Astreya's Sorrow

Astreya is fifty. Disheartened that his past decisions endangered his family and friends, he has spent six years at The Tower, searching ancient books to find out how to avoid another Great Calamity. At Lindey's call, he returns to Matris to discover that the enterprise he began is under stress. Ashore, the lifestyle of sailors threatens the ethos of Matris and the surrounding community. Afloat, the captains are at odds, the young officers are over-ambitious, the fleet lacks cohesion. His son Trogen has gone rogue, bringing home an unscrupulous businessman who is plotting deviously. His daughter Mairi's exemplary captaincy is marred by accident and mischance.Lindey hopes that if the captains and crew of all five ships compete, feast, and party, they will collaborate again. Then a death provokes more discord and suspicion.Can Astreya overcome his doubts and restore order? Or will distrust wreck both Matris and the fleet?Astreya's Sorrow is the seventh book in the Astreya saga.