Over the time that it takes the crew of the Shadow Lark to make her ready to sail, one of the Bloodhawk men is replaced by another, but they continue their not-so-subtle watch on the vessel. Finally, as it begins to glide out of harbour, they race off in a panic. The Lark slowly passes the dark-hulled galley and you can see more of the strange turbanned sailors on deck, but they seem to pay you no notice. Before the ship has even left the harbour, Shem groans and heads below deck clutching his head and his stomach.
By the end of the day the Lark is heading south, towards the Necklace of Plenty archipelago, and as the sun sets, a sail can be seen folllowing. By the next morning it has closed, but remains some distance away and doesn't get closer. Ying squints into the distance.
"Yep, reckon that's our Bloodhawk escort," he says. "Keeping a discrete eye on us as always. I feel so much safer."
Ying follows a course through open water, with land seen on the horizon off the starboard; the many islands of the Necklace of Plenty. About three days into the journey, the Bloodhawk ship still following, the skies begin to darken and seas get rougher. As the weather worsens, the sea is whipped up into waterspouts that jet into the air, one covering the deck of the Lark with spray. Ying scowls at the sky as the black clouds roll overhead and the crew of the Lark make her storm ready. Tara-Ki stands defiantly with his meaty hands on his hips and sniffs the air.
"This storm is not natural," he says in his deep voice.
