Chapter 43: Night Battle Part 2
Sir Shillingsworth had always been proud of Cal, bragging about her artistic ability, using her drawings in his presentations. She'd charmed Lord Carroway, won over the entire crew of the Peregrine, shaken up the hotel in Finches Harbour. He doubted she had any awareness of her impact on the people around her.
Mary, you wouldn't have been surprised at all. Wish I'd been there more for the both of you.
"Better follow the Captain's orders." Sir Shillingsworth leaned against the mast, the sword close at hand. Henrichs smiled and poured water beneath the shield.
***
Cursing woke Cal. She rolled to her feet with her club in hand and took in the surroundings. Thomas battled something toward the stern. The moon lit the ship in start black and white.
"Crabs," Henrichs said and pointed. The rail of the ship was covered with them.
"We can't let them take over." Cal hefted her club. "You take starboard, Father the port, I'll go help Thomas. Keep an eye on the pressure." She glanced at the gauge. 150; they'd be OK for a bit.
"Bloody big crab jumped up and bit me." Thomas waved a bloody hand at Cal.
"Go back to the cannon, watch the gauge, keep the fire hot." She tossed her club to him and he threw the hook to her. A crab scuttled toward her and she swung the hook, flipping it back onto the other crabs. They swarmed it, but some still came at her. Cal batted at the things; their size slowed them down. They were top heavy, a good blow just under the front of the shell was enough to send them flying. If the blow didn't kill them, the rest of the mob did.
She swung the boat hook until her arms were leaden. Shouts from around the cannon told her the others were just as busy.
"200 psi." Henrichs shouted.
"I'm coming, Father switch with me." Cal turned and ran back to the cannon, passing Sir Shillingsworth, covered with bits of crab, but still holding his sword firmly.
A crab, bigger than the others headed for the cannon, pincers waving. It caught one of the ropes holding the cannon steady and sliced through it like it was thread. Cal brought the boat hook down on the crab's shell and flattened it to the deck, then she kicked it down to where the bow met the black water. It flipped over the edge, but one leg caught as it struggled to get free; the rest of the horde turned and scuttled away.
A ping from the tank made Cal look at it in horror.
"Get back, now, it's deforming. It will blow any second."
The gauge read 260 psi.
The crab had stopped struggling. Need to see. Cal batted at the coals sending them scattering across the deck toward the bow. The tinder dry wood caught fire. The flame's red light reflected off the wet black skin of the sea serpent. Cal snatched up the rope to fire the cannon, but the serpent was too far on the other side. Cal ran to starboard, waving and screaming. The huge head snapped around like a pointing hound. Lines and curves screamed through her mind, changing as the monster moved. Then everything fell into place.
Cal ran behind the mast as the creature's head lunged forward. It hit the mast as Cal rolled on the deck and hauled on the rope.
The cannon thundered. The entire ship shook and moved back in the water. Cal didn't see the harpoon move. One second the serpent was tearing at the mast, the next a hole appeared in its body, a little above the water line. The sea serpent collapsed to the deck, then slid off into the water, dragging the cannon with it. Her mind had told her the force it would have; she hadn't comprehended what it meant.
"Report." Cal croaked out from where she lay on the deck.
"Henrichs here."
"Thomas."
Cal sat up ignoring the twinges and aches.
"Father?" She shouted as loud as she could. A moan came from further to the stern.
"I've got him," Henrichs called. "He's battered, but breathing. I can't tell anything else in the dark."
"I didn't think to bring a lantern." Cal cursed herself, then flames erupted and Thomas held up a chunk of wood with burning cloth on the end.
"You'll need a new tool bag."
They gathered around Sir Shillingsworth. One leg twisted under him. Cal couldn't see if he was bleeding. Thomas handed Cal the torch and helped Henrichs roll Sir Shillingsworth on his side. By torchlight, Henrichs set the leg and bound it between two pieces of rail.
"God, I could use a drink." Henrichs flopped down on the deck beside Sir Shillingsworth. Cal sat on the other side while Thomas kept the torch burning and watched over them.
"We don't appear to be sinking." he said.
"Good, I don't want to have done this for nothing." Cal put her head back. "Good work, crew. We should stand watches for the rest of the night. Thomas, take first watch. Wake me if the ship sinks."
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