John Flanagan - The Icebound Land

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T HE WOLFSHIP WAS ONLY A FEW HOURS FROM C APE S HELTER when the massive storm hit them. For three days, they had sailed north toward Skandia through a sea that was calm as a millponda fact appreciated by Will and Evanlyn.

This isnt too bad, Will said as the narrow ship cut smoothly through the waters. He had heard grim tales of people becoming violently sick on board ships at sea. But he could see nothing to worry about in this gentle rocking motion. Evanlyn nodded, a little doubtfully. She was by no means an experienced sailor, but she had been to sea before.

If this is as bad as it gets, she said. She had noticed the worried looks that Erak, the ships captain, was casting to the north, and the way he was urging Wolfwind s rowers on to greater speed. For his part, Erak knew that this deceptively calm weather heralded a change for the worsemuch worse. Dimly, on the northern horizon, he could see the dark storm line forming. He knew that if they couldnt round Cape Shelter and get into the lee of the landmass in time, they would take the full force of the storm. For several minutes, he assessed speeds and distances, judging their progress against that of the onrushing clouds.

Were not going to make it, he said finally to Svengal. His second in command nodded agreement.

Looks that way, Svengal said philosophically. Erak was glancing keenly around the ship, making sure that there was no loose gear that needed to be secured. His eye lit on the two prisoners, huddled in the bow.

Better tie those two to the mast, he said. And well rig the sweep steering oar as well. Will and Evanlyn watched Svengal as he made his way toward them. He had a coil of light hemp in his hand.

What now? Will asked. They cant think were going to try to escape.

But Svengal had stopped by the mast, and was beckoning urgently to them. The two Araluens rose and moved uncertainly toward him. Will noticed that the ships motion was becoming a little more pronounced and the wind was increasing. He staggered as he made his way to Svengal. Behind him, he heard Evanlyn mutter an unladylike swearword as she stumbled and barked her shin on a bollard.

Svengal drew his saxe knife and cut two lengths of cord from the coil. Tie yourselves to the mast, he told them. Were in for the mother of all storms any minute.

You mean we could be blown overboard? Evanlyn asked incredulously. Svengal noted that Will was tying himself to the mast with a neatly executed bowline knot. The girl was having some trouble, so Svengal took the rope, passed it around her waist and then secured her as well.

Maybe, he replied to her question. More likely washed overboard by the waves. He saw the boys face go pale with fear.

Youre telling us that the waves actuallycome on board? Will said. Svengal darted a fierce, humorless grin at him.

Oh yes, indeed, he said, and hurried back to assist Erak in the stern, where the captain was already rigging the massive sweep oar.

Will swallowed several times. He had assumed that a ship like this would ride over the waves like a gull. Now he was told that the waves were likely to come crashing on board. He wondered how they could possibly stay afloat if that were to happen.

Oh Godwhat is that? Evanlyn said softly, pointing to the north. The thin dark line that Erak had seen was now a roiling black mass only a quarter of a kilometer away, sweeping down on them faster than a horse could gallop. The two of them huddled close to the base of the mast, trying to wrap their arms all the way around the rough pine pole, scrabbling for a grip with their fingernails.

Then the sun was blotted out as the storm hit them.

The sheer force of the wind took Wills breath away. Literally. This wasnt a wind like any Will had ever known. This was a savage, living, primeval force that wrapped around him, deafening him, blinding him, punching the breath out of his lungs and preventing his taking another: smothering him as it tried to claw his grip loose. His eyes were shut tight as he struggled to breathe, holding desperately to the mast. Dimly, he heard Evanlyn scream and felt her begin to slip away from him. He grabbed blindly at her, caught her hand and dragged her back.

The first massive wave struck and the wolfships bow canted up at a terrifying angle. They began to rise up the face of the wave, then the ship faltered and began to slide backward and downward! Svengal and Erak screamed at the rowers. Their voices were plucked away by the wind, but the crew, their backs to the storm, could see and understand their body language. They heaved on the oars, bending the oak shafts with their efforts, and the backward slide slowly eased. The ship began to claw its way up the face of the wave, rising higher and higher, moving more and more slowly until Will was sure they must begin the terrible backward sliding motion again.

Then the crest of the wave broke and thundered over them.

Tons of water crashed onto the wolfship, driving it down, rolling it far over to the right until it seemed that it would never recover. Will screamed in absolute animal terror, then had the scream cut off as freezing salt water hammered against him, breaking his grip on the mast, filling his mouth and lungs and hurling him along the deck until the fragile cord brought him to a stop, swirling this way and that until the mass of water passed over and around him. He was left flapping on the deck like a fish as the ship righted itself. Evanlyn was beside him and together they scrambled back to the mast, clinging on with renewed desperation.