“There is cause for concern. This part of the lake is filled with shallow reefs. Precautions must be taken,” Phetmolge, the 7 foot tall captain of the Nightie said.
“Lady Greywand, there are still three Lord Protectors overboard in the water. We have to assume they are still alive,” Ssskah the tuxedo colored were-cat indicated.
“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 of the Skull Squadron stable informed them.
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 incantation 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 and it was difficult to see anyone’s face. The moon and nighttime stars were the only light source. 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 did make them stand out. The only other sounds were the Lord Protector crew talking in hushed tones as the waves of water 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 said interrupting Sheila.
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 continued to stand next to the darken forms of Captain Phetmologe 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, other than the climb up, at least it wasn’t a strenuous chore. 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.
Breathing in and out heavily, My-re proceeded up the main mast. About half way up she took a break and looked down to the scampering Lord Protectors in the shadows and then out to sea. The mist on the lake has eased and she could see 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. It was probably a fish. She thought about calling out, but recent event stayed her action. She strained her eyes out to the darkness, but everything was still. Several heartbeats past 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 again pointed her lantern’s light out to sea. Nothing.
Several more heartbeats of silence pasted.
“My-re! Do you see anything?!” came the voice of Ssskah below. “Is it one of the Lord Protectors we lost overboard?”
My-re caught a bulge out of the corner of her eyes off the port quarter. Something was pushing the mist away from the water’s surface. It was moving fast. It was not human.
My-re cursed to herself in the Rirorni native language of Rathiri, which roughly translated to ‘blessed fertilizer’. She then yelled, “Get us out of here!”