Swamped

There's a thin layer of water all over the floor, and judging by the particularly salty scent, it's not because this place was mopped.

"Leak?" Harold suggests.

You suspect there's more to it than that. But you can't really investigate right now. You'll leave that to Mr. Resk; you send him a quick message.

I'll look into that when I get a chance, is all he sends back. Must be busy himself. Well, in the meantime you'll just have to focus.

"I don't know, but we can't really look into it right now. Do you think you can carry a barrel without slipping?"

Harold frowns.

"Maybe."

"Rather not risk it, then." You turn back to the door. "Could you come in for a moment? There's water all over the floor. I think it's going to work best if we pass the barrel along without actually walking."

The guard comes in.

"Water? How'd that get there?"

"I'm afraid I don't have time to investigate that. Just stand a little in front of Harold. I should be able to get a bit further, since I've got my staff for support."

You advance carefully, and wait for the guard to get in position between you and Harold. Then you put your staff down for a moment and grab a barrel - one from the top of a stack, so it won't be wet. You turn to the guard and pass the barrel on, and the guard passes it to Harold.

"Not sure it's safe to walk out," the guard mutters. "Not with a powder barrel, anyhow. We can continue the chain until we reach the hall, right?"

"Makes sense," you agree. "Again, I've got the staff, so I'll go first."

You grab your staff again and walk past Harold, carefully. The guard is next. Harold passes the barrel to them, they pass it to you, and you put it down. Then the guard leaves, and then Harold slips.

He doesn't fall hard, but you're relieved that he wasn't carrying the barrel.

"Does anyone have a rag so we can wipe our shoes?" you ask.

"Well, I'll be fine," said the guard. "Unless you need another barrel, I guess. But hang on, I think I've got something." They pull a small cloth from their pocket. "There you go. I don't need it back, it's just something I picked up off the floor."

You take it and hand it to Harold first. He takes off his shoes, wipes them dry, and hands it over to you. You've already slipped out of your sandals, so you can wipe them fairly quickly. Harold's already grabbed the barrel by the time you're done.

"Where?" he asks.

"To the deck, I suppose. So we don't have to carry it as far after I enchant it."

"Okay," Harold says. He starts walking off. You put down your sandals and slip them back on.

As you do, though, you notice something about the cloth.