Singe finds the ball near the starboard side of the ship. It appears to have rolled in that direction since the ship is listing. "I found it!" Looking it over, Singe frowns, "It's an odd device, magical in nature. It might work with a command word; Grasalfan might be able to tell us more."

After a little bit of searching, Koll locates the ship's galley. There are a few sealed barrels of pickled meats and water. There's also a marked and sealed keg of some foreign drink. A small hatch in the kitchen opens up to the cargo hold area and Koll discovers that it leads directly to the crates and barrels that were still intact. It's likely more food. The hold is filling with water and it's only a matter of hours before everything is submerged. They must work quickly. 

Koll re-emerges on deck carrying a crate and a barrel. He calls out to everyone. "I've found the food stores but we don't have much time! This ship'll be sunk before we know it if we keep dawdling. There's also a strange device that Inspector Singe will want to see."

Singe walks around the device, "Oh, this is a bilge pump. Turn the wheel and small buckets pull water out of the ship."

Zamar see Koll pocket the gem and makes a mental note to talk to him privately about it later. He examines the contents of the bag. It is full of many tiny gems of all sorts. Though none of them has significant value on their own, they look to be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 gold. A nice haul combined with the other loot. He will let the rest of the party in on the scorelater when they are all together. 

He heads back out on deck to see what everyone else is doing and spots Koll, carrying some crates from the hold. Now seems as good a time as any. He casually walks up to Koll and, making sure nobody else is around, says, "Koll, I am sorry to bother you, but I noticed what you did with that gem earlier and wanted to know if everything was all right."

Kol looks ashamed. "It was an impulse. I'm sorry. I used to be tempted by the promise of riches, had dreams of making a big score. I saw the gems and just wanted to take it. That avarice is still with me, I suppose. Perhaps all the excitement got the better of me. I thought I had conquered my greed. I mean, what am I going to do with it, really? I'll give it back to the party. Please don't tell the others."

Zamar holds up his hand in a soothing gesture, "Your secret is safe with me, always. We all have our burdens. Why don’t you keep it as a reminder of how far you have come and how far you have yet to go. Something convinced you to take it. There may yet be a reason. Be at ease. I just wanted to understand."

Koll still looks apprehensive, but also a bit relieved. "That is...very kind and wise. Thank you"

Zamar smiles, "It’s my pleasure. We are friends and you have my trust." And with that, he accompanies Koll back to the hold to see how he can help. 

When Woe hears Koll shouting that he has found food in the kitchen, she gives up on her idea with the shark. She'll place the gaff in the row boat for now and then turn to the kitchen to help the others save as much of the food as possible. 

When she comes back out carrying a few smaller items, she sees Koll and Zamar talking. At the end of their talk, Woe walks up to them: "We need to signal the ship to come over. We need everyone to help us salvage the food before the ship sinks. Should we ask Singe or Lera for some fireworks? I don't think my magic is strong enough to get the ship to come over here... I do have torches however, that we could use!"

"If we work the pump," suggests Koll, "maybe it will clear out the hold and reveal something else of value. In any case, it will at least give us more time to get the food stores up on deck."

So, while the others set about hauling the goods out of the hold, Koll starts the tedious process of turning the bilge pump wheel.

After a quick skirmish with the Sahuagin, the Scarlet Dawn search the ship, gather the valuables, and begin pulling up the food from the cargo hold of the derelict ship. Singe and Lera fire off fire bolts to alert the Flaming Sail that the ship is clear while Koll begins the long process of pumping water from the ballast. As he does, the water level slowly begins to lower in the cargo hold. 

The Flaming Sail pulls up along the port-side of the ship, tossing ropes with grapples to tie the two ships together. Flame Wyre calls out from the deck, "Salvage what you can, tear the deck apart, we need to make repairs!" As she says this, crewmen and Flaming Fist get to work on the ship. They start pulling planks from the ship and, under the direction of Grasalfan, begin repairs on the Flaming Sail. 

Koll is relieved from his duty at the bilge pump, a Fist telling him that the Flame wants to see them all on deck.

Fist Talle makes it a point to visit Perrin on the deck. His hand is bandaged and he looks tired, but he still wears the same smile. "Glad to see you made it in one piece," he says. "These creatures aren't that easy to kill, I suspect." He looks down at the corpse of one of the Sahuagin. "Never seen one myself." 

The Flame addresses the group as she hops aboard the ship. "Adventurers, huh?" She asks. "You're quite handy... these creatures have been known to destroy whole crews, and you dispatched them with nary a sweat. Any survivors?" She asks. She can tell from the looks you give her that there were none. "That's a shame..."  She sweeps her gaze across the deck of the ship before continuing, "This is the Exotic Marvel. An exotic goods trading vessel out of Chult. Her Captain was Captain Huggerd. If you haven't already, you'll want to search his quarters for his stash. That, and anything you find aboard that you wish to keep, will be your payment for your help." She gives you all a slight nod, "Is that acceptable?" 

