"I shan't be sorry if our Bloodhawk friends didn't make it through the storm," says Ying. "But they were supposed to be our safe passage through the Tuuma Strait."
"Kkk. I can go and see if I can find them," says Kop. Ying gives a nod and, strapping a knife into his utility belt, the gloppy dives over the side and into the sea. He bobs back above the surface for a moment. "See you in a few (click) days," he says, and then dives below.
The Shadow Lark limps towards one of the small islands of the Necklace of Plenty, Ying bringing her into a sandy cove. Beyond the pristine beach, the jungled slopes of hills rise up to dark rocky heights. The Lark has a small longboat to get ashore, and the crew is soon budy under the direction of Tara-Ki, gathering wood and supplies. After the storm it seems like a pleasant enough place to stop for a few days, and even Shem emerges from belowdecks, looking pale and shaking, and uncharacteritically silent.
Until, that is, until Legless Pai goes missing one night when on watch. A search of the ship and surrounding area shows nothing, and Ying checks the stocks of jinka rum but it seems that Pai has not been taking more than his fair share. After this, Ying orders that everyone should work in pairs from now on. The next day, the two Dann's go to fetch game and water and are late coming back. It is after dusk when Copper Dann comes running onto the beach in a state of panic.
"It took Other Dann!" he says. "It... something carried him off!"