Finally, the storm has ended. The torrent of rain has faded and become nothing more than a cloying mist which clings to the skin and whispers of its former power. The clouds are thinning and being torn apart and scattered by the sea winds. Already, the baleful glow of the Fire Moon begins to illuminate the streets of the island-city. However, no one is available to appreciate the end of the rains. All of the residents of Kinja are tucked safely inside the Mermaid's Tale Tavern, listening to the best Story Night in recent memory.

Inside the building, the tales and songs have paused once more for the old rawun to gather her strength and seek nourishment. Much of the audience does the same. It has been several hours since this night started, yet no one - not even the children - complains at the length. To be treated to three epic stories in one evening is rare enough; but when they are promised to be true with more to follow, that is a black pearl of an opportunity indeed. However, not everyone is distracted by the shine of the bait on the hook.

Pinagore frowns into his ale as he takes a long pull from the mug. "Good thing tomorrow's a holiday," the old fisherman mutters to himself. "Otherwise decent people need to be abed now so's they can work in the morning." He leans back in his chair and looks closely at the bard on the stage. "Something's not right here," he muses. "I've seen every one of these Nights, and not once have we had more than two tales in our nets. She's up to something." Pinagore watches the storyteller intently through the remainder of her break, trying to catch sight of what his instincts tell him is there. Is there something different about her? A faint pallor to the skin, perhaps? A bit more tremor to the voice or hands than mere age would account for? He's can't tell. Pinagore shrugs and leans back in his seat as the rawun prepares to spin another story. The truth will come eventually, if he's patient. And waiting is the one thing that a fisherman knows how to do.

"And so my friends, after three tales we are now ready to embark on the true voyage I wish to share with you. I have told you of who our heroes are, where they have come from, and what it is that they intend to do. This tale is first true adventure for our heroes. It also marks the rebirth of the Great Quest that started with Rul and ended with Ren."

"This tale starts with the Reef Runner narrowly escaping from the port of Bandar al-Sadat. Not only did they avoid being captured - again - by the city guards, but the crew also avoided being discovered by Bloth's scouts. Our heroes have in their possession the final clue they needed to discover the location of the dangerous island known as the Sea Anvil, and with it the mythical Library of Mirrors. This voyage was perhaps the most dangerous for Captain Yamalla and his crew. Not so much for the dangers they faced - though there were perils enough from mazes within the Library and its guardians. The danger lay in what they would discover on this voyage. They would discover the Truth about Rul and the Treasures. They would discover the Truth of the Dark Dweller. They discovered that enemies can be from afar through seemingly innocent actions. But most importantly, perhaps, they would discover that luck is better when it is made and earned, rather than taken as a gift."

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