The Promises of a King (The Road to Hastings Book 2) by Ashman K. M

Author:Ashman, K. M. [Ashman, K. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

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Several hours later, Harold stood in the bow of the lead ship, the wind and rain gusting around his face like an angry animal. The weather had taken a turn for the worse just an hour or so after leaving Bosham, but the captain had assured him that everything was under control. Consequently, they had decided to continue, and in the distance, they could see the shores of Normandy as a thin black line on the horizon.

‘We seem to be getting no closer,’ he yelled over his shoulder to Owen.

‘I agree,’ shouted Owen. ‘I’ll find out what is happening.’ He staggered back to where the captain joined his men in wrestling with the rigging ropes, trying to find the right settings for the overburdened sail. ‘What’s going on?’ asked Owen, wiping the rain from his face.

‘The storm is getting stronger,’ said the captain, ‘and the wind stays in one direction for no more than a few moments at a time.’

‘What does that mean?’ replied Owen, struggling to be heard above the noise.

‘It is difficult to get her to sail in one direction, and if we are not careful, we are at risk of losing the sail.’

‘Should we resort to oars?’

‘Not yet,’ replied the captain, grimacing as another gust of wind placed enormous strain on the sail. ‘I think we may just get away with it.’

Owen looked up at the sail, and even though he was no sailor, he could see that there was something wrong.

‘Captain,’ he shouted, ‘enough is enough. Lower the sail, and we will all take to the oars.’

‘This is my ship,’ roared the captain, ‘and I will sail her how I see fit.’

Owen felt his anger rise, but before he could respond, an almighty crack rang out over the noise of the storm, and the mast snapped clean in half, crashing into the boat and sending the sail over into the churning sea. Timber and bone smashed together as several men were caught under the falling mast, and several more got caught up in the tangle of rigging. The captain was sent flying across the deck but managed to get back to his feet relatively unharmed.

‘Cut the ropes! ’ he screamed. ‘Quickly! ’

Men ran over with knives and axes to sever the rigging, knowing full well that they only had moments before the sodden sails would capsize the already listing ship and send it plunging into the depths with everyone on board. Owen and Harold joined the frenzy, hacking at the ropes with their knives as the storm waves crashed over the side. Moments later, to everyone’s relief, the sails finally broke away, taking the broken mast with them. The ship lurched back, but it lay very low in the water, allowing even more waves to crash over the side.

‘Bail,’ roared Harold over the storm, ‘use what you can.’

Every man tried get the water out, working frantically to stop the ship from sinking. Some had buckets, some used their shields as scoops, while others just used their hands.

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