Aeroz takes his place under the stairs a couple of hours before midnight, his crossbow loaded and held ready. Tiriel, Angela, and Si'rene agree to stay out of sight on the level above the bilge, ready to appear if called for. Boris and Lithandrill descend the stairs at midnight for their rendezvous.

The entire lower deck area is pitch black. Boris and Lithandrill stand, each holding a torch, peering into the darkness of the bilge. Again, they can hear squeaking and skittering, closer now than in the daytime. The rats seem to be staying just out of the reach of the torchlight.

An occasional drip echoes in the silence. The ship groans gently.

...

Meanwhile, Sheyra and Sedryn wait in their cabin, talking softly. A few minutes after midnight they hear footsteps outside their door, then three crisp knocks ... bang, bang, bang