“’Tis all that remains of the fateful battle.”
“And did the Irish giant win?”
A smile curved her lips. “I would say it depends on who you ask, but I like to believe that in the end he escaped with more than his life, but with his honor.”
The lightness in his eyes faded. “’Tis irrelevant what you believe. ’Tis a story, naught but to amuse those caught within the innocence of youth.” He adjusted the rudder.
On a groan, the cog struggled as it tried to turn against the strongflow of water.
He scowled at their makeshift sail. “Blast it, we are caught in the current and closing too fast. Given the ship’s damaged hull, if theAodhhits the rocks, ’twill split apart.”
A pulse of fear jolted her. Tightening her fingers on the rail, she squinted at the shore. “From the water line on the beach, ’tis high tide.”
“Aye and, God willing, it may be our saving grace.” He gestured to the west of the large, flattened stones. “Though the coast is rocky, the stones are small. ’Tis where I am thinking to run theship aground.”
Icy wind thick with the scent of rain whipped past as the wind increased. Against the blustery howl, whitecaps tipped the growing waves. Dark clouds rolled overhead, smothering the sun.
She shot him a nervous glance. “Looks like we willna make it to shore before thestorm arrives.”
“By God, we will do our damnedest.” Arms visibly straining, he shoved the rudder.
TheAodhshook, turned slightlyto the right.
Face taut, he met her gaze. “Gather our packs below in case we are forced toabandon ship.”
“Aye.” Waves slammed the hull as she hurried to the ladder and scrambled down. With care, she picked her way over debris to where they’d stowed their supplies and began shoving essentials into their packs.
Wood cracked;the cog jolted.
She yelped as she was thrown back among the sodden boxes.
Steps pounded overhead. Eyes dark with worry, Rónán peered into the hull. “Are you hurt?” he bellowed against the wind.
Grimacing against the ache in her ribs where she’d hit, Lathir pushed to her feet. “Nay.What happened?”
“TheAodhslammed against the rocks. The rudder is broken.”
As if to emphasize the danger, the next swell raised the ship, then smashed it against the stones.
Wood snapped.
Another gash opened in the hull.
Seawater flooded in.
“Lathir!”
“Coming!” With supplies in hand, she clambered over the debris. Water had risen to her knees by the time she’d reached the ladder. Fighting the wash of panic, she shoved her foot on the braided hemp,began to climb.
Wood shattered in her wake as another swellrammed the cog.
Jolted back a rung from the top, shelost her grip.
He caught her hand.
Icy wind lashed at her as, muscles screaming, she dangled above the hull.
Another wave slammed against the cog.
