The group decides to return to Saltmarsh to report back to the town council there and maybe send word to Lord Gilead about armies forming in the swamp. The sail back to Saltmarsh is uneventful and gives each of you a second opportunity to learn more about sailing before any true test of your sailing skill is required.
[The ship spends four days at sea. Most of you are needed to sail the ship (you are still short crew and shorter still on those with the actual sailing skill), but a few small things can be accomplished during this time… like Valaria continuing the story of Alandra de Winter in the evenings (soon it will become clear why I am telling you so much about past events)]
Saltmarsh has fishing docks but nothing for ships the size of the Sea Ghost. When you arrive in port you anchor the ship and prepare to take the jetty boat across. Elrik and Gundar, the two militiamen from Saltmarsh, are particularly anxious to get home to their families. They hope that hot meals and slug ales await them. You have offered to pay these men well to join your crew and they both think they will, but they have yet to tell their families.
Because of these two men, the jetty boat is too full for all of you to go at once. Ryparin and Nyneve agree to stay behind. Grim agrees to come back to get them on a second run.
That leaves Janaar, Kildrak, Valaria, Zymaan, Grim, Elrik and Gundar on the jetty boat. When they reach the dock they tie off and unload. In the course of unloading, the group notices two copies of the following poster affixed to posts on the wharf.
“Let’s ask for 50 electrums”, suggests Zymaan, with a half-cocked smile. The others instantly scowl, their eyes darting among themselves. Although Zymaan can read their thoughts, he doesn’t have to, as their expression gives it all away. They can’t tell if he’s joking or not, and simply don’t know how to respond.
“Well, why don’t we talk about it over some slug ale before returning to the Sea Ghost?”, continues Zymaan. “That should give us a better idea of how to proceed. After all, she’s safe with Ryp… for now.”