Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx by James Rollins

skymaster lost control of the ship, they were all doomed. Staying low, he led the others and reached the steps up to the stern deck just as a hatch popped open in front of him. Still in hunting garb, Nefertiti leaped out.
    She landed in a pounce, spear in hand. Taking in the battle with a sweep of her eyes, she scowled at Jake as if this were all his fault.
    Behind her, the grakyl tore the captain off the rudder. “The skymaster needs help!” he shouted.
    She turned to see to the pair tumbling across the deck. “Horus!”
    The rudder swung, and the ship rolled the other way. Jake and Nefertiti snatched the edge of the hatch. The others weren’t so lucky. They lost their footing and went sliding across the deck.
    Jake watched them hit the rail with some force. They all caught hold—except Marika. The body of a grakyl struck her from behind and sent her toppling overboard. She fell away with a piercing scream.
    â€œMari!”
    But she was gone.
    â€œHelp me!” Nefertiti ordered.
    Jake wanted to shove her away and race after his friend. But he saw the fear in the Egyptian’s eyes.
    Pindor screamed. “Mari caught hold of the sail!”
    Jake glanced to him, picturing the widespread wings beneath the ship.
    â€œShe’s barely hanging on!” Pindor yelled.
    â€œJake!” Kady turned to him, her face fierce. “You must straighten this boat! Or she’s going to fall!”
    Nefertiti grabbed his shoulder. “Go for the rudder. I’ll help Horus.”
    He nodded, and together they scrambled across the tilted deck. Nefertiti leaped into the fray with the huge grakyl. No longer a princess, only a skilled hunter.
    Jake reached the rudder and shouldered into it. He dug in with the toes of his boots and pushed with his entire body. Slowly the rudder gave way. The deck shifted underhis legs, but he kept firm hold, pushing until the boat flew evenly.
    Jake risked a glance to Nefertiti, who stood over the body of the huge grakyl. She’d speared it through an eye. Horus sat against the rail, cradling a broken arm, his face slashed by claws, still dazed.
    Kady came running up, her fencing sword in hand. “Hold the ship steady, Jake! Bach’uuk and Pindor are dropping a rope to Mari!”
    Jake wanted to run and help, but he dared not abandon his hold on the rudder. With the keel even, men found their footing and fought on. Steps away, Kady and Nefertiti fought side by side to hold the horde back from Jake so he could keep the ship flying straight.
    Eventually the grakyl got the message. Like a ship passing out of a squall, the war suddenly ended. The surviving beasts swooped and cartwheeled away.
    Horus’s broken arm was in a crude sling made from his own cloak, but he’d regained enough of his rattled senses to man his post again. The skymaster patted Jake on the shoulder, thanking him, and took over.
    Relieved of duty, Jake ran and leaped off the steps. He reached Pindor and Bach’uuk in time to see them grab Marika’s arms and haul the girl over the rail.
    The four friends all slumped to the deck.
    â€œDon’t do that again,” Pindor scolded her.
    Marika elbowed him. “I’m not planning on it!”
    * * *
    A half hour later, it was hard to say that any battle had taken place. The corpses of the beasts were tossed overboard, the injured taken down below, and the decks washed clean. Only a few stains and the snapped balloon tether gave any indication of the bloody fight.
    During the cleanup, Jake and his friends had returned to their spots at the front of the boat. But the crew’s attitude toward them had changed. Sailors nodded and waved. Fresh water was brought to them, along with platters of something that looked like cheese but was sweeter and chewier.
    Even Nefertiti spent time with Kady on the middeck, examining her sword. The two talked with much gesturing. Jake caught glimpses of a smile on the princess’s