Page 23 - UnderEarth

back towards the harrier.
“Lower the rowing boat!” Lake shouted.
The rowing boat would laboriously pull the Wayfarer
through the tunnel piercing the cliff, Storm realised. And then the remaining ships, one by one. “Uncle!” she interrupted, wondering at her bravery. “I can take the fleet through.”
“Wha—” Her uncle stared blankly at her, then a slow grin spread over his face. “Genius!” he said with a laugh. “Of course you can. Belay that rowing boat!” he roared at the crew, and the men winding the windlass shrugged and cranked the boat back on deck. Eyes wide with delight, Lake said to her, “This’ll put a stir into ’em! Yanlin will make a grand entrance. Not to mention the time and sweat you’ll save us.” He lowered his voice, leaned towards her. “You sure you can do it? It’s a narrow tunnel. Narrow and long, and not a breath of wind.”
“There will be wind today!” Storm grinned back at him, excited and nervous, but certain of her power. Precise magic, and gentle, but she knew she could do it. She looked up and saw the unmistakable arc of wings far overhead. For the first time since becoming an Air- witch Storm felt pleasure at the sight of the Albatross
– and a sense of belonging.
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