Bab 62: Chapter 1: The Gates Of Hell Part 1

BOOK TWO: CALLIOPE AND THE ROYAL ENGINEERS

Green water washed over the window on the bridge of the Kestrel. Only the straps fastened to the harness Cal wore kept her on her feet and at the helm. The water receded as the steamship chugged up the next huge wave. At the pinnacle of the watery mountain, Cal caught a glimpse of waves crashing and tangling as far as she could see.

"Hold on," Cal spoke to the sailor strapped into position. She could barely hear herself over the roar of wind and water as she looked to the right. "We'll be hitting the starboard beam."

"Hold on, starboard beam!" Thomas yelled down the ladder. Others would repeat the call to cover the length of the ship.

Cal adjusted the direction of their travel a few degrees to port to aim at a relatively calm stretch ahead. The Kestrel slid down the wave and crashed into the next not quite straight on. She swore the old girl cursed her as it lurched portside. Thomas grunted behind her.

"Status?"