Chapter 4: Close to the Edge, pp. 153-159 Summary

The Arch-astronomer of Krull arrives at a workshop to inspect work on a bronze fish-shaped vessel. He admires the vessel and asks the craftsman if there is anyone more skilled than he. The craftsman, Goldeneyes Silverhand Dactylos, replies that he lacks certain skills. He recounts his experience making metal warriors, a desert palace, and a light dam. With each job, the client maimed Goldeneyes in order to prevent him from creating a rival project. Goldeneyes has arrived in Krull using a flying machine he constructed in order to escape imprisonment by his previous customer. The Arch-astronomer asks Goldeneyes to remind him what the reward was for building the fish-shaped craft. Goldeneyes replies that he was to be set free without being harmed in any way. The Arch-astronomer reveals that he lied...