When the day was over, an elder evil that had been casting its pall on Smuggler's Shiv for millenia had been defeated. More bloodthirsty beasts had been slain, the last remnants of the cannibal tribe had been disposed of, and treasure had been accumulated. They had even found a potion to cure Jask of his illness.

It had been a day of triumph.

They had crawled through an ancient temple of forgotten gods, at times on their faces and at times at the points of the weapons of their enemies. The wounds they took in the course of these endeavors were becoming a given, barely warranting mention.

Niero, desiring to show Kailn up for an unkind observation on his skills with traps, had walked face-first into a curse that made a bat-man of him. Now he was sporting unusable leather wings where his human arms used to be, as well as long, razor-like fangs and clawed feet that made walking a chore. There was also a pair of long, drooping bat-ears that gave his countenance the mien of a whipped dog, and his staring, abnormally large eyes made him look like a stoned and disturbed prank creation of Lamashtu. There had been absolutely no end to Mogashi's mirth, and Niero had found himself able to refrain from vitriolic comebacks solely on account of the lisping speech provided by his buck-toothed vampire mouth, which only made the Mwangi laugh harder.

It had been a day of hardship and setbacks – if also delight for Mogashi.

Still, they were alive, and, as far as anyone could tell, they had no surviving enemies.

Their group had traveled as swiftly as they could on their way back from the Red Mountain to their camp, but the going had been slow. It was already dark out when they left the serpent temple behind, and they had walked two or three hours since then. And when they did return, they had stumbled on almost to the middle of the camp before realizing where they were.

There was no fire and no watcher to hail them, and the camp was missing three buildings, which had been replaced by smoking heaps. There was blood on the ground, and they did not have to look far to find the bodies of two cannibal tribesmen and a harpy. Of the others there was no sign, but a few calls brought them forth from the lighthouse where they had barricaded themselves.

Ishirō had explained that the attack had come suddenly, and there were two casualties. Jask Derindi had been caught in one of the burning buildings and unable to get out due to his paralyzing disease. Gelik had tried to drag him out, but the building had collapsed on them.

So now Niero was holding in hand a panacea, and the person who could have used it was already dead. And so too was the gnome, the only other person in the group who had any noteworthy grasp of medicine, and that only because the task of hauling out a grown, unconscious man fallen to him, of all people. When Ishirō told them what got Gelik, Niero thought it an exploit worthy of sainthood that he did not kick the lot of them into the sea right then and there.

It was probably for the best that he was too tired to argue just then. Time enough to sort everything out tomorrow... Or later today, as the case probably was.

lIlIl

Later that day, they buried Jask and Gelik. It had been raining without cease since the previous night, but now that all nine of the survivors – including Pezock – were cooped up in the lighthouse, there was no shortage of volunteers for hard, physical, outdoor labor, even if it was grave-digging in a downpour. Also, most of them simply wanted it done, rather than stare at the remains of what used to be the cannibal village's shrine and wait for the rains to pass.

Aerys managed to salvage some modicum of dignity for the hasty burial by writing a eulogy. The recital was left to Kailn, who, in the absence of both bard and priest, was deemed best suited to the task. He spoke well, though they had trouble hearing him over the deluge that, coupled with the storm winds, was even then washing away parts of the small village.

Eight days later – five days after the torrential rains stopped – a ship sailed into view.

Before they left Smuggler's Shiv behind for good, Aerys pinched a scroll case from the group's inventory. While the others were carrying off their huge treasure chest filled with gold and silver, she carved a hole in the tree nearest to where Jask and Gelik lay buried. She placed the scroll case in the hole, and in it she left a copy of the poem written in their memory.

lIlIl

Hear, uncaring cliffs and coastline windy;

Behold, you eyeless soul and dividing deep;

Gelik Aberwhinge and Jask Derindi –

These two, our friends, to you consigned to keep.

In memory relinquished to repose

Let my intent linger long, to remind

Us, leaving with our lives, to honor those

Who in this deathly race were left behind.

May they that yet remain assailed – beset

At every turn by hardship – bear that weight

Rememb'ring higher costs, and not forget

You, after life alight'd in restful state.

All people passing by this dear-bought place

Will ever owe you for your short-cut days.