Chapter 12 -- Of Seas and Siege ; Part seven

The Kathiran ship closed quickly with the little Wind Rose, but under Captain Arrion's orders and his crew's skillful hands, the Wind Rose's sails fell and rose, and the little ship was brought quickly about until she faced her larger enemy and was driving right at her. The Wind Rose's fore-cannons fired. The lead shot smashed into the enemy ship's hull as she struggled to turn as quickly as the Wind Rose had. Haeil could now see the Kathiran ship's name. Ebony Shade it read. Haeil's heart rose in his throat, his palms grew slick with sweat. But he gripped his sword with determination. He may be no gunner, but if they were boarded, the Kathirans would regret it. And then there was a blinding flash from the Ebony Shade's hull. A rolling thunder a second later. "GET DOWN!" Arrion shouted at Haeil, throwing himself at the young man. They crashed to the deck together. And then countless cannonballs crashed into the Wind Rose.