Although the boat had got away there were a few things to occupy the characters. Mellia tried to save the lives of the sailors, but was too late. One was poisoned and she could not identify it, while the other had had his throat slit. Berra remained on watch where she could quickly get to Varanis or to Mellia. Irillo found that the broken crane idol still had a spirit in, which attacked when he touched it, but could not leave to follow. Berra arrived there to find Rajar thoughtfully preparing to kill Irillo if anything went wrong, but could find no problem with his plan.

A search of the building where people had been hiding revealed barrels with marks of an old merchant family that had been driven from Nochet for supporting the Red Moon; the food in them was fresh. There was also the faint smell of violets. Irillo knew where the warehouse was, so they determined to search it. Berra paid respects to the screaming idol as they left, picked up by Ducks.

They were rowed to the warehouse, where they searched from bottom to top. Rajar discovered the enemy when one managed to get a garotte around his neck, but amazingly he survived this, and got a shield up in time for rescue to arrive. Berra cut a leg off his foe before Mellia put him to sleep, and ten Berra continued upwards, hearing sobbing. She got the attention of Varanis, who had her Leap spell on, and they both went up, Varanis going the quick way, and unfortunately reaching the sobbing first – it was coming from a sack and she went to the rescue by jumping, setting off a trapdoor. Berra failed to grab the rope, which fell, but she went up the last set of stairs to look for Garin, assuming Lenta had just been killed. There, terrified, was Lenta – the sobbing sack had been some mere illusion. After reassuring Lenta a little, and starting to lose her temper a little, Berra called for Mellia, but a sleep spell was not needed.

“On watch to be sure Varanis is not attacked – watching while between Varanis and Mellia.” – Berra

“It’s Axe time” – Rajar
<sidle backwards and line up on Irillo’s head> – Rajar
“Berra arrives to look… “Raaajar?”” – Berra
“He touched the altar…..” – Rajar
“There were voices.” – Rajar
“Well.” – Berra
@@*@@nods@@*@@ – Berra

“It might still be him. <flips the axe to the blunt side>” – Rajar
“Hey, Irillo. Can you give me a discount off the next sale?” – Berra
“The usual discount for colleagues applies.” – Irillo
“Sounds like him.” – Berra

“Violence is always an option!” – Rajar
“There’s usually another way.” – Berra
“Is it as much fun?” – Rajar

“Berra spends some time looking at the crane, walking away backwards. She seems oddly thoughtful.” – Berra

“We should do burial rites. It’s quick. I’m a Humakti. ‘STAY DEAD!'” – Berra

“Berra bows to the Crane before she leaves.” – Berra

“He can have my rapier.” – Irillo
“Berra offers her spear, and a lack of smug talk.” – Berra

“As she briefly pulls her Shield together, Berra says, “Clear this place, then go back.” Then she’s off, forwards.” – Berra

“OK, back up the other stairs that I was clearing.” – Berra
“If they are not moving, I’ll just stay at the bottom of the stairs.” – Berra
“And listen.” – Berra
“Anything I can hear up there?” – Berra
“sobbing” – GM
“from far away” – GM

“I’m going to creep up the stairs.” – Berra

“Then partway up, pause, and gesture to Varanis.” – Berra

“I can hear sobbing. So as we go up, you leap over me, if there’s any action. I’ll signal if you have to.” – Berra

“I’m running in to try to grab the rope, probably by diving over it.” – Berra
“Hence, braking it with my body.” – Berra

“Don’t hurt me…” – Lenta
“You’re an idiot. And we’re here to rescue you.” – Berra