"Then do you think you could distract him?" I turn to Zero raising one dark eyebrow, "Could you help him with that?"

Norstaer, looking at Kythaela says, “Kythaela, your connection to nature and your druidic senses could be key in sensing any unnatural presences or disturbances aboard the ship.  your ability to detect subtle changes in the environment can guide us effectively. Also your connection to animals can help with the situation here, maybe you can discern anything about the rats’ condition that isn’t immediately obvious, what do you think?”.  

"Yeah, you can trust that I don't go back on my word. If the druid could convince the rats to collaborate they would be perfect as a distraction, no matter how much the captain wants to follow Danny in the cabin. Especially if they attack him and I just happen to be a little too slow to protect him and he needs to be healed. It could also do for a good opportunity to steal the key if necessary." thought out loud Zero. Was it a risky plan? Yes, but he felt like this was the safer option for them, actually keeping the captain away with no desire to go check his cabin for a while.

Then he quickly turned to Danny before he could misunderstand "no, I am not sending the rats on a suicide mission. I will just pretend to hit them. Ok? Then they can go back to hide in whatever cabin they fancy. I will just report that I catched them and threw them in the sea. But this will be a lie. Ok?"

After his clarification he spoke out loud, not directly to anyone in particular "But if you have a better idea I am all ears. Just say speak your mind."

Danny rapidly shakes his head from side to side as Zero speaks.  “Better avoiding Cap’n if you can.  I go to him same time each day, mostly.  Chances are he’s gonna get mighty suspicious if something like that happens.”  

He wrinkles his face up in deep thought.  “Ain’t much call for the crew to be near his cabin. If one of ye can open his door, he ain’t going to be none the wiser.  Just need to do it at the right time is all and there ain’t much chance of being spotted.”  

Snok nods, “When would be time of good sneaking for this one?”

One of the rats appears from under the crates and sits at Danny's feet as he considers the question.  It stretches up, front paws touching his thigh, clearly begging for food.  The halfling absently scratches its head and it drops back to the wooden floor with a soft thud.  "Probably when the evening watch is changing," he says slowly.  "Most o'the crew are gonna be occupied, or just wanting to head for their hammocks."  He rubs at his eyes, which are still ringed red.  "Zero could take the watch nearest Cap'n's cabin, then we ain't gonna be disturbed at all, an' he can put a warnin' out if a'body gets close, like?"  He makes it a question.  "Wotcha think?"

I look around at my team. I nod my head as if mulling the idea over, weighing the pros and cons, evaluating the odds of success. Decided, my lavender eyes focus back on Danny. 

"Let's do it. If you can stay near the captain and do your best to keep him distracted, that would be great. It's imperative he not get suspicious. If he does, it's not just the rats that will be thrown overboard." Seeing Hama still behind a crate I add, "Danny, you've already been bringing food and water in here, please do so for Hama here before you join the Captain."

I shift my attention to the fledgling paladin, "Zero, request the watch near the Captain's cabin."

I then turn to my friends, "Norstaer and Kythaela, would you mind taking the rats to one of our cabins, preferably not mine, if you would be so kind." I flash my best smile, hoping my friends understand my deep aversion to the things. "Kythaela, your ability to speak with them and some food should keep them under control."

Turning to Snok, I raise one dark eyebrow and grin mischievously, "Want to help me get up to some trouble?"

Snok smiles, “If trouble means old horn woman gets happy, this one is willing!”

Hama listened intently then frowned. Clearing her throat slightly, she shook her head. "if Danny brings more rations than he has been, that might be suspicious...I've been able to get food from the galley with none the wiser... if he is caught bringing a stowaway food, then it could be much worse for him..." She stammered, her voice coarse from non use.

"If the captain finds out about the rats, he would most likely kill Gonzo and Rizzo... with Danny getting his pay or rations cut... if the captain finds out about me, I will be thrown overboard. I'm willing to risk that... but I am not willing to risk the Captain finding out that others were aiding me... at this point the lot of you can plead believable ignorance... not so much if he's caught bringing extra rations that his established normal..." she sunk slightly behind the boxes hoping what she was saying made some semblance of sense. It felt as if she were rambling in her desperation to keep Danny from more trouble. 

Norstaer senses the need to delve deeper into the dwarf”s  background and affliction.“I believe it’s essential to understand more about Vrormir and what drives him,” Norstaer thinks to himself. Planning to visit Vrormir, he contemplates if this could shed light on broader issues aboard the ship. “By learning the reasons for our voyage, I might uncover possible hidden agendas at play” he muses. Determined, Norstaer decides to approach Vrormir and gather insights that could prove crucial for navigating the challenges they face and informing the group’s strategy effectively.

 Addressing Hama, says ““Hama, you’re right to be cautious, and I appreciate your concern for Danny’s welfare,” Norstaer agrees, nodding. “Let’s think about other ways to support you without directly involving food. Perhaps we can find useful items that won’t be missed, like extra blankets or clothes, and bring those instead, so keep your presence as discreet as possible and assist you in less obvious ways.”

Zero nodded in agreement with the plan, finding no way to object.

"Sure, if you don't need my help in moving the rats, I will go ask about the watch place right away. When will the plan take action? Tonight? Or should I ask to get that position for a couple more day?"

