Back to the coast and to camp

Having dispatched several monsters in the cavern, their trip back to Marielle's camp was uneventful. Tired from their hike, they ate and rested, and then Marielle began to prepare for the journey back across the channel. Brynn sat nearby, turning the compass over in her hands.

"The stupid thing doesn't even point north! This is supposed to be some powerful artifact?" she said, incredulously.

"It doesn't make sense to me either. That's why I intend to take it back to my temple. Maybe one of the paladins or priests are familiar with it, and if not, I can try the library. It's my best shot of getting some sense of why the kobolds thought this piece of garbage had any value."

"Don't you mean our best shot?"

Marielle looked at Brynn, a little stunned. The redhead hopped in the boat.

"If we hadn't helped each other, we'd probably be dead, or worse. You'll probably need my help again. Besides, these monsters have already attacked Vangel. They'll likely do so again. I have an interest in making sure this Asmodeus is stopped."

Marielle loaded the last of her supplies into the boat, silently accepting the woman's help, and set off. The channel was calm, the sun was shining. "Why are you so concerned about Vangel anyways? I thought it was uninhabited?"

"Except for my people. We are stewards of the land. So when those idiots disturbed the tomb, I felt compelled to intervene."

Satisfied, Marielle sailed in silence. The two continued this way for a time, until, about halfway across the channel, Brynn pointed out storm clouds on the horizon. They were gaining.... unnaturally fast. Marielle realized that she would be unable to avoid the storm, but tried to steer the sloop for the smallest part of it.