Chapter 2: Stormy Seas

Iantha's cry rallies the startled crew and gives Chryseis a chance to position herself better, flanking a tentacle with her Amazonian sister. Nikias leaps into the fray and cleaves the tentacle from the beast with a mighty swing, dropping the would-be snack to the ground! The beast burbles in rage, but then Kouru's voice bellows over the storm. The creature pauses, anger still in its eyes, but somewhat confused by the challenge - a perfect opportunity to react.

Iantha's attack strikes true and the creature screeches in pain! Slick black blood sprays on the deck, mixing with the pounding rain. That doesn't hold Nikias back. His blade finds its mark and the defeated beast peels off the ship like a wet garland.

The men aboard cheer, but are interrupted by the bucking of the ship. A massive surge threatens to swallow you into a wine-dark grave. New shapes form in the waters, and for a moment it's easy to fear an even bigger monster has arrived. Kouru can identify them first from his vantage point, and the others can soon after.

Dolphins!

Dozens of the beautiful sleek creatures issue from the waves, larger than you expected, and glistening with unseen moonlight. They surround the ship like bees around an apple tree, unfazed by the anger of the sea. You realize they're guiding the ship to safe harbor. In far less time than you could have managed on your own, you make port in a little cove on the island. The dolphins chatter and disappear back into the darkness, and you are safe for the night.

Helenus squirms oddly and then busts out laughing.

Foresight isn't a constant communication, Helenus pipes up. And Cassandra's are even more fickle. He puts a hand on her shoulder. Are you sure you're all right? She nods with a lucidity that she didn't have back in the temple.

Helenus continues. If you can get me some small game for a sacrifice, I can see what I can discern. My sister should rest. As you saw, there was no "death on the rocks" among us. A major point to miss, don't you think?

Helenus, I'm fine. Cassandra speaks softly but firmly, then looks to their captors. I'm not scared anymore. I think it means she's not mad at you and your men. So you're as safe as you can be off course at sea.

No change in her eyes means it's an educated guess, not a vision, but she seems confident.