Patting Snok on the back as we begin to make our way out of the hold, I look back at Zero, "Tonight. Let's not waste any time in discovering the secrets aboard this ship."

I nod to Norstaer before leaving, letting him know I approve of his plan to investigate the dwarf.

 Kythaela takes the rats.

With Kythaela taking Gonzo and Rizzo, telling the creatures that they are going to a "safe place" with "lots of food", the remainder of the party disperses.   Hama is smuggled into the relative safety and comfort of one of the passenger cabins, a far cry from the weeks surviving amongst the crates and the rats in the cargo hold.

As afternoon wears on into early evening, the ship slips through the water gently and serenely, the weather almost perfect for sailing.  There is little for the crew to do, save adjust a rope or a sail now and again by order of Captain Marrow.  The watch changes, the sailors coming off duty glad to end their shift, heading below to get some well earned rest.  

Zero takes up his watch close to the stern and once certain all is settled, stamps three times on the floor above the stairs to the passenger cabins.  A signal that all is well and clear.  Moments later, the head of a small kobold pops up through the hole in the deck, looking from side to side cautiously.  Seeing all is clear, the rest of the body appears, and Snock quickly and silently makes his way around to the entrance of the captains cabin.  A moment later, Lysander appears next to him, leaning on the railing with an air of nonchalance.  Captain Marrow is busy at the helm of the ship, and the first mate Scur Belos stands watch near the bow of the ship, looking out to sea.  

Snok fishes inside his shirt and pulls out some slender metal rods.  He glances side to side once more, the inserts the slender metal tools into the lock of the captain's door...

As the ship sails smoothly, Norstaer takes the opportunity to visit Vrormir’s cabin. Moving quietly, he reaches the door and pauses to listen. Hearing only the creak of the ship, he knocks gently, “Vrormir, it’s Norstaer. May I speak with you?” he calls softly, maintaining a calm and respectful tone.

Norstaer stands patiently at the door, ready to engage but careful not to intrude. His stance is relaxed but attentive, waiting for Vrormir to either invite him in or respond from within.

 Kythaela deposits the rats safely in her cabin, giving them scritches and some scraps of food.

Snok gets busy with the lock, tongue sticking out the side of his mouth in concentration.  Lysander watches, and it just seems that the little kobold is jiggling the tools around in the lock randomly.  After around 30 seconds there is a small “click” and Snok withdraws his tools and quickly puts them away.  He turns the handle and the door swings open revealing a set of stairs up to another door. 

"Well done, buddy." I whisper placing a hand on my little friend's shoulder. I sneak in, followed closely by Snok and I close the door quietly behind us. We climb the stairs slowly, careful not to cause the wood to creak. Reaching the second door, I try to open it.

Quote from Ravendirgen >>

As the ship sails smoothly, Norstaer takes the opportunity to visit Vrormir’s cabin. Moving quietly, he reaches the door and pauses to listen. Hearing only the creak of the ship, he knocks gently, “Vrormir, it’s Norstaer. May I speak with you?” he calls softly, maintaining a calm and respectful tone.

Norstaer stands patiently at the door, ready to engage but careful not to intrude. His stance is relaxed but attentive, waiting for Vrormir to either invite him in or respond from within.

 

 A loud hacking cough erupts from the room as Norstaer knocks.  It takes a minute or so for the coughing to subside, then the door opens slowly.  "Come in then, lad, if you're wanting to speak with me."    

Entering, Norestaer sees a sickly-looking dwarf sitiing on a small cot in his room. His beard is flecked with gray, and the corners of his eyes are creased with age. Something seems off about his appearance, as though the signs of age have been plastered over the face of a much younger man. He looks up from his writing. A small journal is laid upon his lap as he sits in bed. He greets you with a shaking wave of his hand, its wrist covered by a heavy, metal band cinched tightly.  

"What can I do for you lad?" he asks, putting the journal aside and wiping his mouth which has a tinge of red around it.  "I suppose this is all a bit of a mystery to you all, and I've not been out this room since the voyage started.  You must have many questions."  He closes his eyes and convulses as if trying to stop himself from coughing again.  The ordeal soon passes and Vrormir forces a smile onto his face.  

"You all deserve an explanation.  It might be better if you all gathered here...yes gathered here....in the morning.  After all you are all supposed working for me I suppose."  He dabs his mouth with a handkerchief.  "Does that sound agreeable?" He takes a slow laboured breath.  "Is there anything I can answer for you just now?  I believe we are nearing Havdir; the end of the voyage for me."

Lysander tries the handle on the door at the top of the stairs.  It swings open easily and silently revealing a well appointed room filled with fine pieces of furniture. A hardwood writing desk sits at the centre of the room, and a beautiful bed rests near the large window at the back.   A heavy wooden trunk sits in front of the writing desk, and the walls are decorated with a myriad of paintings.  The paintings seem to be various paintings of small fishing vessels, many on beaches, and with a slightly closer look they are all signed with the same flamboyant signature of A Marrow.

Taking in the sights of the room, lavish compared to the crew quarters below.

"He could put a little more money and effort into providing better accomodations for his crew. It irritates me when those in leadership live so far above those that work for them. The servants at my estate live in comfort," I say to Snok with a distinct look displeasure on my face.

I cast Detect Magic just to be sure there are no hidden traps.