9pm
After the sun went down it became overcast, a thick layer of clouds blocking out what little light there was from the stars. There was a smell of rain, but no drops pattered down, yet.
An hour before they went "over the top", they groups split up, carefully getting into position. Storm and his group drove off, intending to park a ways away and then quietly get into position.
The group with the boats loaded up and shoved off into the placid Naze estuary. It was still too cool to hear any insect buzzing or bird chirps until dawn. The experienced river men used dim hooded lamps to guide their way through the gloom. Using a map and compass, Imran and John-Marc successfully navigated the unmarked reaches and branches of the lower Naze. The boats ghosted quietly through the reeds, drawn by strong arms on the oars, coming to a stop at the branch that led to al Misr house about a half-mile away.
Up-branch, they could see the lights of al Misr house reflecting off the water. It was too far away to hear anything but it looked like every light was blazing in the night. There were also torches lit elsewhere on the island, and what looked to be a tremendous bonfire near the obelisk. It was certain that anyone on the island would be quite night-blind if they looked into the blackness of the river during their unholy ritual.
The time by JM's wristwatch (as befitting an aviator) and Imran and the Count's pocket watches read five of ten, almost time to go.
https://maps.google.com/maps/m...p;spn=0.031,0.055189
Keeper's Note: At a half-mile distant, you should be able to row there in about 5-6 minutes. To cut down your final dash you can move a little closer (say a quarter mile) with some risk of being discovered, although it's very slight.