Seeing Frank’s injury Perrin will grab his hand and put his last point of Lay on Hands into him. “There you go that should help. Yeah. They were tough and I pray you never run into them.” Being summoned by the captain Perrin will leave Frank to hear what she has to say. Finding the moment to speaks he says “That sounds fair now once all the food is in one place I did save a spell to check that it’s all still in good conditions. That it’s hasnt been contaminated or poisoned. If it is I can purify it starting tomorrow; I’m just out of energy for the day. I do have a question. Are we still in house arrest after this?” 

"I think these last couple days have proven you're all seaworthy enough to have free reign of the deck," the Flame replies to Perrin. "We've lost a lot of crew in that storm, so I think I'll be offering up some spots on my ship to some of these mercenaries. It'll be a better life than they'll find in the Fort, and less dangerous... believe it or not." She watches as the crew and Flaming Fist continue dismantling the ship. "We will need help in the kitchens once they're repaired. Chief was lost in the storm, I'm afraid." 

Woe takes the gaff from the row boat and then speaks to Singe and Perrin before being summoned by the Captain. "Perrin, Singe, I would very much like to keep the tej to ourselves, I think we all need a drink to celebrate our survival. I would also like to keep the neckless from glass pearls if you don't mind, it doesn't seem to have a lot of worth." [OCC, when I look closely, how much do I think the neckless is worth?]

Then Woe steps up to the Captain and speaks after Perrin: "Thank you, Flame Wyre. Yes, I think this is payment enough. We didn't do it for the treasures in the first place, but for everybody's survival. If you don't mind, I will need a rest, my body didn't cope well with the storm. But I will come back towards the evening to offer up my services on deck. You're a great captain. I am sorry for the loss of so many of your crew. Will there be a ceremony?"

Zamar echoes his compatriots. "We appreciate the chance to prove and redeem ourselves in your eyes. We will assist wherever we can. I am somewhat tapped out on magic at the moment, so I will need a rest before I can do much in that regard, but I am still able bodied and, with some guidance, can pitch in where needed."

Singe steps forward, "Unfortunately, not all of us will be receiving an equal share of the goods. My brother, Fist Alton Stoutbridge, due to not being a member of the Circle of the Scarlet Dawn, will get a lesser portion of the treasure. As proper payment for his deeds, I implore you to take him on as a sailor for the Flaming Sail. He is need of some discipline which I hope both you and the sea may provide."

The Flame answers Woe, "Yes. We will see them off in the morning muster. Feel free to rest. We'll scuttle the ship tonight after we've taken everything we need. We'll then do a day of repairs before we set off again." She looks up, "I'll be able to judge how much time we've lost... or gained, during the storm. Afterwards I'll let everyone know how long it'll be until we reach Chult."

She nods to Zamar in response. 

At Singe's request, she says, "I will offer him a position with your recommendation. I will not take him if he's not willing, however. Only those willing to serve on the ship will be welcome." She glaces over the Flaming Fist that are aboard and says, "I know most of them are here for crimes, but if they're willing to prove themselves they will have the chance at redemption. The sailors of the Flaming Fist are some of the most elite of the mercenaries. We are the protectors of the Sword Coast, we have to be." 

"A thankless job, no doubt." Shanolia addresses the Flame with an understanding tone. "Your crew becomes your family - working, carousing, fighting - yet, within a blink, they're gone and all that remains is the coin from the job." There's a sorrowful look in her eyes as she says this.

"I have great respect for what you and your men do. If I was in your position I would not likely last a day." She kneels respectfully before the Flame. "You have my thanks."

Woe waits for the group to be dismissed by the Flame, then tries to find a hiding spot on the ship, where she can watch a faraway sundown through the rain clouds. She holds the sending stone in her hand. She almost falls asleep, when she is rudely returned to the present.

"Listen carefully," the stone in her hands says. "Captain Segred of The Memory will deliver Viscardi's sister to Baldur's Gate. Make it happen." The voice is that of Lord Eltan.

She had expected something along those lines. 

Woe replies with all the additional information she deems worthy to send: "I'll do my best, Lord Eltan. There was a storm. The Exotic Marvel with Captain Huggerd destroyed. No survivors. Diplomat Edward Thantarth, Berdusk, is dead."

She sits just a few more minutes on deck, then returns to their room. She takes the bucket out of the room and cleans up the mess while she knows the others are still working on the capsized boat. She also checks on Koll's package, just to be sure. 

