The stew that Ophelia made for her guests was outstanding. It hadn't taken Winky and  Groggs long to retrieve the Scratchback clan, especially since a meal  had been promised. There wasn't much talking during the meal itself, primarily chewing sounds and low moans of pleasure. When the feast was  over, everyone lay back on straw mats. Little Odette fell asleep on Zian's lap and was snoring gently.     

There were  occasional rustles of vegetation in the marsh which intermittently snapped everyone to attention. Despite the apparent calm, the concern  that the Gleaners might still be about kept everyone at least slightly  on edge. It was suggested by Salto and agreed on by everyone, that the entire group relocate to The Crimson Rose. The stranded ship was large,  sheltered, and easily defensible. Otto was enthusiastic, as was little Odette at visiting a real 'pirate' ship. They reached the small bay  where the ship was anchored shortly before dusk.

The Scratchbacks had been very busy doing what they did best, scavenging. If their  initial collecting was impressive, their second foraging run was  incredible. The ship was now completely restocked with all manner of food and drink. Additionally ornate hammocks, chairs, tables, and  bric-a-brac, taken from the other grounded vessels now decorated the  Scratchbacks floating home.

Gella and the twins had come upon a ship of  unknown design half sunk in the bay and discovered what appeared to be four miniature catapults, which through a combination of determination  and muscle, they managed to transport to the deck of the Rose. Gella  proudly showed off their prize to Wilbur, who studied the weapons  carefully, determined to figure out how they worked.

When night fell, everyone sat on the new furnishings and discussed their plans. Almost  everyone. Odette decided that the 'silly friends' Winky and Groggs, were her new best friends and lay on Winky's ample belly in one of the new hammocks with Groggs next to him. All three snored contentedly after stuffing themselves on some of the sweets the Scratchbacks had recovered.

Egbert had taken a liking to Ophelia, she was smart, tough, and intelligent. He queried her about the Gleaners. She informed him that for the past year, fifteen poor souls were taken back to the  Scarlet Compound each month, never to be heard from again.

"Whoi do they do it? What is their purpose?" the big mole asked.

"I cannot say for sure," Ophelia answered quietly, " but I am certain they have met a dark fate."

"They could try asking Ozab," Otto interjected.

"Who's Ozab?" Egbert asked.

Otto chuckled.
"He's a crazy old hermit who lives in those cliffs over there," Otto pointed south toward some sea-cliffs about a mile down the beach,  "he's crazier than a loon though."

Zian became curious.
"Why would we ask him anything, what would he know about the Gleaners or the Scarlet Knights? Was he captured? Did he escape their compound?"

Otto laughed.
"More than that. He claims to be a former member of the Brotherhood. He calls himself an apostate. He's pretty deluded."

"Whoi would you say that? Isn't it possible?" Egbert asked.

Ophelia answered.
"I don't see how, he's lived in his cave since before I was born and the Brotherhood has only been on the island for a little over a  year."

Wilbur joined the conversation.
"What does he say?"

"I never really listened very hard, we just humor him. He's a nice  enough beast, we bring him fish once in a while and he gives us homemade  seaweed grog that he brews." Otto made a face, "Nasty stuff, but we  take it out of politeness."

The mention of grog perked up Salto.
"I loves me a good seaweed grog, the nastier de better. I dink we need to speak to dis feller."

Egbert grinned.
"Whoi not? Can you take us to visit this Ozab, Otto?"

"Sure, we can go in the morning."

"Will he talk with us?"

Otto laughed.
"If I bring some of these goodies along that Salto found, he'll talk till you wish he'd shut up."

Egbert turned to Ophelia.
"Otto said that there was a ridge that led all the way to the barrier, is it near here?"

"Very close," Ophelia answered, "about halfway to where Ozab lives."

"Could we go see it tomorrow, Otto said it was on the way?"

"Certainly, whatever you want, I owe you my life," Otto replied.

"You don't owe us anything, we just did what any decent beasts would do, but thank you."

"We'll watch the ship," Trey said and added,       "Cat wants to figure out how dem baby catapults work."

Egbert stood.
"It's settled then, we'll leave at first light," he announced.