Brazen Coke Remit

Imzel Khenistar’s journal, last few entries:

I don’t understand how it can be so hard for a cleric of Osprem to join a company these days. I kept hearing “no”, over and over, and I’d go my ways.

But finally I found one that would take me, darling, it won’t be long, I’ll be home soon! Nothing will keep us apart now, I see your smiling face every time I look up at the moon.

Master Hillsipp managed to wrangle the coveted coke contract; it’s going to be hard but the pay is good. I told him when I signed up: “just till I make enough to be reunited with my blood.”

Every day the captain takes this scrap of parchement from a tiny chest. Whatever’s on there he’s keeping close to the vest.

32 crew on a Sarodin Sea boat, quit the pier at Thunder Bay. 180 tons of coke, on a cold Novem day.

100 feet and 10 more long, 20 feet across. The steel mills of Odirett, our destination through the frost.

The night of the 2nd, waves were runnin’ up to 40 feet. Winds were blowing 60 miles, draining us of our heat.

An hour later we took a wave, lookout overboard, left behind. I watched as she slipped beneath the waves, and we were runnin’ blind.

Our captain, coward that he was, seekin’ shelter from the storm. Turned us South of Grey Beast Bay, by way of Keewenaw Point.

Wind was pushin’ at such a rate, we ended up driftin’ North. A wave broke over a knife of rock; Six Fathom Shoal.

The Remit she was cut in half; the stern she ram the bow. The men were caught in wooden jaws. Flames burned out of hell.

I made sure we kept running on, my body all ablaze.

Osprem hearing my call, the hull knitting together once again. We are not going down, despite these craven men.

Hear me call across the waves. If I don't come home tonight. I will make it home someday.