Swamped

Well, the obvious thing to do is go through the motions of preparing for boarding, you send back, though you're thinking it to yourself at the same time. Maybe stop firing the cannons for a bit? They've stopped on the other side, so the sudden lack of noise might get her to investigate.

There's a short pause before Resk replies.

Got it. I've given the cannon crew new orders. Going to approve a course change with the captain to make it look more likely, too. You want me to do anything else?

You think about that for a moment.

I think the rest of the details are better handled by you, but I'll let you know if I think of something. I'm still here with Donnie, so I can tell you if anything happens.

You get a rather quick response.

Got it. I'll start getting ready, in case we get a good chance to ambush her once Donnie's safe.

---

You're now Mr. Resk.

There's still some matters you don't quite understand, but you know enough of the situation to work with it. And boarding the pirate ship might not be a bad idea once this mess is resolved. Doesn't hurt to be ready for that.

Right now, you're at the bridge. The Captain's a little annoyed to see you.

"Where's Bertha?" he asks.

"Not sure at the moment. But Wiz told me about a problem, and I'm going to need your approval for some parts of our planned response."

You inform him of Donnie's predicament, and the overall plan. He seems annoyed.

"So we're just letting her get away?"

"Don't see much choice. Donnie's too valuable. But as long as she doesn't know we're doing it, we've got a chance to surprise her. The catch is, it depends on when she lets him go."

The Captain doesn't directly respond. Instead, he lowers his head, kneels down, and starts praying. He must think this is real serious. About a minute later, he stands up.

"Nual says what she stole is not for mortals. He orders that it be given to the sea. We cannot allow her to leave the ship with it."

Figures. There's always got to be something. Well, since you can't bargain with a god, best to think of how to satisfy him.