It stunk of fish. Dead fish. 

Neil crouched under the stone embankment, the air chilled and the fog rolling in like a wraith coming to claim the souls of Nuln. The water was dark, and other than the occasional call from the guard, it was the only thing that made any sound, lapping rhythmically mere paces from his feet. Neil clutched his newly acquired sidesword, a relatively short weapon he'd convinced Stedder to 'lend' him. He hoped he didn't have to use it, but he knew he would unless Sigmar shined upon them, or Ranald thought they deserved some luck. 

Maybe the Chaos Gods had a bit more rein over the city on this day, but he pushed that thought out of his mind. Neil turned to Emmaline, the woman crouched with him, sporting trousers and a blouse under her thick coat, looking behind them to make sure no one would come up and knife them in the back. Gods, she was beautiful, in more ways than physical. Though if they survived this, he'd make sure he would warm her up nicely in the tower. 

His pistol within his jacket and his sword at his hip, he nodded to her. The plan was simple. Sneak on board, beat, kill, or threaten anyone who noticed them, and untether the barge to sail it away. It didn't matter where, just away from the guards. Neil had known immediately the subterfuge would not last, so he left a sealed letter to Master Gunter, to be opened if he heard Neil got into any trouble. He expected Inspector Leizbauhnor to uphold his word and keep them safe from the law (as long as Neil and Emmaline didn't try and deviate from the plan) if only because he could use them again, but Neil wasn't going to take any chances. A scandal with the Inquisition would only harm the besieged. 

As the fog rolled in, Neil saw the target obscured, which meant he and Emmaline were as well. He stood up and helped her to her feet, winking and stepping over the lip of the wall toward three mountains of crates, hugging the obstacles to keep from being spotted by any guardsman that might be wandering away from the vessel. According to Stedder, there were three guards on deck at any one time, but that didn't mean more were not below.