"A Quest for God and Spices - Book One: The Emissaries" by Dean Cycon chronicles the journey of an older monk and a young merchant, Nicolo, who embark on a perilous quest to locate Presbyter John, a legendary king in the Far East. Their voyage on the galley Minervi is fraught with danger, as various nefarious characters seek to exploit their mission for wealth and power. The narrative vividly describes their preparations and the atmosphere of the pilgrimage, setting the stage for an adventure filled with intrigue and challenges.
The early morning sky was gray and full of menace as one hundred pilgrims boarded the galley Minervi. All but two scurried safely across the wobbly boarding plank, while the crew laughingly fished the others out of the harbor.
They all wore the rough, brown wool robes and loose head coverings of pilgrimage, made shabby by weeks on the road, and each clutched a small sack that contained a few copper coins, a wooden spoon, and for a lucky few, an extra shirt.
Although the large sail made for greater speed, it also made for exaggerated roll, pitch, and yaw—and very queasy stomachs.
Nicolo tried to move back toward the stern but was too engulfed in the sweat and prayers of the pious to make any sternway.
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