Pool led the way. Throwing caution to the wind, the portly little sailor hustled up the stairs and made a break for the starboard railings where he unrolled each of the prepared rope ladders over the side in succession. Sailors and soldiers followed as Gunnar waved them on.

The Darvellians' flaming arrows were taking their toll. The Gryphon II's sails-draped over their portside fortifications-had caught fire. Under ordinary circumstances, a relay of water buckets could have prevented ...