Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 531
They said nothing as they climbed the sliding side of the
thing. It took longer than he expected, and by the time they
reached the top they were both covered with sand that stuck to
their wet clothes and skin like plaster.
"Damned desals," muttered Tamsin. "They could at least
have gotten us to shore."
It was even colder up here in the breeze, but you could
see forever. Jordan shielded his eyes from the watery sun and
turned slowly.
"Oh." He pointed. "We go that way."
"How do you know--" She stopped when she saw where
he was pointing.
At least twenty thin spires of smoke rose above an
indistinct patch on the western horizon.
news was black with soot and bleeding from a wound in his
shoulder. The gangs by the steam cannon stopped working and
fell into a confused battle of talk. Armiger shrugged.
"Let them have it. Makes a bigger target."
This comment was relayed down the line, eliciting an
uncertain cheer from the gunners. "So shall we turn the beasts
on the tower, then?" asked one.
They were set up in the center of the palace parade
cannon could be aimed anywhere except at the houses
northwest of the keep. From here Armiger could see and judge
most of the action, but not what was taking place there. What
he could see was smoke and chaos at six points along the walls;
fires in the tent town and boiling mobs of refugees trying to get
into the great hall or over the walls into the garden. The mobs