Swamped

"I've got an idea, sir. She won't have to reach the other ship. We'll just wait for her to start crossing and then we drop the plank."

He seems skeptical. Not unreasonably, you suppose.

"Drop it? How, exactly? Seems to me anyone crossing would notice someone standing by ready to release."

Admittedly, your plan is a bit desperate. But when bargaining with a god, well, maybe he'll like it enough to help with the parts that are up to luck.

"A crossbow bolt ought to be able to knock it loose, if it hits just the right spot. She falls in the sea and then it's up to Nual what to do with her. We'll need our best archer to make the shot, though. Pretty precise."

The captain resumes praying. He stops much sooner this time.

"The plan is approved. You may do whatever you need to make this work."

And then the captain turns away. Well, time to pass along some messages, then. You also need to find Ms. Swallow to handle the shot. It would also be good if you could get the eyepiece from the scout, but you're not sure you'll have time to persuade him to give it up. Still, you ask a sailor to check where the scout is.

A few minutes later, you've set things into motion. The ship's changing course, you've quietly passed along a message not to fully secure the plank, and you see Ms. Swallow running up the stairs.

You're just about to start explaining things when the messenger you sent to the scout returns. He looks worried.

And once you hear his message, you understand exactly why.