He also taught a geology class during the winters. It was in the winter of the year four on Ragnarok that a nine-year-old boy entered his class; the silent, scar-faced Billy Humbolt.

He was by far the youngest of Craig’s students, and the most attentive. Lake was present one day when Craig asked, curiously:

“It’s not often a boy your age is so interested in mineralogy and geology, Billy. Is there something more than just interest?”

“I have to learn all about minerals,” Billy said with matter-of-fact seriousness, “so that when I’m grown I can find the metals for us to make a ship.”

“And then?” Craig asked.

“And then we’d go to Athena, to kill the Gerns who caused my mother to die, and my grandfather, and Julia, and all the others. And to free my father and the other slaves if they’re still alive.”