Captain Nugetre says we are no more than half a day from the coast of Karthay, even at the slow pace we must now maintain. The Castor is a crippled ship. Only round-the-clock bailing shifts keep us afloat, a strain on the crew, which has been halved by our experiences. Flint, Raistlin, Kirsig, and I pitch in.
Although the journey across the Blood Sea has been as fast as anyone could have hoped, the captain says that he isn't sure that the fee makes up for the damage to his ship and crew.
"I will not take the chance of making the landing at Karthay," Captain Nugetre announced. "I won't incur any further risks. I will give you a small boat to row to shore. Consider yourselves fortunate at that."
Despite Kirsig's best entreaties, Captain Nugetre has refused to budge from his position.
Raistlin paid him his double fee and didn't press him about the landing. The captain has more than kept his part of the bargain, Raistlin said, thanking him.
Kirsig announced her intention to come with us. Flint tried to talk her out of it-unsuccessfully. She insisted that she wouldn't abandon her "pretty dwarf."
More of a surprise was that Yuril announced her desire to join us. Captain Nugetre raged at her, but to no effect. The first mate said that she owed us her life-at least twice over-and that she intended to help us fulfill our quest. The captain seemed saddened as well as angry at her decision. Not for the first time did I get the idea that these two at some time had been more than captain and ship's mate to each other.
Three of the sailors, all female and more loyal to Yuril than to Captain Nugetre, said they would come along as well.
That made eight, and the furious Nugetre had to promise us two small boats in order to land us ashore.