“There is cause for concern. This part of the lake is filled with shallow reefs. Precautions must be taken,” Captain Phetmolge said.
“Lady Greywand, Spymaster Edward, and Lord Protectors are still overboard in the water. We have to assume they are still alive,” Ssskah, the tuxedo-colored were-cat, said.
“The patches in the hull are starting to leak. The ship’s movement is adding additional strain. We need to head to shore or at least stop and make repairs,” Rao said.
Tim the Enchanter emerged from below and approached with a broken oar. “This is a ridiculous request for a wizard of my talents. I don’t have an enchantment to repair wood. My recommendation is to cut down some trees and make more.” He then dropped it to the deck and left.
My‑re stood near Sheila Greywand, rubbing her bruised shoulder at the aft section of the ship, as the crew of the Nightie presented their list of concerns. Shadows had encompassed the vessel, making it difficult to see anyone’s face. The moon and nighttime stars were the only light sources. Voices and a person’s general shape were the only clues as to who was who. However, Tim’s ram horn-shaped leather cap and the height of Captain Phetmolge and Sheila Greywand made them stand out. The only other sounds were the Lord Protector crew talking in hushed tones as the waves licked against the hull.
The dark silhouette of Sheila Greywand said, “Right, light the lanterns.”
“There aren’t many lanterns remaining. Most are now at the bottom of the Lake of Mists,” Ssskah explained.
Sheila continued, “Light any ‘remaining’ lanterns and sconces around the ship. Any Lord Protector in the water can use the light as a beacon to the Nightie. While we wait for any stray fishes, make repairs to the hull. In the meantime, salvage as many oars as possible. We will be limping back to the Isle of the Eye.”
As the others left, My‑re stood next to the darkened forms of Captain Phetmolge and Sheila.
“Is that you, My‑re?” Sheila asked.
My‑re cursed to herself that she should have left with the others. “Yes, Lady Greywand.”
“Take the largest lantern you can find and proceed to the crow’s nest. It will aid anyone in the water to find the Nightie.”
“Yes, Lady Greywand.” Thinking to herself, it wasn’t a strenuous chore other than the climb up. As the elite tower guardians from Primus lit the remaining sconces, she saw a lantern radiating a bright glow, which resembled a golden drinking stein with the handle on the side for gripping. The top was cone-shaped with a slight curve with windows on three sides. The fourth had a door with a small latch, allowing the user to add oil and light the wick. Taking it and breathing in and out heavily, My‑re proceeded up the main mast. About halfway up, she took a break and looked down at the frantically working Lord Protectors in the shadows and then out to sea. The mist on the lake had eased slightly, and she could see intermittent glimpses of the water.
Splash!
My‑re looked in the general direction of the noise but couldn’t see anything. She used the lantern’s handle to point the light out to the lake. Probably a fish. She thought about calling out, but recent events stayed her action. She strained her eyes out to the darkness, but everything remained still. Several heartbeats passed, and she slowly began to climb the mast again.
“There’s something out there!” came a cry from below.
My‑re stopped her assent up the mast and pointed her lantern’s light out to sea again. Nothing.
Several more heartbeats of silence passed.
“My‑re, do you see anything?” came Ssskah's voice below. “Is it one of the Lord Protectors we lost overboard?”
My‑re caught a bulge in the mist from the corner of her eyes off the port quarter. Something pushed the fog away from the water’s surface. Moving fast, large, and not human.
My‑re cursed to herself in Rathiri. She then yelled, “Get us out of here! Get the Nightie moving!" She scampered down the mast and jumped the last part to the deck below, holding onto her stein-shaped lantern. "It's coming!"