Uriel led the group outside and over to the boat, which was still leaning against the side of the house.

Of course, in the light of day, it looked much less sturdy than it had before, with its patches and splinters and discolored wood and rusted hooks and its overall, generally lopsided shape.

“…I have to agree; it does look like a death trap,” said Pitch, patting the side of the bucket.

“And it’s a-awfully small…” added Lucy.

“Looks can be deceivin’,” said Uriel. “This is a lucky boat; and a lucky boat is the best kind there is. The fella who brought it here said it was the last remnant of a pirate ship that was set ablaze and burned up right on the water. Everyone on it died…and this rowboat alone floated straight to its destination.”

“It sounds like the boat is haunted…” said Dreadli.

“Well…y’know, maybe it is. Every time the Odsplut turns it over or pushes it under the waves, and I have to swim all the way back on my own, this little boat always makes it back here somehow…”

“Yeah, that boat is d-definitely haunted,” said Lucy. “Maybe there’s a pirate ghost in it…have you ever tried to t-talk to it?”

“Probably. I find myself talkin’ to inanimate objects fairly often…as far as I know, it’s never said anythin’ back, though.”

“Hey, Pitch, since Azor’s made of magic, can you ask him if he can talk to ghosts?”

“I told you, he can hear you; you can ask him yourself—” Suddenly, Pitch looked at the bucket and frowned.

“What, what’d he s-say??” asked Lucy.

“…I don’t think I care to repeat it,” Pitch replied. “Anyway, regardless of how the rowboat looks or whether it contains a ‘pirate ghost’, I suppose we can all live with it for a few hours. Let’s just get going.”

Lucy, Dreadli, and Uriel picked up the boat and carried it down to the water. Pitch followed and watched as they laid it on the shore and flipped it over.

“So can any of you row…?” asked Uriel as they pushed it into the shallow water.

“Oh my gosh; you c-can’t, can you??” Lucy exclaimed. “Because you d-d-don’t have any arms! Oh no…”

“No, I can…I’m not very good, though,” said Uriel. “The trip’ll certainly go faster if I have some help.”

“Well, I guess I could learn, but…I don’t really know how…”

“I’m the same, I’m afraid,” said Pitch. “I’m willing to try, but I don’t have any experience with rowboats.”

“…I know how to row,” Dreadlilocks said quietly.

The rest of the group turned to look at her. She smiled sheepishly. “I…I said, I know how to row,” she repeated a little more loudly. “Baby Bear and I used to go out on the lake to catch fish sometimes, so…”

“W-well, that’s great! Why do you seem embarrassed about it, though…?” asked Lucy.

“Well, I just realized…this is the first time I’ve had a special skill that no one else has,” she replied. “I mean, you don’t sleep, Miss Pitch can fight, Mr. Azor can do all sorts of weird things, Mr. Uriel knows about the Margins…and until now, I was just…me.”

Lucy was about to point out that, technically, Uriel also knew how to row, but Pitch elbowed her before she could finish.

“…Well, I guess it’s finally your time to shine, kid,” said Uriel, grinning. “Why don’t you take the oars first, and then as soon as you get tired you just hand ‘em over to me.”