“Just a minute.” Stanager put a restraining hand on his arm. “If Priget steps down, who’s to steer the ship?”
The herdsman nodded once more at the bulbous bulk that now blocked much of the view forward. “I have already given our friend a heading. You see, Captain, I have been watching you these past many days, and have learned much. It is my nature to be curious about everything, including the operation and navigation of a vessel like this.” Looking down, he saw the cylindrical yellow organ contract slightly. “Hang on. I am going to.” So saying, he turned away from her and made sure his fingers were wrapped tightly around the stays.
“Why?” she snapped. “What’s going to hap—”
Impelled forward by the stream of water ejected by the Kraken from its rearward-facing siphon, the great sea beast shot westward across the surface of the sea. Held firm in its tentacular grasp, the Grömsketter went with it. Several sailors who had failed to fully heed Ehomba’s warning were nearly left behind as the deck was all but yanked out from under them. The term “jet propulsion” was one that was as yet unknown to Stanager Rose and her crew, even as it applied to squid of all sizes and species, but the practical effects of the process were abundantly evident in their astoundingly swift progress across the water.
Her bow lifted largely clear of the surface, ship and squid shot across the sea at a velocity no sailing craft, however well crewed and captained, could ever hope to match. Once she was convinced of the stability of the arrangement, Stanager Rose ordered all sails reefed and pennants and flags broken out and hauled aloft, determined to show the Kraken that it was not the only one that could alter the color and design of its appearance.