Aboard The Kingfisher, a dozen strange stories swirl. One is that of the wild-eyed first mate, Zacharias Mudge. With a good heart and a sharp mind, he is an odd find among the vagabonds and villains of The Kingfisher's crew... Years before the events unfolding in A Canopy Of Stars, Mudge is a man with a penchant for getting into and out of prisons. He's seen plenty of cells and broken plenty of chains. Nothing could have prepared him for The Forge, a brutal prison set into the side of a volcano. With a blind cell-mate, blood-thirsty prisoners, and the cruel warden, he'll need to use every ounce of his wit and cunning just to survive. Explore the thrilling story of one of The Kingfisher's boldest and bravest. No prior book knowledge necessary!