Then she lies down in her hammock and falls immediately into a deep, dreamless sleep. She wakes before dawn the next morning (maybe 4am?) and walks up to report back to the Flame. 

Perrin, who is still feeling okay, volunteers to help the crewmates move the food boxes to our ship. Once all the food is moved and in one place Perrin casts Detect Poison and Disease to make sure the food is good and mark any boxes/barrels that he detects Poison or Disease from. Afterwards, he'll lay down for the night and does not awaken until muster. 

Flame Wyre seems somewhat taken aback by Shanolia's compliment, but responds to the elf in a whisper as she kneels down to speak with her, "The only ones that kneel before me are those that are begging for their lives. Stand tall and and meet me as equal."  She grasps the elf's shoulder and smiles. 

She then turns to the rest of the group before they depart to do their own thing. "Rest up, the journey is not yet over, and I may have need of you yet." 

Perrin's help is appreciated as the last of the food is transferred over to the Flaming Sail. Once all supplies have been transferred and the Exotic Marvel has been well-scavenged, the Flame orders it to be scuttled. The lines are brought back to the Flaming Sail and it slowly makes its way away from the merchant ship as it sinks. In the quiet night the clouds slowly recede and reveal Selune and her tears. The Flame spends a few moments studying the stars before retiring to her cabin for the night.

Moments before sunrise, Fist Talle walks through the halls ringing his bell for the morning muster. This is the first muster since the storm, so a count of all survivors is paramount. As everyone reaches the deck, a full assessment of the damage is made. The deck's long hole will need to be patched up, the kitchens are in need of dire repair, and two of the three masts are beyond repair. It will make for slow sailing, but that realization is brought on with good news as the Flame addresses everyone gathered.

"We've had a rough couple of nights," she says as she walks the lines of crew, Flaming Fist, and guests. "But we have survived this storm where others have fallen," she says this as she looks past the horizon. A rowboat, tethered two-hundred feet from the Flaming Sail, bounces in the waves. "We will need to steel ourselves for the future," she continues. "I offer nine spots aboard this ship to any Flaming Fist wishing to take them. Though our fallen cannot be replaced, their memories and experience can be taught to others. It is a small family, but it is a family that lives together and dies together on the Sword Coast." She stops in front of Alton. "Some of you come with recommendations," she adds, singling him out. Alton stammers as if to say something, but she continues her walk. "While we will need all of you to assist in repairs today, I will give you the day to think about your futures. You can spend the rest of your term in Chult, or sailing the seas with me. We will be in Chult in two days time." 

"Now we honor our fallen," she calls out, turning once again to the rowboat. "Matteo Fischer, Niccolino Badoer, Gerolf Buchardt, Manius 'Chief' Vibius, Tullia Calcagnini, Portia Senecio, Lero Talamari, Luca Haas, and Felix Wagner. They all have given their lives so that this ship will carry on, taken by Umberlee as she raged through the Sword Coast. They are the reason we still live." She salutes and an arrow flies, setting the boat ablaze. 

Fist Talle begins singing. After the first verse, the other crewmen soon begin to take up the shanty. Some of the Flaming Fist that know the ballad begin singing as well, even Alton tries to follow along...

Eventually the shanty comes to an end and a large barrel of rum is rolled on deck. The Flame walks over to it and stabs the top with her dagger. "Drink to our lost, our friends," she looks at Lady Evelyn, "our loved ones. May they always be remembered as they travel to the Outland's Green." 

Perrin spends the next couple days aboard the ship helping out in the kitchen. Trying to fill the void that Chief left but keeping an eye out for any potential crew members with a knack for cooking that can permanently replace him. When he’s not in the kitchen Perrin spends time with Frank. Savoring the last couple moments before they reach Chult and promising to meet back up in the future. 

"The only ones that kneel before me are those that are begging for their lives. Stand tall and and meet me as equal." Shanolia feels a light squeeze on her shoulder, and lifts her head in time to see the Flame smile. With a nod, she stands and returns to the Scarlet Dawn's room, meditating in the corner to ease the pain in her back.

***

Following the farewell to the ship's deceased, Shanolia gets a mug of the rum and walks to an isolated corner of the deck, lowering her mask and sipping on the drink while praying quietly, holding her small pendant in her hand. Once she's downed one (or six) mugs of the alcohol, Shanolia stands and goes about the next two days; practicing her sword skills in solitude and returning to her Forgery lessons with Woe, performing mental exercises to keep her mind sharp and slipping away at night to 'talk' to her mother in peace.

Soon after muster, Singe finds Grasalfan. "Grasalfan? We found this on the ship, I was hoping you could tell me more about it." Singe produces the iron ball and hands it to the gnome.