"I can't believe you spelled me.", Adraste grumbled as she sent Bapbapos flying off to inform the ship of the impending attack.
"You were about to react poorly.", Skuld answered as she pulled her gown over her head. "It would have likely caused complications."
"But still…", the mink grumbled as she sat down on her bedroll. "So what exactly is our goal in helping these sailors, beside vexing the hares?"
"At the very least, the outside world will know we're here and not buried in an unmarked grave somewhere.", Skuld answered as she removed a book from her bag.
"What'll happen if the hares find out?", Adraste asked as she took out her pipe and began packing it. "Somehow I don't get the feeling they'd be too understanding."
"Then they'd best not find out.", the vixen replied, running her fingers over the well worn pages of her book.
"What if it doesn't work?", Adraste asked worriedly. "I don't relish the idea of staying here as some old hare's pet."
"If it doesn't work we'll just have come up with another plan.", Skuld told the mink.
Adraste grumbled as she took a candle from its holder and used it to light her pipe, sighing as she drew a puff of smoke into her mouth.
"The situation could be much worse.", Skuld said. "They could have simply killed us or set us to far less pleasant labors than they've thus far."
"I suppose you're right.", Adraste said, taking another draw from her pipe. "How exactly would the passengers help us?"
"I don't know.", Skuld admitted. "Perhaps we could get them to bargain for us or maybe aid in an escape attempt."
"I guess we'll find out later.", the mink sighed as she laid down, awaiting Bapbapos's return.
Bapbapos flew over the sea, cloaked in invisibility.
Find ship, mistress say, he thought to himself. Maybe I could find something to eat whilst I'm out.
Seeing a small fish swimming just under the surface, he dropped his invisibility and dove into the sea, he shape shifting into that of an octopus as he did so.
His new tentacles spread out, seizing the startled fish as his poisonous beak began savaging it.
The fish struggled briefly before succumbing and the cacodaemon released it, trapping its departing soul in a gem.
Delicious, the fiend thought, reverting to his true form and devouring the animal's soul. On with the mission.
Bapbapos soon sighted the trapped ship, seeing a few beasts standing guard along the deck.
He flew up over the deck, silhouetting himself against the moon, laughing evilly.
The two rats on deck screamed in fear, pointing their crossbows up at the daemon as he hovered over them.
Bapbapos laughed again as he saw one of them flee below deck, whilst the other watched the outsider apprehensively.
"Who's in charge here?", the fiend asked, laughing as the rats shuddered in fear.
"That would be us, monster.", another rat said coldly as he stepped up on deck, flanked by weasel and a stoat.
Bapbapos detected a strong aura of good about the rat, suspecting him to be a divine magic-user of some sort.
"State your business, foul creature.", the rat ordered, pointing his sword at the fiend.
"I've been sent to advise you of an attack.", Bapbapos said. "The hares have boats of their own and will attack you by sea tomorrow."
"What's it to you?", the ferret asked, tossing a vial up in the air and catching it.
"My mistress and her friend are being held by the hares.", the fiend explained. "They would like your aid in escaping as well as getting to New Verpetra."
"Your friends are?", the rat asked.
"Adraste of Clan Kwa and Skuld of Coeus.", Bapbapos answered.
"So you and your friends help us and when we escape we somehow rescue them?", the rat asked.
"Yes.", the cacodaemon said. "Have we a deal?"
"Agreed.", the rat said. "Convey that and my thanks to your mistress."
Bapbapos laughed, cloaking himself and speeding back towards the mountain.