"…and thus, as the storm raged, did Yamalla, Captain of the Reef Runner, converse with the ghost of Zafar ibn-Rufi, former Captain of the Wayward Son. The lizardman stood very still even though the water froze on his scales, for he knew to look the ghost full in the eyes was to invite the rapid passing of years and even death. After listening to the ghost's sad tale, Yamalla agreed to transport both Zafar's sea chest and his bones back to Octopon. No sooner than those words were spoken, he felt the unnatural chill begin to move -"

*KA-BOOM!* A massive peal of thunder rolls across the Tavern of the Mermaid's Tale. It deafens the gathered townsfolk and rattles the plates on the tables. Everyone in the room jumps - even the old bard who had spinning the tale. The children scream and cling to one another, or scramble under the nearby tables, seeking the comforting presence of an adult. For a moment, no one is sure if the noise was merely a trick on the part of the elderly storyteller, or an actual gift of Davron. Then, a gust of wind surges in through the open windows and doors, carrying with it sheets of rain. People scramble and quickly the portals are closed and sealed against the weather.

"There, there, no harm done." Once more, the storyteller speaks to the children, calming them. "It's all over. Only a storm. Please, come back your places at the foot of the stage." Slowly, the children creep back to their seats, still with wide eyes and pounding hearts.

After her young listeners have returned to their places, the old bard addresses the rest of the audience. "Honored guests and fellow residents of Kinja, I do apologize for the interruption in my tale. I assure that this is not some trick of mine. I am only a rawun, not a sorcerer. But it would appear that the gods have heard my words and wish to show the role they played in the songs I sing this night. I trust you all remembered to pray today?" There is a general ripple of laughter through the throng. The joke has broken the tension caused by the thunder, and the people start to relax again and get ready to listen to the rest of the tale.

"Now, where was I? Oh, yes, the ghost. Yamalla had just agreed to complete the task set for him by both King Ren and Captain Zafar. The Reef Runner and her crew waited for the storm to pass and day to dawn before they sailed to spot which marked the grave of the Wayward Son. It is on a cloudy and gloomy morning that I resume my song."

"Sit back and listen now to my words as I sing of the voyages of the Reef Runner and her crew…"