinks its life dry.
End prologue.
[The ending illustration is a rectangular floral arabesque featuring the nightingale, bat, tulips and roses. All in gold lines, on top of a red background.]
