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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 7192075" data-attributes="member: 2012">"Hopefully, they won't come back," Lorien adds. "But I'll be glad to be off this island and back on the coast and as quickly as possible."Caerth finds that the boat that brought them to Gurnard's Head is still seaworthy although the ichor from the dead scrags and koalinths has stained it a dark haze of grusome colors. It will be a smelly journey back to the pier on the beach near Carnell. Hopefully there won't be any more surprises. The other launch that the mercenaries stole is in better condition and less smelly.The group places Lord Pendour's wrapped body in the bottom of the second boat and two scramble into it and three into the other and untie them from the dock. The opening to the grotto is shrinking as the tide comes in and soon all are rowing to be through the opening before you all have to duck your heads.The two launches glides out of the grotto on the rising tidewater and all keep a wary eye out for the remaining koalinth and their shark allies. If they are out there in the sea, they are remaining hidden from view. The day turns to night as you follow the long, sinking sandbar back towards the beachhead and Carnell's pier. The cliffs of the Strandlands rise above you and it feels like forever since you've seen them, even though it has only been two days. The water becomes choppy as you near the beachhead.As you approach the pier, your strokes with the oars become longer and more urgent. The time that Lady Pendour was given by her blackmailer is almost up. The tide has come in so far that the two launches easily glides up next to the long wharf. You tie up the two large boats and remove Lord Pendour's body from the second one. You all carry him on your shoulders, as an honor guard carrying the lord home.At the end of the pier, you come to Yorick's old shack. Someone appears to have been reorganizing it. The webs from the sand spiders have all been cleared away and new timbers have been nailed up to replace the older boards that had been rotting. There is a wisp of smoke coming from the lone chimney on the side of building closest to the cliff-face.Someone inside hums a somber tune of respect. Lorien doesn't recognize it but it is moving, regardless. He begins whistling it in time with the unknown person. The the humming stops."Eh, who is there?" A voice asks with a touch of concern. "If you're here to rent  boat, you'll have to wait or come back. Both the launches are gone. One was taken by thieves while the other was loaned to some heroes who have gone off to Gurnard's Head on some mission." The person inside the shack seems to be moving around with a purpose. "They are due back soon, as I understand it. And if you're looking for my uncle, you will find his grave overlooking the cliff. And if you're here to rob me, you'll find me more than capable of defending myself."The heavy burlap curtain covering the doorway parts and end of a short sword sticks out and then quickly disappears back inside. "Now, state your intentions or be off with you!"</blockquote>

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