Raiders...

Your eyes widen as you spy a black flag flying from the main mast. Raiders and naval deserters do frequent these waters, with tales of their brutality spreading throughout the land.

Lowering the spyglass you look over at Azul and she quickly realizes the gravity of the situation from the look on your face. "Raiders... looks like over a dozen men on deck too." You reply.

"If we hurry we can make it shore!" Grace says, trembling with fear.

Azul says, "No... we will never make it on foot. We have to steer for the rapids.... I would rather die there than be captured by them again."

"I agree... They would either slit my throat or worse... sell to my Uncle." You reply as you grab the oars.

Taking an oar Azul shouts angrily, "They will try to do worse with us!"

"Then we better make the rapids for all our sakes!" You shout, Azul rowing hard with you as Grace takes position at the rudder to steer towards the rapids.

"Once we get close I'll take over... one rock and were done for." Azul says as she rows hard, looking over at the longboat approaching quickly.

You row harder as you hear a loud horn blast from the boat and a low roar from the crew, cheering at the sight of a new prize.

"They're gaining on us!" Grace says as you both row desperately for the rapids.

Putting all your might into the oars, you shout, "Everything over the side! Give it all you got Azul!"

Grace dumps several sacks into the water as you row harder, the raiders gaining on you as you near the rapids.