Page 21 - UnderEarth

it loomed higher the closer they got until it was taller than two ships stacked one atop the other.
“Ease the northerly!” ordered Lake. “Then a gentle easterly, to help us circumnavigate to starboard.”
Storm was full of questions, but she pushed them from her mind for the moment and concentrated on shifting the direction of her wind. What if her magic failed again?
Worrying won’t help! snapped her mind-voice.
One by one, the Wayfarer in the lead, Yanlin’s fleet veered right and began to sail around the enormous cliff encircling Bellum Island.
Storm darted a glance at her uncle. Lake was frowning in concentration as he adjusted the tiller with small, precise movements, keeping the ship in a channel of deep water between the wall and a string of dangerous-looking rocks to their right. She bit her lip, her forehead beading with sweat as she struggled to keep her wind soft and steady. Gentle magic was always the hardest! Behind them, the rest of the fleet followed in their wake, tracing a slow and treacherous path around the island.
Is this place nothing but a lump of lava? Storm wondered.
Is the town perched on the top of the cliff like a gull in its nest?
Where is the harbour? But she didn’t dare interrupt her Uncorrected Sample
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