The Gathering Storm
Mason left Ilona to climb up into the rigging and help the pirates there. A few had gone down to hammer boards over the hole in the deck in an attempt to keep the coming rain out of the Captain's cabin, but it would be no use. They could see by looking at the heavy, black clouds that the rain would be dumped upon them soon.
The air was wet as if it was already raining, but it was just the water coming off the waves as they crashed all around. The wind whistled as it blew through the ship, making the temperature drop lower with each passing moment.
With all sails full for the first time since the dragon attack, the ship raced to reach land before the storm could catch up. Ilona continued to glance back to see if it looked like the storm was blowing itself out, but it was not. In fact, as much as she hated to admit it, she believed it was actually growing bigger and faster.