### 294

The marines load and fire three volleys at the cliff-top. You watch the target area and your Sixth Sense tells you that their shots, although they do not hit the creature directly, pass close enough to scare it. With relief, you sense the unseen creature is retreating in the face of this barrage and, as it abandons its sorcerous attack, so the whirlpool ahead ceases to spin violently.

As the waters of the channel return to normal, Raker commends the marines for their gunnery skills. Then he commands his crew to unfurl every remaining square inch of canvas. The sails catch the prevailing winds and carry the ship swiftly through the narrow channel and away from the menacing shadow of the cliffs.

Turn to 287.